Blog RSS‘magicJack’ Brings Free Phone Calls to the iPhone
magicJack, the VoIP service that offers free calls to users in the U.S. and Canada, has released an iPhone app. magicJack hit the App Store this week and lets users make free calls to numbers in the U.S. and Canada and to other magicJack users anywhere in the world at no charge.
magicJack joins a number of other free VoIP calling apps in the App Store, including Skype, Viber (review), netTALK (review) and others. Refreshingly, magicJack does not require you to create a log-in before you can start making those free phone calls, offering you the option to skip account creation altogether and go right to the dialer. You can go back later and choose to create an account to get voicemail and a designated magicJack phone number, which you’ll need if you want to receive calls through magicJack without using minutes on your cell phone plan (at least in the U.S. where incoming calls count against your plan).
I made a quick test call with magicJack while connected to a Wi-Fi network and it was crystal clear on both ends. You can also use magicJack while connected to a 3G network as well. Amusingly, the app’s description states that either WiFi or a “4G network” are recommended. Are they in an alternate reality where the iPhone has 4G capability? (I know, it’s probably just a typo or error by someone in their marketing department who doesn’t know that there’s no 4G-capable iPhone yet.)
Personally, I rarely use my iPhone to actually make calls and I have more rollover minutes from AT&T than you can shake a stick at but if you are on a limited plan where minutes are precious, magicJack can at least help you make calls to others for free without dipping into your plan.
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FREE Calls with magicJack
- Last Changed:
- 20 months ago
- Rating:
- 3.50 (2717)
- Version:
- 2.1.6213
iOS iPhone
FREE Calls to U.S. and Canadian phone numbers – or to any magicJack number, anywhere in the world. magicJack APP will NEVER use your mobile minutes and does not require a voice plan. WiFi or 4G...
2:02 pm, September 30th, 2011
Well AT&T has free mobile to mobile now so that’s a pretty useless application outside the rarest of phone calls… to land lines. If international calling is free, that would be cool!
4:05 pm, October 2nd, 2011
I was under the impression that Skype required a paid subscription plan to call mobile phones, which wouldn’t make it ‘free’. Am I wrong?
1:10 pm, October 4th, 2011
This is definitely worth checking out as it can be a tremendous money-saver. I recently adjusted my account from 1400 minutes to 700 minutes, got the unlimited texting plan (which includes unlimited mobile to any mobile), and still have my data plan. I’ll come out cheaper because I won’t be hit with such high overage charges each month. Most calls that I make are mobile, but the few land lines that I call are typically “business” calls that last more than an hour each. MagicJack should work very well there. I’ll have to test it out and see.
@ThePROFESS10NAL , there are indeed times when those rare phone calls have to be made. Those are the ones that drained my minutes every month.
1:39 pm, October 4th, 2011
UPDATE: It doesn’t work on a 3G iPhone. Well, given Apple’s “Let’s Talk iPhone” event is today, I may be upgrading soon and coming back for this app…
6:58 pm, October 4th, 2011
I have been testing VOIP for the last year on my iPhone 4. I have a dozen VOIP apps. Viber has the best call quality but it’s only Viber to Viber. Talk-a-tone is great to call land lines using your google voice number but quality is average.
I have a VOIP.ms account I use for my business and I’ve tried using it with apps like Bria, Media5-fone & Groundwire. Whistle phone is not bad but free service is limited to 20 minutes incoming & free whistle to whistle.
I just tried the MagicJack app over wifi to landline. WOW. No delay. Good call quality.
I also just tried it over 3G (3 bars showing in this area). There was a slight delay but tolerable.
Extremely impressive overall…calling to USA and Canada free, no registration, and finally, if you have a magic jack, you can use your # to receive calls….this is unbelievable.
9:06 pm, October 4th, 2011
@Capital Macs – Skype is free when calls are between Skype users. I’ve been using Skype for years this way (on my computer and then through the iPhone) without paying them a penny. If you want to call a cell phone or land line, however, there are charges.
9:07 pm, October 4th, 2011
@Matt:
Glad to hear it works well for you!
Out of curiosity, have you tried Tango? It does free video calling only but was curious in case you have tried it.
8:19 pm, October 9th, 2011
This app sounds too good to be true. It doesn’t charge the person receiving the call does it?
11:49 am, October 10th, 2011
Rock solid app. Viber quality is better, but I find Viber very inconsistent. Using the same WiFi connection and handsets, MagicJack outperforms it.
10:25 am, October 11th, 2011
@Amy,
No, it does not charge the person receiving the call. Enjoy!
10:56 am, October 21st, 2011
I need it
8:25 pm, October 24th, 2011
To: Amy and Marianne
The receiver will get charge for the duration of the call against her cell phone minute plan unless he/she has unlimited incoming calls. But wont get charged for long distance.
