Free Government Cell Phones

Lifeline phone service provides free cell phones to America's financially disadvantaged

Menu
  • Home
  • How to Qualify
  • How to get one
  • States
  • Providers
  • FAQ
  • News
  • Top-Up
  • Earn Money

It’s about time: FCC demands TracFone unlock customers’ free government cell phones

May 15, 2016

Some time back, TracFone promised the Federal Communications Commission that it would provide its customers with “unlocked” free government cell phones. Unfortunately, TracFone, the parent company of Safelink Wireless, the largest Lifeline Assistance company, never followed through with this promise. So the FCC just came down on it like a proverbial ton of bricks for failing to comply with “consumer protection and service quality rules that Lifeline service providers are required to follow.”

The FCC edict applies not just to TracFone and Safelink, but also to a wide range of other “brands” that are owned by TracFone — including TracFone, Safelink Wireless, NET10, Straight Talk, Total Wireless, Page Plus, Telcel America, and Simple Mobile.

Now TracFone not only agreed that all its brands will unlock their customer’s cell phones, but to repurchase any cell phones it cannot unlock.

What is an “unlocked” cell phone and why is this action good for you?

Here’s how retailing giant BestBuy.com explains the consumer benefits of an unlocked cell phone:

Unlocked phones are becoming a popular choice here in the U.S. Why? Because nothing beats the freedom of an unlocked phone when it comes to choice of models, carriers or plans.

What is an unlocked smartphone? An unlocked smartphone is a phone that isn’t tied to a specific carrier or contract. Therefore, you have the freedom to shop for the latest phones and plans as often — or as infrequently — as you like. And when it comes to international travel, unlocked phones can’t be beat.

Clearly, this is excellent news for Lifeline Assistance free government cell phone users. One of the questions we are asked most frequently is “Can I change cell phone providers?” This agreement between the TracFone brands and the FCC means that you can keep the same cell phone if you move from one Lifeline Assistance provider to another, or even if you are lucky enough to land a job and move from a Lifeline account to a paid account.

Another question this answers is, “Can I use my free government cell phone when I visit a foreign country?” Now that your cell phone will be unlocked, you can avoid expensive international roaming charges when you visit another country.

Other ways the TracFone agreement helps consumers

We don’t want to get lost in the technical details of this agreement, so suffice it to say that TracFone and Safelink say they are now committed to providing consumers with many other benefits. PrepaidCellPhoneNews.com summarizes the main points like this:

  • By September 1, 2015, TracFone will provide clear notifications to its customers about its handset unlocking policy. All eligible consumers will get at least one text message telling them that they are eligible, and consumers can go to the TracFone website to determine eligibility, request pre-paid mailers for trade-in of locked phones, and obtain other relevant information.
  • By September 1, 2015, eligible non-Lifeline TracFone customers can trade in their old device for a cash refund of the trade-in-value of the handset.
  • By May 1, 2016, as TracFone begins to launch handsets capable of being unlocked, eligible nonLifeline TracFone customers can trade in their old device for an upgrade credit toward a new, unlockable handset.
  • By May 1, 2016, TracFone must provide new Lifeline customers with phones capable of being unlocked. Existing, eligible Lifeline customers may request a replacement unlocked handset. TracFone will also provide a $400,000 per month offset to the Universal Service Fund until it provides unlockable handsets to new Lifeline customers.
  • By December 31, 2016, all phones launched by TracFone must be capable of being unlocked.
  • Refunds, upgrade credits and replacement handsets will be available under the program through at least June 2018.

The bad news

Don’t plan on a big payday when TracFone buys back your cell phone. It might be enough to buy you lunch at your local drive-thru, but it won’t make a dent in the cost of a new cell phone.

At best you’ll get whichever is higher — 20% of your cell phone’s original retail price or its current value on BuyBackWorld.com.

