International Texting / iPhone to Android

[DownhillGoat]

I've got a friend who's moving to London soon. What's the best way to text (if any) that won't cost an arm and a leg? Are there any apps that work for this? Looking for something that's compatible with both Android and iPhone.

Thanks!

[getbak]

Viber is an app for both devices that can do this for free (other than your mobile data usage, if any). It can also do VOIP phone calls.

You could also use Facebook Messenger if you just want to send text messages.

[MickMcGeough]

Skype or Whatsapp (both need data)

[Jimmy Stang]

I know that I don't get charged to send an international text from Canada to the UK (with Fido), and I don't get charged to receive one from the UK, but I'm not sure about whether my relatives are charged to send me one. That would depend on their plan over there.

I have also heard that WhatsApp is good cross-platform solution for getting around carrier texting fees.

[RedMileDJ]

Why not just stick with email?

When my sister went to the Cook Islands last year we used our gmail accounts. Delay was about 20 seconds, but it worked fine.

[STeeLy]

There are plenty of apps out there that support both iphone and android.

Voxer and Viber are free. I also use whatsapp, but the only thing about whatsapp is that (at least for Android), your first year is free, and then you have to pay a subscription every year after (it's something like $0.99).

All these apps will use data.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by MickMcGeough

Skype or Whatsapp (both need data)

I second whatsapp. We use that at work as we have several phone platforms. It also allows you to setup groups which is handy.

[Galakanokis]

Kik messenger is a Canadian made messaging app loosely based on BBM.

[Russic]

Originally Posted by Red-Mile-DJ

Why not just stick with email?

When my sister went to the Cook Islands last year we used our gmail accounts. Delay was about 20 seconds, but it worked fine.

Email and text produce very different conversations. I'd go with something like Whatsapp for sure. Admittedly haven't tried the others.

[GrrlGoalie33]

I have used whatsapp extensively, and for the most part it's replaced text messaging completely - even with friends/family in the city.

I highly recommend it.

[SuperMatt18]

Depending on the carrier the international text rates are not that bad anymore.

International text is included in Fido, Virgin, and Koodo plans.

Believe TELUS, and Rogers have $10 unlimited add-ons.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by STeeLy

There are plenty of apps out there that support both iphone and android.

Voxer and Viber are free. I also use whatsapp, but the only thing about whatsapp is that (at least for Android), your first year is free, and then you have to pay a subscription every year after (it's something like $0.99).

All these apps will use data.

I don't think there is a single person in the world that has had to pay to use Whatsapp on Android. They just extend your subscription year after year if you choose not too.

[Ozy_Flame]

Facebook Messenger should work.

[STeeLy]

Originally Posted by Azure

I don't think there is a single person in the world that has had to pay to use Whatsapp on Android. They just extend your subscription year after year if you choose not too.

I haven't reached my year yet, so I don't know, but apparently my friend in the UK has paid to extend her subscription.

[DownhillGoat]

Ended up using whatsapp. Works great. Thanks for all the suggestions!

[GoinAllTheWay]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Depending on the carrier the international text rates are not that bad anymore.

International text is included in Fido, Virgin, and Koodo plans.

Believe TELUS, and Rogers have $10 unlimited add-ons.

Telus sure as hell doesn't. I had to pay $20 for unlimited incoming but only 50 outgoing when we went to St. Maarten last month.

Freakin robbery. I called them and was astonished how much they wanted for even very limited data plans. Things got out of this world when the offered some voice options too.

[STeeLy]

Originally Posted by GoinAllTheWay

Telus sure as hell doesn't. I had to pay $20 for unlimited incoming but only 50 outgoing when we went to St. Maarten last month.

He's talking about sending messages from Canada to other international numbers. Texting from out of Canada is an entirely different story. And yes, they do charge an arm and a leg to text while roaming.

[JohnnyB]

Use WeChat. It's the English version of 微信 which is ubiquitous in China, and for good reason. You can send short messages, short voice messages, share pictures & videos etc to anywhere as long as you have internet access. It's really good. I tend not to like any tool of this sort very much, but I find that as soon as someone I know is on WeChat I never even bother with text messages anymore.

[Flame Of Liberty]

Originally Posted by STeeLy

I haven't reached my year yet, so I don't know, but apparently my friend in the UK has paid to extend her subscription.

IIRC the app asks you if you've flown on a plane more than twice in that given year, and if you answer yes it asks you to pay to "offset" your carbon footprint or some other nonsense, if you answer no you're good to go another year for free.