One of the main complaints about Lifeline, the free government cell phone program, has been that customers’ existing cell phones were incompatible with the program. That’s no longer a problem for some because FreedomPop is shaking up the entire cell phone business.
FreedomPop bills itself as “America’s first free mobile service company” and its latest innovation allows customers to use their existing Sprint cell phones as part of the FreedomPop plan.
They call it the “Bring Your Own Phone” plan and it allows customers to switch their service over to FreedomPop. How? Well, it’s simpler than it sounds. A lot simpler, in fact. All you do to make the switch is go to FreedomPop.com/phoneactivate and activate your phone on the FreedomPop network. Voila! Your phone will begin working on FreedomPop’s nationwide 3G and 4G network. And you’ll get free voice, free text and 500 MBs of free data every month.
What you get from FreedomPop
Let’s take a little closer look at what you get for free from FreedomPop. The company’s basic plan gives you 200 voice minutes each month, 500 texts each month and 500MB of 4G data with 3G roaming every month. To repeat, it’s all free for as long as you want to keep your account.
It’s estimated that the average customer may save more than $1,000 per year over competing wireless plans with the FreedomPop program. What’s more, it’s estimated that heavy internet users can save 80-90% when compared to similar plans.
“At a time when carriers are squeezing voice and text revenues from consumers, we are liberating them with absolutely free voice, text and data connectivity,” said FreedomPop CEO Stephen Stokols.
Other FreedomPop services aren’t completely free
If your phone is not supported in your area, FreedomPop will ask if you wish to look at their other phone plans. Should you decide to try a FreedomPop program other than the “Bring Your Own Phone” plan, let us remind you that FreedomPop is not completely free. Unlike Lifeline, the free government cell phone program, which offers consumers cell phones absolutely free of charge, FreedomPop charges for its phones. And that may be the biggest difference between the programs. The free Lifeline phones are generally refurbished recent models, but FreedomPop offers a new Android smartphone for $99.
As we say in every article about FreedomPop, the program isn’t right for everyone. But if you can afford the cost of the company’s $99 smartphone, everything else is free.
If you don’t qualify for a free government cell phone or if you’d like to upgrade to a newer, smarter phone, FreedomPop may be exactly what you’re looking for. And if you have an old Sprint phone laying around, then the “Bring Your Own Phone” plan can be a Godsend for you.
Georgia Lawless says
I have a LG phone and only wish to transfer from ATandT service to yours. I use it very little- what would the monthly charge be?
Free Government Cell Phones says
It’s not “our” service, Georgia. This is an independent informational website. You need to speak to customer service at either of the companies you mentioned.
Marcus Robinson says
I am a Safeelink customer I am almost done my yesrly commitment with safelink I want to upgrade my phone to a much larger phone and I want to know does Safelink offer any phones that are larger than what I have now.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Check the Safelink website, Marcus. They offer an array of different cell phones.
Ron says
Hey can my [insert random phone model] be used on YOUR free network?
Lol j/k, thanks for compiling this info. It will come in handy for the low income disability populace I work with daily.
You guys rock for keeping this site going for all these years!
Free Government Cell Phones says
Our pleasure, Ron. Thanks for the kind words.
Dennis Woodcock says
Where can I get my free phone repaired.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Impossible for us to answer, Dennis, because we don’t know where you live. Try Googling your phone’s make and model number, the word “repair,” and your zip code.
Debra Mitchell says
Please call me 713 935 ****. question about using my own cell phone
Free Government Cell Phones says
We are not your service provider, Debra, so we cannot answer questions about your service.
Roxanne says
Can I get my straight talk phone unlocked to be used with my government sims card
Free Government Cell Phones says
Speak to your service provider’s customer service team, Roxanne.
Donna Faith Boyd says
Why couldn’t you use any unlocked phone with this service? Why does it have to be Sprint?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Not all cell phones are compatible with all cell networks, Donna.
Wendy Addison says
Hello I have a Vortex phone I would like to transfer my Qlink wireless over to could u help me do that or is that possible for me to do I lost my Qlink wireless phone I had
Thanks
Free Government Cell Phones says
Different cell phones use different cell networks, Wendy. So we would advise that you discuss this with Q Link customer service to figure out if your specific make and model of phone will work with that company’s network.