Tracfone’s already run the numbers and this is what it estimates it will pay for various phones:

  • $5 for a previously refurbished Lifeline phone
  • $5 to $10 for feature phones (a feature phone is one that can access the Internet and store and play music, but doesn’t offer the advanced functionality of a smartphone)
  • $20 to $40 for non-flagship Androids (a flagship phone is defined as a company’s premiere model packed with all the latest technology, such as a Motorola Moto X, Samsung Galaxy S7, LG G5, Google Nexus XP, HTC 10, etc)
  • $100 for the Samsung Galaxy S4.

In other words, you won’t get rich from the buy- back, but it could cost TracFone a bundle if all its 20+ million customers qualify for the repurchase program.

For more information on the buy-back program, contact Safelink Wireless.

Tagged as: FCC, Safelink Wireless, Tracfone

Want more news from Free Government Cell Phones?

Click here and we'll drop you a line when new articles are up.

Comments

  1. Larry Whaley says

    September 27, 2022 at 5:59 pm

    I purchased a straight talk phone from Walmart 2 months ago it’s locked and they fell.e it’s going to be 60 more days I also ya SafeLink phone locked the same people’s answer when I call for two weeks now

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      September 27, 2022 at 6:47 pm

      StraightTalk is not a free government cell phone service provider, Larry.

  2. Margaret ANN Mason says

    June 28, 2019 at 1:13 pm

    I ordered a free cell phone at least 3 weeks ago, #40041142 enrollment. Number. I still do not have a phone when I need to be taking care of business of moving tout a new area. The address is ****. Please process asap

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      June 28, 2019 at 2:22 pm

      This is an independent informational website, Margaret. We are not a free government cell phone service provider, and we have no idea who you may have enrolled with. You need to contact that company.

  3. Haley A Chilcutt says

    April 28, 2019 at 6:01 pm

    I need the puk code for cellular one safelink governmenT phone. My number is 928205****. My name is Haley chilcutt and DoB is 09/24/1988. Please email me back with the code

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      April 29, 2019 at 5:25 am

      We are not your service provider so we do not know your PUK code. Search this website for the term “PUK code” and you’ll find an article that explains it all.

    • Lisa says

      July 27, 2023 at 9:27 am

      You shouldn’t list your personal information on here it’s a public website

      • Free Government Cell Phones says

        July 27, 2023 at 11:09 am

        Lisa, we say it and we say it and we say it. Yet we still have to delete tons of personal info from comments every single day of the year.

  4. Melody says

    January 1, 2019 at 8:14 pm

    Puk code

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      January 3, 2019 at 9:35 am

      Article:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/what-is-a-puk-code-and-how-do-you-find-it

  5. Deeann davis says

    April 25, 2018 at 2:37 am

    I was just got a trac phone and requested it be unlocked I got my account in Feb 2018 they said it can not be unlocked until Feb 2019 and there is nothing I can do about it! I told the lady I needed to unlock my phone so I can use it on my new metro paid account and she adimitly denied my ability to unlock my phone and said I have to keep my lifelink account for one full year before I’m eligible to unlock it and if I shut off the account or find other means to unlock my phone it would be blacklisted and deemed unusable for any account!

  6. Crish says

    November 23, 2017 at 5:15 am

    Hey…I have a government phone and it gets wifi for everything except phone calls. It picks up outside but not inside ny home. I have tried everything but still no service.
    Can you please help me with this…thanks

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      November 23, 2017 at 9:36 am

      When you say you have “tried everything,” does that include some kind of signal booster within your home?

  7. Justin says

    August 29, 2017 at 3:05 pm

    Does this include the notorious iPhone Sprint 6 upgrade to iCloud locked bricked updates,I’m stuck with a Sprint and qlink wont allow me to have the non blacklisted codes to sign out,I can’t get ahold of original buyer the lost mode number is a girl who refused to cooperate and denies ever owning the phone or having Sprint,Sprint won’t help,Imei was clean before I bought it apple sed it’s ok buy then it died,did an iTunes update then poof,brick,any help?

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      August 29, 2017 at 4:13 pm

      We don’t have a clue what you’re talking about, Justin.

