Category: Message Newcomers & Colleagues with Digital Instant Messaging

Description

The TextFree app allows you to create a second phone number on your smartphone or computer that you can use instead of a personal number for calling or texting clients (in particular if you’re using a personal smartphone for work purposes). To send messages and make calls, you need to be connected to Wi-Fi or cellular-data networks.

Note: because the app creates a “virtual phone number” some users have reported that WhatsApp may not recognize the phone number created by these apps. You can also Use A Landline Number to set up WhatsApp.

Current known uses in the sector

• You can use this number to set up other digital messaging apps that require phone/text verification, such as WhatsApp.
• TextFree can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival to communicate effectively with Newcomers who prefer texting as a way to stay connected and informed.

Video overview

Pricing

TextFree allows you to send and receive free texts and calls. Paid minutes are required for outbound calls to non-TextFree users. The free version includes ads in the app. TextFree also has a TextFree Plus Subscription with additional features.

Ease of use & Accessibility

The app is easy to use, but does not appear to have accessibility features.

Mobile friendly

TextFree is a smartphone app available on Android and iOS.

Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption

TextFree is not a secure tool. You should take every reasonable measure to ensure that Newcomers are aware that they are not communicating through an entirely secure channel and to remind clients not to share personal information through these means.

Always read app privacy practices and data access to ensure you are comfortable with the app. As well, they appear to sell user data. Find out more about their privacy policy and terms here.

Multilingual capabilities

TextFree’s interface is in English only. It is unclear if you can text using different language settings/alphabets.

Additional resources

• How To Use WhatsApp Without A Phone Number
• TextFree Support
• TextFree review from Common Sense Media

Description

Short Message Service (SMS) and Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), also commonly referred to as texting allow you to send text and multimedia (image, video, audio) messages using your cell phone. It’s the most common form of digital messaging.

Current known uses in the sector

• Communicating with clients for meeting scheduling, sending information and orientation materials, receiving texts from clients, etc.
• Group texting – sending or broadcasting messages to a group of Newcomers
• Texting (SMS/MMS) can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival to communicate effectively with Newcomers who prefer texting as a way to stay connected and informed.

Video overview

Pricing

Free with a cell phone plan. Unlike most forms of digital messaging, text messages do not require data usage or phone minutes, although they sometimes require an additional texting plan or are capped by the number of texts that can be sent for free.

Ease of use & Accessibility

Very easy, commonly used. Also can use accessibility features of your phone, such as voice assistants/commands.

Mobile friendly

Based on mobile devices.

Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption

Texting/SMS/MMS is not a secure method of communication. You should take every reasonable measure to ensure that Newcomers are aware that they are not communicating through an entirely secure channel and to remind clients not to share personal information through these means.

Multilingual capabilities

You can text in different languages, depending on the specific languages your phone supports.

Additional resources

• Using Digital Messaging to Support Newcomer Communities – A Toolkit for Individuals and Organizations.
• 8 Ways Nonprofits Can Use Text Messaging
• Text Messaging for Nonprofit Program Delivery

Description

The TextMe app allows you to create a second phone number on your smartphone or computer that you can use instead of a personal number for calling or texting clients (in particular if you’re using a personal smartphone for work purposes). To send messages and make calls, you need to be connected to Wi-Fi or cellular-data networks.

Note: because the app creates a “virtual phone number” some users have reported that WhatsApp may not recognize the phone number created by these apps. You can also Use A Landline Number to set up WhatsApp.

Current known uses in the sector

• You can use this number to set up other digital messaging apps that require phone/text verification, such as WhatsApp.
• TextMe can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival to communicate effectively with Newcomers who prefer texting as a way to stay connected and informed.

Video overview

Pricing

TextMe allows Canadian and U.S. users to send and receive free texts and calls. TextMe includes ads in the app.

Ease of use & Accessibility

The app is easy to use, but does not appear to have accessibility features.

Mobile friendly

TextMe is a smartphone app available on Android and iOS.

Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption

TextMe is not a secure tool. You should take every reasonable measure to ensure that Newcomers are aware that they are not communicating through an entirely secure channel and to remind clients not to share personal information through these means.

Always read app privacy practices and data access to ensure you are comfortable with the app.

