Just connected my Magic Jack PLUS Yesterday & it was fast & simple.I am not using either of my computers & it works & sounds as good or better than our local land line service which we kept for local calls only.We were unable to transfer our local number to the MJ service because we live in a rural community with a small phone company who refuses to give up their phone numbers.We are using a cordless phone with the MJ & it works very well.I purchased mine for $50 from a friend who had an extra.
I have had Magic Jack for three years. I have had no problems at all. I paid $100.00 for 5 years & have had no problems. Verizon is horrible a long with other carriers. I love my Magic Jack no problems at all with it. I don't need to use a fax so I don't know how it would work there but, all my calls come in crystal clear. I use my own answering machine so I don't use there voice mail. This has been the most affordable phone system I have found in 52 years . . I think it works Great For Me ;) ;) ;)
I've had the old MJ for several years & it works good enough for the cost. Wanted the new one to use without going through the computer, ordered, received fast. Opened & found I would need an additional ethernet port to use it because I only have one in my modem that feeds my computer. I would have to buy a router or something else in order for it to work, so sending it back for a refund. I think that should be mentioned in the ads for non techies that have simple home computers.
Hi TJ - haven't really seen any great deals, other than at Magic Jack itself. Once in a while they'll have a sale for a day or two, but it's usually geared towards existing subscribers. You can check ebay or amazon and see if any sellers are offering special pricing. Normally, phone lines plug directly into the Magic Jack itself. With some creative crossover wiring, I've talked to people who have distributed the signal throughout their home. Check with an electrician to be safe.
According to Magic Jack, you can port your number for a nominal fee. There will be a $19.99 one time fee and $9.95 annual charge after the first year. Faxing is kind of flaky, since it's not really a standard telephone line, it's VOIP. It does work, I have customers who tell me they have little to no problems sending or receiving.
Hi Chuck, Thank you for responding. I have a feeling multiple magic jack plus devices must be plugged into each room and connected to the router. For the router, I think you need the router extension. May get a little on the pricy side. My Magic Jack Plus should be delivered on Saturday, guess I'll learn more then! Wendy
Hi Chuck, thanks for the video. My wife needs to call Germany frequently to keep in touch with her son. How can MJ be used for this purpose? I suggested we send him one and let him initiate all calls but that won't work. Thanks
6 down, 1 up. Checks in at somewhere between 3-4 on most days. VOIP doesn't use much bandwidth at all. POTS non-compressed speeds are all it takes to carry voice.
I have MJ. I works ok, but my main problem is that it will not allow you to connect to some toll-free numbers. So if you need to attend a conference call invite, MJ forces you to buy minutes ... and then it will allow you to access the toll free number. The minutes are very cheap, but it's nearly impossible to track how many minutes you have left. I attend a lot of conf calls for work, so I use a lot of minutes. Sometimes MJ says I have 600 min left, then it will say 4,000 min left.
Chuck - I'm getting ready to order a MagicJack Plus based on your recommendation. A couple quick questions, please: 1) Any advice as to the best source to find a deal on one? 2) I'm not clear on where the phone lines plug in. Do you use your existing wall outlets? If so, it is just a matter of making the two-line phone line connection at the junction box? Thanks, TJ
I purchased mine UNOPENED from a local friend who already has one in his home.He & another friend have been using the service for about a year & have had ZERO issues.It really works & you will NOT beat the price for long distance phone service anywhere that I have ever seen or heard of.I'm telling all of my friends how great it is so they can save plenty of money as well.{:>)
hi,I just got rid of my old magic jack and I just bought an magic jack express,the problem is that the phone screen,meaning the caller Id says,line in use and I cant make any phone calls at all,I even bought a new phone thinking that the phone was the problem,but it is not,,I have the feeling that it has to do with my old magic jack,,any ways,I pluged to the wall out let and it dint even show the magic jack on the screen,,I placed back to the computer and I still have the same problems,,line in use,,,can you please help me,I have already disconnected and reconnected every thing back and I have spoken to 9 operators,they all transfer me all the time.
