Skype - It'll go dark as of May 5th; Replacements?

SKY

Gold
Apr 11, 2004
15,028
5,143
113
Yes, I can save $1.50/mo if I spend $50 to buy the device. What's the advantages of having both my laptop and my iPhone to make calls? I can take my iPhone anywhere and as long as I have internet, I can make a call(?).
But you are failing to see that with MJ you still get the same service included on your Iphone and all the rest I talked about. Also they can't raise the price if you have a 5 year renewal at $30 a year. But is is your decision and I wish you best.............
 

SantiagoDR

On Vacation
Jan 12, 2006
5,888
1,017
113
Google Voice requires you to have a US phone number first(maybe other country number, also).
I just managed to activate my Google number on my D.R. cell phone.
It was not easy, too complicated to give exact directions..

¨Generally¨speaking Google asks for a U.S. number to which to transfer incoming Google calls to (This is the spot that stops the ability to complete the installation). Enter the D.R. number of the cell phone and check the ¨Belong to Box?¨.

At this point, I SOME HOW was able to get the app to ask me to sign-in.
I do not know how, it took me lots and lots of time and going in circles playing with buttons to find that screen.

So the answer is somewhere around where you enter the phone number of the device you are installing it on.

Mine is working, I don´t have the nerve to gamble trying to do it again.
I tested it with making and receiving calls.

IT IS POSSIBLE TO DO IT!


.
 
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cavok

Silver
Jun 16, 2014
11,248
5,165
113
Cabarete
I use TextNow and I have received calls back from my bank on it.
From what I've read, you have to be in the US or Canada to sign up for it. You can use a VPN to fool it but there have supposedly been stories where their software finally detects it and cancels you(?).
 

El Hijo de Manolo

It's outrageous, egregious, preposterous!
Dec 10, 2021
5,598
3,730
113
Dominican Republic
Jeez I sure hope all of you can figure this out. I know it's tough, how to send and receive money, making phone calls. Life is hard, but remember this > just put one foot in front of the other and don't stop. Don't let anyone tell you you can't do it. Be strong. Be courageous.
 

aarhus

Woke European
Jun 10, 2008
5,008
2,320
113
I just managed to activate my Google number on my D.R. cell phone.
It was not easy, too complicated to give exact directions..

¨Generally¨speaking Google asks for a U.S. number to which to transfer incoming Google calls to (This is the spot that stops the ability to complete the installation). Enter the D.R. number of the cell phone and check the ¨Belong to Box?¨.

At this point, I SOME HOW was able to get the app to ask me to sign-in.
I do not know how, it took me lots and lots of time and going in circles playing with buttons to find that screen.

So the answer is somewhere around where you enter the phone number of the device you are installing it on.

Mine is working, I don´t have the nerve to gamble trying to do it again.
I tested it with making and receiving calls.

IT IS POSSIBLE TO DO IT!


.
Wow congrats
 

aarhus

Woke European
Jun 10, 2008
5,008
2,320
113
From what I've read, you have to be in the US or Canada to sign up for it. You can use a VPN to fool it but there have supposedly been stories where their software finally detects it and cancels you(?).
Yes I realised that. I wonder why if it is ok to use it outside the US/Canada or maybe it isn't.
 

aarhus

Woke European
Jun 10, 2008
5,008
2,320
113
I just managed to activate my Google number on my D.R. cell phone.
It was not easy, too complicated to give exact directions..

¨Generally¨speaking Google asks for a U.S. number to which to transfer incoming Google calls to (This is the spot that stops the ability to complete the installation). Enter the D.R. number of the cell phone and check the ¨Belong to Box?¨.

At this point, I SOME HOW was able to get the app to ask me to sign-in.
I do not know how, it took me lots and lots of time and going in circles playing with buttons to find that screen.

So the answer is somewhere around where you enter the phone number of the device you are installing it on.

Mine is working, I don´t have the nerve to gamble trying to do it again.
I tested it with making and receiving calls.

IT IS POSSIBLE TO DO IT!


.
It basically accepted your DR number for installation and then you got a US number ?
 

