Payphone Tag Wiki - User contributions [en]

Cabinet

2026-05-22T17:27:25Z

HollowArrow: Anti-vandalism cabinet type and coloured hats/"life in full colour" rebrand

The cabinet is the structure housing the payphone that contains the electrical and telephonic equipment needed for a [[Telstra Smart Payphone]] to be operational. Indoor payphones are typically very simple, whereas outdoor payphones additionally have a limited amount of cover from the weather.

Very rarely, a payphone does not have a visible cabinet of any kind.

== Standard cabinet types ==
This is a summary of the standard cabinet types:
{| class="wikitable"
|+Summary of standard cabinet types
!Internal name
!Photo
!Size
!Locations
!Notes
!Installation dates
|-
|Boulevard
|[[File:Boulevard.jpg|thumb]]
|Full width
|Indoor and outdoor
|Frame colour can come in various colours, such as blue, red, and green.
|?
|-
|FLPC (Full length payphone cabinet)
|[[File:FLPC.jpg|alt=FLPC|thumb]]
|Full width
|Outdoor
|
|?
|-
|Streetcab
|[[File:Payphone-03983000X2-20260512074917.jpg|thumb]]
|Full width
|Outdoor
|Thicker back than FLPC to hold advertisements
|?
|-
|Prestige
|Example Needed
|Full width
|Outdoor
|
|?
|-
|Majestic
|[[File:Majestic.jpg|alt=Majestic Payphone Cabinet Type|thumb]]
|Half width
|Indoor and outdoor
|
|?
|-
|Telebox
|[[File:Telebox.jpg|alt=Telebox|thumb]]
|Half width
|Indoor and outdoor
|Table can be fully or partially slanted, or have no slant at all.
|?
|-
|Clearline
|[[File:Payphone-02625104X1-20260515130057.jpg|thumb]]
|Slim
|Indoor
|
|?
|-
|Slimline
|[[File:Payphone-02963404X1-20260512033212.jpg|thumb]]
|Slim
|Indoor
|May have lit orange hat, grey 4G antenna or no hat at all
|?
|-
|Modular
|[[File:Modular.jpg|alt=Modular|thumb]]
|Slim
|Indoor
|
|?
|-
|Digital
|[[File:Payphone-08829401X2-20260508 222647.jpg|thumb]]
|Double width
|Outdoor
|At least two different versions exist.
Some have had the screen on the phone side replaced with a static poster (as in photo).
Has a USB-A charging port on the right side of the phone.
|?
|-
|Billboard
|Example Needed
|Double width
|Outdoor
|
|?
|-
|Red Box/Heritage
|Example Needed
|Full width
|Outdoor
|
|?
|-
|?
|Example Needed
|Double Width
|Outdoor
|Rugged all metal anti-vandalism cabinet design
|?
|}

Note that there is some level of variation in the construction of some of these models, and some payphones do not have a standard cabinet or any cabinet at all. These are rare.

== Attachments ==
Most cabinets have a coloured dome that forms the top. The standard colours are orange for a standard payphone and magenta for payphones with [[Telstra Air|free Wi-Fi]], although a limited run of other colours were also installed as part of Telstra's "Life in Full Colour" rebrand in 2011. The hat typically contains a light to illuminate the logo on the outside, and sometimes a router to provide the free Wi-Fi.

Some payphones also have a magenta cube fitted above the hat. This usually contains the router that provides free Wi-Fi and/or the LTE modem that allows the phone to function. This cube has Wi-Fi symbols on it if the payphone has free Wi-Fi enabled and is blank otherwise.

Some payphones have a dark grey "blade" instead of the cube. This is an enclosure for a LTE antenna.<gallery>
File:Payphone-02434403X2-20260512012023.jpg|A Telebox with a standard orange dome
File:Payphone-02954707X2-20260509113533.jpg|A Steetcab with a pink dome (Wi-Fi enabled)
File:Payphone-02957012X2-20260509115902.jpg|A Majestic cabinet with a magenta dome and cube (Wi-Fi enabled)
File:Payphone-02422685X2-20260507055309.jpg|A Telebox with an orange dome and magenta cube (non Wi-Fi enabled)
File:Payphone-07557320X1-20260506101708.jpg|A Slimline with a grey blade
File:Payphone-07552980X1-20260506104756.jpg|A Telebox with an orange dome and grey blade
</gallery>

Payphone:02983702X1

2026-05-16T04:40:59Z

HollowArrow: /* Location */ location

{{Payphone
| phone = 0298373275
| cab = 02983702X1
| id = 10205
| address = BLDG C21 2 EASTERN RD WSU NIRIMBA CAFE, NIRIMBA FIELDS
| state = NSW
| postcode = 2763
| lat = -33.724319
| lng = 150.876227
| status = inoperable
| tty_messaging_enabled = no
| wifi_hotspot = no
| card_payment = yes
| incoming_calls = yes
| tty_hardware = no
| adsl = no
| fibre = no
| lte = no
}}

== Description ==


== Location ==
The payphone is located within a decommissioned library building and is therefore inaccessible.

== Gallery ==

File:Payphone-02962912X2-20260508211058.jpg

2026-05-08T21:12:43Z

HollowArrow: Category:Photos of payphone 02962912X2 Category:Payphone photos {{cc-by-sa-4.0}} View of 02962912X2 on the north side of Windsor Road facing west.

== Summary ==
[[Category:Photos of payphone 02962912X2]]
[[Category:Payphone photos]]

{{cc-by-sa-4.0}}

View of [[Payphone:02962912X2|02962912X2]] on the north side of Windsor Road facing west.

File:Payphone-02962912X2-20260508210515.jpg

2026-05-08T21:10:54Z

HollowArrow: link to payphone

== Summary ==
[[Category:Photos of payphone 02962912X2]]
[[Category:Payphone photos]]

{{cc-by-sa-4.0}}

View of [[Payphone:02962912X2|02962912X2]] from the south side of Windsor Road, facing north.

File:Payphone-02962912X2-20260508210515.jpg

2026-05-08T21:09:28Z

HollowArrow: Category:Photos of payphone 02962912X2 Category:Payphone photos {{cc-by-sa-4.0}} View of 02962912X2 from the south side of Windsor Road, facing north.

== Summary ==
[[Category:Photos of payphone 02962912X2]]
[[Category:Payphone photos]]

{{cc-by-sa-4.0}}

View of 02962912X2 from the south side of Windsor Road, facing north.

Payphone:02962912X2

2026-05-08T21:05:15Z

HollowArrow: /* Description */ cabinet

{{Payphone
| phone = 0456774429
| cab = 02962912X2
| id = 11186
| address = 29 WINDSOR RD NR VILLAGE CENTRE, KELLYVILLE
| state = NSW
| postcode = 2155
| lat = -33.712469
| lng = 150.958146
| status = active
| tty_messaging_enabled = no
| wifi_hotspot = no
| card_payment = yes
| incoming_calls = yes
| tty_hardware = no
| adsl = no
| fibre = no
| lte = no
}}

== Description ==
02962912X2 is a payphone in Kellyville, NSW. It is in a streetcab [[cabinet]].

== Location ==
This payphone is located outside the Village Centre shopping centre in Kellyville, on the northern side of Windsor Road.

==== Pedestrian and public transport access ====
The payphone can be accessed a short walk away from stops on Transport for NSW bus routes 626, 632, and 651. All of these routes pass through Kellyville metro station. Note that this area has somewhat limited public transport service access and frequency, and poor quality, cluttered footpaths that may limit accessibility. The area is also heavily car-dependent.

==== Bicycle access ====
There is cyclist access to this payphone via the shareway on the south side of Windsor Road that connects to the wider cycling network. The nearest stations to this payphone are the Kellyville and Bella Vista stations on the Sydney Metro. Note that the area is very hilly and the infrastructure is car-centric. Watch for driveways when cycling in this area.

==== Automobile access ====
This payphone is easily accessed by car, although note heavy traffic during peak hours and potential difficulty finding parking space near the payphone. There is no parking or stopping allowed along the parts of Windsor Road near this payphone.

== Gallery ==

Cabinet

2026-05-08T21:04:38Z

HollowArrow: /* Standard cabinet types */ variations in table

Cabinet

2026-05-08T21:03:00Z

HollowArrow: /* Standard cabinet types */ variation

Payphone:02962912X2

2026-05-08T21:01:14Z

HollowArrow: /* Location */ access by foot, bike, and car

{{Payphone
| phone = 0456774429
| cab = 02962912X2
| id = 11186
| address = 29 WINDSOR RD NR VILLAGE CENTRE, KELLYVILLE
| state = NSW
| postcode = 2155
| lat = -33.712469
| lng = 150.958146
| status = active
| tty_messaging_enabled = no
| wifi_hotspot = no
| card_payment = yes
| incoming_calls = yes
| tty_hardware = no
| adsl = no
| fibre = no
| lte = no
}}

== Description ==
02962912X2 is a payphone in Kellyville, NSW.

