Is TextNow Safe? Privacy, Number Loss and Emergency Calls (2026)

If you're asking whether TextNow is safe, you're probably thinking about handing a second phone number, and a lot of your messages, to an app. It's a fair worry. I've read TextNow's own terms, privacy policy and help pages so you can see what it says for itself, and where the catches are.

What TextNow is and who runs it

TextNow's terms name TextNow, Inc. with an address in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. For regulated telecom services in the US, the terms name TextNow Inc., a Delaware corporation, as the provider. So it's a registered company with a named address, not an anonymous app.

It's a calling and texting service built around giving you a phone number. Its help pages describe a free number on its Wi-Fi service and paid options, and I'd treat anything beyond that as something to check inside the app before you rely on it.

What TextNow collects about you

This is where I'd slow down. TextNow's privacy policy lists message content, including voice, text, audio, video and photos, among the data it collects. It also lists the phone numbers involved in your calls and the numbers of your contacts.

On advertising, the policy says TextNow may sell or share personal information, including for targeted advertising. It then draws a line: message and other user-generated content will not be sold or shared unless you direct otherwise. So the policy separates your messages from the rest of your data, but you should still read the section yourself before you decide.

Can you delete your TextNow data?

The privacy policy says you can sign in and choose Request account and data deletion. It adds one practical warning: if you want to keep your number by porting it elsewhere, do that before you submit the deletion request. It doesn't give a set period for how long it keeps data after you close an account.

The TextNow number you can lose

A free number isn't permanent. TextNow's help centre says there's no hard-and-fast rule on how long a number can sit unused before it's revoked, and that it sends a warning message first. Once a number is released, it says it can't restore that exact number.

The help centre also says calling or texting at least once a day from a free number keeps it active, and that a paid Lock In Number subscription protects against losing it through inactivity. Separately, the terms say TextNow can cancel an account without notice after more than one year of inactivity.

Verification codes and TextNow

Because inactive numbers on the free Wi-Fi service get recycled, TextNow's help says verification codes need a paid subscription. That matters for safety: a recycled number can end up with someone else, and anything tied to it, like a login code, could follow it. Don't use a number you might lose as the only way into an important account.

If you're setting up a number for a side business, my guide to getting a free business telephone number covers what to think about before you give it to customers.

Emergency calls and TextNow

Check this before you rely on it as your only phone. TextNow's terms say your number won't necessarily match your physical location for US emergency calls, and that emergency calls can fail during a power outage, an internet outage or a suspension of service. The Canadian section says it doesn't keep your location on file, so you must tell the dispatcher your location straight away.

TextNow's rules on age, refunds and disputes

What I checked	What TextNow's terms say
Minimum age	13 or older; 14 in Quebec; 16 in California, Montana and Oregon
Refunds	All fees and charges are non-refundable; no prorated refund if you cancel
Cancelling a paid plan	You keep access until the current term ends and it doesn't renew
Account inactivity	Can be cancelled without notice after more than one year
Disputes (US)	Binding arbitration and a class action waiver, with a 30 day opt-out by written notice

The arbitration clause is the bit most people skip. It means a dispute in the US may not go to a normal court, so read it if you plan to use TextNow for something that matters.

Fake TextNow apps, texts and support

Any popular calling app attracts copycats. Download TextNow only from the official app stores or its own website, and be wary of messages saying your number will be shut down unless you click a link or pay a stranger. TextNow's help explains how to release or change a number from inside your account, so you never need to share a code with someone who contacts you out of the blue.

I'd also hold the same suspicion you'd use on a dodgy review or an odd offer. My guide to spotting a fake product review is a good habit-builder for this kind of check.

So is TextNow safe to use?

It's a real company with published terms and a privacy policy, and it's open about the catches. I'd use it as a second line for texting and calls, keep an eye on number activity, never rely on a free number for important logins, and read the privacy section on advertising before you send anything sensitive.

Frequently asked questions

Is TextNow legit?

TextNow's terms name TextNow, Inc. in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, and a Delaware corporation for regulated US telecom services, so it's a real company.

Does TextNow sell my messages?

Its privacy policy says it may sell or share personal information for targeted advertising, but that message and other user-generated content won't be sold or shared unless you direct otherwise.

Can I lose my TextNow number?

Yes. The help centre says inactive numbers can be revoked after a warning message, with no fixed number of days, and a released number can't be restored.

Does TextNow support emergency calls?

The terms say emergency calls can fail and your number won't necessarily match your location, so don't rely on it as your only phone.

Can I get a refund from TextNow?

The terms say all fees and charges are non-refundable, and cancelling gives no prorated refund; you keep access until the term ends.