You might not remember T-Mobile announcing a new feature called DIGITS back in December because, well, December was forever ago. You should care about it now, though. DIGITS has left beta and arrives May 31 to upgrade your T-Mobile phone number.
Whoa! Upgrade your phone number? Yep, that’s sounds scary, but it probably won’t be a big deal. Let’s talk about DIGITS.
So what – again – is T-Mobile DIGITS? It sort of is an upgraded phone number in that T-Mobile is letting you access it from anywhere, meaning on phones, tablets, computers, other phones from other carriers, etc. Once your phone number has become a DIGITS number, you can setup additional devices to get calls to that number. Same goes for text messages. You can even install the DIGITS app on an AT&T or Verizon phone and they’ll then ring when someone calls your T-Mobile number.
Of course, this is a great idea for those who have work and personal phones, but would rather just carry one phone. DIGITS allows you to do just that, plus you can tell it which number to dial out from should you need to differentiate between work and personal calls.
If you want additional DIGITS numbers, you can pay T-Mobile $10 per month. You might want to do that for things like killing off your home phone, but still keeping that number to ring to everyone’s phone in the household. You might want to do that to have a secret throwaway number for those sneaky nights out on your sneaky dating app. You get the idea.
Overall, the idea can be kind of confusing, but once you have it setup after a few minutes, it should make life much simpler, should you juggle multiple numbers in a day. Also, if you want nothing to do with any of this multi-device stuff, then that’s cool. Just keep using your T-Mobile service like you do now and not think about DIGITS ever again.
Again, this all launches May 31 when T-Mobile says “every T-Mobile customer’s phone will be upgraded” to DIGITS.
To learn more hit up this link.
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Question about this: I get barely any cell service in my building (regardless of carrier). If I set Digits up to send/receive SMS and MMS from my computer, will it work even if the my phone lacks service, or does the message have to pass through the phone before being transmitted to other devices?
i beleive it works no matter what even if your phone is off.. because if im not mistaken your line is now “digital”.. so in essence you could put your phone into airplane mode and then send texts and receive calls from the Phone over WIFI or from any computer…My work blocks the digits protocols so i cant access it but im sure it should work that way
Good to know, thanks!
My biggest question is if you’ll be able to set times on the ringing to other numbers.. like “after midnight to 8am, don’t route calls here”
Can you use 2FA with your digits number? Main reason I don’t use GV as some 2FA services don’t work with it.
Of course, it’s your T-Mobile number. I haven’t had any issues with 2FA with Fi or GV lately, but used to a couple years ago.
I was still having issues with my CU and GV a couple months ago (
I couldn’t be more excited for this. Having a small side business I can now ditch having a 2nd phone. I can’t wait to see how this works in different UI.
Google Hangouts let’s my cell number also ring on my Chromebook and landline phone AND at no cost.
For the $10 a month that they charge you can use the duplicate SIM card in a second phone so you still get data, talk, and text on two phones. It’s not the fastest data I believe 512 Kbps but they have an option coming out for full speed on the duplicate SIM.
Really??? How I don’t understand how T-Mobile keeps coming up with these new incentives meanwhile every other state I go to I have trouble getting service. Put that money towards making your overall service better.
They are. they just purchased new spectrum. Your current device won’t be able to utilize it when it goes into effect. They’re already ahead of you.
I’m a current customer and it sucks! By time they fix it I’ll be gone. I’ve missed out on very important phone calls and messages because of T-Mobile.
I have T-Mobile and it works great for me out here in NJ, but I’m reading your comments and wondering why you are still a T-Mobile customer. It’s obviously not working for you.
I’m a T-Mobile customer because they are good when I’m home. I’m a otr driver and when I get on the road its sucks! I can never have a full conversation with anyone.
so switch carriers if it doesn’t work for you
As soon as I’m home Thats what I’m going to do. Thanks for your being concerned.
Project Fi. Can take calls on any device. Windows, Mac, Android. Been done. Old.
$10/month/GB is still way too much.
existing beta members get to keep their numbers and just pay the tax and not the fee so it’s only a couple bucks if you beta tested. For that I’ll keep mine.
This is actually a good alternative if Google ever does away with Google Voice.
Since it would be used through am app, would it use data??
Good question, but I don’t think so. Technically Google Voice is used through an app, it just sends the calls through your regular dialer, but the call still goes over voice, not data.
Now I think this will prioritize VOLTE, but I don’t think that counts as data. Not sure since I’ve never had a limited data plan.
They’re are two options. To route the call through the regular Sim Minutes . here the app has your phone call a “proxy” number. And the other option where it uses only data in which case the call is placed directly through the app and utilizes either 4G data or wifi…… SO it depends. I’ve been a beta user so i KNow.
When will Verizon?
Verizon has had this functionality for 4 years already… It’s their native SMS app called Message+. I get texts (and calls) synced across all my devices, and even while abroad in Airplane mode with only Wi-Fi on.
From 2013:
Version 4.0 of the carrier’s in-house SMS app essentially divorces its text messaging service from cell phones, letting customers send and receive text and multimedia messages from Web-connected PCs and tablets running iOS or Android.
The update includes a number of new features, but perhaps the one customers will find most appealing is integrated messaging, which syncs message activity related to a single phone number across different devices. Verizon promotes this feature as an easy way to “keep your conversation going when you switch between devices and the Web.”
https://www.cnet.com/news/new-verizon-app-untethers-text-messages-from-your-cell-phone/
You can’t use Message+ on more than one phone and its only tied to one number. There’s also no switching of numbers to send from.