== Location ==
This payphone is located outside the Village Centre shopping centre in Kellyville, on the northern side of Windsor Road.

==== Pedestrian and public transport access ====
The payphone can be accessed a short walk away from stops on Transport for NSW bus routes 626, 632, and 651. All of these routes pass through Kellyville metro station. Note that this area has somewhat limited public transport service access and frequency, and poor quality, cluttered footpaths that may limit accessibility. The area is also heavily car-dependent.

==== Bicycle access ====
There is cyclist access to this payphone via the shareway on the south side of Windsor Road that connects to the wider cycling network. The nearest stations to this payphone are the Kellyville and Bella Vista stations on the Sydney Metro. Note that the area is very hilly and the infrastructure is car-centric. Watch for driveways when cycling in this area.

==== Automobile access ====
This payphone is easily accessed by car, although note heavy traffic during peak hours and potential difficulty finding parking space near the payphone. There is no parking or stopping allowed along the parts of Windsor Road near this payphone.

== Gallery ==

Payphone:02962912X2

2026-05-08T20:50:27Z

HollowArrow: /* Location */ location

Payphone:02962912X2

2026-05-08T20:44:53Z

HollowArrow: location

Gameplay

2026-05-06T20:28:40Z

HollowArrow: /* Nonfunctional buttons */ add types of button problems and remedies

Payphone Tag is played by capturing public [[Payphone|payphones]] operated by [[Telstra]], specifically [[Telstra Smart Payphone|Telstra Smart Payphones]]. The full gameplay is explained in depth in this article. Although the basics are quick and easy to pick up, there are some advanced techniques that [[Agent|agents]] can use during play.

Although commonly referred to by the term "payphone", Payphone Tag is free to play, as Telstra made domestic calls from its payphone network free in 2021. In this article we will use payphone to refer to Telstra payphones, unless otherwise noted. Other terms that are used include "public telephone", "phone box", and "phone booth".

In the past, public payphones have also been provided by other companies, such as PayTel and TriTel. As these companies are defunct, their payphones are inoperable where they still exist. Additionally, [[Telecom Australia]] (the direct predecessor of Telstra prior to privatisation in the 1990s) also produced payphones for private operation in locations such as in sharehouses and hotels. These payphones are also not part of the game.

== Basic play ==
After registering and saving an agent name and [[PIN]], gameplay is relatively simple: find a payphone in the real world and call the Payphone Tag phone number from it. This will assign the phone to your agent account, netting up to 25 [[points]] for each payphone. Bonus points can be obtained from lines, triangles, and total area.

=== Capturing a phone ===
[[File:Payphone entered LOADTALK.jpg|thumb|420x420px|After entering 07 LOAD TALK into a [[Telstra Smart Payphone]]]]
Captures must be made from a Telstra public payphone. Players who make a phone call from other phones, such as a mobile phone, a home phone, private payphones, or public payphones operated by other companies will not be asked for a password. Instead, the [[Operator]] will tell agents "your call could not be completed as dialled" and the call will be ended.

# Lift the handset of the phone.
# Using the numbers on the keypad, dial the number <code>07 5623 8255</code> (<code>07 LOAD TALK</code>) to make a phone call to the Payphone Tag phone number.
# Your will hear the voice of the Operator asking for your password. Use the keypad to enter your five-digit agent PIN.
# The Operator will confirm your capture and tell you your rank before ending the call.
[[File:Payphone dial LOADTALK.jpg|thumb|420x420px|Calling 07 LOAD TALK on a [[Telstra Smart Payphone]]]]

==== Memorising the number ====
If you are having trouble remembering the number, eight of the ten digits on all phone keypads are associated with three or four letters:
{| class="wikitable"
|+Keypad number-letter correspondence
!Digit
!Letters
!Digit
!Letters
|-
|1
|—
|6
|MNO
|-
|2
|ABC
|7
|PQRS
|-
|3
|DEF
|8
|TUV
|-
|4
|GHI
|9
|WXYZ
|-
|5
|JKL
|0
|—
|}
These letters will usually be included in a smaller font underneath each key. However, sometimes the keypad can be hard to read because of dirt, have the wrong keys resulting from mistakes during maintenance, or use keypads from other countries.

The mnemonic number <code>07 LOAD TALK</code> can help with remembering the Payphone Tag phone number: the letter <code>L</code> represents <code>5</code>, the letter <code>O</code> represents <code>6</code>, and so on. These associated letters can also be used for creating mnemonics for your agent PIN. For example, the PIN for the special [[party line]] is <code>72789</code>, which can be represented as <code>PARTY</code>.

This system is also used for sending SMS text messages via payphone. When sending an SMS message, pressing a number on the keypad repeatedly will cycle through letters. For example, pressing <code>2</code> once will type <code>A</code>, pressing <code>2</code> twice will type <code>B</code>, and so on.

=== Locating payphones ===
The game contains a map with the approximate locations of all of Telstra's public telephones in Australia which players can use to help find payphones and to plan gameplay sessions by optimising routes to capture the most payphones in a given amount of time.

== Advanced gameplay ==
There are advanced techniques and knowledge that can help agents capture payphones more effectively.

=== Dysfunctional payphones ===
There are various problems a payphone can have that could make capturing difficult or impossible. Some of these issues can be worked around with advanced knowledge of how the payphones work.

==== No audio or damaged/destroyed handset ====
Audio is not actually needed to capture the payphone: once a call has been connected, the screen will change to show the text <code>FREE CALL</code>, which confirms that the call is now connected. As soon as this happens, an agent can enter their PIN to complete the capture. Agents can then check the website/app to confirm that the capture was completed: a small alert will come up on the bottom of the screen, and agents can also click or tap on the payphone's map pin to check that ownership has changed.

If the handset itself is missing, players can still start a call by manually depressing the lever where the handset rests and then releasing it. This will signal to the payphone that the handset has been lifted and to allow dialling.

==== Nonfunctional buttons ====
Sometimes the keypad buttons on a payphone are damaged in some way preventing agents from dialling the number or entering their PIN. Common problems and their solutions are tabulated below.
{| class="wikitable"
|+Common problems with keypads
!Problem
!Possible solution
|-
|Dirty keypad
|Sometimes a keypad can have very dirty buttons. Agents can using a stick, gloves, or a tissue to avoid touching the keypad, or wipe down the keypad with wet wipes.
|-
|Key is not very sensitive
|Sometimes a button needs to be pressed with more force than normal, or held down for longer than normal before it can register an input.
|-
|Key is too sensitive
|Sometimes pressing a button will enter the same digit twice. These buttons may need to be pressed more softly than usual.
|-
|Key gets stuck
|Sometimes a key can get stuck after being pressed down. If a key is held down for too long, or if it is held down while the handset is being lifted, the payphone will display an <code>out of service</code> message. Sometimes the button can be unstuck by pressing it again, from varying angles and with varying amounts of force. If the out of service message has already happened, freeing the button and lifting the handset off the hook again a few times should return the payphone to normal working order.
|-
|Key does not respond at all
|In the case that a key is completely unable to be used, as a last-ditch effort, agents can bypass the damaged buttons by using a pre-programmed phonecard to autodial (in the case where damaged buttons prevent calling the Payphone Tag line) as long as the payphone's card reader is working and a DTMF dialler on their mobile phone (in the case where damaged buttons prevent entering the PIN) as long as the payphone's microphone is working.
|}

===== Phonecards =====
Telstra sells [[phonecard|phonecards]] at select outlets. These phonecards can be pre-programmed with autodial functionality at another payphone. When the phonecard is correctly inserted into any other payphone, the payphone will automatically dial the number set on the phonecard, after a short delay.

===== DTMF tones =====
[[DTMF|DTMF tones]] can be used to supply the PIN with a DTMF tone generator.

==== Limited or no functionality payphones ====
Some payphones may have limited or no functionality. These errors include

* the screen displaying <code>SMS only</code>,
* the screen displaying <code>please wait, phone will attend to you shortly</code>,
* the screen displaying <code>out of order</code> or <code>out of service</code>,
* the phone never proceeding to a call,
* the phone producing a beeping dial tone,

among others. Often, the only way to resolve these issues is to wait for the phone to fix itself or to report it to Telstra for repair.

However, there are some things that agents can try to make the phone operable again:

* hanging up and calling again.
* calling a mobile number (usually the agent's own).
* calling the payphone from another phone.
* sending an SMS to a mobile number (usually the agent's own).
* forcing the payphone into an out of order state by holding down a key at the same time as the handset is lifted.

After going through these techniques, agents can try capturing again.

If an agent is still unable to capture the phone after trying these techniques, it is possible that the payphone is damaged and should be reported to be removed from the game. Before sending a report to Telstra, agents should also check that the problem is not on the side of the payphone tag server by calling <code>07 5623 8255</code> from their own mobile device. Payphones cannot be captured during an outage.

