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Magic Jack? / App for calling to US when out of country?

m61376

m61376

Tug Review Crew
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Location
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Resorts Owned
Marriott Aruba Surf Club 2 & 3BRs
I had been using the magic jack app when traveling for several years at the suggestion of othe Tuggers. During my recent trip I wasn't able to use the app for free phone calls to the US. Is used to be able to make the calls from tHe app on my iPhone or iPad- not magic jack device and no plan needed. Did they change their service or am I missing something?
Any other free services?
Thanks
 
Try Google voice... combine that with the Hangouts app (and the Hangouts Dialer app.) must be setup in the US, but can then be used to call back to the US.

Sent from my Galaxy Note 8.0 using Swype
 
FreeIn2010 said:
Try Google voice... combine that with the Hangouts app (and the Hangouts Dialer app.) must be setup in the US, but can then be used to call back to the US.

Sent from my Galaxy Note 8.0 using Swype
Click to expand...

Another vote for Google! I used Google Hangouts all last winter while in Belize to call to our family at home in Canada. I had to use a VPN (to appear to be in the USA to Google) and then enjoyed unlimited calls to Canada & also made a couple to the USA. Family members could not call us but if they needed us (ie when DiL went into labour & then the birth of our granddaughter) they sent a quick email or Facebook message to call home.

My niece is attending university in Brussels this year (& next) and calls home (to Canada) weekly also using a VPN. She sounds like she is phoning from across the street!

Of course your internet speed and connection has to be fairly good, but we found the reception to be excellent -even from Belize!


~Diane
 
App for calling to US when out of country?

A few years back someone here had suggested the Magic Jack app, which worked beautifully and I got spoiled. Just got back from Aruba and for some reason couldn't get on the app- tells me I need a registered device. I had gotten spoiled and was really frustrated not to be able to make free calls. I have an elderly aunt I usually call every day, and she isn't tech savvy, so need something that would enable me to call a landline like magic jack used to.
Hope someone has an alternative suggestion versus $1.99 a minute from Verizon
Thanks
 
m61376 said:
A few years back someone here had suggested the Magic Jack app, which worked beautifully and I got spoiled. Just got back from Aruba and for some reason couldn't get on the app- tells me I need a registered device. I had gotten spoiled and was really frustrated not to be able to make free calls. I have an elderly aunt I usually call every day, and she isn't tech savvy, so need something that would enable me to call a landline like magic jack used to.
Hope someone has an alternative suggestion versus $1.99 a minute from Verizon
Thanks
Click to expand...

Have you tried getting a Skype phone number? I use it often to make and receive calls to/from to the US. I forward my cellphone number to my Skype number when I'm out of the country.
 
I have what I think is a stupid question, but understand that, while I'm computer savvy, I'm sure I'm a novice compared to others. My daughter has recently traveled overseas and I asked her about it, and she implied I didn't know what I was talking about, that you don't need an app and as long as you're on wifi the calls are made on wifi and there's no change as long as you have data roaming off. I always thought Verizon phones worked for calls even when data was off, and that you'd be charged. Am I missing something, or is she going to choke when she gets her phone bill?
So can you just use your phone ( with data roaming off) as you usually do as long as you're connected over wifi, and the calls automatically go through the wifi and not cell towers? Am I just behind the times as she implied?.?
 
Check into Viber.

FREE calls, texts, images, etc ......parties back in US must have it also to receive, but that's easy. Simple to download app----takes a couple of minutes.

Have it, used it, worked great when daughter went to Peru.
 
m61376 said:
I had been using the magic jack app when traveling for several years at the suggestion of othe Tuggers. During my recent trip I wasn't able to use the app for free phone calls to the US. Is used to be able to make the calls from tHe app on my iPhone or iPad- not magic jack device and no plan needed. Did they change their service or am I missing something?
Any other free services?
Thanks
Click to expand...

You don't like using FaceTime?

Skype?
 
Need to be able to call a landline, so Viper won't work - thanks though.
And does anyone know about my ? About just using the regular cell phone when connected to wifi? Am I crazy and behind the times?
 
deleted, duplicate
 
Last edited:
You can use Skype over wi-fi to connect to any phone, anywhere. There is a small charge of a couple cents a minute to landlines. To other Skype users are free.

The app is free, too.

