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Learn about Real-Time Text (RTT)

Have a hearing or speech disability and want another way to communicate? You can do just that with a built-in feature on our wireless phones and our free app for Android tablets.

About AT&T Real-Time Text

If you have a hearing or speech disability, Real-Time Text (RTT) will allow you to communicate using your wireless device. RTT allows for character-by-character transmission of messages in an alternative text format.1  As a sender types a message on their device, text (by letter or symbol) displays on the receiving device. RTT is great for everyday communication and is compatible with emergency calls.2

RTT uses our cellular network or Wi-Fi Calling to connect with users on networks that support this type of communication.

Key benefits of AT&T Real-Time Text

  • Works on our cellular network and with Wi-Fi Calling
  • Offers a more conversational flow compared to wireline TTY and relay services
  • Supports simultaneous text and speech on RTT-to-RTT calls

Important info about the AT&T Real-Time Text app for Android Tablets

  • RTT to TTY and TTY to RTT communications may be limited by TTY capabilities. The conversation between RTT and TTY users requires one-way communication until the person finishes talking. Then the other person can answer with text. Text messages can only use characters that work with TTY. 
  • You may have problems receiving calls on your RTT device if other softphone apps like FaceTime® and Skype® are running at the same time.
  • The AT&T RTT app works best on 4G and 5G-enabled tablets.
  • Using the RTT service on a device that's not AT&T-certified, or on a network other than ours (for example, on Wi-Fi ), may affect the quality of yourservice.
  • Devices that are on suspended accounts operate in the same way as deactivated devices. Those devices can only make voice 911 calls, and won’t be able to make RTT calls until the account is reactivated.
  • Our new 2-step sign-in process helps keep your info safe. Find out how to set it up

See all important details
Last updated: December 17, 2024

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