  8. Cynthia Holmes says

    July 30, 2017 at 9:44 pm

    I need puk number

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      July 30, 2017 at 10:22 pm

      Here’s an article that tells you everything you need to know, Cynthia:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/what-is-a-puk-code-and-how-do-you-find-it

  9. Cynthia Sisneros says

    July 27, 2017 at 10:58 am

    Ive been on the program for some time now. I have the basic cellphone, that was given at the beginning of this low income based cellphone for free. Now that times have changed would or wouldn’t i be able to get the Android phone that is given out. I wouldnt call this an upgrade because Its so ancient that this phone is completely out of date and Im unable to use features that is included. WAhat am I able to do to get a newer product from this program? Help

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      July 27, 2017 at 6:52 pm

      Have you contacted customer service? The odds are not good that your current free government cell phone company will upgrade you to a smartphone, but it can’t hurt to ask. Ask to speak to a supervisor and tell them what a good customer you’ve been for a long time. Maybe you’ll find a friendly supervisor who got up on the right side of bed.

      If not, there’s another way to get an upgraded smartphone. Switch service providers. All new customers are supposed to receive smartphones. Here’s an article that tells you exactly how to switch:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/how-do-i-switch-lifeline-providers

      And here’s another article that will tell you all the free government cell phone companies offering service in your state:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states

  10. Rebecca ring says

    July 27, 2017 at 8:48 am

    The phone I got from the government states that I am entitled to 500 MB of Internet. The screen is only 1 inch. I am not able to go on the Internet and I only get 500 minutes a month when I got another notification once again that I am entitled to more megabytes.

  11. Sharon says

    June 22, 2017 at 3:32 pm

    I have been trying to switch carriers from assurance to safelink. I was told from safelink I couldn’t because I already had a carrier, assurance. I explained I didn’t want assurance anymore I wanted safelink, but we kept going back and forth and they basically told me to cancel assurance then apply to safelink. It is time to recertify for assurance, should I not recertify with assurance, let them cut me off and then apply to safelink? I used to have safelink, and I like them better.

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      June 22, 2017 at 9:38 pm

      Either way will work, Sharon.

    • jan says

      August 7, 2018 at 2:19 pm

      yes you have to cancel before they will switch, i han the benefit on my land phone and had to cancel before getting safe link. as we have a p.p. box system in our town it was an act of congress to get a phone. sent me a flip phone, had it for years finally went out, they said ill be getting another dinosaur to replace. cant do anything with it but call, oh well use it on the road anyway. never use my 500 minutes . have to buy your own compatible phone then buy a sims from them for 99 cents. my next plan after i find one i want worth the money. nothing for nothing even free is a job to get ha!

  12. SHANNONlYNCH says

    June 18, 2017 at 11:46 am

    I found finally found the # on back of sim card it’s 12 digits underlined. But it says I am 8 digits short?

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      June 18, 2017 at 3:34 pm

      Contact your service provider’s customer service team.

  13. Ruthie HUGGINS says

    January 9, 2017 at 6:14 pm

    I have a safe link account put on a tracfone but there a Samsung account I’d lock on it so i call safe link who told me to call tracfone to have them to unlock it they told after talking to 10diffrent people that the only way they would unlock it is if I change to net 10 or straight talk so now I’m without a phone and can’t afford to by another one but they don’t care what can I do

    • Ruthie HUGGINS says

      January 9, 2017 at 6:21 pm

      Please help me im so upset

  14. Vlar says

    November 21, 2016 at 8:17 pm

    I have a question rather than a comment:

    Can I use my iPhone 5C and still get Safelink benefits? No Apple phones show up on the page where one can see if their phones are compatible, so I’m guessing not.
    That said, if I could buy a phone that would take the Alcatel sim card, can I still transfer all my phones content? Including my apps?
    Thanks!

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      November 22, 2016 at 2:56 am

      We think your analysis of the Safelink phone situation is accurate. However, you should contact Safelink’s customer service or tech support team by phone or online to get a truly accurate answer.

