How to Send Receive Text Messages on Your Computer

AOL Instant Messenger
1. Download and install the AOL Instant Messenger software from the link in References. Open the program and sign into your account. If you do not have an account, you can register for one from the log-in window by clicking on the option to create an account and then following the account creation instructions. Alternatively, you can log in using your Facebook log-in information.
2. Click “IM” in the “Buddy List” window to open a new instant message.
3. Enter “+1” followed by receiver's telephone number, including area code, in the “To:” field. For example, if you would like to send a text to the number “555-444-3333,” you would enter “+15554443333,” omitting any extra characters from the phone number, such as hyphens.
4. Enter your message in the body of the instant message and then click “Send.” When the recipient responds, her message will be displayed in the same instant messaging window that was used to send the message. You can continue to reply to and receive messages using the instant messaging window.
Google Talk
5. Log in to your Gmail account with your Google account credentials. If you do not have an account, click the 'Create an Account' below the log-in box to create one for free.
6. Click 'Settings' in the top-right corner and then click on the 'Labs' tab.
7. Scroll down to the item marked 'Text Messaging (SMS) in Chat' and select 'Enable.' Click 'Save Changes' at the bottom of the window to return to Gmail.
8. Enter the telephone number, including area code, into the chat search box on the left side of the window. Click 'Send SMS.' Enter the name of the contact and click 'Save.' A chat box will appear at the bottom right of the screen.
9. Enter your message in the chat box and press the 'Enter' or 'Return' key. The text message will be delivered to the cell phone. The recipient can reply to the message, and replies will be displayed in the chat box.
Text via Email
10. Log in to your email program and compose a new message.
11. Locate the recipient's text message email address by using the carrier email extension list provided on Topbits.com using the link in References. The email address will always be the person's 10-digit phone number followed by the email extension. For example, the phone number 555-111-2222 on the AT&T network would have an email address of '5551112222@txt.att.net.'
12. Fill in the Subject field and enter your message in the body of the email window.
13. Click 'Send.' The user can reply directly to the text message, and his reply will be delivered to your email account.