Got email below and a similar text message from Textnow.
I am wondering if there is anything widespread happening with TN as I can't keep up with various reddit forums nor Howard forums. I did do a cursory search before this post.
OR
Is it just because I am using TN (app version 25.31.0.2) still on a T-Mobile SIM, on a moto e6 (stuck on android 9)?
If anyone has any insight as to what is going on or changing at TN at the end of July I'd really appreciate being clued in.
If you are regularly using TN (particularly via SIM) I'd be curious how your voice, data has been recently and if that experience is with T-mo or AT&T SIM.
I think they did somewhat similarly vague phrasing when they moved over to AT&T, intimating that you had to change or could lose service without the new network SIM.
On the play store the app is at 26.27.0.0
"Updated on Jul 6, 2026
Requires Android 9 and up"
Interestingly, when I go to the play store on the actual phone it shows the same version available but updated date is shown as July 2nd, 2026.
I really wonder if it is an app/android version thing and they just decided to no longer support 9 and older or if something is actually changing on the backend/network side of things.
I stopped by T-Mobile and asked about whether I'd be force migrated from my Magenta Plan. The rep said that if I did not get a text a week ahead, then I am fine. Rep claims there are 'technical issues between the new tower equipment and older plans... perhaps true or perhaps just a money grab (retire old plan but somehow does not require users to get new SIM?!?).
Anyway, I think this is related to T-Mo deciding to cancel one or more of their old plans that TextNow uses. Perhaps you signed up for TextNow long before I did as I did not receive any notice on TextNow either - but then I do not use their SIM, just on my TMO cell service as a 2nd line on the same device.
Oh, did Moto e6 get dropped from their supported device list? This could be just the service now limiting devices for easier troubleshooting.
I was curious about essential apps for rideshare drivers, guess it will work but maybe only for 350MB. Probably not enough for a rideshare drivers.
GPT:
TextNow’s help page for Free Flex doesn’t state an exact monthly data cap—only that you can use listed essential apps (like Uber/Lyft) without Wi‑Fi once they’re downloaded. textnow.com
A third-party review reports the Free Essential Data limit as 350MB per month before you’d need a data pass. whistleout.com
ChatGPT did not find any reference of Moto e6 not being supported.
When did you get your SIM? I would guess before Aug 15, 2025, right?
GPT:
Yes—TextNow has been upgrading its wireless network in phases, and older (legacy) SIMs may stop working unless you upgrade.
If you’ve already activated a new SIM since August 15, 2025, you typically don’t need to do anything else; if you’re invited, you’ll see a message in the TextNow app with a link to claim/upgrade your SIM. textnow.com
1
Yes, the SIM card is from before Aug 15 '25.
If it is a SIM card issue then you'd think they'd mention that and not only key on the device?
I think that the whole Aug '25 thing comes up on GPT because that was when the transition to AT&T SIMs was implemented / started shipping.
I think there are still a lot of people who never transferred from the T-mo SIM? That was why I was wondering if others got a similar message. If TN was just turning off T-mo then you'd think they'd just say hey, it's been a year, you'll have no service after July 31 '26 if you don't get a new SIM.
Service on phones with Android 9 or higher will still work when using wi-fi.
Unknown
When using the new sim that connects to At&t towers, does the unlock phone have to be one that is on the list of At&t approved devices?
What happens if someone uses a phone that works on At&t but has a version of Android between 9 and 13. Will it work; will it work poorly; or will it not work at all when using the Textnow sim? My GUESS for this particular unknown is that it will vary depending on the device and maybe also which cell tower they are able to connected to.
Only source is my personal observation and monitoring what people have been saying over multiple discussions within the last week on Reddit.
Speaking of Reddit, someone in the past 24 hours says he has found a workaround to using Android 10-12 devices with the newest Textnow sim and app. I have no idea if the results would make Textnow usable for ALL devices with those versions of Android.
o Moto e6 - still working, on 4G of course
o Moved SIM from iPhone 6S to unlocked Revvl V+ 5G (Android 12), and latest app said to order new SIM (free), so I did. The old SIM doesn't work on this device. ** UPDATE ** : Received new SIM and works well on Revvl V+ 5G
o AI told me that not only will the iPhone 6s not work anymore on TextNow, but my iPhone 7 also won't, so I didn't try it
Did you verify with TextNow support that the SIM is properly activated in their system? My replacement TextNow SIM wasn't properly activated in their system and support had to activate it on their end.