+Martillo Duro I'm not a MJ tech support rep, but I found this thread at a site that may help: www.dslreports.com/forum/r29290985-MagicJack-Caller-ID-works-when-plugged-into-computer-Not-when-plugged-in-AC
I just hooked up a MagicJack Plus. Then, about an hour later, they send me an email saying: "THIS IS A BILL", telling me that I will have to pay a recently imposed monthly surcharge for the use of the 911 service. So I go to the site, only to find out that once you select it at sign up, you can't un-select 911 service. What an unexpected bummer. And, to add insult to misery, I went on numerous chats (10 to be exact) where each of the agents I dealt with promised me that they will remove 911 from my MJ service (since I don't need it. Already paying for it on 2 other phones in my home). It turns out that they can't do that. So why do they keep telling me that they can? P.S. Update: It's now April, 2015, about a year since I installed this device. The phone service has been great for me. Customer care, not so great and, as in the above matter, has been downright deceitful.
+scarlet lovely Hi Scarlet. I don't understand your reply. If you are speaking about the 911 issue I mentioned, I actually spoke to Mary, the vice President of Magic Jack and she is the one who told me that, once you select 911 service when registering the device, you cannot unselect it. So the key is, when you register your device, Do not select 911 service if you don't want it. My mistake was, I thought it was a free service when I registered so I selected it. Then I got the "This is a bill" email from MJ. Oh yeah, one more thing, it is said that you don't need a computer with MJ plus. This is only partly true. You don't need a computer ONCE YOU REGISTER the device. And you MUST register the device in order to get a phone number for your MJplus (so that you can receive incoming calls). This is where you will need a computer...to register the device. And, it is in the registration process that the option to select 911 service presents itself so be alert when registering.
According to Magic Jack, faxing should work fine. Plug your fax machine into your magicJack, just as you would normally connect your fax machine to your telephone jack. IMPORTANT!! If your magicJack is connected to your computer, make sure that "Normal (Hi-Speed)" is selected. Your fax machine will not work if you have selected "Air Card (3G)".
At first, I thought it was a scam too. MagicJack is kind of a silly name, and their marketing needs a little help. It's the newest phase of telephone technology called "VOIP", or Voice Over Internet Protocol. Basically, Magic Jack uses the internet to transfer digital voice data. Businesses all over the world have been using this for years as a cheaper alternative to "POTS", or "Plain Old Telephone Service."
Can a phone company refuse to let me use a MJ? My phone co is At&t & they said I couldn't do this? If they do finally let me do this will they raise my internet even more so it won't be worth it?
Why do the promos including your video say "no computer is needed" when it requires a computer router and ethernet cable to work? and a laptop at a hotel, etc.?
So I just read a comment on here that the person couldn't use it because he had to buy a rotor also. I have a modem for my computer~no rotor. Will someone explain?
Good question I have the same problem. Please some one answer this question I also have AT&T DSL. They keep raising my bill & I have just a plain phone line no long distance or caller ID or anything $75.77 for plain old phone & not even the fastest internet. I have HSI ELITE
I use AT&T DSL modem which plugs into the phone line. If I get a Magic Jack and turn off the phone service, then how will I have Internet for the phone to work? I watch TV shows online, no TV or satellite or cable for Internet. I want to get rid of the expensive phone and Internet through AT&T. How can I get Internet for cheaper and without a phone line? and still be able to use Magic Jack?
magicjack and its various iterations are not compatible with apple OS 10.11.2 and higher - i spoke with magic jack 'support' and they have no idea of when they will fix it - very disappointing !
MJ Plus needs 3.0 port to work wirelessly (supposedly). Also, if you're switching from old to new Plus but hope to use old one on another computer with same number, be aware they will make you buy new plan for one of the devices if you type "replace" rather than register. We've had many connection problems with new Plus in addition to fact that now our old MJ has been de-activated and they refuse to put new time on one device with remaining 3-1/2 years on the other. Shame on them!
