Use old iPhone as a second phone over wifi but with primary phone number

July 23, 2012 9:22 PM

Please help me design a method for using an old iPhone to make and receive calls on my current AT&T wireless number by WiFi, preferably for free. Ideally, I would like to have this old iPhone (without service), sitting on my desk, ringing when calls come into my current AT&T number, and when I make outgoing calls via Wifi, the caller ID shows my current number. The reason is primarily that AT&T coverage is horrible inside my house, so the ability to do this by wifi at home would be great. But I hate the confusion created when you make outgoing calls and the number is different. I can think of very convoluted ways to do it, so I'm asking you smarties if you have a better way.
posted by DesmondDoomsday to Computers & Internet (6 answers total)

Get A Google Voice number and install Groove IP on the phone. It works great for me on my Android. Spend the 5 bucks to get the premium version of Grooveip, the extra functionality is worth it.
posted by buggzzee23 at 9:36 PM on July 23, 2012 [2 favorites]

Does AT&T still offer their MicroCell extender? I believe it lets you use your own wifi to create a mini cell-tower, but it's been a while since I looked into it.
posted by stopgap at 9:42 PM on July 23, 2012 [2 favorites]

http://www.talkatone.com Looks like this does it for you on the iPhone side. Free, uses Google Voice (also free).
posted by skypieces at 9:52 PM on July 23, 2012

Seconding the MicroCell. We have next-to-no reception inside the house without it, normal reception inside the house with it. You don't need to get a special plan with it - we just bought it.
posted by telophase at 8:06 AM on July 24, 2012

I can confirm Talkatone does this.
posted by HotPatatta at 8:38 PM on July 24, 2012

Response by poster: Hi guys,

Thanks for the answers. I apologize for not responding sooner. Not getting email notifications for some reason!

I actually have a macrocell sitting in a closet and collecting dust. Besides being an eyesore, I was never able to find a good location for it, nor solve a number of quality issues. I troubleshooted its performance with AT&T support many times and could never get it working reliably.

I will look at Talkatone and update the post. It's a shame that Groove IP isn't an option.
posted by DesmondDoomsday at 12:56 PM on July 30, 2012