==== Damaged screen ====
Although not necessary at all for using a phone—indeed, many landline phones don't have screens—the screen of a payphone is still useful for gameplay. A damaged screen can compound difficulty in dealing with other issues such as a damaged handset, make it difficult to confirm that an agent has dialled the correct number or entered the correct PIN, and interfere with diagnosing problems.

=== Indoor payphones ===
Not all payphones are part of the streetscape. Some are located within buildings such as shopping centres, railway stations, or hospitals. These buildings can be quite big and have multiple levels, making locating the payphone more challenging. However, there are some rules of thumb that can be used to locate them more easily.

==== Payphones in shopping centres ====
Payphones in shopping centres can be well-hidden, as the layout of these buildings can be very complicated, and the payphone will typically be located out of the way of foot traffic and sight-lines where they could get in the way of wandering shoppers. Agents should prioritise looking near major supermarkets such as Coles, Woolworths, and Aldi, the centre management office, major banks, or near the entrances of other hallways and alcoves. Some shopping centres will also have a help desk, where agents can ask staff for assistance.

==== Payphones in railway stations ====
Railway stations will usually have payphones on the station concourse, on platforms, or both. Check the game map as well, as often the payphone description will include whether the phone is on a platform (and which one) or elsewhere.

== Bonus features and easter eggs ==
There are some bonus features and easter eggs included in the game as well.

=== Badges ===
A [[Badges|badge]] is a recognition of achievement that agents can earn. Badges can symbolise reaching milestones or interacting with special features. They do not give agents any points.

=== TTY messaging ===
Some payphones come with a TTY (teletypewriter) keyboard stowed away underneath the main unit. This is an accessibility accommodation included for users who are unable to hear, speak, or both, and it allows payphone users to type messages instead of speaking them. When connected to a telephone number that supports TTY functionality, the keyboard will extend out and become available as long as it is able to decode the TTY signalling from the other end of the line. However, with the switch from landline to VoLTE telephony, most TTY units in Australia are have become non-functional as they are unable to decode the TTY messages when under 5G audio compression as it is designed for frequencies produced by the human voice.

Payphone Tag supports TTY. If a payphone with TTY capability is captured, the game will try to transmit TTY codes after the Operator completes her usual login announcement. Agents can then type messages which will be displayed in the #tty channel on the [[Discord Server]]. Agents can also force TTY connection for any phone by entering <code>*</code> after their PIN, and then playing an audio file that has text encoded in ITA2.

There is a badge available for sending a TTY message.

==== Technical details ====

* Encoding system: ITA2
* Baudrate: 50
* Stop bits: 3
* Mark frequency: 1410 Hz
* Stop frequency: 1820 Hz

=== Party line ===
There is a party line that can be accessed by entering the special PIN <code>72789</code> (<code>PARTY</code>), which allows up to eight agents at a time to enter a shared conference call. After entering the PIN for the party line, the Operator will ask the agent to state their name and then press the <code>#</code> key to enter the call. Note that each individual agent has a 10-minute limit on call length and will be disconnected from the conference call after that time.

=== Easter eggs ===
There is a small chance after capturing a payphone, that the operator will report that the phone line has been disrupted by weasels, or play a soundbite of screeching monkeys. The screeching monkeys sound will also play if an agent captures a phone that they already hold.

Gameplay

2026-05-06T20:12:15Z

HollowArrow: /* Limited or no functionality payphones */ server outages and note about reporting to Telstra

Payphone Tag is played by capturing public [[Payphone|payphones]] operated by [[Telstra]], specifically [[Telstra Smart Payphone|Telstra Smart Payphones]]. The full gameplay is explained in depth in this article. Although the basics are quick and easy to pick up, there are some advanced techniques that [[Agent|agents]] can use during play.

Although commonly referred to by the term "payphone", Payphone Tag is free to play, as Telstra made domestic calls from its payphone network free in 2021. In this article we will use payphone to refer to Telstra payphones, unless otherwise noted. Other terms that are used include "public telephone", "phone box", and "phone booth".

In the past, public payphones have also been provided by other companies, such as PayTel and TriTel. As these companies are defunct, their payphones are inoperable where they still exist. Additionally, [[Telecom Australia]] (the direct predecessor of Telstra prior to privatisation in the 1990s) also produced payphones for private operation in locations such as in sharehouses and hotels. These payphones are also not part of the game.

== Basic play ==
After registering and saving an agent name and [[PIN]], gameplay is relatively simple: find a payphone in the real world and call the Payphone Tag phone number from it. This will assign the phone to your agent account, netting up to 25 [[points]] for each payphone. Bonus points can be obtained from lines, triangles, and total area.

=== Capturing a phone ===
[[File:Payphone entered LOADTALK.jpg|thumb|420x420px|After entering 07 LOAD TALK into a [[Telstra Smart Payphone]]]]
Captures must be made from a Telstra public payphone. Players who make a phone call from other phones, such as a mobile phone, a home phone, private payphones, or public payphones operated by other companies will not be asked for a password. Instead, the [[Operator]] will tell agents "your call could not be completed as dialled" and the call will be ended.

# Lift the handset of the phone.
# Using the numbers on the keypad, dial the number <code>07 5623 8255</code> (<code>07 LOAD TALK</code>) to make a phone call to the Payphone Tag phone number.
# Your will hear the voice of the Operator asking for your password. Use the keypad to enter your five-digit agent PIN.
# The Operator will confirm your capture and tell you your rank before ending the call.
[[File:Payphone dial LOADTALK.jpg|thumb|420x420px|Calling 07 LOAD TALK on a [[Telstra Smart Payphone]]]]

==== Memorising the number ====
If you are having trouble remembering the number, eight of the ten digits on all phone keypads are associated with three or four letters:
{| class="wikitable"
|+Keypad number-letter correspondence
!Digit
!Letters
!Digit
!Letters
|-
|1
|—
|6
|MNO
|-
|2
|ABC
|7
|PQRS
|-
|3
|DEF
|8
|TUV
|-
|4
|GHI
|9
|WXYZ
|-
|5
|JKL
|0
|—
|}
These letters will usually be included in a smaller font underneath each key. However, sometimes the keypad can be hard to read because of dirt, have the wrong keys resulting from mistakes during maintenance, or use keypads from other countries.

The mnemonic number <code>07 LOAD TALK</code> can help with remembering the Payphone Tag phone number: the letter <code>L</code> represents <code>5</code>, the letter <code>O</code> represents <code>6</code>, and so on. These associated letters can also be used for creating mnemonics for your agent PIN. For example, the PIN for the special [[party line]] is <code>72789</code>, which can be represented as <code>PARTY</code>.

This system is also used for sending SMS text messages via payphone. When sending an SMS message, pressing a number on the keypad repeatedly will cycle through letters. For example, pressing <code>2</code> once will type <code>A</code>, pressing <code>2</code> twice will type <code>B</code>, and so on.

=== Locating payphones ===
The game contains a map with the approximate locations of all of Telstra's public telephones in Australia which players can use to help find payphones and to plan gameplay sessions by optimising routes to capture the most payphones in a given amount of time.

== Advanced gameplay ==
There are advanced techniques and knowledge that can help agents capture payphones more effectively.

=== Dysfunctional payphones ===
There are various problems a payphone can have that could make capturing difficult or impossible. Some of these issues can be worked around with advanced knowledge of how the payphones work.

==== No audio or damaged/destroyed handset ====
Audio is not actually needed to capture the payphone: once a call has been connected, the screen will change to show the text <code>FREE CALL</code>, which confirms that the call is now connected. As soon as this happens, an agent can enter their PIN to complete the capture. Agents can then check the website/app to confirm that the capture was completed: a small alert will come up on the bottom of the screen, and agents can also click or tap on the payphone's map pin to check that ownership has changed.

If the handset itself is missing, players can still start a call by manually depressing the lever where the handset rests and then releasing it. This will signal to the payphone that the handset has been lifted and to allow dialling.

==== Nonfunctional buttons ====
Sometimes the keypad buttons on a payphone are damaged in some way preventing agents from dialling the number or entering their PIN. This can be addressed as follows. For dialling the LOAD TALK number, you can instead use a [[phonecard]] which has been programmed to autodial. This will then call the number on insertion of the phonecard without keypad input. To supply the PIN, the relevant [[DTMF|DTMF tones]] can be played through the receiver, using a DTMF tone generator.

==== Limited or no functionality payphones ====
Some payphones may have limited or no functionality. These errors include

* the screen displaying <code>SMS only</code>,
* the screen displaying <code>please wait, phone will attend to you shortly</code>,
* the screen displaying <code>out of order</code> or <code>out of service</code>,
* the phone never proceeding to a call,
* the phone producing a beeping dial tone,

among others. Often, the only way to resolve these issues is to wait for the phone to fix itself or to report it to Telstra for repair.