How can you use multiple magic jackpluw phones in your house? For example, with a traditional landline phone, I have a jack in each room. I simply connect the phone into the jack. Do I need to purchase multiple magic jack plus devices and have each device connected to a router?
Wendy, I have not tried this, but it is an interesting question! Our new home wasn't even wired for telephone, and our workshop only has one jack. We have a single cordless phone with two handsets, so we only use one jack. Does anyone else know the answer to this? Please comment! Thanks.
I am already a MJ subscriber, have been for a couple of years. If I go with Plus, am I able to keep my existing MJ phone number or do I have get a new one?
Walmart has them usually anywhere you go.You do NOT use the existing phone outlets.You either plug into a router or into a computer & it works.I use the router method myself & think it's the best thing since home made buttermilk biscuits. {:>)
+Deb Hendrix i don't know if there are any IP restrictions in place on MJ servers, but theoretically, any VOIP device should be able to connect to your state-bound telephone number anywhere in the world with an internet connection at no additional charge.
My dealings with magic jack have been horrible. They sent me a damaged unit. I am now trying to get my number ported back to AT&T. I suggest you avoid anything to do with magic jack.
please help. I want to make calls to the Caribbean so to make it free I would get a Caribbean phone number but afterwards can I use that Caribbean phone number to call US/CAN for free?
IMPORTANT - Canadian Magic Jack area code availability is LIMITED & the following is NOT made clear. Your Magic Jack # MUST use the SAME area code your land line did/does OR anyone who calls your Magic Jack # WILL now pay Long Distance. Example: if you live in a 250 area code BUT your Magic Jack # has a 604 area code anyone in 250 area code (with cell or land line) who calls you will NOW pay Long Distance. Most Canadians are out of luck UNLESS they “port” their existing land line number
You're going to need a router if you want to share your internet with your PC and your Magic Jack. You can get an inexpensive one at Walmart or Amazon for less than $50.
better off making a wifi phone out of a old smart phone, google voice and talkatone.....it's free and pretty easy...here is some info.....Talkatone on ipad - free text & calls using google voice
if you are trying to port your number to magic jack, forget it. i cancelled my subscription though optimum porting my number to them, no luck, horrible live chat service. it is a JOKE
MagicJack is a terrible company. They took my long distance minutes away twice--said they had "expired", although no such notice came to me and of course they have my email address. It has NEVER worked right--I can sometimes make calls and other times not. I am cancelling my service & going to get some other VOIP service that is better rated. I'm also complaining to my states' Attorney General.
IMPORTANT - Canadian Magic Jack area code availability is LIMITED & the following is NOT made clear. Your Magic Jack # MUST use the SAME area code your land line did/does OR anyone who calls your Magic Jack # WILL now pay Long Distance. Example: if you live in a 250 area code BUT your Magic Jack # has a 604 area code anyone in 250 area code (with cell or land line) who calls you will NOW pay Long Distance. Most Canadians are out of luck UNLESS they “port” their existing land line number
Just connected my Magic Jack PLUS Yesterday & it was fast & simple.I am not using either of my computers & it works & sounds as good or better than our local land line service which we kept for local calls only.We were unable to transfer our local number to the MJ service because we live in a rural community with a small phone company who refuses to give up their phone numbers.We are using a cordless phone with the MJ & it works very well.I purchased mine for $50 from a friend who had an extra.
I have had Magic Jack for three years. I have had no problems at all. I paid $100.00 for 5 years & have had no problems. Verizon is horrible a long with other carriers. I love my Magic Jack no problems at all with it. I don't need to use a fax so I don't know how it would work there but, all my calls come in crystal clear. I use my own answering machine so I don't use there voice mail. This has been the most affordable phone system I have found in 52 years . . I think it works Great For Me ;) ;) ;)
I've had the old MJ for several years & it works good enough for the cost. Wanted the new one to use without going through the computer, ordered, received fast. Opened & found I would need an additional ethernet port to use it because I only have one in my modem that feeds my computer. I would have to buy a router or something else in order for it to work, so sending it back for a refund. I think that should be mentioned in the ads for non techies that have simple home computers.
