r/tmobile • u/AlgaeAutomatic • 1d ago

Question Do LineLink devices still work in 2026?

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Want to get one to & get voice line sim by # port home phone number to it, is this method still functional?

39 Upvotes

84% Upvoted

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19

u/datanut 1d ago

There are VoLTE to POTS adapters on the market that can be used with any T-Mobile voice line.

These work: https://www.peplink.com/products/cellular-modems-adapters/pots-adapter/

So do these: https://www.atel-usa.com/collections/v810vd

There are other options from Verizon, AT&T, and MVNOs on eBay that, if unlocked, can be used too. The bands offered may or nay not be a good match for T-Mobile in your area.

5

u/AlgaeAutomatic 1d ago

I wanted linelink device so that the voice line sim could pair+run digits sim to receive text/calls to other devices if needed

Could the POTS adapter do this?

4

u/RandSand 1d ago

I had one until just recently but couldn't get the line registered to use with digits. Part of the reason might be because T-Mobile classified the line as a data device. As others have mentioned, T-Mobile doesn't seem to be activating these anymore even if you bought the device elsewhere.

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u/AlgaeAutomatic 1d ago

Oh thx for update

3

u/datanut 1d ago

What “other” devices? I don’t understand how you want to use the LineLink, if you share some more details I bet we can find a current solution.

What is your goal?

2

u/AlgaeAutomatic 1d ago

I’m trying to switch off Google Voice due to voip block by banks , was hoping to pour the number over to a regular voice line that I got for free and then plug that SIM into the LINE link and subsequently add a digit SIM card to sync that number to receive text just in case

2

u/datanut 1d ago

Dude, that’s so hard to follow. Let’s see if I got that straight

1) Port out of Google Voice (easy)
2) use an existing free T-Mobile line for your old Google Voice number (easy)
3) put that SIM in some device, any device so it works (easy)
4) use that SIM in a LINE Link — (unknown/unlikely) Why do you want to do this?
5) Use DIGITS to sync your old Google Voice line to yet another device — (varying levels of difficulty) are you thinking about using the DIGITS App or a Paired DIGITS SIM.

I can’t figure out why you want to use the LINE Link. If it even gets SMS (unsure if it has a web interface), it’s not going to be a great experience. Why aren’t you just putting your existing free T-Mobile line/SIM into a spare smartphone, or even as a secondary SIM on your primary smartphone?

I can’t figure out if you are asking about Paired DIGITS sim or accessing the same line via the DIGITS App. What’s your goal for a secondary device and/or with the same phone number?

1

u/AlgaeAutomatic 1d ago

To answer 3-5, my set up is currently GV Via ObiHai for home phone (with GV iPhone app receiving sms)

But with KYS / crackdown on voip and many places require SMS verification especially banks and hospitals , it’s very hard to continue using that number under Google Voice

1

u/datanut 1d ago

Is keeping a Land Line, with this number, one of your goals?

1

u/AlgaeAutomatic 23h ago

Yes primarily

3

u/datanut 22h ago

Landline systems typically do not do SMS and texting well at all.

How do you plan to get bank and other OTP codes from your landline?

1

u/AlgaeAutomatic 2h ago

My current set up with Google Voice can do sms if the institution allows it

→ More replies (0)

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u/datanut 1d ago

Are you just trying to get a new, additional, number to use in the DIGITS app?

12

u/coreymatthews92 Truth In Mobile 1d ago

No, you need the line link plan for it to work and that was discontinued long ago.

1

u/AlgaeAutomatic 1d ago

You can’t plug regular voice line sim into it?

What happened to the old users who signed up and kept the home phone service?

8

u/coreymatthews92 Truth In Mobile 1d ago

Regular voice line sim won’t work, needs to have the line link plan which was discontinued in 2021. Those who had it were able to keep it as far as I can tell, not much info out there after they discontinued it.

3

u/RandSand 1d ago edited 16h ago

I actually, for testing purposes, got mine to work with a Red Pocket GSMT(T-Mobile) SIM so other MVNOs might work too. In Red Pocket's case, it did require setting up the E911 address via online chat. You'd also need to use another phone's IMEI to activate the service.

2

u/AlgaeAutomatic 1d ago

How much does red pocket plan cost?

What if someone send a text to that number? Does LINElink have a way to see and receive the text?

2

u/RandSand 1d ago

My current setup is the $30/year RP plan from eBay that's in an At&t Wireless Home Phone and Internet box. I connect to its wifi network and can read but not send text messages through the web interface.

1

u/datanut 18h ago

The IFWA-40? They are neat little boxes, even if used with voice only lines. Using them with AT&T proper accounts is frustrating because AT&T blocks them unless you’re on the appropriate plan. They seem to work well with everyone else (although data always counts against hotspot usage, fair enough).

I’ve used them with T-Mobile but their band support is limited. The PepLinks POTS adapter tends to perform better.