  15. Roger Ross says

    October 12, 2016 at 9:46 am

    I have a Safelink phone that is nearly three years old. It finally broke and is unusable. I had asked for a replacement seeing that I’ve never ever had needed to do that, and was informed that they were unable to because of a law or rule and I have to purchase a replacement. I informed them that I was unable to and was told “I’m sorry to hear that” I’m also on social security. I went out and found one and so far I’ve been 24 hours into getting things transferred from the old to the new, but in their system its been done and it’s not on my end. I’ve been trying to call customer service but all I get is the automated voice saying “wait 15 minutes,ale a call and if you’re still having troubles call back.” I have been every 15 minutes calling back since I can’t make a test call since they wiped all my minutes away. Sadly I also had lost the capability to get voicemail so I’m missing out on extremely important doctors calls and such. What can I do on my end??

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      October 12, 2016 at 1:45 pm

      What customer service number are you calling, Roger? Have you tried calling 6-1-1?

      • Roger Ross says

        October 12, 2016 at 3:04 pm

        I have been calling the Safelink helpline which is 1-800-378-1684, which I called again and its still telling me that my transaction is being processed and if I cant make a call after 15 minutes to call them back

        • Roger Ross says

          October 12, 2016 at 3:05 pm

          and I cant call 611 because of me being out of minutes that havent been replenished back

          • Free Government Cell Phones says

            October 12, 2016 at 3:10 pm

            You’re out of options, Roger. There’s not really much more you can do. Well, there is one option. You can switch service providers and that will get you a new cell phone.

  16. Ronnie says

    October 5, 2016 at 4:15 pm

    I have a galaxy s3 govt phone that I no longer use. It was thru terracom. Can it be unlocked and used for a prepay service such as vorizon or straight talk? It says sprint on back of the phone.

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      October 5, 2016 at 4:55 pm

      The only way to get a definite answer is to contact Verizon or Straight Talk customer service. Not all cell phones are compatible with all networks, and we do not want to steer you wrong.

  17. John says

    September 6, 2016 at 8:35 pm

    I have a SafeLink account. I have been trying to use a cell phone as a tracking device for an elderly family member with Alzheimer’s disease. Only smartphones with Apple or Android operating systems can locate the phone on a Google map. Through Internet research I was not able to determine which android phones work on Safelink. There are some outdated lists that pretty much only lists older non-apple; and non-Andriod phones, manufactured by Tracfone, as SafeLink compatible. After some research on I bought an LGL34C Optimus Fuel, online (no contract) from Walmart ($10) on a hunch it was developed from compatible phones.. In speaking to a Safelink representative I was told that it was the right maker (Tracfone), and right model, (LGL34C), but the wrong brand name. She said the brand name had to be Tracfone as well as the manufacturer. The brand name of this phone is Total Wireless, but it should not matter as TracFone, Total Wireless, and Safelink are all lesser companies under a large Mexican parent corporation. I believe I have the right phone and it is unlocked. I think the representatives are systematically given mis-information so that TracFone can continue to challenge the FCC mandate. So where does this leave me?
    I did come across an interesting finding however. I gave the new unactivated phone to my teenage daughter, and she started to set it up like a tablet. When she was younger she did amazing things with an IPOD, such as free wifi calling in exchange for listening to advertisements, and ICloud locator. . Anyway she this time she took the unactivated phone and installed an app to “find my droid’ on the home computer, and registered the unactivated phone as the Google droid device. She switched on a “locator” function in the unactivated phone. She made the ring tone a classic phone bell.The surprise came when she asked the “find my droid” app to find the unactivated phone. It located the phone as being at our building lot on a google map, and she could also make the phone ring to locate it, all without having a telephone service provider. We still have some testing to do to determine if the GPS will be reliable at other locations. I think the tracker might work as it is. We will try to simplify the phone to a one button app to call home, suitable for Alzheimer’s. If necessary we may need to get a different cheap service provider such as Consumer Cellular with an AARP discount. The tracking system can be bundled into a less expensive family plan.

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      September 7, 2016 at 5:17 am

      Interesting project, John. One thing you should be aware of is that Q Link is now offering smartphones to all its new customers. So if you were to switch providers and go with Q Link, you might solve your problem. We’ll leave it up to you to follow up on that thought. Here are two articles you should read.