8:19 am, December 9th, 2011
I have a very limited ATT cell plan, and an Iphone 4S. If I turn 3G on, on my iphone and don’t go thru Wifi(say outside my apt), what charges if any will I incur when making/receiving a call thru magicjack?
data usage? minute usage?
5:17 pm, December 13th, 2011
My only beef is that I can’t receive calls using my MagicJack incoming phone number on my iPhone. This iPhone app creates some fictitious number that people can call by first dialing an 800 number and then entering the *xxxxxxxx number provided in the magic jack app. Come on guys …
10:56 am, December 25th, 2011
I turned off service to my iPhone 4 due to high bill (calls to and from land lines) I have WI-FI. Can I use to majicjack app to make and receive calls from my disconnected iPhone, using my WI-FI?
6:01 pm, December 25th, 2011
I think people are missing where this could be taking us. As we have evolved to using cell phones instead of land lines. We now can, in the future, see dropping our cell phone service too. Although not as probable, you can now drop your cell phone and use your iPod over wifi to make calls. We could be looking at only buying an internet package and our phones will go through that. Again saying this now would be like saying everyone will drop their land line, 8 years ago. None the less this opens up the possibility to do so now.
3:24 am, December 31st, 2011
To the experts out there:I have a question and I am new to voip/cell service….. will the magicjack app work on any other phone but the iphone? I am setting up wi fi at my residence also. I do have magicjack + now and it is great and I also want to be able to send/receive voip calls on my cell using magicjack. Thanks!
11:38 am, January 7th, 2012
It tries to connect to the net all the time. I can not use it. It tells to closed the window and try a minute later to swift online. But it not works. I even try to download and reset it. It does not work. Iphone 4s.
4:12 pm, January 9th, 2012
I spent over 90 minutes on chat with magicjack support and they just kept going around in circles about why it doesn’t work with 4S. He even told me I need to buy a separate subscription for my phone to use my home MJ #!
How can they deny the issues when it’s on every support site?
6:59 pm, January 17th, 2012
I AVE A STRANGE NUMBER *010108 AND SO ON AND CAN NOT RECEIVE PHONE CALLS. WHAT DID I DO WRONG
10:45 pm, January 19th, 2012
If you’re not already a MagicJack customer, you can quickly sign up for an account, and get a new phone number (sort of) in the process. That “number” is actually a 10-digit code that callers need to punch in after calling a main MagicJack number–a fairly major hassle, and a fact that’s not explained anywhere within the app. (Nor is the number listed; it’s 305-848-TALK.)
Read more: http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-19512_7-20113914-233/magicjack-app-brings-totally-free-calling-to-ios/#ixzz1jxkNANQZ
8:23 am, January 20th, 2012
I can’t receive calls using my MagicJack incoming phone number on my iPhone
8:41 am, January 21st, 2012
Magic Jack is using false advertising … It is not $19.95 a year renewal costs $29.95 a year…They are just a corrupt as ATT, corporate greed…If you have a min. file complaint with FTC.gov…There Tech support is staffed by idiots.
10:17 pm, January 21st, 2012
Really cool app! Can make calls to mobile phones for free!
3:39 pm, January 26th, 2012
This is great to know that we can use it in our iphones for free. Fantastic!
6:45 pm, January 26th, 2012
Having used the original MJ for a number of years, I have to say this app works great. If you have the USB version then this app will use your current MJ number. All calls that you normally make from your computer you can now make from your phone. The app works on iphone or ipad and is 3G or wireless compatible. There are a couple of negatives I have found though. 1)If you bought minutes for Intl calling with the usb device, those minutes do not transfer to the app. (Magic Jack considers each device that the app is installed on as an individaual account ie, iphone is one account, usb another etc). The second problem is if you have the app installed on your phone AND ipad and you receive a call, both the phone and the ipad ring. The original version of the app had the ability to turn off the app, but with the current version that feature is no longer available. There seems to be a latency problem when answering the phone but as for call quality it has been great. I hope this small review helps.
1:45 pm, February 2nd, 2012
I just use don my iphone 4s and it worked fine!!
8:56 am, March 12th, 2012
Really awesome App!! It’s necessarily to have 3G mobile
1:54 pm, March 28th, 2012
I got the magic jack app for the iPhone and I was wondering if calling a home phone with it will charge the person receiving it when I made an account and called my other cell phone it worked but trying to call my magic jack number said I couldn’t make international calls so can anyone tell me if it will cost the person receiving the call money for my “international number”
1:57 pm, March 28th, 2012
And can anyone tell me y I was given an international number when I made an account
11:10 pm, May 25th, 2012
I have to say that this app is the best to me. I am outside united state and u brought my number with me, i am just connected to a 3g network and it work fine to me. At home i have wife so from where i am using my iPhone i can call to usa or Canada any time i want and receive calls from there as well.
