How to Text a Verizon Account With a Gmail Account

If you're sitting at your computer and want to send a text message without digging out your cell phone, you can easily type out a quick text to any Verizon cell phone using your Gmail account. You can also send text messages to users of other cell phone service providers (such as Sprint and AT&T), but you will need to contact those providers to find the correct email addresses to use.

Things You'll Need

• Recipient's cell phone number
• Gmail account

Instructions

1. Login to your Gmail account (or create a new Gmail account using the link in the Resources section below).

2. Click the "Compose Mail" link to the left of your screen, underneath the Gmail logo.

3. In the "To" field, which your cursor should automatically appear in, type the recipient's phone number without spaces or dashes followed immediately by "@vtext.com." For example, the phone number 800-555-1234 would appear as "[e-mail]."

4. Click in the message field and type your message. Try to keep it short, since text messages are typically limited to 160 characters. Keep in mind that when the recipient gets your text message, the display will show your Gmail address, not your cell phone number. So it is good to first enter a few spaces and type your name in case the recipient doesn't recognize your email address (especially if your Gmail address doesn't include your full name).

5. Once your message is how you want it, click the "Send" button to shoot the text message off to the Verizon phone you're trying to reach. Then remember to check your Gmail account for a response! To refresh your screen and check for new messages, click the "Inbox" link to the left of your screen.

References

• Send text messages from your computer

Resources

• Set up a new Gmail account