Verizon has announced plans to discontinue the Verizon Message+ application on November 7, 2024. Once the Verizon Message+ discontinuation is complete, any Hammer users who gave opted to receive their VoiceWatch alerts through the Message+ email-to-SMS gateway (using the format your-number@vtext . com) will no longer be able to get their alerts on their Verizon mobile devices – potentially impacting operational efficiency and responsiveness.
Next steps for Verizon Message+ users
To ensure that VoiceWatch users always have convenient access to their alerts and notifications we recommend all VoiceWatch users using Verizon Message+ to take one of the following actions.
Explore alternative messaging apps
iPhone Users: Stop using Verizon Message+ now and transition to the iPhone native iMessage app for your default SMS alert application.
Android Users: Install Google Messages and transition to using is as your default SMS alert application, as suggested by Verizon. Samsung is phasing out its own messaging app, due to better features (RCS) available in Google Messenger.
Update your notification settings in VoiceWatch
To ensure future VoiceWatch alerts are sent to your new SMS application without delay or issue:
- Log in to your VoiceWatch account.
- Navigate to your notification preferences.
- Replace the email-to-SMS address (your-number@vtext .com) with your new email to text address (e.g. (your-number@msg.fi .google .com)
Verify mobile number compatibility
Ensure that your mobile number can receive standard SMS messages from short codes or email gateways used by VoiceWatch. To be sure, use the test notification function in the VoiceWatch notifications tab, to confirm it will work for you.
Consider alternative carriers or services
You might want to explore using a secondary mobile number from a different carrier that continues to support SMS (with RCS) services. This will help to future-proof you if/when other SMS applications are discontinued.
Stay informed on carrier updates
Keep up-to-date with all further announcements from Verizon regarding messaging services and compatibility that may impact your normal means of communication.
Why is Verizon Message+ discontinued?
Verizon Message+ has been a Verizon customers’ preferred messaging application for a long time. The email-to-SMS gateway was also a convenient method for converting emails into text messages, facilitating seamless delivery of alerts and notifications directly to mobile phones. However, due to shifts in industry practices and the evolution of messaging technologies, carriers like Verizon are reevaluating the viability of their message applications.
Verizon is encouraging users to transition to alternative messaging platforms. While they have recommended Google Messages as a replacement, it’s important to note that many devices, such as those from Apple, come with their own native messaging apps that could serve as viable alternatives for receiving SMS messages and notifications.
Hammer is here to help
The Hammer team is proud to provide the world’s best CX testing and quality assurance solutions. Clear, efficient, and timely alerts and notifications from solutions like VoiceWatch are an essential part of providing that experience. That’s why we’re proactively working to help our users navigate this change.
If you’d like support or assistance finding an alternative notification method following the Verizon Message+ discontinuation, contact our team for personalized guidance.
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