      The first one is about how to switch service providers:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/how-do-i-switch-lifeline-providers

      And the second one is about the smartphone/upgrade policies of all the major free government cell phone service providers:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/which-lifeline-cell-phone-companies-offer-smartphones

      Good luck. Please keep us updated on your progress.

  18. Rolando says

    August 17, 2016 at 4:24 am

    I lost my phone. I want to disconnect my service

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      August 17, 2016 at 7:21 am

      You need to contact your service provider directly, Rolando. And if you want a replacement for that lost phone, here’s an article that tells you how to get one:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/i-lost-my-phone-how-do-i-get-a-replacement

  19. Maria Garcia says

    August 8, 2016 at 9:53 am

    I locked my phone slot my number is 619500****

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      August 8, 2016 at 10:16 am

      Here’s an article that tells you about PUK codes and unlocking your phone:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/what-is-a-puk-code-and-how-do-you-find-it

  20. Oiziv says

    July 19, 2016 at 12:30 pm

    About two weeks ago I got an email from safelink saying to check if my phone is able to upgrade or unlock mine wasn’t so they said they send a new phone in 6 days. I received an unlocked sim card not a new phone and was told that to switch my service to the new sim I had to have the new phones ie number and I stated I thought this was an unlocked sim that I could have it activated and they move it from whatever phone I wanted. I was told thank you for giving us that information but that I could get a new phone and activate it with the sim but it will only then work for that phone only, well to me then that’s not an unlocked sim card. I’ve seen people with unlocked sims that change their phones all the time just pop the card in the back and go. Shouldn’t an unlocked sim be just that unlocked not just tethered to another phone.

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      July 19, 2016 at 12:33 pm

      We are experts on the free government cell phone program, not on cell phone technology, but it sounds as if that violates the Federal Communications Commission edict that Safelink has agreed to abide by. If you wish to file an official complaint with the Federal Communications Commission, here’s an article that tells you how to do it:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/file-lifeline-service-complaint

      You should also file a complaint with your state public utility commission.

  21. Aleksandr Kaplan says

    July 15, 2016 at 4:08 am

    Is it possible to use unlocked I-phone 5 with your sim-card? if yes – can I asked for new small size card?

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      July 15, 2016 at 4:14 am

      It depends on the Lifeline service provider and its network, Aleksandr. Not all phones are compatible with all networks. That’s why we urge you to speak to your service provider’s customer service team before attempting to switch SIM cards.

  22. Mary says

    July 15, 2016 at 1:03 am

    I have a Lifeline phone through SafeLink. I have a very difficult time texting with the phone that they have provided due to being disabled. I’ve tried to get a phone with a slide out keyboard from them but they won’t provide it. I have tried to get them to let me use my old phone with the slide out keyboard but they won’t give me the network code for the SIM. They keep telling me to buy a phone from them, which I cannot afford because I am on SSDI.
    With this new enforcement of the FCC rules, will SafeLink now be required to give me the information to use their SIM in my old phone??

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      July 15, 2016 at 4:18 am

      It’s possible that your current phone is not compatible with the Safelink network. But if it is compatible, Safelink should give you the information you need.

  23. Jane Anderson says

    June 25, 2016 at 1:13 pm

    I had a nice samsung slide phone which I liked very much. However, I got an Email message stating that it would not work after Dec.31,2016 and they offered me a reconditioned Lg Sunset for free. I am very discouraged with the refurbished one for I can’t find out how many minutes transferred to my new phone. They tell me mine won’t work. What a mess!!!!!!

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      June 25, 2016 at 1:20 pm

      You don’t say which Lifeline company you’re with, Jane, but virtually every company will allow you to upgrade your phone for a relatively small charge. Here’s an article that tells you all about it:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/which-lifeline-cell-phone-companies-offer-smartphones

  24. Paul Ilmer says

    May 16, 2016 at 8:40 am

    All very interesting, but do other Lifeline phone service providers have to make unlocked phones available as well. If so, what does a consumer do to facilitate. If not, why just TracFone affiliates?

