Hobby phone question.

No bullshit... I literally downloaded an APP on my iphone called TextFree. So basically it lets you choose a phone number local or not and texting is completely free (a few ads and calling costs money). But I hide it in one of my app folders and use all my hobby texts that way. Of course I've only had it two days but its worked great and on the same phone and I can choose whether I want my phone to 'alert' me or not.

Pros: Free local number, free unlimited texts, can hide alerts

Cons: Calling costs money, its on your personal phone and you have to make sure you turn off the alerts. Originally Posted by ThisGuy85

I have used this app and just wanted to point out that a lot of providers use this as well. If you happen to come across a provider using this, her name, (and yours) will show up on the app. So be careful when signing up that you do not use your real name, (should go without saying, but you never know). If you have already put in your real name, then you can change it in the settings of the app. I only say this because I have seen providers real names show up on it a few times.

Also, there are ways you can earn free minutes for calling. I was bored a few times and watched a bunch of ads to earn minutes and actually got about 150 minutes free.

No bullshit... I literally downloaded an APP on my iphone called TextFree. So basically it lets you choose a phone number local or not and texting is completely free (a few ads and calling costs money). But I hide it in one of my app folders and use all my hobby texts that way. Of course I've only had it two days but its worked great and on the same phone and I can choose whether I want my phone to 'alert' me or not.

Pros: Free local number, free unlimited texts, can hide alerts

Cons: Calling costs money, its on your personal phone and you have to make sure you turn off the alerts. Originally Posted by ThisGuy85

One of my regulars turned me on to that for texting and then I saw that it had given me a new number as well. Problem solved. Thanks!

Either option works - smartphone APP or pre-paid dumb phone, it's up to you and the risks you are willing to take. I'm a cautious one and will continue to use a pre-paid dumb phone. There are too many downsides to having an APP on my smartphone. As GivemeLiberty identified, a glitch exists where your real name could appear. Plus, others (to include LE and SO) could access the APP.
I opt for the dumb pre-paid phone and minutes purchased with cash. I keep it hidden and only take it out when hobbying.
Good luck!

I have a similar question. I have a Trackphone from Walmart. My GF added minutes to it and watch the use. I used to have a T Mobile phone where I switch the sim cards for regular and hobby use. Hobby Sim had all escorts info and keep the card in the office and it worked great. Can do that with the Trackphone by buying a new card ( pre-paid ) with cash and use it for hobby only. Any suggestion will be appreciated

I just got a Tracfone at WalMart for $27.00 and it has 120min.

Either option works - smartphone APP or pre-paid dumb phone, it's up to you and the risks you are willing to take. I'm a cautious one and will continue to use a pre-paid dumb phone. There are too many downsides to having an APP on my smartphone. As GivemeLiberty identified, a glitch exists where your real name could appear. Plus, others (to include LE and SO) could access the APP.
I opt for the dumb pre-paid phone and minutes purchased with cash. I keep it hidden and only take it out when hobbying.
Good luck! Originally Posted by plainjoe

As in most things in life, you get what you pay for. Burner costs $5/mo per number but so far it's worked perfectly for me. You would of course turn off notifications but the app can also be locked independently either with a separate PIN or if your phone supports it fingerprint ID.

If you're worried about LE searching the data on your phone, which presupposes you've already been busted and they have your device available, you can encrypt the data on your device (again if your phone supports it and before you get/got busted) so that they would have to subpoena the records from the app maker/your service provider but honestly that seems like a lot of work for them just to bust you on a solicitation charge (Shyster Jon has an interesting post in National Forum on the finer points of evidence which is worth a read.) Even then if you use Bleep from TOR the messages themselves are encrypted so that the company can hand the records over but they can't tell anyone what the message was. However, you'd need to convince the girl/agency to install and use Bleep as well which is probably going to be a non-starter.

All this is to say, there are 100 ways to cover your ass but it wont matter for shit when you leave your laptop open and logged in, which is how most people I know got busted.

I tell most of my gents I think google voice is the best. This way if you can just delete your app if need be from the phone. I use google voice I love it... It's better then having two phones. Just don' leave your laptop open if you use your computer lol