Data Connectivity Problems [CDMA]

Please note: These following steps are for TextNow CDMA devices only. 



If your data connection is intermittent, or your device is having a hard time connecting to 3G/4G, please follow the steps below to resolve this. Also, please ensure you have wifi available before performing these steps:

For most Android phones:

  1. Go to Settings > WiFi and slide Wifi on if it is not already enabled.
  2. Connect to a Wi-Fi network if you're not already connected. You might need to know the password for the wifi network in order to connect. 
  3. Turn Airplane Mode off if it's on. You can usually find Airplane Mode under Settings > More... or Settings > More Settings .
  4. Go to Settings > More... (or More Settings) > Mobile Networks > Mobile Data> Toggle it OFF and back ON
  5. Go to Settings > More... (or More Settings) > Roaming > Roaming Network > Change this to Sprint Only.
  6. Go to Settings > System Update > Update PRL 
  7. Go to Settings > System Update > Update Profile (device may reboot)
  8. Test by launching Chrome or another browser.

For Samsung Galaxy devices running Android Kit-Kat or Lollipop:

  1. Go to Settings > Connections tab > slide WiFi on (if it is not already enabled)
  2. Connect to a Wi-Fi network if you are not already connected to one
  3. Go to Settings > Connections tab > More Networks > and make sure Airplane mode is off
  4. Go to Settings > Connections tab > More Networks > Mobile Networks > Mobile Data > Toggle it OFF and back ON
  5. Go to Settings > Connections tab > More Networks > Roaming > Roaming Network > Change this to Home Only.
  6. Go to Settings > More tab > System Updates > Update PRL 
  7. Go to Settings > More Tab > System Updates > Update Profile (device may reboot)
  8. Test by launching the Chrome or another browser.

For Motorola Devices:

  • Go to Settings > slide WiFi on if it is not already enabled.
  • Connect to a Wi-Fi network if you are not already connected to one
  • Go to Settings > More > make sure Airplane mode is off
  • Go to Settings > Data usage > Mobile Data > Toggle it OFF and back ON
  • Go to Settings > System Updates > Update PRL 
  • Go to Settings > System Updates > Update Profile (your device may reboot)
  • Test by launching Chrome or another browser.

 

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Comments

  • Avatar
    Jian Reyes

    Why is my data coonectivity just 4g?

  • Avatar
    Greg A

    I guess I should be thankful that you never completed the order I placed because I don't receive the texts or calls and now I'm looking elsewhere

  • Avatar
    Kristopher TextNow Support

    @Jian: Thanks for the question. 4G/LTE is actually the network technology used to provide the fastest speeds available on the market for high-speed wireless internet. Usually, the 4G symbol is what you want to see at the top of your phone screen.

    @Greg: I'm sorry to hear about the trouble you've been experiencing and we'd certainly love the chance to get everything functioning properly for you. I'd advise speaking with a live chat representative on our website and we'll see if we can troubleshoot the problem for you. .

  • Avatar
    Road Kill

    I would not recomed this to any body who lives were there is hills or uses there phone a lot u get dropped calls and use ur data up fast

  • Avatar
    Valeria TextNow+Support

    Hey there, I'm sorry to hear about your issues!

    It simply looks as though you have spotty data coverage in your area, however, you can fix that by simply trying the following:

    1. Open up the **Settings** of your phone
    2. Tap on “More..”- Mobile Networks- Network mode- please change to CDMA (only)
    3. Restart the phone, if it does not do so automatically

    If you are still running into issues, please feel free to speak with one of our live chat representatives (can be found on the bottom right hand side of this page) for further assistance :)

  • Avatar
    Shelly Palm

    I have tried everything. I have money on my account, I paid for the 3g of data and I'm not in default on my account. I need my phone but it Will not work at all unless I'm connected to WiFi. I paid for this app so I can use it not connected to WiFi. Please help me get it working because I'm starting to frustrated with this app

  • Avatar
    Erin TextNow Support

    Hi Shelley,

    Thanks for letting us know about your troubles!

    I have taken a look at your account and it looks like there were some issues with your sim card activation on our end. We apologize for any inconvenience but those issues have now been resolved. Please go ahead and restart your device and then test out the data service, it should now be working :)

    If for any reason you're continuing to experience trouble, please reach out to one of our live chat agents, they can be found in the bottom right corner of this page during our regular business hours!

  • Avatar
    Joseph Gomez

    I need help my 4GLTE into showing up I've called the textnow rep number and been in hold for ever if I can get some feedback please my number is xxxxxxx

  • Avatar
    Valeria TextNow+Support

    Hey Joseph! Sorry to hear about that.

    I can see that you've been able to reach us and receive further assistance with your service :)

  • Avatar
    Ni Smith

    I can't make no phone calls on my phone and I have a phone plan with y'all.

  • Avatar
    Valeria TextNow+Support

    Hey there! With your GSM activated device, you would need to use the TextNow app exclusively for your calls. If you're still encountering issues, I would please ask that you speak with one of our live chat representatives, as we would need to try some more extensive testing!

    Thanks in advance :)

  • Avatar
    Sierra Ramirez

    Metro said switch to text now and they would credit me 20$

  • Avatar
    Kevin TextNow Support

    Hi, Sierra!

    That's correct! We're running a promotion for certain TextNow users on some carriers. If you would like to make the switch to TextNow, the ad will have a link you can use that will sign you up for TextNow and apply the $20 credit to your TextNow account.

  • Avatar
    emly milton

    Okay so I read the fair usage policy pretty carefully and I restrict my background data on almost all my apps and I'm very strict with my data, I have to WiFi at home so I rely on this data. I'm just confused because my data was turned off and I don't know how I violated the fair usage policy.

