Can a TracFone be used with another carrier?

Millions of consumers use pre-paid cellphones through TracFone and its brands. For several years, TracFone sold only phones locked into its service, denying customers the opportunity to obtain service from another provider.

Now, as a result of settlement negotiations between the FCC and TracFone, the company’s customers are able to use their TracFone phone on other networks if they choose to change providers. Remedies in place for eligible consumers who purchased "locked" cell phones include refunds, credits or trade-ins, allowing them the freedom of choice. Going forward, TracPhone provides only phones that are capable of being “unlocked” by its consumers.

The FCC has made it a goal to increase the consumers' freedom to move their phones to other carriers' networks if they want to do so. Such policies promote competition and protect consumers. For more information on unlocked cellular phones, visit: fcc.gov/device-unlocking-faq

Tracfone and its brands

TracFone is an international wireless phone service provider that sells service under several different brand names. This settlement covers all TracFone's brands, including, but not limited to TracFone, NET10 Wireless (related to Family Dollar stores), Total Wireless, Straight Talk, SafeLink Wireless, Telcel América, Simple Mobile and Page Plus Cellular.

Consumers with locked handsets

TracFone has agreed to compensate consumers who have purchased locked handsets for TracFone service.

Customers of TracFone or any of its brands are eligible for compensation if they have been a customer of any of TracFone's brands for a year or more and if they launched service by a certain date (see timing requirements below), if they request handset unlocking from the company, and if their phone is working and has not been reported to be associated with crime or fraud. Customers who are not currently eligible may become eligible over time.

Customers can contact the company at tfwunlockpolicy.com or by calling TracFone at 1-888-442-5102 to check eligibility and, if eligible, receive one of the following in exchange for their locked handset:

• A new unlocked handset for Lifeline customers.
• Credit toward a handset upgrade.
• A partial cash refund.

Consumer eligibility

In order to obtain compensation under the settlement, consumers must:

• Be a customer of TracFone (including its brands).
• Request handset unlocking from TracFone.
• Use the locked device with TracFone's service for at least 12 months and redeem cards for airtime usage on the TracFone network for at least 12 months.
• Possess a TracFone handset in working condition that has not been reported stolen, lost or associated with fraud, and not have their telephone number recycled or ported.
• Meet certain timing requirements. For non-Lifeline customers, the handset must have been launched on TracFone's service after February 11, 2014, or activated with TracFone's service after February 11, 2015. For Lifeline customers, only the original approved customer is eligible and the customer must have activated on TracFone's service after February 11, 2014.
• Customers in the military who are actively deployed do not need to meet the service activation and air card redemption eligibility requirements.
• Customers are eligible for the program only once every twelve months.

Contact the FCC

For further information email the FCC at . Inquiries received by the FCC at this email address may be forwarded to TracFone for resolution.

Printable Version

TracFone Phone Unlocking Program (PDF)

Step by Step Guide to Unlocking a Tracfone Device

How to Unlock your Tracfone Cell Phone

It is now possible to unlock some Tracfone devices, mostly smartphones, so that you can use them with other carriers in the US or around the world. TracfoneReviewer shares the requirements and a step by step guide below! (Updated April 2022)

Owning an unlocked phone means that if you travel to another country that offers service for unlocked phones, you can buy a SIM card and service, and you will have cell phone use in that country. When you leave, you can switch your old SIM card back in to resume service with Tracfone.

Tracfone is well known for not allowing their phones to be unlocked, but because of FCC rules, and a ruling against Tracfone, they are required to unlock phones from after a certain date, offer a credit towards an exchange, or offer a partial cash refund for older devices.

We've got all the information you need about unlocking your Tracfone device. We will start with the requirements, including who can unlock their phone, and then give a step by step guide.

Let's get started.