However, there are some things that agents can try to make the phone operable again:

* hanging up and calling again.
* calling a mobile number (usually the agent's own).
* calling the payphone from another phone.
* sending an SMS to a mobile number (usually the agent's own).
* forcing the payphone into an out of order state by holding down a key at the same time as the handset is lifted.

After going through these techniques, agents can try capturing again.

If an agent is still unable to capture the phone after trying these techniques, it is possible that the payphone is damaged and should be reported to be removed from the game. Before sending a report to Telstra, agents should also check that the problem is not on the side of the payphone tag server by calling <code>07 5623 8255</code> from their own mobile device. Payphones cannot be captured during an outage.

==== Damaged screen ====
Although not necessary at all for using a phone—indeed, many landline phones don't have screens—the screen of a payphone is still useful for gameplay. A damaged screen can compound difficulty in dealing with other issues such as a damaged handset, make it difficult to confirm that an agent has dialled the correct number or entered the correct PIN, and interfere with diagnosing problems.

=== Indoor payphones ===
Not all payphones are part of the streetscape. Some are located within buildings such as shopping centres, railway stations, or hospitals. These buildings can be quite big and have multiple levels, making locating the payphone more challenging. However, there are some rules of thumb that can be used to locate them more easily.

==== Payphones in shopping centres ====
Payphones in shopping centres can be well-hidden, as the layout of these buildings can be very complicated, and the payphone will typically be located out of the way of foot traffic and sight-lines where they could get in the way of wandering shoppers. Agents should prioritise looking near major supermarkets such as Coles, Woolworths, and Aldi, the centre management office, major banks, or near the entrances of other hallways and alcoves. Some shopping centres will also have a help desk, where agents can ask staff for assistance.

==== Payphones in railway stations ====
Railway stations will usually have payphones on the station concourse, on platforms, or both. Check the game map as well, as often the payphone description will include whether the phone is on a platform (and which one) or elsewhere.

== Bonus features and easter eggs ==
There are some bonus features and easter eggs included in the game as well.

=== Badges ===
A [[Badges|badge]] is a recognition of achievement that agents can earn. Badges can symbolise reaching milestones or interacting with special features. They do not give agents any points.

=== TTY messaging ===
Some payphones come with a TTY (teletypewriter) keyboard stowed away underneath the main unit. This is an accessibility accommodation included for users who are unable to hear, speak, or both, and it allows payphone users to type messages instead of speaking them. When connected to a telephone number that supports TTY functionality, the keyboard will extend out and become available as long as it is able to decode the TTY signalling from the other end of the line. However, with the switch from landline to VoLTE telephony, most TTY units in Australia are have become non-functional as they are unable to decode the TTY messages when under 5G audio compression as it is designed for frequencies produced by the human voice.

Payphone Tag supports TTY. If a payphone with TTY capability is captured, the game will try to transmit TTY codes after the Operator completes her usual login announcement. Agents can then type messages which will be displayed in the #tty channel on the [[Discord Server]]. Agents can also force TTY connection for any phone by entering <code>*</code> after their PIN, and then playing an audio file that has text encoded in ITA2.

There is a badge available for sending a TTY message.

==== Technical details ====

* Encoding system: ITA2
* Baudrate: 50
* Stop bits: 3
* Mark frequency: 1410 Hz
* Stop frequency: 1820 Hz

=== Party line ===
There is a party line that can be accessed by entering the special PIN <code>72789</code> (<code>PARTY</code>), which allows up to eight agents at a time to enter a shared conference call. After entering the PIN for the party line, the Operator will ask the agent to state their name and then press the <code>#</code> key to enter the call. Note that each individual agent has a 10-minute limit on call length and will be disconnected from the conference call after that time.

=== Easter eggs ===
There is a small chance after capturing a payphone, that the operator will report that the phone line has been disrupted by weasels, or play a soundbite of screeching monkeys. The screeching monkeys sound will also play if an agent captures a phone that they already hold.

Gameplay

2026-05-06T20:08:42Z

HollowArrow: /* Bonus features and easter eggs */ badges and TTY badge

Payphone Tag is played by capturing public [[Payphone|payphones]] operated by [[Telstra]], specifically [[Telstra Smart Payphone|Telstra Smart Payphones]]. The full gameplay is explained in depth in this article. Although the basics are quick and easy to pick up, there are some advanced techniques that [[Agent|agents]] can use during play.

Although commonly referred to by the term "payphone", Payphone Tag is free to play, as Telstra made domestic calls from its payphone network free in 2021. In this article we will use payphone to refer to Telstra payphones, unless otherwise noted. Other terms that are used include "public telephone", "phone box", and "phone booth".

In the past, public payphones have also been provided by other companies, such as PayTel and TriTel. As these companies are defunct, their payphones are inoperable where they still exist. Additionally, [[Telecom Australia]] (the direct predecessor of Telstra prior to privatisation in the 1990s) also produced payphones for private operation in locations such as in sharehouses and hotels. These payphones are also not part of the game.

== Basic play ==
After registering and saving an agent name and [[PIN]], gameplay is relatively simple: find a payphone in the real world and call the Payphone Tag phone number from it. This will assign the phone to your agent account, netting up to 25 [[points]] for each payphone. Bonus points can be obtained from lines, triangles, and total area.

=== Capturing a phone ===
[[File:Payphone entered LOADTALK.jpg|thumb|420x420px|After entering 07 LOAD TALK into a [[Telstra Smart Payphone]]]]
Captures must be made from a Telstra public payphone. Players who make a phone call from other phones, such as a mobile phone, a home phone, private payphones, or public payphones operated by other companies will not be asked for a password. Instead, the [[Operator]] will tell agents "your call could not be completed as dialled" and the call will be ended.

# Lift the handset of the phone.
# Using the numbers on the keypad, dial the number <code>07 5623 8255</code> (<code>07 LOAD TALK</code>) to make a phone call to the Payphone Tag phone number.
# Your will hear the voice of the Operator asking for your password. Use the keypad to enter your five-digit agent PIN.
# The Operator will confirm your capture and tell you your rank before ending the call.
[[File:Payphone dial LOADTALK.jpg|thumb|420x420px|Calling 07 LOAD TALK on a [[Telstra Smart Payphone]]]]

==== Memorising the number ====
If you are having trouble remembering the number, eight of the ten digits on all phone keypads are associated with three or four letters:
{| class="wikitable"
|+Keypad number-letter correspondence
!Digit
!Letters
!Digit
!Letters
|-
|1
|—
|6
|MNO
|-
|2
|ABC
|7
|PQRS
|-
|3
|DEF
|8
|TUV
|-
|4
|GHI
|9
|WXYZ
|-
|5
|JKL
|0
|—
|}
These letters will usually be included in a smaller font underneath each key. However, sometimes the keypad can be hard to read because of dirt, have the wrong keys resulting from mistakes during maintenance, or use keypads from other countries.

The mnemonic number <code>07 LOAD TALK</code> can help with remembering the Payphone Tag phone number: the letter <code>L</code> represents <code>5</code>, the letter <code>O</code> represents <code>6</code>, and so on. These associated letters can also be used for creating mnemonics for your agent PIN. For example, the PIN for the special [[party line]] is <code>72789</code>, which can be represented as <code>PARTY</code>.

This system is also used for sending SMS text messages via payphone. When sending an SMS message, pressing a number on the keypad repeatedly will cycle through letters. For example, pressing <code>2</code> once will type <code>A</code>, pressing <code>2</code> twice will type <code>B</code>, and so on.

=== Locating payphones ===
The game contains a map with the approximate locations of all of Telstra's public telephones in Australia which players can use to help find payphones and to plan gameplay sessions by optimising routes to capture the most payphones in a given amount of time.

== Advanced gameplay ==
There are advanced techniques and knowledge that can help agents capture payphones more effectively.

=== Dysfunctional payphones ===
There are various problems a payphone can have that could make capturing difficult or impossible. Some of these issues can be worked around with advanced knowledge of how the payphones work.

==== No audio or damaged/destroyed handset ====
Audio is not actually needed to capture the payphone: once a call has been connected, the screen will change to show the text <code>FREE CALL</code>, which confirms that the call is now connected. As soon as this happens, an agent can enter their PIN to complete the capture. Agents can then check the website/app to confirm that the capture was completed: a small alert will come up on the bottom of the screen, and agents can also click or tap on the payphone's map pin to check that ownership has changed.

If the handset itself is missing, players can still start a call by manually depressing the lever where the handset rests and then releasing it. This will signal to the payphone that the handset has been lifted and to allow dialling.

==== Nonfunctional buttons ====
Sometimes the keypad buttons on a payphone are damaged in some way preventing agents from dialling the number or entering their PIN. This can be addressed as follows. For dialling the LOAD TALK number, you can instead use a [[phonecard]] which has been programmed to autodial. This will then call the number on insertion of the phonecard without keypad input. To supply the PIN, the relevant [[DTMF|DTMF tones]] can be played through the receiver, using a DTMF tone generator.

