If your phone bill keeps creeping up for a phone you barely use, this article is for you. It covers keeping your number with magicJack, how it works, and where it falls short.
I also go through the account settings that make a magicJack line safer, and how to avoid phone scams on it.
My Review: magicJack Provides Affordable and Reliable Phone Service
magicJack VoIP Phone Adapter
magicJack® is a low-cost way to replace a landline. Here is how it works and where it falls short.
It is far more affordable than increasingly expensive landline service, and you can keep your number, your phones, and 911 access.
Set-up is a breeze with their user-friendly plug-and-play design and optional tech support. You can keep using your existing phones too.
While not perfect, magicJack’s downsides, like power outage limitations, are manageable for most with the right backup plan. You may have to pay local 911 fees directly to your local government too. But, this is all explained and handled for you in the setup process.
It is important to understand and manage the risks of eliminating a landline phone service.
Ultimately, magicJack’s purpose is simple: keeping you affordably connected to your loved ones with few hassles.
magicJack is a registered mark of magicJack, LP.
Paying an enormous monthly bill for a landline telephone is frustrating.
You rely on your landline to stay in touch with all your family and friends. But the costs keep going up while your fixed income stays the same.
You know you need to make a change, but changing something as vital as your telephone feels risky. You don’t want to deal with complicated new technology or give up the phone number you’ve had for years.
The good news is you don’t have to put up with sky-high bills or unnecessary hassles to have affordable and reliable phone service. There is a potential alternative to your landline that costs much less per month and is surprisingly easy to set up and use.
Read on to learn how magicJack can save you money every month and connect you with family and friends without the headaches.
Stop Wasting Money on Your Landline
Let’s start with the biggest reason you’re probably looking for an alternative: saving money. If you’re like most seniors, you are on a fixed income, but your landline bills keep going up and up.
With magicJack, you can slash your phone bill down to a fraction of what you currently pay while keeping the same features. Here are the key cost savings:
- No Monthly Fees: With magicJack, you pay one low annual fee of $35 to $50 per year, depending on features. No more fluctuating monthly bills.
- Inexpensive International Calls: magicJack offers discounted international calling plans for just $10 annually. Keep affordably connected with loved ones worldwide.
- No Nickel and Diming: Local calls, long distance, voicemail, caller ID, and all standard features are included with your low annual fee. No add-ons or surprises.
- Emergency Calls: 911 works over magicJack, but only if your internet and power are on and your address is set correctly.
A traditional landline can cost $20, $30, or even $50 per month plus taxes and fees. That’s $240 to $600 per year! With magicJack, you get comparable service starting at just $35 annually.
Now you can stop stressing about phone bills inflating your expenses and redirect that money to other priorities in your retirement. The savings with magicJack are just too good to pass up.
Keep Your Current Phone Number
Giving up the landline number you’ve used for years is one of the biggest headaches when switching phone services.
You don’t want to have to notify all your family, friends, businesses, and contacts that you have a new number. And you definitely don’t want people trying to reach you on your old number that is no longer connected.
The good news is that with magicJack, you can take your current landline or cell phone number with you. magicJack makes it easy to “port” or transfer your existing number to their service so that nothing changes for your contacts.
You get to keep the number you know and love.
Porting your number is included at no extra cost when signing up for magicJack service. Just provide your current number during registration, and the porting is handled for you seamlessly behind the scenes.
Easy Set-Up: No Technician or Tech Skills Required
New technology can be frustrating. You just want phone service that works without headaches, right?
The great news is magicJack is extremely simple to set up and start using. You do not need any technical skills, it works on both Macs and Windows PCs, and you don’t have to wait around for a technician installation appointment.
See my video above for a full walk-through of this process, but here is how quick and easy it is to set up magicJack:
- Plug into Router: Simply plug the magicJack device into your wireless router using the included Ethernet cable. This connects it to your home internet.
- Connect Phone: Then plug your existing home phone into the magicJack device. That’s it!
- Create Account: Follow the on-screen prompts to create a magicJack account and activate your service. This only takes a few minutes.
- Port Number (Optional): If transferring your number, provide the details during activation to port it over automatically.
And just like that, you are up and running with crystal clear digital phone service through magicJack!
The whole process only takes about 10 minutes without any technical know-how required.
Call Quality Depends on Your Internet
When it comes to something as vital as your telephone service, you need to know the call quality will be good. Call quality depends on your internet connection. Reviews from users are generally good, but a weak connection can cause problems.
You need a sufficiently fast and stable internet connection for calls to come through without delays or disruptions.
If your internet goes down, call quality will suffer. The same would happen with many traditional landline providers that now use connected VOIP technology.
Reliable Access to Emergency Services
Access to emergency services through 911 gives you an important layer of security when living independently. You need to know help is there if an emergency occurs.
911 works over magicJack, but only if your internet and power are on and your address is set correctly. When you call 911, the operator receives your registered address so responders can be sent to your location.
This is why it’s critical to set up your E911 address correctly in the magicJack account portal. Take the time to verify it is your full physical address. This ensures 911 responders can find you. I demonstrate this for you in the video.
