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
Google Pixel 4a 5G G025E RQ3A.210605.005
Pixel 5 GD1YQ RQ3A.210605.005
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
LG K92 5G LM-K920TM K920TM10e
Stylo 6 LM-Q730QM Q730QM10f
Motorola moto g 5G 2024 XT2417-1 IHDT56AQ3
moto g 5G 2023 XT2313-6 T1TPN33.58-37
moto g play 2024 XT2413-2 Android 13
moto g power 2024 XT2415-1 Android 14
moto g stylus 5G 2023 XT2315-1 Android 13
moto g stylus 5G 2024 XT2419-1 Android 14
motorola razr XT2323-2 All Versions
motorola razr - 2024 XT2453-3 All Versions
Motorola edge XT2205-1 All Versions
moto g stylus XT2043-4 All Versions
moto g play 2021 XT-2093-4 RZA31.Q2-146-14-9
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+ 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 S21 5G FE SM-G990U All Versions
Galaxy S21 5G SM-G991U All Versions
Galaxy S21+ 5G SM-G996U All Versions
Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G SM-G998U All Versions
Galaxy S20 5G SM-G981U G981USQU1BTJ7
Galaxy S20+ 5G SM-G986U G986USQU1BTJ7
Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G SM-G988U G988USQU1BTJ7
Galaxy S20 Fan Edition SM-G781U G781USQU1CTLD
Galaxy Note 20 5G SM-N981U N981USQU1CTLA
Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G SM-N986U N986USQU1CTLA
Galaxy A32 5G SM-A326U All Versions
Galaxy A03s SM-A037U All Versions
Galaxy A12 SM-A125U 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 Android 13
Galaxy A25 5G SM-A256U Minimum Software Version
Galaxy A35 5G SM-A356U Minimum Software Version
Galaxy A52 5G SM-A526U All Versions
Galaxy XCover6 Pro SM-G736UZKEXAA All Versions
Galaxy XCover Pro SM-G715U1 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
A30 5102L All Versions
Flip 4056L 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 13 iOS Version 14.3
iPhone 13 mini iOS Version 14.3
iPhone 13 Pro iOS Version 14.3
iPhone 13 Pro Max iOS Version 14.3
iPhone 12 iOS Version 14.3
iPhone 12 mini iOS Version 14.3
iPhone 12 Pro iOS Version 14.3
iPhone 12 Pro Max iOS Version 14.3
iPhone 11 iOS Version 14.3
iPhone 11 Pro iOS Version 14.3
iPhone 11 Pro Max iOS Version 14.3
iPhone SE iOS Version 14.3
iPhone SE 2nd Gen iOS Version 14.3
iPhone SE 3nd Gen iOS Version 15.4
iPhone X iOS Version 14.3
iPhone XR iOS Version 14.3
iPhone XS iOS Version 14.3
iPhone 8 iOS Version 14.3
iPhone 8 Plus iOS Version 14.3
iPhone 7 iOS Version 14.3
iPhone 7 Plus iOS Version 14.3
iPhone 6s iOS Version 14.3
iPhone 6s Plus iOS Version 14.3

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.