Jim
 
We are real happy with using the magicJack app over wifi to make calls anywhere we have wifi ( important since I have very limited cell service at my work)

PLUS we ported our home number to magicJack and now pay about $3/month for home phone service while keeping the phone number we have had for 27 years
 
To answer your question: a VoIP app will use WiFi (or cellular data in some cases) to make Voice Over Internet Protocol 'voice' calls. Depending on the app, phone number or SIP registration you are using (like Vonage etc..) the call is either free, low cost or free when calling 'app to app' or number to number (Skype) etc.... Each has it's advantages and disadvantages. Video chat/calls and texting are often free as well (app to app). Some (Google Voice) may require a VPN to 'trick' them into thinking they are in the USA. WhatsApp, Skype, and Goggle Voice are extremely popular. Rebtel is new, but getting popular because it doesn't need WiFi and can use cell data to complete calls (very low data draw). Some of the features are operating system specific (IOS or Android or Windows etc..) and some can be carrier or location specific or restricted. Google is your friend.




VoIP, Text, Video calling apps:

WhatsApp (Text, Video, Audio recordings, Voice ) *some features $ some app to app
WeChat (Text, Video, Chat, Voice)
Skype (all $$)
Google Voice (VPN outside of USA)
Rebtel (Voice, app to app or $) * NO WiFi required (can use data)
Viber (text, photos, voice)
Fring
Tango

vonage allows cloud sharing on 5 devices
magicApp is the app extension of MagicJack and MagicPC for cell
 
Last edited:
http://www.tripexpert.com/lists/best-international-calling-apps-list


the best apps compared with links. YMMV

I'm editing my post to add two new links: very very current and very informative for those who are less interested in app-to-app or 3rd party 'pay as you go' calling.

This article is a very basic, easy to understand and informative read. Can't vouch for all the facts, but seems correct:

http://www.cnet.com/news/what-you-need-to-know-about-wifi-calling/

This is the link from the above webpage that discusses the 'NEW' AT&T and Verizon free wifi calling on IOS:

AT&T, Verizon switch on free international Wi-Fi calling via iOS 9.3 update

http://www.fiercewireless.com/wirel...nternational-wi-fi-calling-via-ios-9-3-update
 
Last edited:
m61376 said:
I have what I think is a stupid question, but understand that, while I'm computer savvy, I'm sure I'm a novice compared to others. My daughter has recently traveled overseas and I asked her about it, and she implied I didn't know what I was talking about, that you don't need an app and as long as you're on wifi the calls are made on wifi and there's no change as long as you have data roaming off. I always thought Verizon phones worked for calls even when data was off, and that you'd be charged. Am I missing something, or is she going to choke when she gets her phone bill?
So can you just use your phone ( with data roaming off) as you usually do as long as you're connected over wifi, and the calls automatically go through the wifi and not cell towers? Am I just behind the times as she implied?.?
Click to expand...

When we went to Cancun a couple years ago, friends that were with us had Verizon and they used some type of service like this. They had to turn on WiFi calling and disable their Roaming and Data Roaming. I don't know much about it, but it seemed to work for them and I think it just charged any minutes to their plans, but they may have had unlimited plans. I am not aware that they got any kind of surprises on their cell phone bills. We just use Ooma Mobile but have also had to use Skype for some calling when Ooma Mobile wouldn't work. If the cell WiFi calling doesn't work for you, I think Skype may be the best option, just load your account up with about $10 and you should be good to go calling from just about anywhere back to the USA.
 
m61376 said:
Need to be able to call a landline, so Viper won't work - thanks though.
And does anyone know about my ? About just using the regular cell phone when connected to wifi? Am I crazy and behind the times?
Click to expand...

If you have T-Mobile and a strong Wifi connection, you can put your phone in airplane mode and make wifi calls back to US for free. Also, T-Mobile only charges $.20 per minute to use your cell phone in a lot of countries including western Europe.
 
I used the MagicJack app all summer in Europe with no trouble. Post a support request and see what you get.

As we have an Ooma line at the office, I could also use that. I thought the quality was a little better sounding. I also have Viber and WhatsApp, but mostly just for incoming calls.

The calling was over both WiFi and roaming cell data (we're with T-mobile).

We just returned yesterday and realized we had forgotten how great 4G LTE sounds.
 
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