==== Limited or no functionality payphones ====
Some payphones may have limited or no functionality. These errors include

* the screen displaying <code>SMS only</code>,
* the screen displaying <code>please wait, phone will attend to you shortly</code>,
* the screen displaying <code>out of order</code> or <code>out of service</code>,
* the phone never proceeding to a call,
* the phone producing a beeping dial tone,

among others. Often, the only way to resolve these issues is to wait for the phone to fix itself or to report it to Telstra for repair.

However, there are some things that agents can try to make the phone operable again:

* hanging up and calling again.
* calling a mobile number (usually the agent's own).
* calling the payphone from another phone.
* sending an SMS to a mobile number (usually the agent's own).
* forcing the payphone into an out of order state by holding down a key at the same time as the handset is lifted.

After going through these techniques, agents can try capturing again.

==== Damaged screen ====
Although not necessary at all for using a phone—indeed, many landline phones don't have screens—the screen of a payphone is still useful for gameplay. A damaged screen can compound difficulty in dealing with other issues such as a damaged handset, make it difficult to confirm that an agent has dialled the correct number or entered the correct PIN, and interfere with diagnosing problems.

=== Indoor payphones ===
Not all payphones are part of the streetscape. Some are located within buildings such as shopping centres, railway stations, or hospitals. These buildings can be quite big and have multiple levels, making locating the payphone more challenging. However, there are some rules of thumb that can be used to locate them more easily.

==== Payphones in shopping centres ====
Payphones in shopping centres can be well-hidden, as the layout of these buildings can be very complicated, and the payphone will typically be located out of the way of foot traffic and sight-lines where they could get in the way of wandering shoppers. Agents should prioritise looking near major supermarkets such as Coles, Woolworths, and Aldi, the centre management office, major banks, or near the entrances of other hallways and alcoves. Some shopping centres will also have a help desk, where agents can ask staff for assistance.

==== Payphones in railway stations ====
Railway stations will usually have payphones on the station concourse, on platforms, or both. Check the game map as well, as often the payphone description will include whether the phone is on a platform (and which one) or elsewhere.

== Bonus features and easter eggs ==
There are some bonus features and easter eggs included in the game as well.

=== Badges ===
A [[Badges|badge]] is a recognition of achievement that agents can earn. Badges can symbolise reaching milestones or interacting with special features. They do not give agents any points.

=== TTY messaging ===
Some payphones come with a TTY (teletypewriter) keyboard stowed away underneath the main unit. This is an accessibility accommodation included for users who are unable to hear, speak, or both, and it allows payphone users to type messages instead of speaking them. When connected to a telephone number that supports TTY functionality, the keyboard will extend out and become available as long as it is able to decode the TTY signalling from the other end of the line. However, with the switch from landline to VoLTE telephony, most TTY units in Australia are have become non-functional as they are unable to decode the TTY messages when under 5G audio compression as it is designed for frequencies produced by the human voice.

Payphone Tag supports TTY. If a payphone with TTY capability is captured, the game will try to transmit TTY codes after the Operator completes her usual login announcement. Agents can then type messages which will be displayed in the #tty channel on the [[Discord Server]]. Agents can also force TTY connection for any phone by entering <code>*</code> after their PIN, and then playing an audio file that has text encoded in ITA2.

There is a badge available for sending a TTY message.

==== Technical details ====

* Encoding system: ITA2
* Baudrate: 50
* Stop bits: 3
* Mark frequency: 1410 Hz
* Stop frequency: 1820 Hz

=== Party line ===
There is a party line that can be accessed by entering the special PIN <code>72789</code> (<code>PARTY</code>), which allows up to eight agents at a time to enter a shared conference call. After entering the PIN for the party line, the Operator will ask the agent to state their name and then press the <code>#</code> key to enter the call. Note that each individual agent has a 10-minute limit on call length and will be disconnected from the conference call after that time.

=== Easter eggs ===
There is a small chance after capturing a payphone, that the operator will report that the phone line has been disrupted by weasels, or play a soundbite of screeching monkeys. The screeching monkeys sound will also play if an agent captures a phone that they already hold.

Gameplay

2026-05-06T20:02:46Z

HollowArrow: /* Bonus features and easter eggs */ weasels and monkeys

Payphone Tag is played by capturing public [[Payphone|payphones]] operated by [[Telstra]], specifically [[Telstra Smart Payphone|Telstra Smart Payphones]]. The full gameplay is explained in depth in this article. Although the basics are quick and easy to pick up, there are some advanced techniques that [[Agent|agents]] can use during play.

Although commonly referred to by the term "payphone", Payphone Tag is free to play, as Telstra made domestic calls from its payphone network free in 2021. In this article we will use payphone to refer to Telstra payphones, unless otherwise noted. Other terms that are used include "public telephone", "phone box", and "phone booth".

In the past, public payphones have also been provided by other companies, such as PayTel and TriTel. As these companies are defunct, their payphones are inoperable where they still exist. Additionally, [[Telecom Australia]] (the direct predecessor of Telstra prior to privatisation in the 1990s) also produced payphones for private operation in locations such as in sharehouses and hotels. These payphones are also not part of the game.

== Basic play ==
After registering and saving an agent name and [[PIN]], gameplay is relatively simple: find a payphone in the real world and call the Payphone Tag phone number from it. This will assign the phone to your agent account, netting up to 25 [[points]] for each payphone. Bonus points can be obtained from lines, triangles, and total area.

=== Capturing a phone ===
[[File:Payphone entered LOADTALK.jpg|thumb|420x420px|After entering 07 LOAD TALK into a [[Telstra Smart Payphone]]]]
Captures must be made from a Telstra public payphone. Players who make a phone call from other phones, such as a mobile phone, a home phone, private payphones, or public payphones operated by other companies will not be asked for a password. Instead, the [[Operator]] will tell agents "your call could not be completed as dialled" and the call will be ended.

# Lift the handset of the phone.
# Using the numbers on the keypad, dial the number <code>07 5623 8255</code> (<code>07 LOAD TALK</code>) to make a phone call to the Payphone Tag phone number.
# Your will hear the voice of the Operator asking for your password. Use the keypad to enter your five-digit agent PIN.
# The Operator will confirm your capture and tell you your rank before ending the call.
[[File:Payphone dial LOADTALK.jpg|thumb|420x420px|Calling 07 LOAD TALK on a [[Telstra Smart Payphone]]]]

==== Memorising the number ====
If you are having trouble remembering the number, eight of the ten digits on all phone keypads are associated with three or four letters:
{| class="wikitable"
|+Keypad number-letter correspondence
!Digit
!Letters
!Digit
!Letters
|-
|1
|—
|6
|MNO
|-
|2
|ABC
|7
|PQRS
|-
|3
|DEF
|8
|TUV
|-
|4
|GHI
|9
|WXYZ
|-
|5
|JKL
|0
|—
|}
These letters will usually be included in a smaller font underneath each key. However, sometimes the keypad can be hard to read because of dirt, have the wrong keys resulting from mistakes during maintenance, or use keypads from other countries.

The mnemonic number <code>07 LOAD TALK</code> can help with remembering the Payphone Tag phone number: the letter <code>L</code> represents <code>5</code>, the letter <code>O</code> represents <code>6</code>, and so on. These associated letters can also be used for creating mnemonics for your agent PIN. For example, the PIN for the special [[party line]] is <code>72789</code>, which can be represented as <code>PARTY</code>.

This system is also used for sending SMS text messages via payphone. When sending an SMS message, pressing a number on the keypad repeatedly will cycle through letters. For example, pressing <code>2</code> once will type <code>A</code>, pressing <code>2</code> twice will type <code>B</code>, and so on.

=== Locating payphones ===
The game contains a map with the approximate locations of all of Telstra's public telephones in Australia which players can use to help find payphones and to plan gameplay sessions by optimising routes to capture the most payphones in a given amount of time.

== Advanced gameplay ==
There are advanced techniques and knowledge that can help agents capture payphones more effectively.

=== Dysfunctional payphones ===
There are various problems a payphone can have that could make capturing difficult or impossible. Some of these issues can be worked around with advanced knowledge of how the payphones work.

==== No audio or damaged/destroyed handset ====
Audio is not actually needed to capture the payphone: once a call has been connected, the screen will change to show the text <code>FREE CALL</code>, which confirms that the call is now connected. As soon as this happens, an agent can enter their PIN to complete the capture. Agents can then check the website/app to confirm that the capture was completed: a small alert will come up on the bottom of the screen, and agents can also click or tap on the payphone's map pin to check that ownership has changed.

If the handset itself is missing, players can still start a call by manually depressing the lever where the handset rests and then releasing it. This will signal to the payphone that the handset has been lifted and to allow dialling.

==== Nonfunctional buttons ====
Sometimes the keypad buttons on a payphone are damaged in some way preventing agents from dialling the number or entering their PIN. This can be addressed as follows. For dialling the LOAD TALK number, you can instead use a [[phonecard]] which has been programmed to autodial. This will then call the number on insertion of the phonecard without keypad input. To supply the PIN, the relevant [[DTMF|DTMF tones]] can be played through the receiver, using a DTMF tone generator.

