App's for using WIFI to conserve cell minutes

I find it handy to have an app on my Cell so that I could use a WIFI (hot spot....such as a Fast Food place) to call or text from. (or even do more) With the "Talkatone" app you can even select your own phone number or change it again later, You can turn your tablet into a phone, with no roaming fees, and if you change your phone number later (no fee for doing that) you can still retain your earlier messages & call history.

Talkatone works on iPhones, iPads, iPods, and Android smartphones and tablets. It supports iOS v12.0+ and Android v4.4.4+

Talkatone Calling App

Should you run out of minutes, are where you can't connect for data, or something goes wrong otherwise where your cellular network becomes unavailable, by stopping in where there is free WIFI you can still use your Cell to call or use the internet.

Talkatone will work with the Astrill VPN app (use WIFI for this) which has an extensive server range, allowing Talkatone users to bypass geolocation restrictions. It has 300+ servers across 57+ locations, including servers in many regions where Talkatone is available. The extensive range of servers gives you a smooth and seamless experience when using Talkatone. It is not recommended to use a VPN with data as it may increase the rate of consumption.

Anyone else using such apps as a back up ?

There are many VoIP providers. Zoom Phone, WhatsApp, Vonage, and Skype to name a few. Using them, essentially gives any phone two numbers: the VoIP number that is assigned and the number attached to the sim card. Thus there are two lines on one phone. Yes, I am ignoring dual sim card phones (which aren't very popular in the US).

I've had a Google Voice number since back when it was GrandCentral. I can't tell you the sim card number on any of my devices without looking it up. I value the ability to maintain a consistent number regardless of what phone or carrier I'm using. My caller ID is the same whether I'm using my primary phone or my gym phone. I value the ability to make/receive calls and texts from any device, including my computer and to multiple devices simultaneously. It simplifies my cross platform life (for example, if I used iMessages on my iPad, they wouldn't be accessible on my Samsung phone). If I lose or break a phone, there is no down time, any device I grab (or borrow) can become my phone within seconds.

There are a few issues that can arise with this approach. Without a strong data signal, VoIP call quality can suffer. It helps to choose a provider that has programming resources to spend on optimization. Two factor authentication can be problematic with VoIP numbers. I've encountered issues with bank verification, Uber, and some government sites. This is only a problem if you are completely detached from your sim number, as I am. Lastly, and unsurprisingly, Google Voice integrates seamlessly with Android devices, less so with Apple devices, though it does work.

It is good to have a backup plan and I do have one as well as talk on the phone apps. One that allows me to have an alternate cellular plan ready to roll..,just in case. A while back when I bought a new tablet I made sure to buy one I could use on an alternate service providers cell towers versus the same cell towers my current phone runs on. It has GPS capability. So far I do use that tablet and I do make sure to keep the apps on it updated but I have not yet needed to activate it as a cellular plan device.

If you have an older cell (perhaps an old burner) and the play store or the app store doesn't offer older versions of app's you are interested in, you may find those earlier apps at Uptodown

The Softsonic site (linked above) offers free downloads of the Uptodown app.

You can find earlier versions of Talkatone app for the android phones, which can be accessed through platforms like Uptodown, where they maintain a history of previous app versions allowing you to download older builds of Talkatone if needed; just search for "Talkatone older versions" on the site.Previous versions of Talkatone can be found in Uptodown's version history, where the app's available files are stored. Safely download previous versions of Talkatone for Android. To find older versions of apps for an iPhone, you can use the app store and log in to the same Apple ID that was used on the device when the app was originally installed. Find the app you want and download it from the cloud. If a compatible version is available, Apple will suggest installing the older version on the device.

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Uptodown app is not an app store for iPhone, but it does have a number of apps that can be used with the iPhone.