How to Send a Free Text Message to a Mobile Phone

1. Change your phone plan to one that includes free text messaging. Contact your phone provider to discuss your plan options.
2. Use your computer to email text messages free of charge. Enter the recipient's 10-digit phone number in place of his regular email address, followed by the name of his phone provider. For example, a Verizon customer's text-message address would follow this format: 10digitphonenumber@vtext.com. The format differs between each phone provider. Visit the All Things Marked website to find the appropriate email format for your friend's phone provider.
3. Send free text messages via AOL Instant Messenger. Access your AOL account and enter +1 followed by the appropriate 10-digit phone number. Your instant message will appear as a text message on the person's phone.
4. Sign up on websites that offer free text-messaging services, such as Google Voice. Sign up for an account and follow the instructions to send free text messages.