Free Government Cell Phones

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

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Life Wireless Reviews and Ratings

Note: We just began this page on March 5, 2014, so it will take some time to get enough reviews to be meaningful.

Average Rating: [starrater tpl=10 style=’starscape’]

Please rate above and contribute your review in the comments below.

Welcome to our Rating and Reviews page for Life Wireless. The star rating above is an overall customer satisfaction average of all those surveyed. Further below you’ll find reviews of the company from real customers. If you have a free government phone from Life Wireless we encourage you to rate the company and leave a review.

Life Wireless is a Lifeline provider of free government cell phones in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas and West Virginia.

Please consider your overall satisfaction with Life Wireless — customer service, delivery, product quality, cell connection quality — and give them a one through five star rating above.

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  1. If you are going to ask "how do I get a cell phone?" go here instead.
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  3. We are not your cell phone company. All technical questions should be asked of your vendor.
  4. Your comments are moderated, and we will manually approve those worth publishing within 24 hours.

Comments

  1. waymond baros says

    April 21, 2023 at 2:13 pm

    I got lifeline wireless service in texas and the phone was scratched when i got it and the service is slow when i watch movies they lag on top of that i was told it was unlimited data but when i seen my plan its 15gb and after thats used it goes to 256. when i do video calls on this c5l max blu phone its horrible. i called CS and it sounded like she was in the bathtub.

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      April 21, 2023 at 3:20 pm

      Two different answers for you, Waymond. First, yes, “unlimited service” usually allows you a certain number of gigs (it differs depending on your service provider) and then they “throttle” you down to a slower speed. This is almost universal among Lifeline service providers. Check your contract. You’ll undoubtedly find that clause somewhere in it.

      Second, if you’re not happy with your service, remember that any Lifeline customer can switch service providers at any time. Here’s an article that tells you how to make the switch from one provider to another:

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

      Which provider and plan to choose? You can find all the providers and plans available in your state here:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states

      Reply
  2. Ashley Swafford says

    November 5, 2022 at 11:15 pm

    This company is garbage. I was promised a new phone 2 months ago, after the inconvenience of unknowingly having my ACP benefit transferred to another company. I still haven’t received it. Even if I had, it probably wouldn’t make a bit of difference since you keep switching me to prepaid. I SIGNED UP FOR ACP FOR A REASON! IF I COULD AFFORD A REAL SERVICE PROVIDER, THEN I WOULDN’T BE GOING THROUGH ALL OF THIS!

    Reply
    • Ashley Swafford says

      November 5, 2022 at 11:18 pm

      P.S. Don’t start with that USAC mess. It was Barton ********** at LifeWireless that said I would receive a new phone. THAT’S not on USAC or anyone else. That’s on YOUR company!

      Reply
      • Free Government Cell Phones says

        November 6, 2022 at 12:48 am

        Just to be clear, Ashley, this is an independent informational website and has absolutely no connection to Life nor any other Lifeline service provider.

        Reply
  3. Christina says

    September 19, 2022 at 8:09 am

    I just applied for this free service and during my phone conversations, I was transferred three times and then it disconnected. I have found the representatives to be very inpatient and they don’t listen to what I am saying. I would rather be without a phone than put up with such horrible service. No one deserves that.
    People sign up for free phone service ( most people like me) because they are experiencing a hardship. When calling a representative because they just found out they will receive a little help to lighten the load in life, the representative is just throwing a wrench in their day when they are rude and inpatient.. eventually disconnected from help. I’m sorry , but I would not say anything unless it was something I could brush off. If I’m treated this way.. or if I had the money and was treated this way by any other phone company, I would go somewhere else for sure. Of course, I have no choice. So why do I have to put up with rude reps? Because I’m poor? Give me a break.honestly, please check yourself at the door before you start answering phones. Get another job if you hate this so much. You can either make someone’s day or break it. You are in peoples ears and wouldn’t it feel nice to know that you just made someone’s day because you are kind, courteous and helpful?
    Have a great day

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      September 19, 2022 at 1:20 pm

      You are correct, Christina. You deserve better treatment.