Hi TJ - haven't really seen any great deals, other than at Magic Jack itself. Once in a while they'll have a sale for a day or two, but it's usually geared towards existing subscribers. You can check ebay or amazon and see if any sellers are offering special pricing. Normally, phone lines plug directly into the Magic Jack itself. With some creative crossover wiring, I've talked to people who have distributed the signal throughout their home. Check with an electrician to be safe.
According to Magic Jack, you can port your number for a nominal fee. There will be a $19.99 one time fee and $9.95 annual charge after the first year. Faxing is kind of flaky, since it's not really a standard telephone line, it's VOIP. It does work, I have customers who tell me they have little to no problems sending or receiving.
Thank you so much for this great review! You were informative to the point and didn't talk about stupid stuff that had nothing to do with the product.
thank you for the information! I was looking to get rid of my traditional landline and am now confident I can do so and save myself some money.
Hi Chuck,
Thank you for responding. I have a feeling multiple magic jack plus devices must be plugged into each room and connected to the router. For the router, I think you need the router extension. May get a little on the pricy side. My Magic Jack Plus should be delivered on Saturday, guess I'll learn more then!
Wendy
Keep me posted. Thanks Wendy!
Hi Chuck, thanks for the video. My wife needs to call Germany frequently to keep in touch with her son. How can MJ be used for this purpose? I suggested we send him one and let him initiate all calls but that won't work. Thanks
6 down, 1 up. Checks in at somewhere between 3-4 on most days. VOIP doesn't use much bandwidth at all. POTS non-compressed speeds are all it takes to carry voice.
I have MJ. I works ok, but my main problem is that it will not allow you to connect to some toll-free numbers. So if you need to attend a conference call invite, MJ forces you to buy minutes ... and then it will allow you to access the toll free number. The minutes are very cheap, but it's nearly impossible to track how many minutes you have left. I attend a lot of conf calls for work, so I use a lot of minutes. Sometimes MJ says I have 600 min left, then it will say 4,000 min left.
Chuck - I'm getting ready to order a MagicJack Plus based on your recommendation. A couple quick questions, please: 1) Any advice as to the best source to find a deal on one? 2) I'm not clear on where the phone lines plug in. Do you use your existing wall outlets? If so, it is just a matter of making the two-line phone line connection at the junction box? Thanks, TJ
I purchased mine UNOPENED from a local friend who already has one in his home.He & another friend have been using the service for about a year & have had ZERO issues.It really works & you will NOT beat the price for long distance phone service anywhere that I have ever seen or heard of.I'm telling all of my friends how great it is so they can save plenty of money as well.{:>)
Best & most informative review I've watched so far regarding MJ.
hi,I just got rid of my old magic jack and I just bought an magic jack express,the problem is that the phone screen,meaning the caller Id says,line in use and I cant make any phone calls at all,I even bought a new phone thinking that the phone was the problem,but it is not,,I have the feeling that it has to do with my old magic jack,,any ways,I pluged to the wall out let and it dint even show the magic jack on the screen,,I placed back to the computer and I still have the same problems,,line in use,,,can you please help me,I have already disconnected and reconnected every thing back and I have spoken to 9 operators,they all transfer me all the time.
+Martillo Duro I'm not a MJ tech support rep, but I found this thread at a site that may help: www.dslreports.com/forum/r29290985-MagicJack-Caller-ID-works-when-plugged-into-computer-Not-when-plugged-in-AC
I just hooked up a MagicJack Plus. Then, about an hour later, they send me an email saying: "THIS IS A BILL", telling me that I will have to pay a recently imposed monthly surcharge for the use of the 911 service. So I go to the site, only to find out that once you select it at sign up, you can't un-select 911 service. What an unexpected bummer. And, to add insult to misery, I went on numerous chats (10 to be exact) where each of the agents I dealt with promised me that they will remove 911 from my MJ service (since I don't need it. Already paying for it on 2 other phones in my home). It turns out that they can't do that. So why do they keep telling me that they can?
