Be Cheap: Use Your Android Phone Without Cellular Service
THE STORY
It’s that age old story. Boy meets android phone. Boy buys android phone. Boy’s new employer provides boy with a non-smart cell phone so boy sets out on a journey to uncover the mysteries of having a android device with no cellular service.
THE DEVICE
I’m using a Gen 1 HTC Evo 4G.
THE ROOT
I’m running Cyanogenmod 7.1
THE COST
Lets face it, at $80 bucks a month, a smart phone is not the cheapest luxury. My bi-annual cost for service was running me roughly $1920 ($2496 gross earned) dollars. After receiving a crack-berry from work. I (a) realized how much blackberry’s suck and (b) also knew I couldn’t justify the cost of keeping my android cellular service (sorry sprint).
THE VOICE
I’ve had my number for approximately 7 years. It was important for me to keep it. My problem was solved with the use of Google voice and the ability to port my mobile number. For a one time $20 fee, I now have my old cell number attached to my google voice account.
THE FORWARD
I make my Google voice number forward to my work provided cell phone. So that should I get a call on my old number, I can still answer it.
THE GROOVE
And here is the secret sauce, Groove IP. This little android application allows me to make calls using my google voice number when connected to WiFi. It even uses the stock Android phone dialer so it feels just like a regular call. The quality carries the sound of “tin” a bit, but it’s more than usable.
THE INTERNATIONAL
Taking the device with me will also allow me to make free calls back to my friends and family in the US. That is a bonus.
THE PLUGIN (honorable mention)
While at work, I also use the Google Voice plugin for Chrome so that I can send texts directly from my browser. This is actually pretty awesome as I don’t have to pick up my phone to text my wife back.
THE CONCLUSION
I’ve been using this setup for about a month now. I still can Facebook and Twitter. I still can play games. I still can read eBooks. I still can use it as a calendar. I can still use it as a flashlight. All these things and more, and it is working really well.
I realize that some may consider having a cell phone kind of cheating in this expiriement, but I think I could totally make this continue to function without the work provided phone. I would have to change my habits. Making sure to target locations to shop from with free WiFi and such. But despite this inconvenience, I’d still see the value.
UPDATE
Because my Job requires me to have a cell phone and I also have to pay for it myself, I signed up for Sprint. But then I found this service called Ting. I did the math and then switched as my $90 a month bill has been brought down to $33.
I also now have a referral link to give out for $25 dollars off towards the purchase of a device or your bill. Neat.
$25 Dollars Off (click here)
I’m right behind you.
Jared,
I recently considered using my wife’s dormant phone (HTC Hero – Sprint) to allow my eldest son a way of communicating with us during the summer while we both work. He’s responsible but I could not justify Sprint’s “offer” adding him to my contract (amounted to about $35/mnth after fees taxes).
So, the old phone is still tied to my wife’s old Google Account and she uses a newer phone. I want to add my son’s google account to the phone and use the phone in wifi only mode to chat, text, and Skype Call. However,
1) the App store fails if I attempt to download a new app or update the apps already on the phone.
2) the phone is registered with my wife’s google accouont.
Can I tie my son’s Google Account to this phone and us it as a WiFi only device with the Google Play store?
If yes, how?
If yes/no, should I root the phone?
If no, what are some known successful alternatives or compromises and links to the instructions of how to do it?
Here is hoping that you might see this and respond,
Adam
@Adam,
I would make sure to preform a factory reset on the phone. This will delete everything on the phone start you off on the right track.
Also, Is the cellular antenna still turned on? I make sure to disable it so no requests try to go on my provider’s network.
Personally, I’d root the phone. If I didn’t have the skill set, I’d pay a High School kid $20 bucks to do it.
Hope that helps.
I currently am using the HTC One and my partner is using the HTC Desire, they both are good and reliable phones. In my country I am not charged with anything though,. I can use WiFi for free and can send email,do Facebook,Twitter,MSN,Skype at the same time as long as I want.
I have an old huawei m880 from cricket with cm7.1 and oddly
My wife got another phone so I use it at home for the internet I took it to work to try and poach MC Donald’s signal but wasn’t in range so I turned off the wifi and guess what my phone works. Can’t make calls of course but internet works and the more I use it the better it works do me a favor and turn off your wifi and see if it still works. The cm7 settings allow anonymous web browsing maybe the whole phone is anonymous to the former service provider
My issue is we can’t afford to keep our service on any more. I have a 4G Samsung Mobile from Sprint. I want to know if there are games I can download and play with no service and no WIFI. I’m bed ridden very I’ll. Can’t go anywhere for WIFI. also my phone is powered by Google. Can you help? Please my phone will only be on for a day or two longer. Thank you.
Kay Thomas
Been doing this with an iphone that my employer shut off after downsizing the number of corporate phones. I use this phone as my only phone and when you do that you tend to be very sensitive to where wi-fi is available and it has met about 75% of my needs that I had previously with full cell service. More people should consider this. It is better than when I had a paid land line and I can use the phone away from home.
I also stopped using my service provider starting in January and I have been enjoying saving $70/month. I am able to make calls using Groove IP application. I also use the Google voice plugin to make calls an text on my laptop and tablet. I have had some issues with my Wifi turning off even after changing my Wifi settings. I have considered buying a pay as you go phone for small emergencies like car problems, but you can still call 911 in emergencies or use a credit card or call collect if you really need to make a regular call without Wifi access.
I wanna do the same thing, the problem is I can’t RECEIVE any calls using Google voice in Canada, I can only make out-going calls. It’s part of CRTC protectionist regulations to prevent Google and others from competing with giants like Bell as I understand it. I’m trying to find out if anybody has found a solution to circumvent it?
I have a transform ultra android phone and I am using boost mobile but funds are down and I can’t afford a phone right now, do you know if I can use what you described? Please email me