      Reply
  4. Mike says

    August 17, 2022 at 12:37 am

    Seriously is the future of America run by undocumented immigrants who can understand a simple problem forget this company even supervisor is not qualified to help you

    Reply
    • Henry says

      August 17, 2022 at 2:04 pm

      That is the situation that you are left with. Imagine that back in the 1980s to 1990s, that the “global economy” was not created. Japanese imports in the 1960s were junk. If you kept the manufacturing business and not farm it out to foreign countries, things would be very different now. Note that most locally made plastic goods will cost much higher. But that might be a good thing because consumers will not be able to purchase the large amount of disposable goods which end up in landfills. PCs back in the 1980s cost thousands of dollars (which would be even higher with today’s cost of living expenses). That would make them less available to the general public.

      Nobody wants a low end job (especially those with an education), so those positions are filled by unskilled laborers (same as you see during harvest time at farms). Companies have only themselves to blame for ending up in this situation.

      Reply
  5. Kenneth Richter says

    August 4, 2022 at 6:33 pm

    My wife called August 4 just to ask what sort of phone to buy for your service. She gave all the needed info and Ryan or Brian told her it’s illegal for her to call you I gave her my permission to call he said no. When I asked for a supervisor he hung up. My wife called back he put on hold for 3 minutes just to tell us we need 4g,that was our original question. I did swear at but it was a simple question and he was giving us the run around. Thursday at 4:30. Thank you Ken Richter. Customer service 0

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      August 4, 2022 at 6:45 pm

      For God’s sake, people, how many times do we have to tell you that this is an independent informational website and is NOT affiliated with any Lifeline free government cell phone service provider. You need to contact your service provider’s customer service team directly.

      Reply
  6. Donot get says

    June 14, 2022 at 9:33 am

    Took an hour and a half to get through. My phone wouldn’t get a signal. No service for 3 weeks.
    The phone works, as I’m using it on wifi.
    After going through resetting everything, I was told my replacement phone needs to be replaced.
    The only way to do that? Buy a new phone from them.
    In 2 years, never had a single issue.
    Will not recommend to anyone.
    Beyond lost and now without a phone for my Drs.
    Absolutely ridiculous.
    Unacceptable!

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      June 14, 2022 at 11:18 am

      Sounds like it might be time to switch service providers at any time. Here’s an article that tells you how to make the switch from one provider to another:

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

      You can find all the providers and plans available in your state here:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states

      Reply
  7. Ray crank says

    April 29, 2022 at 6:43 am

    I got a call from lifewireless yesterday said they were going to send my pH back,,,, finally

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      April 29, 2022 at 7:12 am

      Keep us posted, Ray. Let us know if you really get it and if everything works as it should.

      Reply
  8. Ray crank says

    April 23, 2022 at 1:35 am

    I’ll say one thing,, about qlink wireless they fixed a pH for me in 5 minutes over the ph, something lifewireless couldn’t do in a month,

    Reply
  9. Ray crank says

    April 17, 2022 at 8:48 am

    I had to buy a pH a few months later I had problems so I called l/w they tried to help fix it over the ph, the guy said I have no idea what it is, I should have been given a rma at that time, this was three weeks before I sent it to lifewireless.in Covington Georgia,, it was there quite a while, so I called they said it never got there, ups tracking shows it at the door step. I was told something different every time I called, one guy said you should not have sent the ph here. I guess he was right, I paid for this pH out of my pocket, they may get away with keeping the ph which doesn’t surprise me the Way things go, but I did cancel my account with them and would (NOT) recommend them nor would I send them nothing. They have a tech team that could have looked at it, then sent it back, to do anybody that way is wrong and should be accountable for my pH, I have heart problems, a stent ,and medication my wife has dementia a lot of stress this has caused for weeks. (STILL NO PH) OR ANSWERS

    Reply
  10. James says

    March 23, 2022 at 2:09 pm

    got a sim card from them. activated it online following the instructions. they gave me a new phone number. turned on my phone. no service. couldn’t troubleshoot the problem online because to do that you have to sign in, to sign in you must register with your new phone number, which they send a verfiy text code to that number… which doesn’t work so you can’t get the number.

    called customer service not once, not twice, but 3 times. on hold for 2 hours each time. same guy answers every time telling me they only have 1 representative… from India no less. My phone is a compatible GSM factory unlocked phone and the IMEI said it works with their service. I had them change the IMEI on file but soon as I get to the point that everything should work, they hang up on me and make me wait on hold again. They then informed me that the sim card they sent me was used and non functional and would have to send me a replacement with a new number and that I would have to pay for it this time.