JLSawmam

Happy on the North Coast
Sep 8, 2018
946
753
93
From what I've read, you have to be in the US or Canada to sign up for it. You can use a VPN to fool it but there have supposedly been stories where their software finally detects it and cancels you(?).
I downloaded it (TextNow) on my DR phone while here in the DR, did not use a VPN to do so. So far, so good! I don't use it much...the one call a week to keep the free number active, and occasionally my bank or other numbers
 

NALs

Economist by Profession
Jan 20, 2003
14,692
3,787
113
TikTok was suppose to end in the US and look what happened. Is the end of Skype a 100% certainty?
 

aarhus

Woke European
Jun 10, 2008
5,008
2,320
113
I downloaded it (TextNow) on my DR phone while here in the DR, did not use a VPN to do so. So far, so good! I don't use it much...the one call a week to keep the free number active, and occasionally my bank or other numbers
I wonder if it makes a difference if the phone is set up for the DR or another region. Well it proves there is not an issue using it outside the US.
 

aarhus

Woke European
Jun 10, 2008
5,008
2,320
113
TikTok was suppose to end in the US and look what happened. Is the end of Skype a 100% certainty?
Yes it is certain with Skype. The online meeting part of it is replaced by Teams. Skype was actually originally from Denmark believe it or not.
 

cavok

Silver
Jun 16, 2014
11,248
5,165
113
Cabarete
I downloaded it (TextNow) on my DR phone while here in the DR, did not use a VPN to do so. So far, so good! I don't use it much...the one call a week to keep the free number active, and occasionally my bank or other numbers
Maybe the info was outdated(?). I also read that, unless you pay extra, there's banners. notifications, and ads?
 

El Hijo de Manolo

It's outrageous, egregious, preposterous!
Dec 10, 2021
5,598
3,730
113
Dominican Republic
Yes it is certain with Skype. The online meeting part of it is replaced by Teams. Skype was actually originally from Denmark believe it or not.
Not accurate. Developed by a Swede and a Dane but the dev work and team was done out of Estonia. Cold creamed smoked fish, yes - Skype, not really.
 

JLSawmam

Happy on the North Coast
Sep 8, 2018
946
753
93
Maybe the info was outdated(?). I also read that, unless you pay extra, there's banners. notifications, and ads?
I haven't noticed an abundance of ads...when I open the app, it shows a list of recent calls/messages, and in the middle of that is a "tired of ads?" ad with no annoying video or anything like that. I haven't had annoying stuff pop up on my phone either. By comparison, I have a few games on my phone I like to play, and the ads there are far far worse. Almost all are for 30-second videos for Temu...ugh
 
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windeguy

Platinum
Jul 10, 2004
44,742
7,305
113
TikTok was suppose to end in the US and look what happened. Is the end of Skype a 100% certainty?
It is a decision by Microsoft to delete Skype, so I am guessing it is as certain as can be these days.
 

aarhus

Woke European
Jun 10, 2008
5,008
2,320
113
I haven't noticed an abundance of ads...when I open the app, it shows a list of recent calls/messages, and in the middle of that is a "tired of ads?" ad with no annoying video or anything like that. I haven't had annoying stuff pop up on my phone either. By comparison, I have a few games on my phone I like to play, and the ads there are far far worse. Almost all are for 30-second videos for Temu...ugh
Skype also had ads and more and more spam.
 

JLSawmam

Happy on the North Coast
Sep 8, 2018
946
753
93
I took a look at the MagicJack app on Google Play (I have android), and the very first review shown was quite positive but also mentioned that it doesn't work for verification code texts from banks, etc. So, if that in fact is the case, and that a part of what you are looking for, MJ won't meet your needs. Having said that, I know from experience that I can receive such texts on my DR phone number from my bank, but from one credit card company it doesn't work...love the consistency. Perhaps the same would be true with MJ. The calling part of their service does appear to be good at a nice low price
 

NanSanPedro

Nickel with tin plating
Apr 12, 2019
7,958
6,871
113
Boca Chica
yeshaiticanprogram.com
I took a look at the MagicJack app on Google Play (I have android), and the very first review shown was quite positive but also mentioned that it doesn't work for verification code texts from banks, etc. So, if that in fact is the case, and that a part of what you are looking for, MJ won't meet your needs. Having said that, I know from experience that I can receive such texts on my DR phone number from my bank, but from one credit card company it doesn't work...love the consistency. Perhaps the same would be true with MJ
I've experienced the exact same thing on my 849 number. I just think it's that some of the software is programmed to only recognize USA numbers.