yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[General Topics] lqaddict:
Once you activate your SIM create a tmo account - they will send a temp password to you via SMS once you start setting up your account. There you can opt for autopay.

If you go over your 100 mins additional minutes are charged at $0.10 a minute, so if you end up with 50 more minutes it's 5 bucks, still beats anything else out there.
[General Topics] ritchea:
You can set up auto pay on this plan. If you go over 100 minutes, AND, have no funds in your account, you can't make calls. If you put an extra amount in your plan (like a $10. refill), you will get to make calls at $.10/minute. I don't know how it works with auto pay (if it does at all) since I just add refills. As far as VOIP, there are many apps that will let you do that. I have used Google Voice with Talkatone, but I've read that the Vonage app is good for out-going only. Ran across this, but not familiar with any except Skype. When you start researching (which is mind-boggling), be sure to look for the most recent articles. Those published in 2012 are probably seriously out-of-date.
[General Topics] bbbbiemer:
Two questions:

I have a Galaxy nexus on the $30 plan now, I ordered a micro sim from tmobile. When I get the micro sim and the nexus 5, how do I transfer my current $30 plan over from the Galaxy Nexus?

Also, I ordered a regular sim from tmobile. My wife is currently on a "pay as you go" tmobile plan with a non-smart phone, how do I transfer her phone number and dollars over to a new $30 plan on my old Galaxy Nexus?
[General Topics] wideasleep1:
During activation on new Sims either online or by phone simply port your number when prompted. Any monies remaining in wife's account will require a call to prepaid CS..and they will xfer the account, number and balance.
[General Topics] oOflyeyesOo:
Swap SIMs from nexus to nexus.
[General Topics] RayLancer:
I have auto-pay set up on my current T-Mobile prepaid with my Nexus 4. I've been trying to keep surplus money on there for extra minute in case I run over. Only problem is every billing cycle it takes the money I leave there and pays off the rest. So I'd have to go back in there and put more money again every month. Is there a way of ensuring I have at least some money in my account as backup without me having to manually add it every month?
[General Topics] 954wrecker:
Sorry I don't use auto payment I just drop $100 card in every 3 or 4 months

Sent from my HTC One XL
[General Topics] RayLancer:
Not sure but it keeps taking whatever I put into there and uses it for the next billing cycle. Like I put $10 for the month and it would take the $10 and charge me $20 for the next billing cycle when that rolls around.
[General Topics] neugenusis:
I have it so that it autopays $40 max. So every month, it ensures theres $40 in the account. If services are used within allowance, T-mobile will take $30 as payment on a monthly cycle, and then my credit card is billed $30 to keep the account at $40.

Should I use, say an extra 50 mins on top of my 100 mins, T-mobile will take $35, (leaving only $5 in the acct) and my credit card is billed $35 to keep it at $40.
[General Topics] RayLancer:
Thanks. I went and poked around into my auto-pay for my account and found an option to set extra funding for other services.
[General Topics] .jond:
If anyone needs a free sim card, here you go:

http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/...ro-SIM-Card-Activation-Kit-No-Annual-Contract

edit: Looks like this has already been discovered a few pages back.
[General Topics] TiltedAz:
Funny they ask for a credit card.
[General Topics] kojaraty:
Does 4G LTE works using this plan? I am moving from straight talk to T-Mobile.
[General Topics] br0adband:
If you have T-Mobile LTE service in your area, yes, if not then it'll be HSPA+ which is pretty fast as well.
[General Topics] wideasleep1:
Sensorly app, yo.
[General Topics] baiju2012:
Should be possible. I haven't tried, but call T-Mobile. They may let you do it for a fee on this plan.

Nexus IV
[General Topics] lordroy:
Thought some of you might like this info:

http://www.techspot.com/news/56540-...-towers-for-a-more-consistent-connection.html
[General Topics] ap1618:
It works, but it deducts 10 cents per text message from your balance. (for texting FROM within US)
[General Topics] Stay Frosty:
My AT&T contract expires on 5/12 and I'd like to switch to this plan. I'd also like to port my number over. How will this work? Do I need to switch to the $30 plan before my AT&T contract expires? Won't that trigger an ETF when my number gets ported over?