    They also said that I would be charged for the customer service call since it wasn’t made using my account phone number. which is why they kept hanging up on me and making me wait 2 hours on hold each time for a total of 6 hours. they are a total scam milking both the government and their customers for every penny they can.

    Reply
  11. George simpkins says

    March 4, 2022 at 2:28 pm

    I guess I should have researched more into this company…can’t get ahold of customer service to find out where my phone is , when I do ,I get asked for my phone number(I don’t have my phone yet how can I have a number) when I ask for an address correction I get told they can’t do it I have to call fed ex (call fed ex and they tell you sender has to call…(if ya don’t believe me call fed ex and ask them they will tell you “Sender has to call to request a delivery address change”) customer service tells me they have to “look into it , we’ll call back in an hour” that was 4 hours ago…not a very good experiance so far for a first time not even activated yet customer.

    Reply
    • George Simpkins says

      March 4, 2022 at 3:38 pm

      Edit/update…because of the customer service I received today , when or if the phone shows up it’ll be “RTS”. Played transfer pingpong between same 2 departments being told “I can’t access that information” when in fact at least 1 person (out of 6 I talked to) did…sorry guys , but being a veteran one of the things ya learn is “first impression is a lasting impression”…well…first impression isn’t impressive.

      Reply
  12. gailene walker says

    October 1, 2021 at 5:05 am

    i had assurance but no one could hear me on the phone so i switched to life wireless and again no one could hear me on the phone i have had to use just text and making calls on my google voice on my Chromebook. the other day i came across a you tube video that said turn off google data. i turned it off and now the phone works great. everyone can hear me. its been 3 years and finally a fix. i would rather have a phone that works then the internet on a phone. i can always turn data back on if i need to use my mcdonald app.

    Reply
  13. Philip Boepple says

    October 27, 2020 at 5:40 pm

    RECERTIFYING NIGHTMARE!!! The service itself was actually pretty good indeed. But when that time of the year came around! Oh boy! Here we go again. Each year, they made it harder and harder to get recertified! I sent in the recertification by mail after the lady on the phone told me “YOU ONLY NEED THE PHOTO COPY OF THE CARDS AND NOT THE DOCUMENTATION”! So I sent the photocopies. No recert! I called in. They said “you didn’t send any verification of your food stamps or medicaid”. So now I had to do it again. They said they “could not send another paper form that year”! “Oh but you can FAX it if you don’t have a computer. (Their site could not be accessed even on the library computers at that time)! So I spent nine dollars FAXing in ALL the information. “Oh we never got it”!! I had verification that I sent it to their office. “It must have gotten lost”. I finally managed to get onto their site at the library after trying so many times using the very same input. I sent the photocopies and stuff. Then they needed something else which they forgot to tell me before. So I sent that on their site. It was five weeks later. I saw how clear the photo was on the SCREEN BEFORE I sent it. FINALLY, well, she said that “they could not read my name”!! (It was clear as daylight). “Could not read your name and some of the numbers BUT we will let this go though this time since you had so much trouble”. The following year, I logged on to their site and it read “TOO EARLY TO RECERTIFY” and the date read November 11’th while it was DECEMBER 12’th! Governor Greitens may or may not give a darn, but he became aware of it. But now it is time to let governor Parsons know about it. The trauma I was put through was COLOSSAL ! ! I have never encountered that level of INCOMPETENCE in all my life anywhere! This is unprecedented ! ! Those jokers should not be getting government resources for CLOWNING AROUND like that ! !

    Reply
  14. William says

    September 27, 2020 at 6:49 pm

    I have Coronavirus on my penis and need a new phone…

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      September 28, 2020 at 3:54 am

      Sorry to hear about your head cold.