Multilingual capabilities

Additional resources

• TextMe Help Center

Description

The Text+ app allows you to create a second phone number on your smartphone or computer that you can use instead of a personal number for calling or texting clients (in particular if you’re using a personal smartphone for work purposes). To send messages and make calls, you need to be connected to Wi-Fi or cellular-data networks.

Note: because the app creates a “virtual phone number” some users have reported that WhatsApp may not recognize the phone number created by these apps. You can also Use A Landline Number to set up WhatsApp.

Current known uses in the sector

• You can use this number to set up other digital messaging apps that require phone/text verification, such as WhatsApp.
• Text+ can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival to communicate effectively with Newcomers who prefer texting as a way to stay connected and informed.

Video overview

Pricing

Text+ offers free SMS & MMS messaging to anyone in the US or Canada. Calls start at 2 cents/minute. Ads are used in the app.

Ease of use & Accessibility

The app is easy to use, but does not appear to have accessibility features.

Mobile friendly

Text+ is a smartphone app available on Android and iOS.

Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption

Text+ is not a secure tool. They do provide safety and security advice and information here and they have a privacy policy that outlines how your data is used. You should take every reasonable measure to ensure that Newcomers are aware that they are not communicating through an entirely secure channel and to remind clients not to share personal information through these means.

Always read app privacy practices and data access to ensure you are comfortable with the app.

Multilingual capabilities

Text+’s interface is in English only. It is unclear if you can text using different language settings/alphabets.

Additional resources

• Text+ Support Center
• How To Use WhatsApp Without A Phone Number

Description

The TextNow app allows you to create a second U.S. or Canadian phone number on your smartphone or computer that you can use instead of a personal number for calling or texting clients (in particular if you’re using a personal smartphone for work purposes). To send messages and make calls, you need to be connected to Wi-Fi or cellular-data networks.

Note: because the app creates a “virtual phone number” some users have reported that WhatsApp may not recognize the phone number created by these apps. You can also Use A Landline Number to set up WhatsApp.

Current known uses in the sector

• You can use this number to set up other digital messaging apps that require phone/text verification, such as WhatsApp.
• TextNow can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival to communicate effectively with Newcomers who prefer texting as a way to stay connected and informed.

Video overview

Pricing

TextNow allows you to send and receive free texts and calls. The free version includes ads in the app. You can buy a subscription to remove ads.

Ease of use & Accessibility

The app is easy to use, but does not appear to have accessibility features.

Mobile friendly

TextNow is a smartphone app available on Android and iOS.

Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption

TextNow adheres to the California Consumer Privacy Act, which includes the right to opt-out of the sale of your data.

Multilingual capabilities

TextNow’s interface is in English only. It is unclear if you can text using different language settings/alphabets.

Additional resources

• TextNow Support
• How To Use WhatsApp Without A Phone Number
• Common Sense Media’s Privacy Evaluation for TextNow

Description

iMessage allows you to send texts, photos, videos, documents, and more to any iOS, iPadOS, macOS, or watchOS device with iMessage, or use it to send SMS and MMS messages. It’s the most common form of digital messaging between iPhones. iPhones can also use the messaging app to send SMS/MMS mesages.

Current known uses in the sector

• Communicating with clients for meeting scheduling, sending information and orientation materials, receiving texts from clients, etc.
• Group texting – sending or broadcasting messages to a group of Newcomers
• iMessage can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival to communicate effectively with Newcomers who prefer texting as a way to stay connected and informed.

Video overview

Pricing

Free with a cell phone data plan. To send iMessages, you need to be connected to Wi-Fi or cellular-data networks. SMS/Text messages do not require data usage or phone minutes, although they sometimes require an additional texting plan or are capped by the number of texts that can be sent for free.

Ease of use & Accessibility

Read this article about iPhone accessibility features.

Mobile friendly

iMessage is typically used as a mobile app on an iOS device, such as an iPhone.

Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption

Messages sent using iMessage messages are always encrypted and appear in blue text bubbles. SMS/MMS messages aren’t encrypted and appear in green text bubbles on your device.

Multilingual capabilities

You can text in different languages, read how to add or remove a keyboard for another language on the iPhone here.

Additional resources

• What is the difference between iMessage and SMS/MMS?
• iMessage articles on the Apple support site