  • Avatar
    emly milton

    I don't use over 170 MB a day, and monitor my data to make sure I stay under 500 MB over five consecutive days. I try to keep my data off most of the time I'm not continuously using it and I try to turn it on only when trying to message people, but connectivity is really slow (which I think is just cause my location) so messaging takes awhile.

  • Avatar
    Erin TextNow Support

    Hi Emly,

    You can check on your data usage and what is using your data in the Data Usage section of your Settings. I took a look at your account and see that you're currently on the Short plan. I would recommend considering our current Tall plan which is $19.99 per month but you get 1.5GB of high speed data per month which would significantly decrease your chances of violating the Fair Use Policy.

    Edited by Erin TextNow Support
  • Avatar
    emly milton

    This is ridiculous, I've read the data fair usage policy and I don't think I violated it in any way. I don't use over 170 MB a day, and I always watch my data very carefully to make sure I don't use over 500 MB over five consecutive days. I'm extremely disappointed because with my data turned off it renders my phone completely useless. I can't message anyone. I watch my data so so carefully and this is really making me angry that it shut off.

    I read the fair usage policy and and I didn't go against it, my data shouldn't have been turned off.

    I don't want an email with the use policy attached, tell me exactly how I violated it if I did at all and I will not do it again.

    Please reply asap

  • Avatar
    Valeria TextNow+Support

    Hey Emily! There is a part in the fairuse policy that refers to using the 2G data as a "replacement for Wi-Fi". The way that our system interprets that is if a user reaches 10X their original data limit that they are paying for (as the 2G network is paid for by us). That means that with a Short plan, hitting 1GB (or 1000MB) will trigger this violation and incur a suspension. That seems to be the case with your suspensions, so at this point in time, I would recommend to look into the option of upgrading (for example, we do have a limited time offer of a Tall plan for $19.99 with 1.5GB of data), or you can check out our new data saving tips here to help you out in the rest of your cycles :)

    Edited by Valeria TextNow+Support
  • Avatar
    emly milton

    I read the data fair usage policy and nowhere did it say how it judged whether or not I was using it as a replacement for home WiFi. Now in my last received email I was told that once I exceed 10x my original limit of 100MB of high speed data my data will shut off. Nowhere does it say this in data fair usage policy that once I go over 1g (for my plan) it will be shut off.

    I want my data turned back on the account that I was not told all the information I needed to stay within the lines of the data fair usage policy.

    This is ridiculous, I can't be expected o stay within the data fair usage policy guidelines when all the guidelines are not clearly explained.

    I strongly advise that someone add this limit guideline, which completely contradicts the claim that the plan includes unlimited 2g data, to the fair usage policy for future users. As well unlimited should be taken out of the claim when advertising the data plan.

    I've struggled to stay within the data policy before but I finally got a hold of it and how to not violate it only to have my data shut off for a reason I couldn't prevent because it was not explained in the policy.

  • Avatar
    Erin TextNow Support

    Hi Emly,

    Your plan did renew today so you should have access to your data service as of now.

    The explanation that was provided to you by Valeria regarding the 10x the data usage is how we measure that the data is being used as a replacement for Wifi. We understand that the exact data amounts are not specified in the Fair Use Policy which is why we wanted to provide you with the exact details.

    We appreciate your desire to remain within the boundaries of the Fair Use Policy and hope that the explanations we have provided up until now have been sufficient to help you understand the policy in its entirety.

  • Avatar
    Jeremy Dean

    I made a payment yesterday and my service will not work

  • Avatar
    Erin TextNow Support

    Hi Lyle,

    We are looking into this for you, but it does look like your account is active and the data should be working. I have escalated the situation however, because it is not clear if your data count reset when you made your payment. I will follow up with you to your email address once we have a clear explanation/solution for you!

  • Avatar
    Gabrielle Tern Fong

    Hi, I have a Android phone and completed every step except steps 6-8.

  • Avatar
    Valeria TextNow+Support

    Hey Gabrielle! It seems like you're trying to activate a phone that is too old/incompatible with our service. It's not an Android smartphone running 4.4.1 or above.

    Sorry about that, and I'd recommend for you to reach out to one of our live chat representatives (can be found on the bottom right-hand side of this page) to assist with either cancelling your subscription, or looking into activating another phone!

  • Avatar
    Marla Medek

    I too am having no luck reconnecting. I haven't had service for a few days. I tried all the steps suggested

  • Avatar
    Valeria TextNow+Support

    Hey Marla! It looks like everything is set up for you on our end.

    If you have ensured that your mobile data is turned on in your settings, and already tried the SCRTN, please head over to our live chat support for further testing/assistance! They can be found on the bottom right-hand side of this page :)

  • Avatar
    Dee

    I paid my bill and now my phone will not connect to the network. I’ve tried every troubleshooting thing listed on the site and nothing works. I have an iPhone 6 Plus. It’s been working fine for the last 2 months now it will not work at all. Will I be able to get the days that it hasn’t been working credited back to my account?

  • Avatar
    Valeria TextNow+Support

    Hey there! Sorry for the inconvenience, it seems like you have been able to use up data since your renewal 2 days ago. If you're still experiencing issues with the connection, please reach out to our live chat support (can be found on the bottom right-hand side of this page) for further assistance!

  • Avatar
    Andrew Dooley

    I got the Alcatel OneTouch elevate I believe and since I've gotten it earlier today I've been trying to activate it so it'll run off of Wi-Fi, I paid for two months in advance for a plan and it will not work for the life of me,

  • Avatar
    Valeria TextNow+Support

    Hey Andrew! It seems that in your attempt, you've ended up restarting your plan a few times, which took away from your credit balance.

    To be able to reprimand this, please head over to our live chat support on textnow.com/wireless so a representative can assist you with activating your device properly :)