And what's the process for activating the T-Mobile plan? Just buy the activation kit from Walmart then activate it online? Is that all there is to it? Does it give an option to port my phone # over?

My phone is a Nexus 5 if that helps.

I appreciate any advice. Thanks!
[General Topics] Joshmccullough:
Just start the T-Mobile process on the day after your contract 'expires'; you'll be on 'month-to-month' status on your AT&T account (it's not like they're just going to shut your service off), and when your number is ported over to T-Mobile your AT&T account will be terminated but you won't have to worry about an ETF fee because you'll already have fulfilled your contract. I did the same thing but from Sprint rather than AT&T, it was seamless. You might have a day or two to pay AT&T while the number ports (mine ported in 24 hours exactly), but that's not that much $.

You can get a T-Mobile prepaid kit from prepaid.tmobile.com as well as from Walmart; yeah, activating it online is about all there is to it, it walks you through the steps. There'll be an option to port your number as part of the process.
[General Topics] TheDannemand:
Just a heads up regarding this business of depositing an extra $10 when running over 100 mins, and paying $0.10 per minute until the next month starts:

I discovered last night that both my wife's and my own account had continued charging $0.10 per minute, even AFTER we rolled over to the next month. Logging into our accounts, I can see that the DATA counter has reset correctly, but the MINUTES counter was stuck at 100/100. Also the big red warning is still there saying "Please note: Your included minutes have been used. You will now be charged $.10/min".

I just called T-Mo customer service who said this was a known issue with these "Walmart plans" (I got ours directly on T-mobile.com) though I am sure it's not all customers. She put a note on our accounts and said to expect it fixed in 24-72 hours (!) Until then, it would continue charging for minutes. I had to ask if they would refund those charges, and she said they would look into it. She also said they were unable to notify me when the issue was resolved, I would have to call back myself to check up.

The two prior times I've needed customer service since switching to T-Mobile, I have been impressed with the friendly service and prompt resolution. And indeed, this rep was kind enough, and immediately knew about the problem. I realize that errors and mistakes happen and am generally quite forgiving if it is solved professionally. But on an error like this, I expect a prompt fix and full credit, nothing less. We'll see if they can deliver that.

Anyways, I suggest that any users who run over their 100 mins check that their MINUTES counter resets properly after their month rolls over.

I apologize if this has been posted before; my following of this thread has been only sporadic...
[General Topics] Johnny Broccoli:
Went over this month that I'm currently in. Will keep an eye on that, thanks.
[General Topics] sffish:
I went over my 100 minutes too this month, but I don't trust T Mobile's accounting. I'm pretty sure I checked it a week or so ago and I was at something like 40 minutes used. To suddenly go over seems suspicious. Unfortunately T Mobile doesn't allow any way to see a list of calls. I rarely talk on the phone, and when I do it's almost never more than 2 minutes, any longer than that I call people back using Skype. I wouldn't be surprised if something was wrong with T Mobile's accounting of the minutes.
[General Topics] Johnny Broccoli:
I agree. Had a similar unexplained jump myself this month. They could be right but my gut was telling me otherwise.
[General Topics] saaggee:
I'm in the same boat. I'm pretty sure I didn't use 100 mins this month but the website reflects I have. My plan resets today so I will keep an eye on the minutes after I refill.
[General Topics] Johnny Broccoli:
Their site has been strange/not loading properly the last half week for me as well.
[General Topics] TheDannemand:
Let me clarify: My wife and I DEFINITELY went over our 100 mins last month - and therefore added $10 extra to cover the additional minutes. T-Mo counted that correctly, and advised us when we'd used our 100 mins. That wasn't the problem.

BUT, when we rolled over to the next month, the MINUTES counter never resat, it is stuck at 100/100. Therefore it keeps charging $0.10/min.

If your account shows 100/100 and you went over 100 mins last month, that's probably why. Not that T-Mo counts the minutes incorrectly.

And yes, I wish they would provide a way to show a log of how the minutes were spent. We had that on Virgin Mobile (SMS too) it was very useful.
[General Topics] BirchBarlow:
I just logged in to the My T-Mobile site, and I got the exact same thing.

