Real-Time Text

Giving a new “voice” to the hearing and speech impaired community

For decades, people with a range of hearing and speech impairments had depended on teletypewriter devices (TTY) to communicate by text over phone lines. Then came the smartphone revolution and the freedom of mobile text messaging, facilitated by user-friendly features like touchscreens and keyboards. Bulky TTY terminals were no longer required. Now, with the development of Real-time Text (RTT), an even more authentic conversational experience is available on select smartphones at UScellular®.

RTT has real advantages over TTY and traditional texting

With Real-Time Text, every character is transmitted and received as it is typed, so thoughts can be communicated by the sender and recipient with the immediacy and flow of an actual voice conversation. There is no longer a need to use the “send” button. While these are particularly important benefits for hearing and speech impaired users, anyone can enjoy the speed and interactive advantages that RTT offers over traditional texting.

RTT also supports a broader range of characters than TTY devices. With access to symbols like emojis and multiple languages built into smartphones, messages can be understood faster without the need for lengthy explanations. This is especially critical in an emergency, when every second can count. State and local 9-1-1 emergency call centers are in the process of upgrading to RTT technology, while continuing to support TTY communications.

Android Smartphones that support RTT
Manufacturer Device Name Device Model Minimum Software Version
ANS ANS F30 F30US All Versions
Google Pixel 7a GWKK3 All Versions
Pixel 7 GVU6C All Versions
Pixel 7 Pro GE2AE All Versions
Pixel 8 G9BQD All Versions
Pixel 8a GKV4X All Versions
Pixel 8 Pro G1MNW All Versions
Pixel 9 Pixel 9 All Versions
Pixel 9 Pro Pixel 9 Pro All Versions
Pixel 9 Pro XL Pixel 9 Pro XL All Versions
Pixel 9 Pro Fold Pixel 9 Fold All Versions
Pixel Fold G9FPL All Versions
Hot Pepper Chilaca Plus HJ-99-AA22-Z01 All Versions
Fresno HPPL62A All Versions
Kyocera DuraXA Equip E4831 All Versions
Kyocera DuraSport 5g C6931 All Versions
Kyocera DuraXA E4510 All Versions
Motorola moto g 5G 2024 XT2417-1 All Versions
moto g 5G 2023 XT2313-6 All Versions
moto g play 2023 XT2271-5 All Versions
moto g power 2021 XT2117-4 All Versions
moto g play 2024 XT2413-2 All Versions
moto g power 2024 XT2415-1 All Versions
moto g stylus 5G 2023 XT2315-1 All Versions
moto g stylus 5G 2024 XT2419-1 All Versions
motorola razr XT2323-2 All Versions
motorola razr - 2024 XT2453-3 All Versions
Motorola edge XT2205-1 All Versions
moto g play 2021 XT-2093-4 All Versions
Samsung Galaxy S24 5G SM-S921U All Versions
Galaxy S24 FE SM-S721U All Versions
Galaxy S24+ 5G SM-S926U All Versions
Galaxy S24 Ultra 5G SM-S928U All Versions
Galaxy S23 5G SM-911U All Versions
Galaxy S23 FE SM-S711U All Versions
Galaxy S23+ 5G SM-916U All Versions
Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G SM-918U All Versions
Galaxy S22 5G SMS-901U All Versions
Galaxy S22+ 5G SM-S906U All Versions
Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G SMS-908U All Versions
Galaxy A32 5G SM-A326U All Versions
Galaxy A03s SM-A037U All Versions
Galaxy A13 SM-A135U All Versions
Galaxy A13 5G SM-A136U All Versions
Galaxy A14 5G SM-A146U All Versions
Galaxy A15 5G SM-A156U All Versions
Galaxy A25 5G SM-A256U All Versions
Galaxy A35 5G SM-A356U All Versions
Galaxy A54 5G SM-A54U All Versions
Galaxy XCover6 Pro SM-G736UZKEXAA All Versions
Galaxy Z Flip6 SM-F741U All Versions
Galaxy Z Fold6 SM-F956U All Versions
Galaxy Z Flip5 SM-F731U All Versions
Galaxy Z Fold5 SM-F946U All Versions
Galaxy Z Flip4 5G SM-F721U1 All Versions
Galaxy Z Fold4 5G SM-F936U1 All Versions
TCL 40 XE 5G T609L All Versions
Flip Go 405L All Versions
Flip Plus 4058L All Versions
Ion Z T501L All Versions

To see your device's current software version, select:
Settings App > About Phone > Software Information > Baseband Version

To install the latest software version on your device, select:
Settings App > Software Update > Download and Install

Note: Note: If you purchased one of these devices before October 26, 2020 at UScellular, please contact a Customer Service Associate by dialing 611 from your UScellular phone to enable RTT or visit a company-owned store.

For new UScellular device purchases or activations after this date, RTT can be accessed directly by following these steps from the phone dialer:

  • Tap on the 3 dots in the upper-right corner of the screen
  • Select Real Time Text
  • Tap on "OFF" to toggle the RTT feature to "ON"
Apple Smartphones that support RTT
Manufacturer Device Model Minimum Software Version
Apple iPhone 16 iOS Version 18 or greater
iPhone 16 Plus iOS Version 18 or greater
iPhone 16 Pro iOS Version 18 or greater
iPhone 16 Pro Max iOS Version 18 or greater
iPhone 15 iOS Version 17 or greater
iPhone 15 Plus iOS Version 17 or greater
iPhone 15 Pro iOS Version 17 or greater
iPhone 15 Pro Max iOS Version 17 or greater
iPhone 14 iOS Version 16 or greater
iPhone 14 Plus iOS Version 16 or greater
iPhone 14 Pro iOS Version 16 or greater
iPhone 14 Pro Max iOS Version 16 or greater

To see your device's current software version, select:
Settings App > General > About > Software Version

To install the latest software version on your device, select:
Settings App > General > Software Update > Download and Install

Note: If you purchased one of these devices before December 15, 2020 at UScellular, please contact a Customer Service Associate by dialing 611 from your UScellular phone to enable RTT or visit a company-owned store.

For new UScellular device purchases or activations after this date, RTT can be accessed directly by following these steps:

  • Go to settings > Accessibility > RTT
  • Turn Software RTT/TTY to ON
  • When placing calls from your dialer you will now see RTT/TTY call option

FAQs

Still have questions?

For more details about RTT, visit the FCC site.

Current UScellular customers - dial 611 from your UScellular phone or visit a local company-owned store.