Jeff kochensparger says
I’m very interested in this phone service.but my phone is a pre pay Verizon phone.will any of your free or cheep plans work.iam on a fixed income and can’t afford to pay $40.00 a month. thank you.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Make sure you sign up with FreedomPop, make sure you check out all the free government cell phone plans available in your state, Jeff. You can see them all here:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
Susan cook says
Do you take at&t byop program with gsm and what is your service plan for low income
Free Government Cell Phones says
Wow. Every single comment made today on every article was written by someone who thinks this website is their Lifeline service provider. C’mon, folks, we’ve said it ten thousand times — this is an independent informational website NOT affiliated with any of the free government cell phone companies.
kathy says
my main question is do I have to switch my land line discount from lifeline to freedompop? also this account would be so my daughter could have a working phone with her at all times,a teen.she has an old aios or now called cricket. Im pretty sure it is an android. could she bring that phone? she wants to keep her #. she hasnt been using it because I cant afford it. It has a badly cracked face, so maybe I could get the $ for your android. But would like to know if I must loose the discount on my home land line? let me know if her phone would work too? also I would like to know how the phone & data coverage is in glendale/burbank CA?
Free Government Cell Phones says
No, you cannot switch your landline discount to FreedomPop. FreedomPop is an independent company that has no connection to the Lifeline Assistance free government cell phone industry.
AMANDS M Poore says
Hello, I have a Samsung Galaxy 6, currently using g MetroPCS. Will that work
Free Government Cell Phones says
Different cell phones are incompatible with some cell networks. The only way to find out for sure is to call customer service.
ken says
can I use my i6 phone with your free network?
Free Government Cell Phones says
We don’t have a free network, Ken, because this is an independent website, not a free government cell phone company. Contact the company directly using the contact info we provided in the above article.
anne boisvert says
i changed cell phones in late Oct,2016 and have not recieved any mins. since. can i have my goverment min.
Free Government Cell Phones says
You can’t get those “government” minutes from us, Anne, because we are not your Lifeline free government cell phone service provider. We’re an independent website. You’ll need to contact your service provider’s customer service team.
mhatt says
Wow, 30 bucks for a gig of data every month. pretty much a rip off when compared to some other PAID plans!
David Newman says
Please contact me when you have more offers.
Free Government Cell Phones says
We’re not FreedomPop, David. We’re an independent website. You can contact FreedomPop directly or you can sign up for our free email newsletter in the upper right hand corner of this page. It will bring you all the latest free government cell phone news first.
Jerome Stonebridge says
FAKE not really free, they charge 20$ to activate your phone and the service never works!
Free Government Cell Phones says
Check out the choice of free government cell phone companies in your state, Jerome. They are free, free, and free.
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
Johnny King says
I have recently retired and am bringing my phone number and phone with me. I need an unlimited plan. Any help will be appreciated.
Free Government Cell Phones says
You left your comment on a FreedomPop article, Johnny. But we get the sense that you’re asking about a Lifeline Assistance free government cell phone account. Are you? If so, you should click on the “States” link at the top of the page to see which plans are offered in your state. If you qualify, all of those plans are better than FreedomPop’s.
Rev. Rich White says
FreedomPop is’nt Free AT ALL! I bought a Hot Spot from them about a year ago. It rarely worked. Never worked at my house unless you went out side it was slower than Dial-Up internet.
Support? If you like the worst Support service in the History of support then you will wait a minimum of 90 minutes on hold and, then you will be disconnected and, may try again
You can cancel the service you never had but it will take 6 months for them to stop billing you.
It was NEVER FREE THERE WAS NOTHING FREE ABOUT FREEDOMPOP! They are a Joke!
Free Government Cell Phones says
Sorry to hear about your poor experience, Reverend. But we know our readers appreciate your input.
Robin James says
Are there any phones that are available in Montana?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Montana is one of the very few states that does not offer the free government cell phone program except in very limited cases (mostly on Native American lands). However, other private plans such as FreedomPop do offer service. It’s not free, but it’s a very good alternative.
Kerrie says
Is there a program for Verizon galexy s5
Free Government Cell Phones says
Impossible to answer that questions, Kerrie. The various free government cell phone companies buy the cell phones in bulk and hand them out randomly to new customers. The only way to get the correct answer to your question requires you to contact all the companies in your state. You can find them by clicking on the “States link at the top of this page. Then scroll down and click on your state. When you find the list of companies, we’d recommend clicking on each of them to find the plan that best fits your needs.
lisa conrod says
do the iPhone 4 qualify for use as replacement of freedom phone. asoociated with American assistance
Free Government Cell Phones says
That’s such a technical question that there’s only one way to get the correct answer: Speak to both FreedomPop and Asmerican Assistance customer service teams.
Michelle says
I have an IPhone 4. Can I use it for the free government service program?