==== Limited or no functionality payphones ====
Some payphones may have limited or no functionality. These errors include

* the screen displaying <code>SMS only</code>,
* the screen displaying <code>please wait, phone will attend to you shortly</code>,
* the screen displaying <code>out of order</code> or <code>out of service</code>,
* the phone never proceeding to a call,
* the phone producing a beeping dial tone,

among others. Often, the only way to resolve these issues is to wait for the phone to fix itself or to report it to Telstra for repair.

However, there are some things that agents can try to make the phone operable again:

* hanging up and calling again.
* calling a mobile number (usually the agent's own).
* calling the payphone from another phone.
* sending an SMS to a mobile number (usually the agent's own).
* forcing the payphone into an out of order state by holding down a key at the same time as the handset is lifted.

After going through these techniques, agents can try capturing again.

==== Damaged screen ====
Although not necessary at all for using a phone—indeed, many landline phones don't have screens—the screen of a payphone is still useful for gameplay. A damaged screen can compound difficulty in dealing with other issues such as a damaged handset, make it difficult to confirm that an agent has dialled the correct number or entered the correct PIN, and interfere with diagnosing problems.

=== Indoor payphones ===
Not all payphones are part of the streetscape. Some are located within buildings such as shopping centres, railway stations, or hospitals. These buildings can be quite big and have multiple levels, making locating the payphone more challenging. However, there are some rules of thumb that can be used to locate them more easily.

==== Payphones in shopping centres ====
Payphones in shopping centres can be well-hidden, as the layout of these buildings can be very complicated, and the payphone will typically be located out of the way of foot traffic and sight-lines where they could get in the way of wandering shoppers. Agents should prioritise looking near major supermarkets such as Coles, Woolworths, and Aldi, the centre management office, major banks, or near the entrances of other hallways and alcoves. Some shopping centres will also have a help desk, where agents can ask staff for assistance.

==== Payphones in railway stations ====
Railway stations will usually have payphones on the station concourse, on platforms, or both. Check the game map as well, as often the payphone description will include whether the phone is on a platform (and which one) or elsewhere.

== Bonus features and easter eggs ==
There are some bonus features and easter eggs included in the game as well.

=== TTY messaging ===
Some payphones come with a TTY (teletypewriter) keyboard stowed away underneath the main unit. This is an accessibility accommodation included for users who are unable to hear, speak, or both, and it allows payphone users to type messages instead of speaking them. When connected to a telephone number that supports TTY functionality, the keyboard will extend out and become available as long as it is able to decode the TTY signalling from the other end of the line. However, with the switch from landline to VoLTE telephony, most TTY units in Australia are have become non-functional as they are unable to decode the TTY messages when under 5G audio compression as it is designed for frequencies produced by the human voice.

Payphone Tag supports TTY. If a payphone with TTY capability is captured, the game will try to transmit TTY codes after the Operator completes her usual login announcement. Agents can then type messages which will be displayed in the #tty channel on the [[Discord Server]]. Agents can also force TTY connection for any phone by entering <code>*</code> after their PIN, and then playing an audio file that has text encoded in ITA2.

==== Technical details ====

* Encoding system: ITA2
* Baudrate: 50
* Stop bits: 3
* Mark frequency: 1410 Hz
* Stop frequency: 1820 Hz

=== Party line ===
There is a party line that can be accessed by entering the special PIN <code>72789</code> (<code>PARTY</code>), which allows up to eight agents at a time to enter a shared conference call. After entering the PIN for the party line, the Operator will ask the agent to state their name and then press the <code>#</code> key to enter the call. Note that each individual agent has a 10-minute limit on call length and will be disconnected from the conference call after that time.

=== Easter eggs ===
There is a small chance after capturing a payphone, that the operator will report that the phone line has been disrupted by weasels, or play a soundbite of screeching monkeys. The screeching monkeys sound will also play if an agent captures a phone that they already hold.

Cabinet

2026-05-04T08:58:55Z

HollowArrow: /* Standard cabinet types */ expand table

Cabinet

2026-05-04T06:45:57Z

HollowArrow: /* Standard cabinet types */ add more cabinet types

Cabinet

2026-05-04T06:10:41Z

HollowArrow: variation

Cabinet

2026-05-04T06:06:13Z

HollowArrow: note some payphones dont have cabinets

TTY

2026-05-04T05:43:54Z

HollowArrow: info about portable TTY devices, more technical details (frequency, baudrate), historical context

'''TTY''' ('''Teletypewriter''') is a communication system used in [[Payphone Tag]] that allows text to be transmitted over telephone lines using encoded audio signals.

In the context of Payphone Tag, TTY is primarily used through certain [[Telstra Smart Payphone]] units that include a physical slide-out keyboard.

== Usage in Payphone Tag ==
When a TTY-capable payphone is captured, the [[Operator]] may initiate TTY mode after the login sequence. If the payphone supports it, the TTY keyboard can slide out, allowing the agent to type a message.

The typed message is transmitted as an '''ITA2 (Baudot) encoded signal''' over the phone line. The game backend decodes this signal and posts the message in real time to the [[Discord Server]]’s <code>#tty</code> channel.

== Forcing TTY mode ==
Agents can also manually trigger TTY mode on most payphones by:
* Entering <code>*</code> after their PIN.
* Playing a pre-encoded ITA2 audio file into the handset or using a portable TTY device to generate encoded signals live.

This allows messages to be injected into the system without requiring a physical TTY keyboard.

== Technical details ==
* Encoding: ITA2 (Baudot code)
* Baud rate: 50 baud
* Mark frequency: 1410 Hz
* Stop frequency: 1820 Hz
* Transmission: Audio tones over phone line
* Output: Decoded and displayed in Discord

== Limitations ==
Not all TTY-enabled payphones function correctly. Many units connected via cellular (4G) networks have been reported to fail when attempting TTY communication.

== Real-world context ==
TTY systems were historically used to assist deaf or hard-of-hearing users in communicating via telephone networks, among other uses.

== See also ==
* [[Discord Server|Payphone Tag Discord Server]]
* [[Telstra Smart Payphone]]
* [[Gameplay]]

Cabinet

2026-05-04T03:35:47Z

HollowArrow: cabinet types

Cabinet

2026-05-04T03:34:07Z

HollowArrow: initial commit

Gameplay

2026-05-04T03:24:19Z

HollowArrow: /* Dysfunctional payphones */ limited/no service phones and strategies to fix them

Payphone Tag is played by capturing public [[Payphone|payphones]] operated by [[Telstra]], specifically [[Telstra Smart Payphone|Telstra Smart Payphones]]. The full gameplay is explained in depth in this article. Although the basics are quick and easy to pick up, there are some advanced techniques that [[Agent|agents]] can use during play.

Although commonly referred to by the term "payphone", Payphone Tag is free to play, as Telstra made domestic calls from its payphone network free in 2021. In this article we will use payphone to refer to Telstra payphones, unless otherwise noted. Other terms that are used include "public telephone", "phone box", and "phone booth".

In the past, public payphones have also been provided by other companies, such as PayTel and TriTel. As these companies are defunct, their payphones are inoperable where they still exist. Additionally, [[Telecom Australia]] (the direct predecessor of Telstra prior to privatisation in the 1990s) also produced payphones for private operation in locations such as in sharehouses and hotels. These payphones are also not part of the game.

== Basic play ==
After registering and saving an agent name and [[PIN]], gameplay is relatively simple: find a payphone in the real world and call the Payphone Tag phone number from it. This will assign the phone to your agent account, netting up to 25 [[points]] for each payphone. Bonus points can be obtained from lines, triangles, and total area.

=== Making a phone call ===
Phone calls must be made from a Telstra public payphone. Players who make a phone call from other phones, such as a mobile phone, a home phone, private payphones, or public payphones operated by other companies will not be asked for a password. Instead, the [[Operator]] will tell agents "your call could not be completed as dialled" and the call will be ended.

Making a phone call is easy:

# Lift the handset of the phone.
# Using the numbers on the keypad, dial the number <code>07 5623 8255</code> (<code>07 LOAD TALK</code>) to make a phone call to the Payphone Tag phone number.
# Your will hear the voice of the Operator asking for your password. Use the keypad to enter your five-digit agent PIN.
# The Operator will confirm your capture and tell you your rank before ending the call.

==== Memorising the number ====
If you are having trouble remembering the number, eight of the ten digits on all phone keypads are associated with three or four letters:
{| class="wikitable"
|+Keypad number-letter correspondence
!Digit
!Letters
!Digit
!Letters
|-
|1
|—
|6
|MNO
|-
|2
|ABC
|7
|PQRS
|-
|3
|DEF
|8
|TUV
|-
|4
|GHI
|9
|WXYZ
|-
|5
|JKL
|0
|—
|}
These letters will usually be included in a smaller font underneath each key. However, sometimes the keypad can be hard to read because of dirt, have the wrong keys resulting from mistakes during maintenance, or use keypads from other countries.