Requirements for Unlocking a Tracfone Device

There are a number of requirements that you must meet in order to get your phone unlocked. Here are the requirements:

Requirements For Android devices:
TracFone will provide an unlocking code to customers who request unlocking, provided they meet the following conditions:

• If the TracFone device was activated with TracFone service prior to November 23, 2021, then the device must have been active on TracFone Service for no fewer than 12 months with Service Plans redeemed in no fewer than 12 months, and not have had their telephone number recycled or ported.
• If the TracFone device was activated with new service on the Verizon network on or after November 23, 2021, then at least 60 days must have elapsed since the device was activated.
• The device must be in working condition.
• The device has not been reported stolen or lost, and there are no indicators of fraud.
• (Source - www.tfwunlockpolicy.com/)
  

Requirements For Apple iPhone devices:

• TracFone will automatically unlock the device when it becomes eligible for unlocking.
• For all Apple devices activated with TracFone prior to November 23, 2021, the device will be automatically unlocked after 12 months of active TracFone service.
• For Apple devices activated with new TracFone service on the Verizon network on or after November 23, 2021, the device will be automatically unlocked 60 days after activation in the absence of an indication of fraud.
• (Source - www.tfwunlockpolicy.com/)

(You can also check if your phone is eligible by entering your phone number or serial number at the bottom of this page)

There are a lot of requirements, but the key points are that you need to have your phone active for 12 months with Tracfone in order to unlock it unless you activated it with new service after Nov 23rd, 2021. For iPhone users, Tracfone says they will automatically unlock it when eligible, but we have not been able to confirm this.

If you're phone is eligible for unlocking, you can continue with our guide to unlocking it below.

How to Unlock a Tracfone Cell Phone in 3 Steps

Here is our step by step guide to unlocking your Tracfone cell phone. Be aware that not all Tracfone devices can be unlocked, many of their older phones are not eligible.

Steps for Unlocking a Tracfone

Step 1. Go to www.tfwunlockpolicy.com and enter your phone number at the bottom of the page. You can also call 1-888-442-5102 during normal business hours.

Step 2. If your phone is eligible, you will be able to continue the process to receive an unlock code for your phone. If your phone is not eligible to be unlocked, you may still qualify for a credit towards a new phone, or a cash refund

We tested a Motorola EX 431G Tracfone prepaid phone. It met the requirements to be unlocked, but because it is an old phone, it can't be unlocked. So Tracfone offered a $5 cash refund. To get the cash refund, you have to send the phone to Tracfone, and you lose any remaining airtime on the device.

We also tested an LG Ultimate 2, which is an Android smartphone. This phone also could not be unlocked, and Tracfone offered a $15 cash refund.

Step 3, Once you get the unlock code from Tracfone, you can purchase a SIM card from another carrier, power off your phone, switch the SIM cards, and turn it back on. You should get a notification that your phone is locked, but there should be a place for you to enter your unlock code. After the code is entered your phone will be able to use the new SIM card. You can always switch SIM cards whenever you like, just remember to turn your phone off and back on.

And that is all it takes to unlock a Tracfone prepaid device. It is a fairly easy process, if your phone is eligible.

Going through the process of unlocking a Tracfone device doesn't seem worthwhile in most cases with the huge number of unlocked devices available on the market at very low prices. Amazon, eBay and many other online retailers have plenty of unlocked phones, and if you buy older models, or refurbished phones, you can often get a great deal.

Check out our list of the Best Unlocked Phones for Tracfone to get some ideas about the great options already available.

If you have an unlocked phone, you can activate it with Tracfone BYOP. Then, if you travel to another country and need to use cell phone service, simply power off the phone, switch the SIM cards, and you are ready to use your phone in the new country. Switch the SIM cards back when you return to the US.

We hope this information has been helpful. Leave a comment below with any questions or thoughts, and also share your experiences.

We are also on Facebook, with a large community who help answer questions, share news and much more.

See our last post about the Best Tracfone Deals, Discounts and Sales including several recent smartphones with airtime bundles.

Thanks for visiting!

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