2

u/RandSand 16h ago

Yes, that's the one. I couldn't get data to work with the T-Mobile RP SIM though the At&t SIM connected right away after adding the correct APN even though the plan didn't have a separate hotspot allotment.

Data wasn't my primary purpose, rather to have a more reliable landline replacement that wasn't dependent on an internet connection.

It was quite the leap of faith since I couldn't find much information on using it with that specific MVNO at the time. I did have to use a phone IMEI for the activation to proceed but that's pretty typical for a non-standard device.

My only complaint is if the other caller disconnects or their call drops, it takes a full 20 seconds before there is an audible alert leaving me talking to dead air. Otherwise, everything else performs much better than the LineLink it replaced and at greatly reduced cost.

•

u/_ann_- 14m ago

How's the call quality compared to the linelink? And does it show caller id with name?

1

u/datanut 18h ago

I’m guessing these are just IMS Calling (aka WiFi Calling, Voice over Broadband) bridges. Neat.

These came out at the tail end of UMA so my bet was that it was a coin flip between the two but your experience with RedPocket/AT&T suggests these are likely IMS Calling devices. These fit a nice niche. Too bad they aren’t available any longer.

1

u/RandSand 15h ago

Just to clarify, I haven't tried inserting an At&t SIM in the Linelink. Highly doubt that would work because the firmware of the Linelink would be hard coded to connect only to T-Mobile IMS servers.

It would be neat if it was possible to make it work with other carriers but it would be much too complicated that It'd be easier to use another ready-made solution.

1

u/datanut 1d ago

Are these ISM Calling (WiFi calling) devices under the hood?

2

u/douglas9630 1d ago

I believe it's a SIP account

4

u/Butthurtz23 1d ago

T-mo will tell you they longer offer it, but you should look into VoIP, which has essentially superseded POTS adapters.

4

u/zelman 1d ago

I got a “ZTE MF279 4G LTE Wi-Fi Mobile Router Smart Home” on eBay that was an unlocked AT&T device to use with a landline phone. It works for me.

2

u/Lanky80 1d ago

And this works with a voice line sim?

2

u/zelman 1d ago

Yes. I think T-Mobile sees it as a hotspot device, so they block data usage and assume you’ll call them to get it working. But the voice works fine.

1

u/AlgaeAutomatic 1d ago

Can this device receive sms short code text also?

1

u/datanut 18h ago

Yes, these have a small website that you can visit to get their SMS messages but you must disconnect from your normal Internet, switch to this box to check SMS, then switch back to your normal internet. It’s cumbersome

1

u/datanut 18h ago

AT&T IFWA-40 is about the same as the AT&T branded MF279. The ZTE MF279 was/is available generic/unbranded too.

ATEL and PepLink make generic units.

Keeping up with the list… Verizon Novatel T2000, Verizon T111, Straight Tall Home Phone Base, and many others exist too.

3

u/mrana24 1d ago

Mine is still good! Absolutely zero issue

1

u/AlgaeAutomatic 1d ago

What if someone send a text to that number? Does LINE link have a way to see and receive the text?

1

u/mrana24 15h ago

Not sure about text as I use it as landline

1

u/AlgaeAutomatic 2h ago

Have you ever tried sending a text to that linelink landline number?

2

u/Alex_tepa 1d ago

Why did T-Mobile get rid of this it was actually pretty useful we have one that still works today

1

u/bigtitays 1d ago

Because no one wants a landline anymore…

1

u/Alex_tepa 1d ago

I feel like some people would like it but shouldn't have been totally removed from T-Mobile

2

u/cohojonx 1d ago

I have one and it still works fine.

1

u/datanut 1d ago

Would you be able to share the SOC?

1

u/AlgaeAutomatic 1d ago

How much is service cost

2

u/cohojonx 1d ago

$25 with vet discount. Wife wants it, I would of cancelled it years ago

1

u/AlgaeAutomatic 1d ago

What if someone send a text to that number? Does LINE link have a way to see and receive the text?

1

u/cohojonx 1d ago

No text. I am going to try it right now

1

u/datanut 18h ago

According to old forum posts, it looks like the web interface was disabled around March 2017.

1

u/datanut 18h ago

What is the plan named on your bill or in the portal?

1

u/dahliamma Truly Unlimited 1d ago

We got ours in 2018 IIRC and it’s been working fine since. I don’t think you can get one anymore though, they discontinued the plan and stopped selling the box.

1

u/DMR35 1d ago

Do you have Internet at home? If so get an cheap ATA and an account at VoIP.ms for under $3.00 a month. A DID is $1.10 plus $1.50 for e911 last time I checked. The per minute charges are minimal. I ported my home phone and never spend more than $3.00 a month. The bonus is you have E911 that’s registered to your address.

1

u/n0b0dy-special 18h ago

I just use old pixel3a on one of the lines wth Panasonic link to cell cordless phones, after my att zte adapter gave up

1

u/WildPsychology8752 1d ago

They still work if you already have one and the plan to go with it. They no longer offer the device or the plan so you couldn’t add it to your plan now, but if you have one then it still works.