Samsung S-3 and a 12 year old

[Die4Cy]

My MIL gave my son her old Samsung S-3 phone when she upgraded to an iPhone. I have no intention of actually activating it for him (not sure if it is even possible given we used different carriers), but was wondering if it would be possible for him to use it with a texting app on public wi-fi to contact us, or even dial for emergencies.

Anyone have any experience with this or better suggestions?

 

[ianoconnor]

I don't see why a texting app wouldn't work on wi-fi. Seems like a good idea to me.

 

[azepp]

We've done this and used the app Line to let our kids send text messages or call us over wi-fi.

 

[ruxCYtable]

My MIL gave my son her old Samsung S-3 phone when she upgraded to an iPhone. I have no intention of actually activating it for him (not sure if it is even possible given we used different carriers), but was wondering if it would be possible for him to use it with a texting app on public wi-fi to contact us, or even dial for emergencies.

Anyone have any experience with this or better suggestions?

Yes, you absolutely should be able to get a texting app that will work with wi-fi.

 

[Rabbuk]

If anything it's a valuable exercise in carrying something like a phone and not losing it.

 

[CRcyclone6]

No problem. Our kids use an old S3 for it to. A few games also.

 

[ISUAgronomist]

Google voice and GrooVe IP should do everything you want. I used it on a Samsung Galaxy Player to make phone calls over WiFi.

Edit: Looks like Google Voice ended outside access so you would need Ring.To and GrooVe IP (see directions on GrooVe IP's app page in the Play store)

 

[mb7299]

wow this is great stuff, just switched to a smart phone on Tracfone so something like this will be awesome. Thanks for posting info on all of this, great stuff

 

[CloneinWDSM]

Whatsapp is a nice messaging app

 

[cstrunk]

If anything it's a valuable exercise in carrying something like a phone and not losing it.

Right. Because it's a phone.

 

[Rabbuk]

Right. Because it's a phone.

The shell of a phone with no real value.

 

[ISU22CY]

I wish we were in the day and age where we had wifi everywhere we went so Verizon could shove it right up their tight buttholes. Been on the same plan for 6 years because I refuse to give up my unlimited data plan #$25.00yall figured they were just going to throttle back my data, well turns out they have throttled it back to less then 1/10th of the normal speed...also found out they are no longer going to uphold the grandfathered in data plans man what I wouldn't give to just take them to court ........and now my rant it over and to provide some foundation to the OP there are amazing messaging apps along with calling/walki talkie apps available to use on WIFI.