      (The last thing we want to do is censor our readers’ comments, but we’re running this one just to show you the kind of crap we receive day in and day out. It takes the patience of a saint to moderate the comments and maybe you’ll remember this one next time we go off on a reader.)

      Reply
    • Philip Boepple says

      October 27, 2020 at 5:45 pm

      Could a new phone help in any way that an old phone could not ? Does your penis have a sore throat and a dry cough ? Darn it, you SHOULD HAVE WORN A MASK ON THE THING ! I hope that thing aint contagious now. . . . . . . . . (-: LOL

      Reply
      • Free Government Cell Phones says

        October 27, 2020 at 6:46 pm

        Amen.

        Reply
    • Billy Fincher says

      August 26, 2021 at 4:06 pm

      shame on you for saying that word

      Reply
    • Billy Fincher says

      August 26, 2021 at 4:26 pm

      SHAME SHAME ON YOU

      Reply
  15. Tola D says

    June 6, 2020 at 4:34 pm

    Life Wireless gives you phones that do not function properly. I’ve been with them for a good while. The phone goes off by itself, you don’t get your text msgs sometimes, can’t even type your msgs most times, and sound is terrible when you make or receive calls. As for data, this company is very good at exploiting unsuspecting customers. When you purchase data, it goes down drastically even when you don’t use it. The most shameful of their acts is that, I’ve been at the hotel for about week. Wifi is available at the hotel, and I didn’t have to use my data with Life Wireless. I didn’t use it for a week, but when I checked it a few hours, my data was gone. I had 144mb yesterday, but I’m now left with less than 15mb, and I didn’t even use it at all. Before then, I was shelling out money to buy 500mb data every so often, because it goes so fast, even when you hardly use it.

    I will not recommend Life Wireless to anyone. Go with another company if you can!!!

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      June 6, 2020 at 9:14 pm

      Why are you still with them, Tola? Why don’t you move to a different service provider?

      Reply
  16. Valerie says

    February 18, 2020 at 12:23 pm

    I have been using Life Wireless for about 6 months now. I like the service, I live in Ohio and get more than I thought I would need. My main issue (until a few days ago) was with getting texts from other people for somebody else (ie Uber pickup, food delivery, school closures). I’m not sure how to stop these but block the number/person it’s coming from. That happens very seldom though and they are always for the same person, so I assume the person just didn’t change their number within those websites needed.

    My main issue now, which I noticed a few days ago, is that I can not send MMS messages. My plan includes unlimited MMS. I’ve called a few times with no reply, messaged them and got a reply about SMS (which is working fine). So, I called again today and was on hold for 20 minutes (exactly) before a rep from NJ picked up. I explained the issue. She told me that because I am using my own phone (and not the one they provided) that MMS is one of the features that won’t work – even if included with my plan. I’m not sure if Life Wireless using AT&T or T-Mobile and I see both depending on the comment. Does anybody have APN settings for them? It’s crazy to me that everything except MMS works fine. It would help if I knew which provider they used to look it up myself, if needed though.

    Thanks in advance.

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      February 18, 2020 at 2:34 pm

      Here’s an article that should provide the info you need. You can also call 6-1-1 to speak to customer service. Seems like a simple question they should be able to answer easily.

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/cdma-gsm-lte-phone-compatible-with-my-free-phone-network

      Reply
    • Al says

      March 5, 2020 at 2:56 am

      MMS setup is challenging. The APN is:
      pwg
      …which will help you search a list of pwg MMS parameters on the web, like I did when I moved my LW SIM to an aging Samsung Galaxy 3 Neo.

      It worked, but to be sure, I also asked LW’s CS to email the correct parameters – which looked nearly identical.

      After some months had passed, LW sent a “Configuration Message” (which is not a standard SMS), that set up pwg data and pwg MMS in a different triple-line format, with the same parameters. Possibly that was a new program to make everyone’s LW MMS standardized?

      It’s at least possible that MMS must be set up manually before the LW computer will send the exacting configuration message. If that’s true, why did it take months to arrive?

