Textphone FAQs

What is a textphone?

A textphone, sometimes called a Minicom, is similar to a standard telephone. It plugs into your telephone socket at home, and has a keyboard and display that let you type and read conversations.

Where can I get a textphone?

How do I use my computer as a textphone?

You can turn your PC into a textphone by downloading a computer program that uses your broadband connection to make Text Relay calls.

Once set up it allows you to call other textphones and telephones from your home computer, with the added advantage of a full size keyboard for easier typing.

For mor information and download links please visit the what you need page.

How do I make and receive calls on my textphone?

For information on making and receiving calls from your textphone please visit the using a textphone page.

What do the messages I get on my textphone display mean?

For information on using your textphone please visit the using a textphone page.

Textphone troubleshooting

If you are having a problem using Text Relay from your textphone, please contact the Text Relay Customer Support team on 0800 500 888 or email: helpline@textrelay.org

Some common problems are described below:

No response from Text Relay
If you dial 18001, followed by the full telephone number, and you do not see any TXD messages, please try again. If this happens every time you make a call, please contact the Customer Support team.

Number Unobtainable
If you make a call and see 'TXD Dial TXD Ring TXD Number Unobtainable', please try again. This message sometimes appears when the number you're calling has a voice announcement saying, "We are busy, please ring back later"; although it could mean the number doesn't exist or is faulty. Redial and try again or call Text Relay Assist.

Baudot
Some textphones occasionally switch into Baudot. While this does slow down the text, it is not a problem unless you try and use Voice Carry Over (VCO). If this happens, you must type 'VCO GA' before switching to voice.

Full Number Prompt
If you dial 18001 followed by the full telephone number and see 'TXD Pls type full number to call on your textphone followed by GA', then the number you dialled is incorrect, or you may have paused between entering the numbers. However, if it happens every time you make a call, please contact the Customer Support team.