How to Send a Text Message Without a Cell Phone

Imagine this scenario. You've lost your cell phone, and you desperately need to get in touch with someone immediately. Email to email communication isn't reliable unless the other person is in front of a computer. However, as long as you have an Internet connection, you can text someone. Learn how.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Internet connection
• Computer

1. Find out what cell phone service the recipient has. This is crucial for being able to send a text via email.

2. Log into your email account.

3. Look at the chart below for your recipient's cell service provider. If it is not listed, go to the service provider's Web site and search for "text & email."
   
   Verizon: @vtext.com
   AT&T: @txt.att.net
   Sprint: @messaging.sprintpcs.com
   T-Mobile: @tmomail.net
   Nextel: @messaging.nextel.com
   Virgin Mobile: @vmobl.com
   Alltel: @message.alltel.com
   CellularOne: @mobile.celloneusa.com

4. Insert the recipient's 10-digit phone number in front of the respective cell service provider email address.

5. Write your message as you would a normal email.

6. Press "Send."

Tips & Warnings

• Keep your emailed texts short. You don't want to fill someone's inbox.

[Mudgy]

on 3/12/2008 Those short numbers that do not correspond to a physical phone are called "short codes". You need to send the text to a 'short code' from a mobile phone. To my knowledge, you cannot send to a short code via email.

[dburson]

on 1/28/2008 My problem is that I don't have all the info needed here.

I wanted to take part in a fox news pole, but all the info they give is "send a text message to FNCTV". It lookes like thats supposed to be enough info, but so far every site that sends text messages want a 10 digit phone number and a carrier. I never use text messaging, and don't have a cell phone, so I just am not familiar with the technology. Can someone steer me right?

[dburson]

on 1/28/2008 My problem is that I don't have all the info needed here.

I wanted to take part in a fox news pole, but all the info they give is "send a text message to FNCTV". It lookes like thats supposed to be enough info, but so far every site that sends text messages want a 10 digit phone number and a carrier. I never use text messaging, and don't have a cell phone, so I just am not familiar with the technology. Can someone steer me right?