T-Mobile IP Relay
T-Mobile USA, Inc.
Formerly Sprint IP Relay
Connects typed telephone conversations to hearing callers through a human relay operator.
What T-Mobile IP Relay does
T-Mobile IP Relay lets a registered user make and receive phone calls through text. A human operator voices the user’s typed messages and types the hearing caller’s replies. The provider documents caption appearance controls, transcript copying/email and conference-bridge calls. Service is limited to eligible US and territory use; English and Spanish calls are same-language conversations, without translation. The service does not require sign-language communication.
How it compares
Typed relay rather than sign-language interpretation
T-Mobile IP Relay lets you type your side of a call while an operator voices it and types the other person's response. Sorenson ntouch uses an American Sign Language interpreter instead, while InnoCaption offers captions with a choice of automatic recognition or a live stenographer.
Saved call text, like captioned-call services
T-Mobile IP Relay lets you copy or email a conversation when the call ends. CaptionCall Mobile and Rylo also keep call transcripts for later review.
English or Spanish calls rather than translation
T-Mobile IP Relay supports English and Spanish calls under US service rules, but does not translate between languages. InnoCaption also does not translate captions; eligibility and language support are separate checks.
Features
Captions
- Not supported: Translated captions
- Supported: Human captioning
- Supported: Typed replies
- Supported: Caption engineHuman captioner
Calls
Transcripts & notes
- Supported: Transcript export
Audio input & output
- Supported: Live outputsOn-screen text
Availability & access
Accessibility
- Supported: Screen-reader support
- Supported: Dark appearanceiPhone · iPad only
- Supported: Caption display controlsText size · Color · Contrast
- Same-language calls only; this is not English/Spanish translation.
- The service is for registered Deaf, hard-of-hearing, DeafBlind or speech-disabled users communicating with hearing callers in the US or its territories.
- Text-relay workflow: the operator types the hearing caller’s speech and voices the user’s typed messages.
- A caller must arrange a conference bridge and provide its dial-in/access information for the relay operator.
App Store ratings & reviews
Praise
- 2012–2024 reviewers describe useful/easy relay access. A May 2017 edited review says earlier contact-list and crashing problems were fixed after developer contact; the improvement is retained with its historical complaint.
Complaints
- May 2026 and earlier reviewers describe crashes, login failures, unanswered incoming calls, cutouts or number-in-use errors. Historical reports span 2014–2024 and lack captured version identifiers, so no current failure rate or persistence across updates is inferred.
- 2022–2024 reviewers express frustration with identity verification, account restriction, number porting or operator interactions. These individual service/administration allegations are separate from app software defects and are not verified findings about staff conduct.
Mixed reports
- 2021–2026 comments request spam blocking/reporting, immediate send-as-you-type and improved accessibility/dictation controls. Older comments describe keyboard/large-text layout issues, dialer copying, notification or call-forwarding limitations. These requests/reports are not current feature specifications.
Google Play ratings & reviews
Praise
- 2011–2026 reviewers describe useful text-relay calling, easier communication or appreciation of operators. An April 2026 version-70.8.2 comment reports improved incoming calls, a September 2025 setup complaint ended with helpful assistance, and April 2018 feedback says the send-icon position was fixed. Preserve these improvements alongside older complaints rather than assuming every historical issue persists.
Complaints
- Reports through January 2026 describe missed incoming notifications/background closure, login/verification failures, internal errors, unreadable or reset text settings, freezes and call failures. The historical tail also covers 2011–2018 device compatibility and UI faults; those old-device reports are not current incompatibility rules. Individual complaints and percentages do not establish prevalence or a current failure rate.
- 2021–2025 comments raise operator, support, identity-document and privacy concerns. These are individual service impressions/allegations, not independently verified security/legal findings. A 2019 reviewer explicitly notes repeated bank hangups may originate with the called business, so they should not be assigned to the app.
Mixed reports
- 2014–2024 feedback requests notification/ringtone or DND controls, spam blocking, better call-log order, accessible registration, default-dialer use, tablet support or transcript handling. Some concern eligibility rules, obsolete builds or carrier/device interactions. The 2018 send-icon fix and newer incoming-call improvement must be considered when reading old UI reports.