The mnemonic number <code>07 LOAD TALK</code> can help with remembering the Payphone Tag phone number: the letter <code>L</code> represents <code>5</code>, the letter <code>O</code> represents <code>6</code>, and so on. These associated letters can also be used for creating mnemonics for your agent PIN. For example, the PIN for the special [[party line]] is <code>72789</code>, which can be represented as <code>PARTY</code>.

This system is also used for sending SMS text messages via payphone. When sending an SMS message, pressing a number on the keypad repeatedly will cycle through letters. For example, pressing <code>2</code> once will type <code>A</code>, pressing <code>2</code> twice will type <code>B</code>, and so on.

=== Locating payphones ===
The game contains a map with the approximate locations of all of Telstra's public telephones in Australia which players can use to help find payphones and to plan gameplay sessions by optimising routes to capture the most payphones in a given amount of time.

== Advanced gameplay ==
There are advanced techniques and knowledge that can help agents capture payphones more effectively.

=== Dysfunctional payphones ===
There are various problems a payphone can have that could make capturing difficult or impossible. Some of these issues can be worked around with advanced knowledge of how the payphones work.

==== No audio or damaged/destroyed handset ====
Audio is not actually needed to capture the payphone: once a call has been connected, the screen will change to show the text <code>FREE CALL</code>, which confirms that the call is now connected. As soon as this happens, an agent can enter their PIN to complete the capture. Agents can then check the website/app to confirm that the capture was completed: a small alert will come up on the bottom of the screen, and agents can also click or tap on the payphone's map pin to check that ownership has changed.

If the handset itself is missing, players can still start a call by manually depressing the lever where the handset rests and then releasing it. This will signal to the payphone that the handset has been lifted and to allow dialling.

==== Nonfunctional buttons ====
Sometimes the keypad buttons on a payphone are damaged in some way preventing agents from dialling the number or entering their PIN. This can be addressed as follows. For dialling the LOAD TALK number, you can instead use a [[phonecard]] which has been programmed to autodial. This will then call the number on insertion of the phonecard without keypad input. To supply the PIN, the relevant [[DTMF|DTMF tones]] can be played through the receiver, using a DTMF tone generator.

==== Limited or no functionality payphones ====
Some payphones may have limited or no functionality. These errors include

* the screen displaying <code>SMS only</code>,
* the screen displaying <code>please wait, phone will attend to you shortly</code>,
* the screen displaying <code>out of order</code> or <code>out of service</code>,
* the phone never proceeding to a call,
* the phone producing a beeping dial tone,

among others. Often, the only way to resolve these issues is to wait for the phone to fix itself or to report it to Telstra for repair.

However, there are some things that agents can try to make the phone operable again:

* hanging up and calling again.
* calling a mobile number (usually the agent's own).
* calling the payphone from another phone.
* sending an SMS to a mobile number (usually the agent's own).
* forcing the payphone into an out of order state by holding down a key at the same time as the handset is lifted.

After going through these techniques, agents can try capturing again.

==== Damaged screen ====
Although not necessary at all for using a phone—indeed, many landline phones don't have screens—the screen of a payphone is still useful for gameplay. A damaged screen can compound difficulty in dealing with other issues such as a damaged handset, make it difficult to confirm that an agent has dialled the correct number or entered the correct PIN, and interfere with diagnosing problems.

=== Indoor payphones ===
Not all payphones are part of the streetscape. Some are located within buildings such as shopping centres, railway stations, or hospitals. These buildings can be quite big and have multiple levels, making locating the payphone more challenging. However, there are some rules of thumb that can be used to locate them more easily.

==== Payphones in shopping centres ====
Payphones in shopping centres can be well-hidden, as the layout of these buildings can be very complicated, and the payphone will typically be located out of the way of foot traffic and sight-lines where they could get in the way of wandering shoppers. Agents should prioritise looking near major supermarkets such as Coles, Woolworths, and Aldi, the centre management office, major banks, or near the entrances of other hallways and alcoves. Some shopping centres will also have a help desk, where agents can ask staff for assistance.

==== Payphones in railway stations ====
Railway stations will usually have payphones on the station concourse, on platforms, or both. Check the game map as well, as often the payphone description will include whether the phone is on a platform (and which one) or elsewhere.

== Bonus features and easter eggs ==
There are some bonus features and easter eggs included in the game as well.

=== TTY messaging ===
Some payphones come with a TTY (teletypewriter) keyboard stowed away underneath the main unit. This is an accessibility accommodation included for users who are unable to hear, speak, or both, and it allows payphone users to type messages instead of speaking them. When connected to a telephone number that supports TTY functionality, the keyboard will extend out and become available as long as it is able to decode the TTY signalling from the other end of the line. However, with the switch from landline to VoLTE telephony, most TTY units in Australia are have become non-functional as they are unable to decode the TTY messages when under 5G audio compression as it is designed for frequencies produced by the human voice.

Payphone Tag supports TTY. If a payphone with TTY capability is captured, the game will try to transmit TTY codes after the Operator completes her usual login announcement. Agents can then type messages which will be displayed in the #tty channel on the [[Discord Server]]. Agents can also force TTY connection for any phone by entering <code>*</code> after their PIN, and then playing an audio file that has text encoded in ITA2.

==== Technical details ====

* Encoding system: ITA2
* Baudrate: 50
* Stop bits: 3
* Mark frequency: 1410 Hz
* Stop frequency: 1820 Hz

=== Easter eggs ===
To do: monkeys and weasels

Gameplay

2026-05-04T03:13:16Z

HollowArrow: /* Nonfunctional buttons */ DTMF link

Operator

2026-05-04T03:12:21Z

HollowArrow: add info about anonymous payphones and repeated failed pins

The '''Operator''' is the automated voice system that [[Agent|agents]] interact with when calling the Payphone Tag number from a [[Telstra]] public payphone. It is the primary interface between the game's backend and the physical payphone network, and handles all authentication, capture registration, and announcement of results during a call.

== Role during a capture ==
When an agent dials <code>07 5623 8255</code> (<code>07 LOAD TALK</code>) from a Telstra payphone, the call is answered by the Operator. The following sequence typically occurs:

# The Operator greets the caller and asks them to enter their five-digit [[PIN]].
# The agent uses the payphone keypad to enter their PIN, which is transmitted as [[DTMF]] tones.
# The Operator validates the PIN against the agent database. If valid, it registers the capture, assigning the payphone to the agent's account.
# The Operator announces the agent's current rank on the leaderboard.
# The call ends.

If the PIN is not recognised, the Operator will indicate that the entry was not valid, saying "I'm sorry, that is not a valid extension" and then prompt the agent for their PIN again.<ref>''Gameplay'', Payphone Tag Wiki, [https://wiki.payphonetag.com/wiki/Gameplay https://wiki.payphonetag.com/wiki/Gameplay]. Accessed 4 May 2026.</ref> The prompt can be repeated twice before the call is disconnected.

== Rejection of non-Telstra calls ==
If a player calls the Payphone Tag number from a phone that is not a Telstra public payphone, such as a mobile, a home landline, a private payphone, or a payphone operated by another company, the Operator will not prompt for a PIN. Instead, the caller will hear the message "your call could not be completed as dialled" and the call will be ended. This is how the game enforces the requirement to physically be at a Telstra public payphone in order to capture it.<ref>''Gameplay'', Payphone Tag Wiki, [https://wiki.payphonetag.com/wiki/Gameplay https://wiki.payphonetag.com/wiki/Gameplay]. Accessed 4 May 2026.</ref> This error also happens for Telstra public payphones that have their caller ID masked.

== Audio not required ==
Although the Operator speaks during the call, audio is not strictly required to complete a capture. Once a call connects successfully, the [[Telstra Smart Payphone|payphone]]'s screen changes to display <code>FREE CALL</code>. An agent who cannot hear the Operator, for example due to a damaged handset or a noisy environment, can watch for this screen change and then immediately enter their PIN without waiting for the audible prompt. The capture will be registered normally. Agents can then verify the result by checking the payphone's map pin on the game site or app.<ref>''Gameplay'', Payphone Tag Wiki, [https://wiki.payphonetag.com/wiki/Gameplay https://wiki.payphonetag.com/wiki/Gameplay]. Accessed 4 May 2026.</ref>

== TTY mode ==
If a [[Telstra Smart Payphone#TTY Smart Payphone|TTY-capable payphone]] is captured, the Operator will attempt to transmit TTY codes after completing her usual login announcement. This activates the TTY keyboard on the payphone, allowing the agent to type a message that will be posted to the #tty channel of the [[Discord Server|Payphone Tag Discord]]. Agents can also force TTY mode on any payphone by entering <code>*</code> after their PIN and then playing an ITA2-encoded audio file through the receiver.<ref>''Gameplay'', Payphone Tag Wiki, [https://wiki.payphonetag.com/wiki/Gameplay https://wiki.payphonetag.com/wiki/Gameplay]. Accessed 4 May 2026.</ref>

== Voice ==
The Operator speaks with a female voice.