Unlike an old copper landline, magicJack stops working in a power outage unless you have a backup power source. Keep a charged cell phone handy, and update the address if you move the device.
Keep Your Current Home Phones
If, like many seniors, you have a corded or cordless landline phone that you’re comfortable with, I have great news. You can keep using your existing devices with magicJack!
magicJack works with most analog telephone hardware. All you need is a standard telephone jack adapter. Simply plug the magicJack device into your router, then plug your phone into the magicJack utilizing the adapter.
Using your current home phone maintains the familiar experience you’re used to. You don’t have to spend money on new devices or learn another new system.
Between using your existing number and your existing phones, switching to magicJack feels seamless. It integrates into your current setup.
Avoiding Phone Scams on a magicJack Line
Settings can only do so much, so a short talk with your loved one goes a long way. A good place to start is the balanced approach to protecting seniors from scams I have written about.
Warn them about IRS and Social Security imposter calls that demand money. Those are always fake.
Tell them never to share personal information, like a Social Security number or bank details, over the phone.
Suggest letting unknown numbers go to voicemail. They can listen to the message and think it over before calling anyone back.
Keep the voicemail greeting simple, with just a name and no personal details.
Ask them to tell you right away about any call that seems suspicious, so you can look into it.
If robocalls are the main trouble, I also wrote about a call blocker that can finally stop annoying robocalls.
magicJack’s call blocking, forwarding, and voicemail controls help cut down on scam calls. Awareness and caution are still what keep your loved one protected.
Account Settings That Make magicJack Safer for an Older Adult
If you are setting up magicJack for a parent or loved one, a few account settings can make the phone safer and simpler to use. Here is what each one does.
First, turn on 911 access in the account settings. Then carefully enter their full registered 911 address so emergency responders get an accurate location.
You can limit the phone to outgoing calls only by disabling incoming calls. Only your loved one’s outbound calls will connect, which keeps unwanted calls from ringing through.
Call screening asks callers to enter a code before the phone rings. That keeps out automated spam, and a call blocker for robocalls is another option to look at.
If particular numbers have harassed your loved one before, add them to the call blocking list in the account settings. They will not get through again.
You can also turn on optional auto-call forwarding, which sends all calls to you for screening. Switch it off when you no longer need to keep an eye on things.
The repeated beeping tone for new voicemails can be irritating. Disable the stutter dial tone in the account settings and check voicemail manually instead. You can also adjust how quickly calls go to voicemail, plus the notifications and routing, to suit your loved one’s needs.
Finally, replace the default caller ID name with something simple, like “Grandson.” A name that is easy to say makes it easier to identify who is calling.
These settings help, but they do not replace caution. Talk with your loved one about protecting against phone scams. IRS and Social Security calls demanding money are always fake, and personal details like Social Security numbers or bank information should never be shared. Let unknown numbers go to voicemail, and keep the greeting to just a name. Ask them to tell you about any suspicious call right away.
One trade-off: limiting a phone to outgoing calls only means family cannot reach it either, so forwarding or screening may suit some households better.
Is magicJack Right for You? A Few Cautions
While magicJack can be an excellent landline alternative for many seniors, it isn’t a perfect solution for every situation. Before eliminating your landline phone service, consider these cautions:
- Internet Dependency: magicJack requires a stable broadband internet connection. If your internet service is unreliable, you may experience disruptions.
- Power Outages: Like any landline replacement, magicJack will not work in an outage unless you have backup power. Keep a charged mobile phone as a backup option.
- Number Porting: Number porting does not work with some smaller rural carriers. Verify it’s supported.
- Emergency Location: Make sure to correctly set your E911 address in the magicJack portal for accurate dispatch.
- Travel Use: magicJack works best from one location. Using it while traveling can be more complicated.
MagicJack’s advantages, like cost savings and keeping your number, outweigh the limitations for many people. But consider whether any of these factors are dealbreakers for your situation before switching.
Infographic: Guide to Using magicJack
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The bottom line is that magicJack can be a low-cost way to replace a traditional landline, without the high bills. Keep in mind that it depends on your internet and power.
It can keep you affordably connected with the people who matter most. The switch is quick, and the money-back guarantee lowers the risk.
If you want to cut your phone bill and keep your number, magicJack is worth a look. Check the return terms first, and keep a charged cell phone handy in case of a power outage.
I’m currently paying 19.99 for spectrum home phone. I would not want to lose that if majicjack doesn’t work. Plus, I question how easy setup actually is plus will it work with my set of home phones. Can I plug in my contacts? What is initial setup cost? Can I try it for a month and if it doesn’t satisfy me , can I send it back and just setup back to spectrum? Thank you.
Hello Chris – take a look at the video on this article and it will walk you through the set up procedure step by step so you can determine if it’s something you want to tackle – it’s not very difficult. magicJack does offer a 30 day money back guarantee on their site and you can also return to Amazon if you buy it there subject to their normal return policies. If you are able to use your existing phones, your contacts will stay programmed in the phone. I can’t guarantee it will work with your particular phones but it does work with most. Currently the price is $49.99 for one year including the hardware. THere is no set up cost except to move move over your current phone number which is subject to a $19.99 fee. Hope this helps! –Scott