There's no way I used 100 minutes as I barely ever even talk on the phone. I've used maybe 3 or 4 minutes literally. Something fishy is going on.
[General Topics] Child's Play:
wow its a good deal
[General Topics] Gaffadin:
Just checked and I see the exact same thing. I use maybe 50 minutes a month at the absolute top end, so it's essentially impossible for me to get to 100, but that's what it says.

My balance is also $0 (I pay with a code through CM), so I wonder if I just don't get voice calls now.

(Edit) Just tried a couple of test calls and they went through just fine (both send and receive), so it looks like this is purely a visual glitch. I have no idea how many minutes I actually have left though, but I never hit 100 so I'm not too worried about it.

Also, if I try to login my account online it says:

We're sorry.

We're temporarily unable to access your account information. Please try again in a few minutes.
[General Topics] Joshmccullough:
To all who woke up to their minutes maxed out this morning:

I got the same thing, my 'Minutes' widget at 100 calls, but I was still able to make calls. I know I didn't use 100 minutes; when I chatted with T-Mobile online, they said there was a system issue that they were working on that caused some peoples' accounts to show 100 minutes but not actually cut them off. Don't know if that's of any help/comfort, but you're not alone....
[General Topics] Johnny Broccoli:
Yuuup. I spoke with T-Mobile today too. They assured me that it was a confirmed widespread problem that was affecting many of their customers. However, they also assured me that the minutes are still there to use and no additional charges would be levied. No exact timetable on when their site will display the correct info; simply recommended to contact them again in 24 hours if still curious.
[General Topics] dazz87:
Noticed the over the 100 minutes error this past Sunday. My recharge was about 4 days ago and I swear I dont remember using my minutes. I ended up installing a call history app to keep track of my minutes till they fix the issue. Kinda sorry for use pre pay we could view call history online.
[General Topics] baiju2012:
I had the exact same issue this month. I used 17 minutes and then, it jumped to 100 minutes. I will call then tomorrow and see if they have resolved the issue or not.

Nexus IV

---------- Post added at 08:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:39 PM ----------

I have recently started using ReachMe Roaming from Vonage. It didn't work with this prepaid plan, but it gave me USA number to receive calls. Calls received are completely free. And it uses WiFi for it. So, I used my Google voice number to forward to the Vonage number and now I get very clear calls from any where in the world free of cost. Postpaid T-Mobile is even better. ReachMe Roaming will intercept your call on your mobile number and use Vonage on Wi-Fi to bring that phone call to you. Check it out. Just download the new Vonage App.

Nexus IV
[General Topics] Caebron:
Is it possible now to use Google Voice with this plan? Or is it feasible to port one's T-Mo # to GV? Iirc, there was an issue when porting #'s in GV, some feature would stop working or something...
[General Topics] baiju2012:
I logged into the website account. It says it had 20 minutes used, which is correct. The #646# is also saying the same thing. Their app and its widget is not functioning right now.

Nexus IV
[General Topics] Joshmccullough:
I had troubles with GV working properly on my prepaid account initially, but I ported my number to GV last month, had T-Mo turn off my T-Mo voicemail so that GV would be my 'proper' voicemail, set up everything as normal through the GV app and online, no problems.
[General Topics] Caebron:
In that case I think I'll be pulling the trigger as well. I thought that there had been some issue with porting your nr to GV - and perhaps there was and it has possibly been resolved since.

EDIT: Where do you find the account # for the prepaid plan? GV wont allow me to port without entering my T-Mo Account number.
[General Topics] tokuzumi:
Still loving this plan. Although, I've found the Nexus 5 is the only device I can get reliable signal with at my office. I have a few other nexus devices (One, S, and Galaxy), and the S won't hold a connection indoors, and the Galaxy goes in and out. The nexus one is practically un-usable with even Google's apps today, so I don't even bother using that on a network.