      Reply
      • Free Government Cell Phones says

        March 5, 2020 at 6:11 am

        We can’t explain how some of the Lifeline companies operate, Al.

        Reply
  17. Laureen S says

    December 17, 2019 at 11:44 am

    Life Wireless was deducting minutes off my account for almost a month while my sim card was removed from my phone. It was all meticulously well documented. The phone was crushed and inoperable. There were multiple minute deductions for single calls that I did not receive or initiate. Until today this company never even offered me a courtesy block of minutes to compensate. They don’t even give their employees the freedom to do so like other providers and carriers do. When they can’t give you an answer they always fall back on this HACKING hysteria or tell me that the calls are computer generated. My question is who’s computers? Who benefits from this the most? Corporations are some of the most seasoned hackers out there

    Reply
  18. RICHARD SUSSMAN says

    November 5, 2019 at 7:14 am

    Safelink does not honor its own phone replacement policy, even when they agree the customer is eligible for a replacement, they will not provide a replacement for lost or stolen phones!

    Reply
  19. Lea Dalle says

    September 5, 2019 at 12:43 pm

    There is No Government Free Cellular Service for those who qualify. I was just on a phone
    call with a Govt. Employee who could NOT HELP ME AT ALL! When I was filling out the Life Line Application…when it got to page 4…it would no longer allow me to fill in the blanks with my initials. I checked my application over several times and did not find any errors. I told her that at that point in time, I understood this was All BOGUS. These Employees have No Answers. She told me that I could go around the street corners to find someone selling Cellular Service? What a Horrible Remark to make to someone who is poor but…not dead as I hear people are frauding this kind of service with dead person’s social security #s. No wonder this is Fraud and there is NO Real Service for those on Medicaid and Snap.. How AWFUL to waste 3 of my hours never being allowed to fill out the application On-line as an honest person who just needs a cell phone for Emergencies.

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      September 6, 2019 at 5:36 pm

      Sorry to hear about your problems, Lea, but you are 100% wrong. This is a real program and it is currently helping millions of low-income people across America.

      Reply
  20. Peter Lipman says

    August 5, 2019 at 2:53 pm

    Will not answer phone when on hold for 30 minutes. When I e mailed them
    .says can not correspond with people in my area.I had their phone for 4 years.. now they will not answer.

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      August 5, 2019 at 5:18 pm

      Very odd.

      Reply
    • Danielle says

      November 2, 2019 at 10:05 am

      Having the same issue today

      Reply
  21. Kat Gleason says

    July 29, 2019 at 2:44 pm

    I signed up for Life Wireless here in California a week ago. I got a phone (terrible speaker compared to my motorola) and was told to call customer service to port my number. I have called 611 several times a day for five days and I have never reached a representative. I went back to the kiosk rep but he was told to call 611 as well . I tried emailing but only received a response telling me i couldn’t use email to process a port/SIM card request. Life wireless is back east and their EST hours are 9 – 6 which means 6 am to 3pm here in California. SoI set my alarm and got up to call them at six and they still didn’t answer the phone “…high call volume…continue to hold next available representative”. I’ve had phones with entouch and assurance (which has better customer service) and my friend is with tru connect and those companies answer their phones during business hours. NOT LifewireLESS. Emphasis on “LESS” is intentional. This seems like a violation of FCC laws about porting. Clearly life wireless has pushed in to a market they are unprepared to serve. Probably the CPUC would be interested. But meanwhile I have three days to port my number while my service with cricket is still active. . I will have to call the California Lifeline Service Administrator and request a benefit transfer. Any suggestions on a responsible lifeline company ? — K.G.

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      July 29, 2019 at 4:47 pm

      We avoid recommending one company over others, but you can look through each provider’s page to see readers comments. That might help you see which one has the best comments.

      Reply
  22. Chris says

    May 24, 2019 at 1:28 pm

    Free phone needs minor update to SD card, but 32G is only about $7.50 now, the max the phone will handle. I’ve switched to LW from another company and they provide more data and phone time, and better support. I’m not able to talk to any support team over the phone, but through email they respond and have saved me twice from when I thought I’d have to buy a new phone. I really recommend them, I doubt anyone else is better.

