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.
Justin says
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
We don’t have a clue what you’re talking about, Justin.
Cynthia Holmes says
I need puk number
Free Government Cell Phones says
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
Cynthia Sisneros says
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
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
Rebecca ring says
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.
Sharon says
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
Either way will work, Sharon.
SHANNONlYNCH says
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
Contact your service provider’s customer service team.
Ruthie HUGGINS says
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
Please help me im so upset
Vlar says
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
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.
Roger Ross says
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
What customer service number are you calling, Roger? Have you tried calling 6-1-1?
Roger Ross says
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
and I cant call 611 because of me being out of minutes that havent been replenished back
Free Government Cell Phones says
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.
Ronnie says
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
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.
John says
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
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.
Rolando says
I lost my phone. I want to disconnect my service
Free Government Cell Phones says
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
Maria Garcia says
I locked my phone slot my number is 619500****
Free Government Cell Phones says
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
Oiziv says
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
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.
Aleksandr Kaplan says
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
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.
Mary says
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
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.
Jane Anderson says
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
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
Paul Ilmer says
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
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.
Thomas Darby says
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
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.