Use the AT&T Real-Time Text app

Get easy steps for downloading, setting up, and using the AT&T Real-Time Text app on your Android tablet.

Set up the Real-Time Text app

We’ve changed the sign-in process to help keep your account secure. Android® tablets now have a two-step sign-in.

First, download the AT&T Real-Time Text (RTT) app from Google PlayTM.
  1. Open the app on your tablet.
  2. Sign in with your AT&T user ID and password.
  3. If this is your first time signing in, you signed out, or you haven’t signed in for 90 days, you’ll get an error message. No worries – we’ll send a text message with a passphrase so you can continue signing in. Look for that text on the primary phone associated with your AT&T user ID. Here’s how:
    • Look for the passphrase in the text we sent you.
    • Reply to that text with the passphrase.
    • You’ll get a confirmation text. Then, sign in.
  4. Accept the app permissions for GPS, address book, and notifications. These are essential for the app to function correctly.
  5. Read and accept the Terms & Conditions.
  6. Enter your emergency address.
  7. Select Yes or No to send all incoming calls to the app.

Use the Real-Time Text app

Want to get all your texts through AT&T Real-Time Text? Here’s how:
  • In the AT&T Real-Time Text app, go to Settings. Turn on the option to send all incoming calls to the app.
  • Or, if your smartphone has built-in RTT, go to Settings and select the option to always have RTT on.

Contacts

The app automatically imports contacts from your phone. If you add new contacts to your regular contact list, the app will automatically import them.

Keep in mind: If you add contacts to the RTT contacts list, they’ll also be added to your phone’s regular contact list.
  • To add a new contact, tap the + icon at the bottom of the contact list screen.
  • To edit a contact, tap the Pencil icon at the top of the contact card screen.
  • To mark a contact as a favorite, tap the star next to the name in the contact card.

Making and receiving Real-Time Text calls

  1. To make an RTT call, tap on the name in the app’s contact list.
  2. Tap the Call icon.
  3. To end the call, tap the End call icon.
Heads up: To make an emergency call, open the keypad and enter 911. This converts the RTT call to TTY tones. All text communication with the 911 center will use TTY mode.

Making and receiving calls

  1. To make a call, tap on the name in the contact list.
  2. Tap the Call icon.
  3. To end the call, tap the End call icon.
To answer an incoming call, either tap the Phone icon from within the app, or the answer option from your device's notification bar.

You can use all the usual phone functions, like placing calls on hold and inviting others to your call (conference calls are talk only).

Note: If you start a call and decide you’d rather type your message, tap in the message box at the bottom of the screen. Your device’s keyboard will display so you can type your message. If you want to use a Bluetooth® keyboard, make sure you connect it before using the RTT app.
Last updated: December 7, 2022

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