9:55 am, June 5th, 2012
not clear,can hardly hear anything on 3g,Not working on WIFI,asking to close the window and reconnect,,,
4:19 am, June 28th, 2012
i was using magic jack on my iphone. simply by putting my magic jack user name and password . now from few days i was unable to receive calls on my iphone magic jack app. how ever i can make calls but unable to receive them. simply when any one calls me ring goes and after some time it goes to voice message. if any body have any idea plz solve my problem
2:06 am, July 20th, 2012
If I reside in Toronto and go out of the province or to the states, can I still use magic jack over wifi or data and it still be free for me and the receiver? For example I am in Alberta currently and want to make a call to toronto will it be free If over wifi?
10:01 am, July 20th, 2012
If I am in the US and someone calls my cell from overseas using the magicJack app, and I also have a new iPhone, will I be billed for International minutes?
8:49 pm, July 27th, 2012
Well? The app works. Just to let you guys know, call your own number with the app.
You will get a legit number. I have a number from Florida although my number is *010xxx…
Thing is, I use to be able to recieve calls. I can’t now. It’s a drag -.-
I wanna know WHY!
12:25 pm, September 8th, 2012
I bought a used IPHONE 3GS downloaded this app and I can not use it!
The owner of it had told me I could use this app to keep my cost down.
That implies that he had installed this app. Well I can not use this app as it is tied to his account via the serial number of the phone which blocks me from getting a new account. DO NOT GET THIS APP!
Not until MJ figures out how to release a serial number from a used IPHONE!!
Punish them until they fix this!
7:55 am, September 28th, 2012
installed android version 2.6 of magicjack on my samsung exhibit 4G. Immediately seemed to have taken control over my phone like trojans. Uninstalled it immediately.
1:31 am, September 30th, 2012
I had this app before . When i backup the phone , but it losts this app. I downloaded it again, i can not use like before. This app must be login with my account on magic jack.. I login with the correct user name and password. The notice is: your device is not on this account… I don not why i must login … Someone said that they get this and use easily…
9:48 pm, September 30th, 2012
uninstalled because no exit button and drained battery..I use vonage mobile for free call to Canada and US and so far so good.
8:19 pm, October 8th, 2012
How to call an Iphone Magic Jack number like *0100998456*?)
(Comment faire pour appeler un numero Magic Jack sur Iphone du type *0100998456*?
8:41 pm, October 13th, 2012
Perfect for cheating on my wife!!
5:37 am, December 3rd, 2012
I bought a mint condition used white 16GB Verizon iPhone 5 on Ebay. I put only $10 through AT&T prepaid service at the local AT&T wireless store.
Since, I have WIFI at home. I use the pinger, nettalk, and magic jack apps for free unlimited texting & US/Canada calling.
Pinger gives free text to any mobile number but only free calls to other “pinger users.”
Magic Jack gives you free unlimited calling to any number in the US & Canada. They even supply you with a free incoming Magic Jack number that “starts & ends” with a star symbol: * that other Magic Jack users can call you on.
Nettalk is like Magic Jack. But, the program isn’t as reliable as Magic Jack sometimes needing to hold down the power & home bottom for a hard reset to get to work after restarting the phone. Also, I’m not aware of any incoming number even from another Nettalk user. Be sure to dial a 1 before the number on Nettalk. Magic Jack is not only more reliable but has incoming number for other Magic Jack users, and is definitely better than Nettalk.
So, I pay only a mere $10 a month for unlimited talk and text. AT&T prepaid always for free incoming domestic and international texts. So, I stay on the 10 cents per minute pay per use AT&T prepaid plan.
If I get a free incoming text I just reply by Pinger hence free unlimited incoming and outgoing texting.
If I get a call I do one of two things the latter being totally free:
1. Answer the call & hang up within 1 minute so you use only 10 cents. Tell them you will call them back later. Do so using Magic Jack.
2. Tap decline on answering call and call back right away using Magic Jack.
This way isn’t only the most affordable but it makes you not want to call or text while friving because you’ll want to wait to do do any texts or calls in WIFI range which you don’t have in a car. But, WIFI is at:
1. Libraries
2. Airports
3. Barnes & Noble
4. McDonald’s
5. Starbucks or other coffee shops
6. Home
7. Nearby local Cox cable TV store.
This free WIFI list will only grow over time not shrink.
7:04 am, April 1st, 2013
Hi i been using magic jack apps for nearly 6 months now.it allows me to call my family in canada for free it onlu requires the caller to have. An internet connection .lately i cant used the said application in my 3gs. It asked me to verify my account by logging in my email and my password and asked me to select aa subscription listed but it doesnt sow the listing i tried to uninstall and reinstall the apps several times but still im having the same problem. Could any one help me??
3:01 pm, April 23rd, 2013
I AM USEING THIS APP I LIVE IN MEXICO AND I CALL THE STATES I HAVE NO CHARGE BUT I AM WONDERING IF THERE IS A CHARGE FOR THE PPL I AM CALLING…DOES ANYONE KNOW ?