What non-SMS non-Apple app can I use to "text" my younger kid on their iPad

Hi! My less-than-10-year-old has their own iPad (registered under my apple id) and wants to be able to “text” with the rest of the family. Most of us are not Apple people though: Android phones, using some combo of SMS, Discord, and Signal. The little one doesn’t have a phone, so I think that prevents us from signing them up for Signal. I could probably install Discord on the iPad, though it doesn’t feel ideal. They use iMessage (or whatever it’s called) to text a couple other friends/grandma/etc who also have Apple stuff, but what should we use for our mostly-non-Apple family that wouldn’t require a phone number?

An internet search pointed me to WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber… stuff I’ve never used but it seems popular. Facebook Messenger also, but screw that. Google Chat/Hangouts (or whatever it’s called now) is another option, which would require creating a google account.

If nothing else appeals to me we’ll probably go the Discord route, and I’ll just have to be clear, don’t join random servers :) But, anybody out there use WhatsApp with your kid, and does it not require a phone number? I’m open to other ideas! Thank you…

oxjox,
@oxjox@lemmy.ml avatar

I’ve only come across this with a search so I’ve never used it www.kinzoo.com/kinzoo-messenger

KammicRelief,

looks promising, thanks! I’ll take a look.

Chakravanti,

I’m surprised no one has mentioned Session.

KammicRelief,

Looks cool… a fork of Signal without the phone number requirement. I’ll consider it, thanks!

zzzz,

I’ve been using Olvid for the past year or so. Works great!

apps.apple.com/us/app/olvid/id1414865219

KammicRelief,

nice, never heard of this, but looks good. I’ll definitely consider it. thanks!

zzzz,

If it is of interest, I actually decided to try Threema as a result of folks recommending it in this thread and like it a lot! Similar functionality to Olvid, but faster & more responsive.

KammicRelief,

Nice! ok thanks!

skillissuer,
@skillissuer@discuss.tchncs.de avatar

WhatsApp is owned by FB btw

skillissuer,
@skillissuer@discuss.tchncs.de avatar

Matrix via Element

skillissuer, (edited )
@skillissuer@discuss.tchncs.de avatar

If you’re ok with signup by phone number (can be burner phone number), Telegram and Signal are options. Depending on country, if you’re unlucky you’d need to cycle through a few numbers that works for Telegram, Signal has no such problems

  • All
  • Subscribed
  • Moderated
  • Favorites
  • asklemmy@lemmy.world
  • localhost
  • All magazines
  • Loading…
    Loading the web debug toolbar…
    Attempt #