5 Things to Know About Going Wi-Fi Only on Your Smartphone

Since the majority of mobile data traffic flows over Wi-Fi, and more access points are being built daily, it is possible to never pay for wireless phone service again. Here are some considerations.

#1: Wi-Fi Is Everywhere

You have it at home and your office, but you may not have realized it’s also at your favorite restaurant, bar and shopping center. If you pay one of the major U.S. cable companies for home Internet, you probably have access to thousands of free hotspots across the country.

#2: Most Apps Make Calling, Texting Easy

If you have an iPhone, you can keep using iMessage or FaceTime Audio (the little phone symbol on the FaceTime line in your contacts). Google Hangouts and Facebook Messenger also allow free voice calls between app users.

#3: Some Unconnected Stretches

It can be a weird feeling at first. You’ll also have to give up talking on the phone while walking down the street or traveling in a car. But once that happens a few times, you’ll start to wonder why you ever allowed yourself to be interrupted by so many notifications in the first place.

#4: Plan Ahead

You can download apps like Wi-Fi Map Pro that show the locations of available nearby hotspots, even while you’re offline. You’ll have to pull up directions on Google Maps ahead of time, but the little blue dot still tracks your location, even without service.

#5: Go Wi-Fi Only for Good?

If you want to go Wi-Fi only for good, a more convenient way is to sign up with one of the handful of companies doing this full time: Republic Wireless, Scratch Wireless, FreedomPop or Freewheel. (Disclaimer: You must buy a new phone.) But some of the plans include inexpensive fallback to cellular service when Wi-Fi isn’t available.