P.S. Update: It's now April, 2015, about a year since I installed this device. The phone service has been great for me. Customer care, not so great and, as in the above matter, has been downright deceitful.
Annettesmusic yes, you can I don't have it. cause i have also a cell.
+scarlet lovely
Hi Scarlet. I don't understand your reply. If you are speaking about the 911 issue I mentioned, I actually spoke to Mary, the vice President of Magic Jack and she is the one who told me that, once you select 911 service when registering the device, you cannot unselect it. So the key is, when you register your device, Do not select 911 service if you don't want it. My mistake was, I thought it was a free service when I registered so I selected it. Then I got the "This is a bill" email from MJ.
Oh yeah, one more thing, it is said that you don't need a computer with MJ plus. This is only partly true. You don't need a computer ONCE YOU REGISTER the device. And you MUST register the device in order to get a phone number for your MJplus (so that you can receive incoming calls). This is where you will need a computer...to register the device. And, it is in the registration process that the option to select 911 service presents itself so be alert when registering.
According to Magic Jack, faxing should work fine. Plug your fax machine into your magicJack, just as you would normally connect your fax machine to your telephone jack. IMPORTANT!! If your magicJack is connected to your computer, make sure that "Normal (Hi-Speed)" is selected. Your fax machine will not work if you have selected "Air Card (3G)".
At first, I thought it was a scam too. MagicJack is kind of a silly name, and their marketing needs a little help. It's the newest phase of telephone technology called "VOIP", or Voice Over Internet Protocol. Basically, Magic Jack uses the internet to transfer digital voice data. Businesses all over the world have been using this for years as a cheaper alternative to "POTS", or "Plain Old Telephone Service."
You can keep your existing Magic Jack number. But I don't think you can 'port' phone numbers. Will have to look into that.
Can a phone company refuse to let me use a MJ? My phone co is At&t & they said I couldn't do this? If they do finally let me do this will they raise my internet even more so it won't be worth it?
Why do the promos including your video say "no computer is needed" when it requires a computer router and ethernet cable to work? and a laptop at a hotel, etc.?
Have you had any problems with it since this video was uploaded?
So I just read a comment on here that the person couldn't use it because he had to buy a rotor also. I have a modem for my computer~no rotor. Will someone explain?
Good question I have the same problem. Please some one answer this question I also have AT&T DSL. They keep raising my bill & I have just a plain phone line no long distance or caller ID or anything $75.77 for plain old phone & not even the fastest internet. I have HSI ELITE
I use AT&T DSL modem which plugs into the phone line. If I get a Magic Jack and turn off the phone service, then how will I have Internet for the phone to work? I watch TV shows online, no TV or satellite or cable for Internet. I want to get rid of the expensive phone and Internet through AT&T. How can I get Internet for cheaper and without a phone line? and still be able to use Magic Jack?
magicjack and its various iterations are not compatible with apple OS 10.11.2 and higher - i spoke with magic jack 'support' and they have no idea of when they will fix it - very disappointing !
No problems since this video was uploaded. Still working, no billing issues.
MJ Plus needs 3.0 port to work wirelessly (supposedly). Also, if you're switching from old to new Plus but hope to use old one on another computer with same number, be aware they will make you buy new plan for one of the devices if you type "replace" rather than register. We've had many connection problems with new Plus in addition to fact that now our old MJ has been de-activated and they refuse to put new time on one device with remaining 3-1/2 years on the other. Shame on them!
Yes you can. We use cordless speakerphones with ours.
How can you use multiple magic jackpluw phones in your house? For example, with a traditional landline phone, I have a jack in each room. I simply connect the phone into the jack. Do I need to purchase multiple magic jack plus devices and have each device connected to a router?
Wendy, I have not tried this, but it is an interesting question! Our new home wasn't even wired for telephone, and our workshop only has one jack. We have a single cordless phone with two handsets, so we only use one jack. Does anyone else know the answer to this? Please comment! Thanks.
