Verizon

So I've gotten notices that they're discontinuing their message app and to download Google messages.  Ok, but when I tried to go to the app store Google wants me to sign in. I've tried several times but wasn't successful.  I called Verizon to make sure the message app ending was legit and they confirmed it. Funny thing is I could get into the app store on my tablet but not on my phone.
I'm paying Verizon about $110 for two devices and unlimited data. Consumer cellular gave me the same for $60 so I signed up with them. They use at&t towers so it should be ok.  I still have to solve the messaging app problem but now I'm saving $50 a month.
Does anyone have a trusted app downloading place beside Google play store? I'm using Android devices. I know it's a small group of regular members here but I also know I can trust you guys if you have recommendations.

So I've gotten notices that they're discontinuing their message app and to download Google messages.  Ok, but when I tried to go to the app store Google wants me to sign in. I've tried several times but wasn't successful.  I called Verizon to make sure the message app ending was legit and they confirmed it. Funny thing is I could get into the app store on my tablet but not on my phone.
I'm paying Verizon about $110 for two devices and unlimited data. Consumer cellular gave me the same for $60 so I signed up with them. They use at&t towers so it should be ok.  I still have to solve the messaging app problem but now I'm saving $50 a month.
Does anyone have a trusted app downloading place beside Google play store? I'm using Android devices. I know it's a small group of regular members here but I also know I can trust you guys if you have recommendations.

I've had Consumer Cellular for the last 20 years and no complaints.

Terry

Never heard of a verzion message app or a Google one

We use iPhone’s and they come with a built in messaging app as well as since IOS 18 a satellite texting feature when no cell service is available

Wife just updated her old old old old iPhone to the new 16 and is still setting it up but so far really likes it. She did not want to upgrade but the satellite communication feature is why she did

Here Verizon has the best coverage, constantly seeing people changing carriers while complaining about how expensive Verizon is only to complain about poor coverage & dropped calls

Just looked….29 years of Verizon we have had

I just use the built in text app on my phone. Always have.

As far as that satellite texting thing goes, it’s not nearly as good as inreach. Takes forever to send/receive and ONLY works from iPhone to iPhone and they both have to be newer phones. Also, in the fine print the satellite texting service is only free for 2 years on iPhone. Not sure what it will cost after that. I have a inreach since I work mostly out of signal and REALLY like it, but will probably install starlink on my truck at some point.

I just use the built in text app on my phone. Always have.

As far as that satellite texting thing goes, it’s not nearly as good as inreach. Takes forever to send/receive and ONLY works from iPhone to iPhone and they both have to be newer phones. Also, in the fine print the satellite texting service is only free for 2 years on iPhone. Not sure what it will cost after that. I have a inreach since I work mostly out of signal and REALLY like it, but will probably install starlink on my truck at some point.

It’s actually better than in reach as I’ve also got that 

yes it’s only from iPhone to iPhone but then again it is an Apple thing & designed to be used with iPhones

it has to be on a iPhone 14 or newer running IOS 18 as the 14 has the hardware needed for this to operate if you have an older iPhone not on 18 iOS you can still receive texts, just not respond or initiate 

have not seen anywhere in small print about a cost to use it in 2 years 

Just looked and the wife’s old iPhone was a 7, so it’s not close to being new & she always received my sat text’s just could not reply 

My inreach has a yearly plan fee and then a monthly fee & has to be used with the Earthmate app on a smartphone or it’s almost useless except for the sos feature

Interesting. Maybe it’s because of how far north I am but the iPhone sat texting doesn’t work worth a crap compared to the inreach for me.

Interesting. Maybe it’s because of how far north I am but the iPhone sat texting doesn’t work worth a crap compared to the inreach for me.

I've learned that radio propagation in Alaska has it's unique problems, probably due to the northern lights. I wonder if that applies to sat com as well?  I do know that sometimes I can shoot over the artic circle just fine and other times I can't but get good aurora propagation where my signal bounces off the aurora and I can use it to make contacts down here even though my antenna is pointed to the north.

I used to have problems in Greenland with HF propagation. Normally I could sit at the top of the ramp on the edge of the ice cap and work CW with the base camp a mile away with just the exciter on the old BC610. Other times I couldn't talk to the base camp with 500 watts.