Use real-time text (RTT) on Xfinity Mobile

With standard text messaging, you have to type out your whole message, hit send, then wait for a reply. But with RTT, your text is transmitted as soon as you type it. No more waiting for a response!

About RTT

RTT makes it easier to text like you talk. It's an important alternative to voice communications, especially for people who are deaf or hard of hearing and for people who have difficulty speaking. RTT enables a more natural, bi-directional flow of conversation compared to texting or instant messages.

Supported phones

Real-time text is available on all Xfinity Mobile phones except for these models:

Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge
Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+
Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+
Samsung Galaxy Note8
LG X power
LG X charge
Motorola moto e⁵ play

RTT and TTY

Since RTT is a newer technology with more advanced features, it does have some advantages over TTY:

TTY requires users to take turns; with RTT, both people in the conversation can send and receive text at the same time.
You can choose from a wider character set with RTT, including international characters, emoji, and the “@” symbol.
As long as your phone is RTT-capable, it's all you need to make RTT calls. Unlike TTY, you don’t need a separate device.
RTT is more reliable than TTY over WiFi — and, with Xfinity Mobile, you'll have access to the most WiFi hotspots nationwide.

Using real-time text with Xfinity Mobile

With an RTT-capable phone you can call almost anyone else who can make and receive RTT or TTY calls, including wireless customers on networks other than Xfinity Mobile.

Enabling RTT

For iPhones, Apple's guide to RTT has everything you need to know.

If you've got a Samsung or an LG phone, you can enable RTT by opening your phone's settings menu, entering "RTT" in the search bar, and turning on real-time text.

Limitations

You may face some limitations with RTT when calling someone on some other wireless networks, on older wireless networks (3G and earlier), or someone who is using a TTY device.

Here are some specific cases:

You can place RTT calls to TTY users, but keep in mind a TTY device doesn't support the real-time aspect of RTT and may not be able to render all RTT characters properly.
When you place a 911 call with RTT, dispatchers may answer your call using a TTY device.
- Your conversation won’t support the real-time aspect of RTT and certain characters may not be rendered properly on the dispatcher’s end.
Some phones have RTT settings that make calls via 711 relay services easier.
- However, these calls might also face these same limitations as other calls to TTY devices.

Additional information

Visit our Online Support Center to find common solutions.

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