Can you please let me know as to what the voltage input of magic jack? Is it only 110V or it is from 110V to 240V?
I am already a MJ subscriber, have been for a couple of years. If I go with Plus, am I able to keep my existing MJ phone number or do I have get a new one?
Walmart has them usually anywhere you go.You do NOT use the existing phone outlets.You either plug into a router or into a computer & it works.I use the router method myself & think it's the best thing since home made buttermilk biscuits. {:>)
You keep your phone number if you want to! We have a 'vanity number' that transferred perfectly.
Chuck, We bought a magic jack plus and will be using it while in Mexico. Can we receive calls on mjp from the states? is there a charge?
Axelus Magnus you're funny! de que parte de mexico eres?
+Deb Hendrix i don't know if there are any IP restrictions in place on MJ servers, but theoretically, any VOIP device should be able to connect to your state-bound telephone number anywhere in the world with an internet connection at no additional charge.
what if you do not have router - what do you do then?
I have a question can you keep (port) the same phone number you have for your home number somehow or do you have to get an entirely different number?
bosshova23p
My dealings with magic jack have been horrible. They sent me a damaged unit. I am now trying to get my number ported back to AT&T. I suggest you avoid anything to do with magic jack.
Chuck can you keep your existing phone #
please help. I want to make calls to the Caribbean so to make it free I would get a Caribbean phone number but afterwards can I use that Caribbean phone number to call US/CAN for free?
hey man thanks for the review. prob the best review onb this i have seen.
how is the quality of Magic Jack?
IMPORTANT - Canadian Magic Jack area code availability is LIMITED & the following is NOT made clear.
Your Magic Jack # MUST use the SAME area code your land line did/does OR anyone who calls your Magic Jack # WILL now pay Long Distance.
Example: if you live in a 250 area code BUT your Magic Jack # has a 604 area code anyone in 250 area code (with cell or land line) who calls you will NOW pay Long Distance.
Most Canadians are out of luck UNLESS they “port” their existing land line number
had one for 5 years and no problems at all
Can you send and receive fax ??
You're going to need a router if you want to share your internet with your PC and your Magic Jack. You can get an inexpensive one at Walmart or Amazon for less than $50.
I have faxed with my Magic Jack Plus. It works fine.
better off making a wifi phone out of a old smart phone, google voice and talkatone.....it's free and pretty easy...here is some info.....Talkatone on ipad - free text & calls using google voice
IP is Internet Protocol not Internet Phone.
VOIP is Voice Over Internet Protocol.
I forgot to mention I wave wireless service It is At&t HSI ELITE
thanks for making this vid -very helpful!
Sure seems that way, and their marketing is very "home grown." They need to call me for a better presentation!
if you are trying to port your number to magic jack, forget it. i cancelled my subscription though optimum porting my number to them, no luck, horrible live chat service. it is a JOKE
MagicJack is a terrible company. They took my long distance minutes away twice--said they had "expired", although no such notice came to me and of course they have my email address. It has NEVER worked right--I can sometimes make calls and other times not. I am cancelling my service & going to get some other VOIP service that is better rated. I'm also complaining to my states' Attorney General.
yes, that's what we use.
Quality is GREAT & SIMPLE to connect & use! LOVE IT! {:>)
Call drops, poor quality & customer service
#magicjack review!
thanks!
Hey man sorry about my idiot but can I have a WIFI from this
Not bad
Crappy service
your face was in the was boy
junk
Can you use a cordless phone instead with speaker phone?
IMPORTANT - Canadian Magic Jack area code availability is LIMITED & the following is NOT made clear.
Your Magic Jack # MUST use the SAME area code your land line did/does OR anyone who calls your Magic Jack # WILL now pay Long Distance.
Example: if you live in a 250 area code BUT your Magic Jack # has a 604 area code anyone in 250 area code (with cell or land line) who calls you will NOW pay Long Distance.
Most Canadians are out of luck UNLESS they “port” their existing land line number