Basic phone with app capability?
SerenaRay
Enthusiast - Level 2

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Does anyone know of any basic phones that allow you download apps onto the phone? I want to be able to use apps but I do not and will not pay for a data plan. I know at&t has some basic phones that allow you download apps. I currently have a prepaid plan...i think. We do not have a two year contract and are paying month to month.

Also I have heard that you can have a smartphone on Verizon and not be forced to have a data plan if you have a prepaid plan. Is that true?

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Re: Basic phone with app capability?
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SerenaRay wrote:

Does anyone know of any basic phones that allow you download apps onto the phone? I want to be able to use apps but I do not and will not pay for a data plan. I know at&t has some basic phones that allow you download apps. I currently have a prepaid plan...i think. We do not have a two year contract and are paying month to month.

Also I have heard that you can have a smartphone on Verizon and not be forced to have a data plan if you have a prepaid plan. Is that true?

I don't believe there are any basic phones that have that ability. I know in the past "Mobile Web" was available as well as the ability to download ringtones (cost $$$) and you could set up email accounts but again mobile web cost $5 way back then.

Go to http://www.verizonwireless.com and look under pre paid and regular plans to see if pre pay has included unlimited data.

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Re: Basic phone with app capability?
tikibar1
Community Leader
Community Leader

Depends on what you mean by wanting to use apps.  As noted above, mobile web-enabled basic phones do have the capability of downloading apps, but there are very few apps available and most are games.  There is a charge for the apps, and to download them requires data (and thus a data charge).

Any smartphone activated on Verizon's network requires a data plan.  Basic and feature phones do not require a data plan on a post-pay Verizon account, but a number of feature phones require a data plan on a pre-pay plan.

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Re: Basic phone with app capability?
SerenaRay
Enthusiast - Level 2

Have you heard anything about being able to have a smartphone without the data if you don't buy the phone from Verizon?

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Re: Basic phone with app capability?
SerenaRay
Enthusiast - Level 2

I mean apps as in the app store.

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Re: Basic phone with app capability?
tikibar1
Community Leader
Community Leader

As noted in the other post, if you activate a smartphone on Verizon's network, you are required to have a data plan.

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Re: Basic phone with app capability?
tikibar1
Community Leader
Community Leader

No, basic phones cannot access apps in the smartphone app stores.  They are limited to the few apps available through Verizon's media store.

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Re: Basic phone with app capability?
SuzyQ
Community Leader
Community Leader

SerenaRay wrote:

I mean apps as in the app store.

If you want to download apps from the Google app store or Apple store without a data plan, your best option is to use a wifi-only tablet or iPad.  It doesn't need a data plan from any carrier, you can download and connect whenever wifi is available, and a lot of the games and apps will work without wifi as well.

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Re: Basic phone with app capability?
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as stated by others no. A data plan is required. As also stated you could purchase a tablet like a Sony Android device or an Apple iPad. I use both without cellular and they are cheaper that way. I just received an email stating the Apple iPad mini is now $199.00 at Walmarts. I noted today online that Best Buy is selling them around the same price to get ready for the new ipads. bargains are out there.

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Re: Basic phone with app capability?
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First of all basic phones don't have the hardware to run the apps on the apps store. Second since basic phones don't have wi-fi how would you download and use the apps without a data plan? So sounds like you want a phone that can runs apps and use wi-fi which that is called a smartphone. It's funny how so many people claim they only want basic phones but then want smartphone features on them.

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