== See also ==
* [[PIN]]
* [[DTMF]]
* [[Gameplay]]
* [[Telstra Smart Payphone]]
* [[Discord Server]]

== References ==
<references />

Agent

2026-05-04T03:05:59Z

HollowArrow: info about agent generations

An '''agent''' is a registered player of [[Payphone Tag]]. The term is used throughout the game and its community in place of "player" or "user".

== Registration ==
To become an agent, a player visits [https://payphonetag.com payphonetag.com] and generates an agent [[PIN]] and an associated emoji callsign. These are stored in the player's browser. The PIN is the agent's unique identifier — it must not be shared with other players, as sharing it would allow others to capture payphones on the agent's behalf. To play cooperatively with friends, agents should form a [[Cells|cell]] instead.<ref>''How to play'', Payphone Tag, [https://payphonetag.com payphonetag.com]. Accessed 4 May 2026.</ref>

== Agent identity ==
Each agent is identified in the game by:
* A unique five-digit [[PIN]].
* A unique emoji randomly assigned at registration.
* A randomly generated agent name (callsign).

==== Agent generations ====
As there are fewer available emoji than agents, emoji are reused. To maintain the uniqueness of the emoji as icons, a new generation of agents begins after all available emoji have been exhausted. These agents have their emoji combined with another symbol. The current generation for registrations is generation 2, agents from this generation have their emoji combined with a square.
{| class="wikitable"
!Generation
!Additional symbol
|-
|1
|None
|-
|2
|Square
|}

== Cells ==
Agents can optionally join or form [[cells]] — teams of up to 12 agents that score territory cooperatively. An agent must have captured at least 3 payphones before they can create a cell<ref>''Cells'', Payphone Tag Wiki, [https://wiki.payphonetag.com/wiki/Cells https://wiki.payphonetag.com/wiki/Cells]. Accessed 4 May 2026.</ref>, but any agent may join an existing cell provided that they have an invite code to that cell.

== See also ==
* [[PIN]]
* [[Cells]]
* [[Gameplay]]

== References ==
<references />

Gameplay

2026-05-04T02:58:03Z

HollowArrow: info about Telecom as Telstra predecessor

Phonecard

2026-05-04T02:55:55Z

HollowArrow: initial commit: basic info about phonecards

A '''Telstra Phonecard''' (also called a '''calling card''') is a pre-paid card that is used to make phone calls at [[Payphone|payphones]] to international numbers and satellite phones. These cards are sold in denominations of $5, $10, and $20 at select Telstra outlets<ref>https://www.telstra.com.au/phone-line/calling-cards</ref>, and they are the only way to pay for such calls, as cash payments were discontinued at some point after domestic calls were made free in 2021. Phonecards can be programmed to autodial a number, which can be useful for [[Agent|agents]] as it allows making captures on payphones with damaged keypads.

Payphone

2026-05-04T01:57:18Z

HollowArrow: /* Telstra payphones */ minor correction: Smart Payphone does not have touch-screen

A '''payphone''' (also called a '''public telephone''', '''phone box''', or '''phone booth''') is a telephone installed in a public place for use by the general public. In the context of [[Payphone Tag]], the term refers specifically to payphones operated by [[Telstra]] on its public telephone network in Australia.

== Telstra payphones ==
Telstra is the primary provider of public payphones in Australia. Since 2021, all domestic calls from Telstra payphones have been free of charge, requiring no coins or phone credit. Payphone Tag is built on this free-call infrastructure, making the game free to play.

The current standard unit is the [[Telstra Smart Payphone]], a unit capable of making voice calls, sending SMS text messages, and on certain units, TTY messaging.

== Other payphone operators ==
In the past, other companies also operated public payphones in Australia, including PayTel and TriTel. As these companies are now defunct, their payphones are inoperable where they still exist. [[Telecom Australia]] (a former name of Telstra) also produced payphones for private operation — for example, in sharehouses. Neither defunct-operator payphones nor privately operated payphones are part of [[Payphone Tag]].

== See also ==
* [[Telstra Smart Payphone]]
* [[Gameplay]]

Gameplay

2026-05-03T20:36:10Z

HollowArrow: initial commit and basic article

[[Payphone Tag]] is played by capturing public payphones operated by Telstra. The full gameplay is explained in depth in this article. Although the basics are quick and easy to pick up, there are some advanced techniques that taggers can use during play.

Although commonly referred to by the term "payphone", Payphone Tag is free to play, as Telstra made domestic calls from its payphone network free in 2021. In this article we will use payphone to refer to Telstra payphones, unless otherwise noted. Other terms that could be encountered include "public telephone", "phone box", and "phone booth".

== Basic play ==
After registering and saving an agent name and PIN, gameplay is relatively simple: find a Tesltra payphone in the real world and call the Payphone Tag phone number from it. This will assign the phone to your agent account, netting up to 25 [[points]] for each payphone. Bonus points can be obtained from lines, triangles, and total area.

=== Making a phone call ===
Phone calls must be made from a Telstra public payphone. Players who make a phone call from other phones, such as a mobile phone, a home phone, private payphones, or public payphones operated by other companies will not be asked for a password. Instead, the Operator will tell agents "your call could not be completed as dialled" and the call will be ended.

Making a phone call is easy:

# Lift the handset of the phone.
# Using the numbers on the keypad, dial the number 07 5623 8255 (07 LOAD TALK) to make a phone call to the Payphone Tag phone number.
# Your will hear the voice of the Operator asking for your password. Use the keypad to enter your five-digit agent PIN.
# The Operator will confirm your capture and tell you your rank before ending the call.

==== Memorising the number ====
If you are having trouble remembering the number, eight of the ten digits on all phone keypads are associated with three or four letters:
{| class="wikitable"
|+Keypad number-letter correspondence
!Digit
!Letters
!Digit
!Letters
|-
|1
|—
|6
|MNO
|-
|2
|ABC
|7
|PQRS
|-
|3
|DEF
|8
|TUV
|-
|4
|GHI
|9
|WXYZ
|-
|5
|JKL
|0
|—
|}
These letters will usually be included in a smaller font underneath each key. However, sometimes the keypad can be hard to read because of dirt, have the wrong keys resulting from mistakes during maintenance, or use keypads from other countries.

=== Locating payphones ===
The game contains a map with the approximate locations of all of Telstra's public telephones in Australia which players can use to help find payphones and to plan gameplay sessions by optimising routes to capture the most payphones in a given amount of time.

== Advanced gameplay ==
There are advanced techniques and knowledge that can help agents capture payphones more effectively.

=== Dysfunctional payphones ===
There are various problems a payphone can have that could make capturing difficult or impossible. Some of these issues can be resolved with advanced knowledge of how the payphones work.

==== No audio or damaged/destroyed handset ====
Audio is not actually needed to capture the payphone: once a call has been connected, the screen will change to show the text <code>FREE CALL</code>, which confirms that the call is now connected. As soon as this happens, an agent can enter their PIN to complete the capture. Agents can then check the website/app to confirm that the capture was completed: a small alert will come up on the bottom of the screen, and agents can also click or tap on the payphone's map pin to check that ownership has changed.

If the handset itself is missing, players can still start a call by manually depressing the lever where the handset rests and then releasing it. This will signal to the payphone that the handset has been lifted and to allow dialling.

==== Nonfunctional buttons ====
Sometimes the buttons on a payphone are damaged in some way preventing agents from dialling the number or entering their PIN.

==== Damaged screen ====
Although not necessary at all for using a phone—indeed, many landline phones don't have screens—the screen of a payphone is still useful for gameplay. A damaged screen can compound difficulty in dealing with other issues such as a damaged handset, make it difficult to confirm that an agent has dialled the correct number or entered the correct PIN, and interfere with diagnosing problems.

=== Indoor payphones ===
Not all payphones are part of the streetscape. Some are located within buildings such as shopping centres, railway stations, or hospitals. These buildings can be quite big and have multiple levels, making locating the payphone more challenging. However, there are some rules of thumb that can be used to locate them more easily.

==== Payphones in shopping centres ====
Payphones in shopping centres can be well-hidden, as the layout of these buildings can be very complicated, and the payphone will typically be located out of the way of foot traffic and sight-lines where they could get in the way of wandering shoppers. Agents should prioritise looking near major supermarkets such as Coles, Woolworths, and Aldi, the centre management office, major banks, or near the entrances of other hallways and alcoves. Some shopping centres will also have a help desk, where agents can ask staff for assistance.

==== Payphones in railway stations ====
Railway stations will usually have payphones on the station concourse, on platforms, or both. Check the game map as well, as often the payphone description will include whether the phone is on a platform (and which one) or elsewhere.