Text Messaging FAQs
This article is designed to provide answers to common questions about text messaging.

How do I write and send a text message from my T-Mobile phone?

To locate information about texting from your T-Mobile phone, perform the following steps:
1. Log in to your My T-Mobile account.
2. Under Connect and Share click Send a text message.
3. Fill in the To and From fields and write your message in the Message box.
NOTE: The message you write can be up to 129 characters in length.
4. Click the Send button to send the message.

How can I block text messages?

You can block many message types including text messages. For more information, go to Message Blocking.

Where can I find more information about text messaging plans?

To view the available text messaging bundles and instructions on how to add the feature to your account, go to Text Messaging Plans.

How do I check my current text message usage?

You can check your text message usage free of charge 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

From your phone:

Using your T-Mobile phone, dial #MSG# (#674#), and then press Send. You can view your current usage and the date/time of the last recorded message activity.

On the Internet:

1. Log in to My T-Mobile.
2. Under Manage, select Account usage.

What happens to text messages that are sent to me while my device is off?

You should receive recent text messages when you turn your device back on. However, text messages only remain in our systems for up to three days. If your device is powered off for an extended period of time, you may not receive these messages.

How do I send a text message from a computer?

Text messages can be sent from the Send a Text Message page located under My Services on My T-Mobile. Please be aware that you can only send text messages to T-Mobile customers using this service.

Why do I need to log into My.T-Mobile.com to send a text message from your site?

T-Mobile moved the ability to send text messages from T-Mobile.com to My.T-Mobile.com to ensure that T-Mobile customers are using this feature and not outside Marketing or 3rd Party companies using it to spam our customers.

Am I billed for unopened text messages?

Yes.

Why am I being billed for unwanted text messages?

When a text message is received on your T-Mobile phone, you will be charged for the message. You can block many message types including text messages. For more information, go to Message Blocking.

How do I print out text messages?

Depending on your device, you can forward a text message to an e-mail address and then print that e-mail from a computer.

Can I retrieve deleted text messages?

At this time you can not retrieve a deleted text message.

How do I setup a ringtone for text messages?

The ability to do this is device specific. For specific steps on how to set up a ringtone for text messages, go to the Support page, select your current device, and then select How To.

How do I troubleshoot not being able to send a text message when I can receive them?

To troubleshoot text messaging issues from your T-Mobile phone, perform the following steps:
1. Turn your T-Mobile device off and back on again.
2. Select someone in your address book who is a T-Mobile customer.
3. In the body of the message, enter *NOTIF.
4. Send the text message. Verify that you have included a 1 along with the area code.
5. If the delivery is successful, the recipient will receive a blank message. You should then be able to send text messages to other contacts.
6. If you are still unable to send a text message, try placing your SIM in another device and send a text message again.
7. If the recipient did not receive the text message, please contact us.

Can I read my text messages online?

At this time you can not read text messages sent to your device online.

I received a text that I have to go online to view it, how do I do that?

The body of the message should contain a link, which when selected, opens up the Web browser on your device and directs you to the correct page.