Did you know that you can send text messages from your email for free? Yes, you read that correctly! This little-known feature could not only save you time if you are bogged down at work and need to send a quick message, but it provides those who do not have unlimited talk & text to expand their communication preference even further.

Sending texts and media from email can save you time, money, and data!

But, before we begin…

What is SMS and MMS?

This is a great question!

MMS and SMS are terms used to describe the type of messages that occur between mobile devices or a messenger platform.

“Short Message Service” or SMS, otherwise known as text messaging, are often less than 160 characters in length and are the most common type of messages sent. In fact, according to CTIA, over 6 billion SMS messages are sent every day totaling 2.27 trillion messages per year! And this does not account for the other half of messages sent.

When texts are longer than 160 characters or include media (gifs, pictures, music, etc.) this is referred to as “Multimedia Service” or MMS. While most people do not differentiate between the two when sending a message, MMS can drain your data and be problematic if you do not have reliable internet. However, this does not occur with your preferred email. You can send messages, at any length, to include media, gifs, music, at zero cost to you just by messaging through a different platform.

How to Send a Text Message Through Email

While it is simple to send a one-time message from your email, if you are going to send more than one, it is recommended that you input your contacts into your email address book before you begin. This will not only make the process easier for you, especially if you are engaging in a conversation, but allow for you to access the text function at will, which comes in handy if you are in a situation where you need to send a message fast from your email.

To do this, go into your address book located within your preferred email and fill out the form as you see fit. The one caveat to sending a text message from email is that you need to know your contact’s cellular provider before sending them a message. Even if you opt out of creating a contact, you cannot send a text message through your email without this piece of information.

Following the structure listed in the table below based on phone provider, the new email for your contact, or what goes into the “To” field in the body of an email should read:

SMS

MMS

For example, if I was sending a quick text from my email to my friend who has Xfinity, it would look like 1234567890@vtext.com.

Another great feature about using email instead of your phone is efficiency. Although most of us can text with our eyes closed, writing emails or using a traditional keyboard has its benefits. There is a level of ease that comes with email not available through a mobile phone. Furthermore, you can send multiple texts to any individuals through this method. In fact, some emergency response platforms (to include firefighters) have adapted email-2-text and increased response time greatly. Moreover, email-2-text is particularly smart for leadership or individual’s on teams, business platforms, parents of more than one child, or for those who need to send out quick information to more than one person.

Lastly, it can be a great money saver.

Not everyone has unlimited text, but most of us have regular access to internet, WIFI, or data, which makes email-2-text ideal for those who want their cake and eat it too. This can also assist those who are budgeting and not looking to expand their current bills, but need more ability to message their contacts.

A Few Things to Keep in Mind

There may be a few quirks, depending on network, to what goes through or not in an email-2-text. For example, it is recommended to delete signatures or any words other than your direct message. This is due to the SMS character limitations. As such, keep your subject line to one or two words, or simply use your subject line to write your text in, as opposed to the body of the email. However, every network is different and may want you to format your message a certain way. Thus, before you text, be sure to read up on your network preferences and those who you are messaging to be sure your information is being sent correctly.

Final Thoughts

Sending texts through emails has become a lifesaver for those who need more proficient ways of utilizing text messaging services. This platform has been adopted by first responders, communication systems, and budget-savvy thrifters, hoping to optimize their current texting plan. Therefore, if you are searching for way to boost your text messages and save you money, adapting email-2-text into your communication style is well worth consideration.