And we are two weeks away from XMPP support disappearing. I wish we would get more info from the big G about how google voice texting will be integrated into hangouts.
[General Topics] adrman:
Check out CSipSimple as a replacement for the stock sip dialer, it's much more flexible and has more codecs available. You'll be able to create dialing filters and rules that will automatically add your local area code and "1" to your local numbers. Also, you might want to give a look at GrooveForwarder. It's a paid app, but worth the small cost. It will switch your GV forwarding based on the conditions you set. For example, when I'm on wifi, it sets my forwarding to voip.ms, when I'm not on wifi, it forwards to my TMobile #. Originally, it was designed to work with GrooveIP, but it's not necessary to have it installed.
[General Topics] Caebron:
Gold! Great info guys, that should get me going. Thanks to your detailed guide, setting this up should be much easier! Thanks so much. I'll get this set up over the next week or two.
[General Topics] andy o:
If you already have GV, and free incoming calls, you can also get free outgoing calls. Here's a hint: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=hu.xilard.voiceplus
[General Topics] Joshmccullough:
I'm equally or perhaps even more concerned about how the GV/Hangouts integration will handle calls and voicemail. I get the whole 'free VoIP over WiFi' and all, but the functionality of GV's voicemail (not so much the transcriptions), call forwarding, and other associated features needs to be there, too.
[General Topics] bob60626:
Another option, probably already mentioned and not really an option for everyone, is to use Vonage for your outgoing calls and just try to minimize incoming calls. I didn't like any of the voip setups I tried until I tried Vonage. I was really happy with calls over LTE on that (TMO Note 2 on the $30 plan); I like the dependability of sms and using the same number.
[General Topics] Caebron:
Do any of you know if it is possible to just set up Google Voicemail with this plan and use it instead of the Voicemail supplied by T-Mo?

Vonage is the same thing as Skype, right?
[General Topics] Joshmccullough:
I was finally able to get my Google Voice voicemail running, I chatted with T-Mobile customer support online and had then turn off the Tmo voicemail. My Voice didn't work right forever, but finally started working for some mystical reason, seems like everyone else's worked fine from the get-go.
[General Topics] Caebron:
My T-Mo voicemail has been off for probably a year now. Still haven't been able to get Google Voice working though. Someone told me that this is due to the $30 Prepaid not supporting Call Forwarding.

On a side note, has anyone else been having issues with Google Voice Caller ID lately? There is an issue to where when calling or texting contacts, it will show up with your GV number as Caller ID rather than the T-Mo #. Sprint Users are affected also. All my friends have been asking me if I changed my # .

EDIT: Afterthought in regards to porting the T-Mo # to GV... what are the benefits other than being able to use one's former T-Mo #? I mean, is there a technical aspect that makes certain features work suddenly (like using Google Voicemail)? I guess I don't understand what the benefits of porting the # over rather than simply giving people your Google Voice # to use and saving $20 in the process.
[General Topics] baiju2012:
I am in the same boat as you. Did not like complicated setups of the other voip options. Tried Skype but eventually the call quality degraded. I am very excited about the ReachMe Roaming service from Vonage. It does only work on Post paid accounts but gives prepaid users an incoming USA number. Put this number in GV and all you calls will come to the Vonage App. I like it for now until a better setup comes around. This plan is awesome, as always.:D

Nexus IV
[General Topics] Telemachus13:
The "normal" way to use Google voicemail is to have your phone forward unanswered calls to Google. This doesn't work on the T-Mobile prepaid plans, because those plans don't allow conditional call forwarding. The work-around is to port your number to Google Voice and turn off T-Mobile voicemail. Then, when someone calls you and you don't answer, your T-Mobile number will keep ringing until Google gives up and--because it already has the call--sends it to Google Voicemail.

The other benefits to porting to Google Voice are the ability to text over Wi-Fi when cell signal is bad, having calls ring multiple phones at once, and not having to port your number when switching carriers.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
[General Topics] lchiu7:
That's pretty much what I do. The only issue is the Google Voice text app is pretty poor and cannot send MMS. But then there are tons of apps that can do that. We don't know what's going to happen on May 15 when Google drops XMP support so perhaps they will also integrate GV into Hangouts? That is a better text application.
[General Topics] tokuzumi:
GV integration for text is supposed to occur beginning on May 16th, which will then allow MMS. Not sure what will happen to voicemails. We aren't really sure of anything right now, except all of that sweet VoIP support for GV accounts will be ending after May 15th.
[General Topics] lchiu7:
I just noticed that Vonage free calling to the US expires in September so unless you want to pay for calls, another solution is going to be required. It's not clear if they will charge for incoming calls using ReachMe.

