How long do you have to be inactive on TextNow to lose your number?

The TextNow Number Retention Riddle: How Long Until Your Number’s Gone?

TextNow offers a compelling free mobile phone service, but the question of number retention often arises. How long can you go inactive before TextNow reclaims your number? The answer, unfortunately, isn’t a simple number of days or weeks. There’s no published official inactivity period after which your number is automatically released. Instead, TextNow’s approach is more nuanced and depends on your usage and service choices.

The key to keeping your TextNow number is consistent activity. Regular use – even a single text message or call each day – signals to the system that the number is actively in use and should be retained. This informal “activity-based” retention policy is the cornerstone of TextNow’s approach. Simply put, the more you use your number, the less likely it is to be recycled.

However, relying solely on sporadic usage is risky. While occasional activity might delay the process, there’s no guarantee it will prevent TextNow from eventually reclaiming the number. The platform needs to manage its resources, and inactive numbers are inevitably repurposed.

For users wanting guaranteed number retention, TextNow provides two paid options:

• Lock In Number: This subscription ensures your number remains yours for as long as your payment is current. This is the most straightforward way to secure your TextNow number indefinitely.

• Ad-Free: While primarily designed to remove advertisements from the app, this subscription also offers the added benefit of retaining your number as long as the subscription is maintained.

In essence, TextNow doesn’t have a specific “inactivity period” for number reclamation. Instead, consistent usage is crucial for maintaining your number. For peace of mind, the paid “Lock In Number” or “Ad-Free” subscriptions are the most reliable methods to prevent your number from being released. Consider these options if maintaining your number is a priority beyond simply occasional use. The bottom line is: while occasional use might work for a while, consistent activity or a paid subscription is the only true guarantee of long-term number retention on TextNow.