The other requirement they used to have for their old wifi numbers was at least one text to be sent every 30 days. Without that, the number was lost.
They're trying to limit free-riders, but if TextNow wants to use this new free offering to attract and retain customers, they should get rid of such requirements. A customer isn't going to use TextNow as their main number and buy data add-ons from TextNow if the number is likely to be lost due to lack of use!
Thanks for solving the "not allowed to text" mystery, KentE and mmfacemm!
Any thoughts on Chameleon's "please sign in" message that keeps popping up?
Yes, hangouts and GV texting work, but I wanted to text using my new TextNow number (while hangouts and GV use my GV number). Is there a way to get GV/hangouts to use the TextNow number? (kinda like you can use GV to call using your cell number)
I don't believe that's possible for text. Normally with GV, you have the option of texting with your native number by using the native app-- so that feature doesn't seem built in.
So far, you're the only one reporting the "please sign in" message. Since the app prefers WiFi, is there a chance it's trying to log in to a local WiFi network, and is asking for that sign-in? Does the popup persist if you disable WiFI?
KentE asked, "Does the popup persist if you disable WiFI?"
Yes, wifi is disabled. The notification says "Sign into network Chameleon", with Chameleon in the second line. I have to tap on the notification, which opens up a window with a blank screen titled "Sign-in to network". I tap on the 3 dots in the title bar. I have two choices when I do that - "Do not use this network" and "Use this network as is". I have to pick the second choice to be able to call.
Would have been easier to say the above with screenshots, but I'm on a computer 
The answer to the native dialer question is that the native dialer passes the dialed number off to the TextNow dialer. If you look closely you'll see that it's so.
And if you turn off mobile data the native dialer will no longer work-- so it's definitely not using cellular voice.
Chameleon is the network name shown by Sprint prepaid devices before they were initially activated on the branded network. (For phones that were sold by multiple Sprint providers, rather than internally branding 3 or more different versions for each provider, they just did a generic non-specific build and had it convert to "boost", Virgin, etc., when it was activated.) Lots of phones on RingPlus showed that forever, since they were never activated on Boost, Virgin, etc.
But why it's showing up and asking you to sign in is new to me.......
A few more data points:
I used LTE Discovery and, unsurprisingly, I'm connected to the Chameleon network as well. I haven't encountered any login requests, however.
3G connections work, too. I had thought that it might be LTE-only but when I force it to CDMA I get a 3G signal and everything continues to work the same. That's good news from a coverage perspective.
Inspired by KentE and Chelle's explanations above, I changed the network setting to 3G instead of LTE. Chameleon continues to give me the "please sign in" popup, but I can make calls without telling it to "use the network as is". Definite improvement
peterquinn, I did some more reading about Chameleon. Although my earlier explanation was correct, I did find a number of references to incomplete updating from Chameleon status.
To be clear, the fact that the phone indicates Chameleon as the network is not a problem in and of itself. But when activated, the phone should do an update (invisible) that is akin to Profile update, but not exactly the same. A failure here might cause the issue you're seeing.
Most of the comments I saw about it were Samsung phones, and the core issue seemed to be something related to Samsung's build of Android. There used to be an app in the Play Store to fix it, but it's no longer there-- and it was a Samsung app anyway.......
Some other reports of behavior similar to yours were fixed by doing repeated Profile updates. From memory & experience, I think the Moto E2 is kind of picky about doing these updates, so try it both with WiFi off (with a strong signal), and WiFi on.
If this turns out to be profitable for Textnow maybe the government can drastically change the lifeline program and save some money.
This works with Verizon SIMs too?
TextNow works with any activated cellphone on any service provider.
The free cellular connection only works with Sprint SIMs, however.
If the merger goes through, I wonder if it will work on T-mobile too
Regarding GV, I tried to link the Textnow number (and the phone) with GV. It is actually working.
So when there is no wifi, incoming call to GV will be forwarded to Textnow.
Outgoing call from GV will be transferred to Textnow app dialer, and the number will be textnow number.
(I am not sure is there a way to make the outgoing number also GV?)
GV# on outgoing calls: You've probably already checked your settings in GV on your phone to make sure that under the "CALLS" section you chose "use carrier only" at "making and receiving calls", chose "Use your Google voice number" at "Calls started from this device's phone app", and also made sure "Hide you caller ID on outgoing calls" is toggled off at "Anonymous caller ID". If so, disregard. But maybe "Prefer Wi-Fi and mobile data" being chosen might work better for outgoing calls given that there is data at work somewhere within TextNow calling.
Thanks. I tried and it doesn’t work for my phone. As long as the call is initiated from the phone app, it will be routed to Textnow app.
always get the texnow number calling out.
I also often get the sign into network boost mobile prompt. I found if I ignore it, it is working fine. So I am on the sprint network, but the system would like to sign into boost network. (my phone is moto e2 from boost mobile)
From what I have learned on this forum, Textnow's free-cellular plan will only allow the Textnow app to handle calls and texts.
That is exactly what was happening to me too -- on my Moto E2 which is a Boost phone that was never used on Boost, but on RingPlus. (My phone wanted me to sign in to Chameleon network).
Incoming texts worked for me, but incoming calls didn't ring when I was on free-cellular-Textnow (ie when there was no wifi). Wasn't able to solve this problem, unfortunately.
Incoming call works for me. I am also forwarding GV calls to textnow.
E2 is not as easy as LG phones. I tried 3-4 times profile update during activation.
I found there is work around making outgoing calls only showing Google Voice number with wifi or data only.
The GVoice Callback app actually works here.
When I place the call using phone app, textnow app will kick in first, end this call immediately.
Then GVoice Callback interface will show up and I can continue with the callback.
The receiver will only see google voice number, the first canceled textnow call won't show up.
It is kind of interesting now I can use only GV number on my textnow phone even with wifi turned off.
Relating with the 'free' idea here:
TN is emailing an invoice every month now - even though I'm on the free plan - for $0.00
This makes me wonder what they've got up their sleeve as a next move ??