I prefer to use a free SIP provider, have my phone setup for that SIP provider and forward my Google Voice number to that number. Then when somebody calls my GV number, it rings my phone so long as I have either 3G or WiFi (so anywhere in the world like ReachMe).

To make outgoing calls I just use Google Voice callback. Initiate the call using GV callback, the call is intercepted and Google calls you back on your SIP account and when you answer, you are presented with a ringing tone to the number you originally dialed.

I agree setup is a bit complicated but once it's done, it works pretty well.

---------- Post added at 09:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:53 PM ----------

That is the most annoying thing. It has broken for me anyway, GrooveIP and at home the Obitalk VoIP adapter. But I have developed workarounds that are free which for me is important since my daughter was using the Obitalk adapter to call me from her college apartment. The last thing I need is for reasons for her not to call!
[General Topics] trueiceman:
Eco on the other end.

I use groove ip for data calls using my google voice number. When i'm talking to someone they always get an eco of their voice. Is there a fix so that when talking with someone things are acceptably clear on both ends?
[General Topics] Caebron:
Well, I'll be giving it a shot today or tomorrow (porting my T-Mo # over to GV). It will be interesting to see how things work and if GV correctly forwards the calls to my new T-Mo #.
[General Topics] lchiu7:
I wouldn't worry about that since GrooveIP will stop working in about a week :(
[General Topics] Caebron:
Is there even a point then to port one's # or even using GV at all at this point if VOIP will no longer work next week?

EDIT: Disregard that, I didn't realize this would only affect third party apps. I'll probably just use GV on it's own together with the $30 plan anyway.
[General Topics] trueiceman:
yeah, thats sucks. Anyone know the next best option?
[General Topics] TheDannemand:
I definitely would NOT port till we know what Google will do. Until they come out with something, the only VOIP options with GV are those 3rd parties -- which we know will stop working soon.

Or get an iPhone which has VOIP in Hangouts :mad:

Like others, I assume we'll get something from Google. But they never promised to provide free phone calls for everyone forever, so I am not holding my breath.
[General Topics] Caebron:
Why not just use Google Voice for everything?
[General Topics] lchiu7:
You can't make free calls with GV, that's why. People are looking for a voice solution that uses VoIP so they can take advantage of the TMO data plan (but only 100 minutes). GrooveIP was pretty good but that's going away. And Vonage was good for making free calls but that stops in September. So the only free solutions are ways in which you have a SIP account and have some sort of callback mechanism that presents you with a ringing tone when you call out.
[General Topics] wideasleep1:
And Voxer... a push to talk app that instantly transmits ( no dialing or ringing) and stores mp3 audio between one or more phones. A perfect backup of your convo on your phone, or any other device you sign into your account on with their server backup. My number one used app after Waze. It could replace my phone service no problem...and pretty much has, except for scammers selling everything from Google listings to credit repair. Easier to use my minutes to check voicemail, but clearly POTS and cellular are 20th century tech on its dying legs.
[General Topics] TheDannemand:
Exactly!

The GV app uses regular T-Mo phone calls and just forwards them through the GV number.

I used Talkatone (for VoIP) since I spend much time in WiFi-land. But call quality was an issue, and I decided to just burn minutes instead. So I DO use the GV app myself (for SMS and to forward outgoing calls through GV). But only because I am usually able to stay within my 100 mins -- and when I go over, it's just $0.10/min.

But if I were starting out today, I would wait until after May 15 before porting and find out what Google is up to.
[General Topics] Caebron:
Does GV use the plan's minutes or does it use Data when making calls?
[General Topics] TheDannemand:
It uses plan minutes. I edited my post to clarify that just as your were posting yours.
[General Topics] Caebron:
That is peculiar. I could live with paying GV by the min when needed, but there is no way I am paying both T-Mo and GV at the same time for making the same call.
[General Topics] TheDannemand:
No, no, you don't pay GV. But it uses your T-Mo plan minutes when you make or receive calls from or to your GV number. And when you go over 100 mins, T-Mo charges $0.10/min until next month.
[General Topics] Caebron:
Got it, thanks for clarifying.

But when on WiFi the calls should be free, correct? So while not quite as cost effective, it would still end up being cheaper - as you can still make free calls, even with the imposed limited conditions beginning May 15th.