Free Government Cell Phones says
It depends on which service provider you select. FreedomPop is not part of the free government cell phone program, but they are a reasonably affordable alternative.
jose says
hola ne cecito la direccion de halgun sitio que pueda mandar el equipo por que salio danado
linda nelson says
I have a windows Nokia Lumia 521 and I love this phone but can’t afford to pay a bill
christy jackson says
I have an apple iPhone and I’m on free gov.phone plan with assurance wireless and want to use my iPhone but they don’t allow it what do I do
Rob says
If this is an Obama phone then count me out !
Rob says
Is freedompop a Obama phone?
Grace Pamela Howell says
I have received a sprint Android phone, while also having an assurance, I will like to keep the new android for it is fashionable and full of features, but have not been able to make the change for I cannot get the phone to function as a normal phone, I also forgot my password and found no link or prompts to enable to reset same, I cannot read my account balance or date to receiving minutes, so I am asking for a 30 days trial period before I can make the change, my android is from sprint, so I will like to receive some update and functioning update by email thank you, for assurance will soon want to stop my service therefore I must have this service functional thank you, then my google email was entered as my existing and this also will not open screen continues to read fail connection try again later, and to down load there is not explanation in the manual even my radio, I asked google and was asked to pay a one time $25.00 fee which I will have my associate pay , for I need the little comfort,after 3 and a half years of homelessness and hardship, I am so glad to make a change any way please send me the facts of my new phone before my 30 days is up, was assigned on the 27th August,2015 thank you Miss Pamela Grace Howell aka Miss Grace Pamela Howell for I will need to sign out with the exiting assurance should you service proves better.
Debra Wright says
i am a SafeLink user and my phone is lost, there is no way to talk to a person. I have an android smartphone but powered by Verison, can I use this phone? I am on disability and do need your service
Choua says
Yeah whatever!!!! There’s a charge of $20 the activate the phone!!! Trust me, it aint free!!!!
Erika Hernandez says
Looking to get unlimited plan for my Sprint phone
Al Raines says
How do I sign up for phone service. I also would like to buy a phone.
chase says
Do you know if for freedompop you can not buy one of their phones and instead just activate an old one you had
Shyanna says
Shyanna want a phone
FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net says
Shyanna can have a phone if she or he qualifies for a phone.
Beth Cantu says
Do all Free Gov’t Cell Phones Companies offer basic phones? Is there some that offer the basic smart phone? If there are some Companies that offer the basic smart phone. Please list them for me. Thank You for answering my request.
Rachel says
I got an htc phone with the government assistance free phone, “Obama phone”, program from Q-link wireless in Wa state. It’s a nice newer model smartphone too! Awesome!
Elizabeth says
I have a free Obama Phone. And if I still have one with me. Where can I call to. To get the Free Obama Phone to turn on. Like to get it activated. If it’s the free Obama phones of the Government. That I have with me.
Richard says
Confusing. This article first says that you start with Free Voice, Free Text and 500MB of Data. Then it says the basic plan is 200 voice min., 500 text mgs., and and 500MB Data and does not differentiate between the two as to which is what.
Rich harding says
I am hoping that I could receive more information about if I can use any other phon besides a sprint phone to activate to my free phone government plan. If not than I would like to know if it has to be a sprint (contract phone) or could it be just a sprint prepaid cell phone. But most of all could I buy an android phone from any company (any style) and have it flashed to sprint or the government plan. Thanks
zenaida says
i cant open my sprint i phone 4s, i dont think its possible,
jeremiah says
I have a unactivated Verizon android. Its not old it is about 3 years old. Is there any government plan that will activate it for free?
Debra Wright says
Me too
Ihab Hussein says
How can I get free cellphone obama phone
Free Government Cell Phones says
Start here, pick you state and pick a phone provider:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
Linda Susan Van Horn says
I currently have Sprint service with a Kyocera phone. I’m unemployed and have been searching for a job for 10 months.
How much will it cost monthly for: 500 free minutes, unlimited texting and long distance.
L. Susan Van Horn
Robert Graham says
How do I become a distributor/ employee
Janice hall says
How much will minutes cost if I go over the free limit? I am on my daughters sprint family plan, she is having to down size so I am looking for a servie of my own. I qualify for free cell phone service and have a sprint cell phone, interested in the bring your own phone plan.
Janice hall says
On the bring your own phone plan, how much do the minutes cost over the free 200 minutes?
shana says
how does it work and tell me more infor about it please
Free Government Cell Phones says
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/cheap-cell-phone-plans/freedompop