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      May 16, 2016 at 8:44 am

      We’re preparing an article on that very subject right now, Paul. The quick summary: All cell phone companies must offer unlocked phones, but there are some minor differences in each of them. Watch for the article.

  25. Thomas Darby says

    May 15, 2016 at 5:33 pm

    I didn’t have the problem TracFone users have had with unlocking; when I got certified for Lifeline through TAG Mobile several months ago, the SIM card worked perfectly in my Android Smart Phone (Kyocera). The service uses T-Mobile, which has good coverage in my area. However, one minor issue that I have is that I can’t get rid of the original service provider’s apps or start-up screen (MetroPCS). I wish there was a way to get rid of this stuff!

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      May 15, 2016 at 5:43 pm

      A couple suggestions, Thomas:
      – Try visiting a cell phone store that sells your brand of phone and ask to speak to the guy who knows most about apps.
      – Call tech support at TAG.

Previous Post: Which free government cell phones offer special devices for the hearing, vision and speech-impaired?
Next Post: What is a PUK code? And how do you find it?

Just tell me how to get a Phone!

Confused? Getting a phone is actually very simple. Click here to begin, read every word, and then simply follow the instructions.

Sign up for our Free Newsletter

Click to learn more...

Search this site

More Information

  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Readers' Questions
  • Help
  • Contact
  • About Us

Recent Articles

Q Link busted again: FCC proposes $62,000,000 fine for ACP “fraud”

Horrifying: California giving food stamps to undocumented migrants, taking free government cell phones away from citizens and legal residents

11 things you need to know about the new Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)

Q Link Wireless raided by FBI, IRS, US Post Office, Sheriffs

Limited time only: Free unlimited talk, unlimited text AND unlimited data

Q Link F ups continue: Company makes it easy to access private customer info

Were our readers right? Are free government cell phones hacked before they’re activated?

Crisis in free government cell phone program: Will new demands kill off service providers?

WTF? Assist Wireless screws up, exposes tens of thousands of customer IDs

Number of free government cell phone customers drops by two million in last three years

Latest Reader Comments

  • Free Government Cell Phones on Assurance Wireless Free Cell Phones: “Thousands of people visit this website every single day, Dolores. Unfortunately, we do not have the manpower (or woman power)…” Jan 3, 15:33
  • Kathy Ivey on Safelink Wireless Free Cell Phones: “I am just thankful for the service and the government place this program however I have had data stolen was…” Jan 2, 15:25
  • I am so frustrated with not having a phone please look into this . You cannot email me or text me I have no phone on Assurance Wireless Free Cell Phones: “I have been an assurance wireless customer for many many years recently actually 15 days ago my cell phone died…” Jan 1, 05:26
  • Free Government Cell Phones on 11 things you need to know about the new Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP): “That article was never intended to the the be-all and end-all of Lifeline, Melissa. Try clicking around the rest of…” Dec 29, 16:25
  • Melissa Vertrees on 11 things you need to know about the new Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP): “This was no help in me getting a phone!” Dec 25, 21:53
  • Free Government Cell Phones on 11 things you need to know about the new Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP): “We assume you’re going to need to help him with the application. Correct? Which provider and plan to choose? You…” Dec 15, 14:03
  • Free Government Cell Phones on How to file a Lifeline Service Complaint: “All that information is in the article on this page.” Dec 15, 14:02
  • Free Government Cell Phones on 11 things you need to know about the new Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP): “You need to select a service provider in your state and then contact that provider to enroll. Which provider and…” Dec 15, 14:02
  • Free Government Cell Phones on Safelink Wireless Free Cell Phones: “We are not Safelink, Leroy. This is an independent informational website and we do not provide phones. You need to…” Dec 15, 14:01
  • Free Government Cell Phones on TruConnect free phones, minutes and texts in California and Texas: “We can tell you everything you need to know, Lawrence. Which provider and plan to choose? You can find all…” Dec 15, 14:01
Copyright 2022 FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net. | Privacy Policy | Contact