One number yes, but definitely more than one device. I have it synced with 4 devices – original phone, 2nd phone and 2 tablets.
So instead of just selling dual-SIM phones, they’ve found a way to monetize it… :over simplification on my end:
https://gigaom.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/1/2011/12/dual20sim.jpeg
This is cheaper than dual sims…… Duals sims essentially would be 2 different lines of service runnig probably at least 50 to $70 each. Digits is free…. If you do want to add another number to the same phone it’s an additional $10 vs playing for an expensive NEW line of service ( second sim card)…. think about it
This sounds like Google Voice that I’ve been using for years for $0/month aka free.
Main difference, with Google voice you have to get a new number. With this you can use your personal number and add a number of youd like.
Pretty much the difference.
hmm. Wonder if this would help that guy out from the podcast? mdonsco I think.
Yeah, but you can port your number over to Google Voice, so… It’s just a tiny bit more convenient.
I thought the number porting only worked with certain carriers? When I had Sprint, I was able to fully integrate GV with my Sprint number. Now that I have T-Mobile (way better BTW 🙂 ) I dont have that option to fully integrate it. Or am I missing something?
This was the main reason I stopped using GV when I switched to T-Mo.
Sprint had a special deal with Google to use that feature. Hell it’s free so why not use it.
You’re talking about the difference between porting and integrating. Spring allowed you to use your Google Voice number as you main carrier number. Before I left Verizon, I ported my Verizon number to my Google Voice number, so thd same number I had for 12 years became my Google Voice number. I switched to T-Mo, didn’t care what number they gave me, because I installed the GV app, and set it up so my native dialer uses my GV number, not my T-Mo carrier number. Only difference is I use Hangouts for SMS/MMS instead of the native messaging app.
Question, this is exactly what I’ve doing for years but how did you setup your Google Voice to your native dialer?
Searched online for days, no real answer other than defaulting your GV number to make calls.
Yes you can port number to gv, but then you have to use Google Fi, which isn’t a bad deal if you don’t need unlimited.
You don’t need to use Google-Fi. You can use any carrier you want.
What I meant was, you have to leave your carrier to port to Google voice. You can’t port your number and still have that number with Verizon, TMobile, etc.
Why does that matter?
Uh. It matters because thats your wireless carrier and google voice isnt..
Again why does that matter?
You don’t have to leave your carrier or go to Fi. I ported my VZW number to GV, then requested a new number from VZW. Kept my VZW account and my numbwr. Google it.
I think you guys are missing the point and that’s where TMobile is messing up a bit. I’m saying if you want to use your Google voice number as your primary number AND your service provider, you have to use GFI. Otherwise, you have to rely on wifi. I get the fact that you can have any carrier and still use GV. This offering is different because it allows you to use your primary line across multiple devices. Yes if you want another number go ahead and use GV for free. But if you don’t want an additional number this is a great option for Android users.
My GV number is my primary number and I can use it across multiple devices and carriers. I don’t see DIGITS benefit over GV. The nice thing about GV, is if I want to leave T-Mo, I can, and my PRIMARY number goes with me. With Digits, if you leave T-Mo, you lose your primary number.
This is the exact thing I was thinking as soon as I head about this…. It’s Google voice for 10 a month. I don’t understand what people aren’t seeing.
The article says “If you want additional DIGITS numbers, you can pay T-Mobile $10 per month.” Key word is additional. This may mean (although it’s not 100% clear) that the first DIGITS number is free and then if you want more than one, you gotta pony up the dough.
You don’t have to use Google Fi, LOL! I’ve been using my Google Voice number as my primary number for calling and texting since 2014. Once they made MMS native to GV I ported my number to GV and never looked back. I’ve used it on Verizon and two different T-Mobile accounts seamlessly and without issue.
You do not have to use Google Fi no. But if you want to use GV as your your primary cell service provider you have have to use Google Fi( or Sprint). I get the fact that you can still use your GV number as your primary line. But if you didn’t have Verizon or T-Mobile, what would you be using to get service to use your GV number?
Calls can be sent to gmail when you don’t have primary service. And ring on certain devices over wi fi. GV is cool. Same number different carriers for years?
Then I don’t understand. If I don’t have T-Mo or VZW, then I could have US Cellular, or Cricket, or any post or prepaid cell service. And still use GV as my primary number. You’re not limited to Sprint or Fi. I’ve done this for years.
Yeah. That’s exactly it. You can have any service… You just need an Internet connection to have Google voice work.
Been using google voice since forever. Best thing ever
This is what Project Fi does…
This has the potential to be what Google Voice could never cleanly accomplish. If you have two GV numbers (one personal, one for work) and using them both on the same phone, it is far from seamless or straightforward.
I use Hangouts for messaging on both numbers because I like all my messages in one place (but for how much longer?). I use hangouts dialer for calls only on my work line. Since Hangouts dialer is data-only, it’s really inconsistent with quality and calls. And there’s that strange gap when you answer a call, and have to wait for that tone to start talking. It’s just not a great experience compared to the stock dialer app.
And so, because I use my personal GV number more, I prefer it to ring through the stock dialer app for reliability. But when I want to call a client through the contacts app, there’s no easy way to assign them to my work number’s Hangouts Dialer interface. It just automatically assumes I want to call them via my personal number and stock dialer app. So I have to remember to open Hangouts, switch accounts, hit the dialer tab, and then call the client.
T-mo sounds like they’re gonna clean all this nonsense up for me, so I’m gonna keep an eye on this.