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      May 24, 2019 at 4:29 pm

      It’s good to hear about your experiences because we hear so many horror stories about our readers’ experiences with customer service.

      Reply
  23. Jacob Smith says

    May 20, 2019 at 6:10 pm

    Worst customer service ever, has their own jaded recertification, which I can’t get to because I’m a California resident, and it’s based on Georgia. Claims it’s phones are locked to itself and makes you have a fear you won’t be able transfer to another phone company, have I already said that the customer service sucks? Let me see, they had no idea how to give me my recertification pin, when California lifeline says they can do so, so I switched to truconnect for the fact that Lifewiress felt like they wanted to start gouging me for money

    Reply
  24. anthony says

    April 23, 2019 at 7:56 pm

    GREAT SERVICE, been with 3 other providers, by far the best one i’ve been with. Thank you Life
    Wireless!! Would highly recommend

    Reply
  25. Stephanie Ebel says

    March 7, 2019 at 7:33 am

    This company is bullcrap. I applied and sent in all the personal info they wanted and only after they received my personal information did they tell me they don’t have coverage in my location. What a scam. Please check to see if you can provide service BEFORE you get personal info.

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      March 7, 2019 at 11:02 am

      They didn’t take any money from you nor enroll you, so we think the word “scam” is far too harsh for this incident, Stephanie. Maybe “unorganized” or “inefficient” would work, but not “scam.”

      Reply
      • Ben says

        October 5, 2020 at 4:42 pm

        Give me your personal information, Free Government Cell Phones. Don’t worry. It’s not a scam.

        Reply
        • Free Government Cell Phones says

          October 6, 2020 at 5:46 pm

          We’ll get right back to you on that, Ben.

          Reply
      • Ray crank says

        April 13, 2022 at 12:46 pm

        It tsure would not recommend them,, I sent my pH there for repair,, they kept it and won’t send it to me,,, I guess cause I paid $202. oo for,,, or lost that much, I canceld my account

        Reply
  26. Jane S. says

    December 10, 2018 at 2:09 pm

    Browsing the internet should use about 25mb per hour, I browsed the internet for an hour then checked my phones Data Usage and it showed 68mb had been used. There is nothing wrong with my phone (my unlocked smartphone with Life Wireless Sim),no malware,etc..Another time I went online for 4mins to check something quickly and then checked the Data Usage and it showed I used 20mb for 4minutes! Life Wireless is clearly ripping people off. Isn’t anyone in this Government Program monitoring these people?

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      December 10, 2018 at 3:18 pm

      Impossible for us to comment on your problems because we are not privy to how you used your data. However, measuring it by the hour is an odd concept. Usage depends on what you do while you’re online, not how long you’re online.

      Reply
    • PurpleCrayon says

      July 13, 2019 at 7:37 pm

      Something everyone should be aware of, as far as data usage:
      Every single app, as well as your phone operating system, is sending and receiving data daily
      -beyond the current app you might be using.

      Learn how to turn of data transmission(cellular, bluetooth) when it is not needed to be used. Also, uninstall ALL apps you do not use-like the ones that came as default with the phone.

      Reply
  27. William Shannon says

    October 13, 2018 at 3:44 pm

    I just signed up and pending for a free phone and minutes. If approved which smart phone are they going to send me

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      October 13, 2018 at 11:03 pm

      No way of knowing, William. Most companies offer a range of makes and models and they are all handed out randomly.

      Reply
  28. Tony S says

    October 1, 2018 at 6:05 am

    I have had life wireless for almost 2 years. Absolutely the best service I have had using lifeline. No issues what so ever. But I use my own phone. If you have a unlocked ATT phone go with life wireless you will not be disappointed. Note, most of these comments are from dull minded people. Life wireless is ATT. It is the best deal you will find, and as long as your phone is compatible it will work flawlessly. You can buy a decent unlocked smart phone from Amazon for $40.

    Reply
  29. Sandra Frith says

    September 25, 2018 at 10:04 pm

    Someone can text me takes me one hour to get it ,only work’s 59 percent of the time..add to put the SIM in my AT&T phone are it wouldn’t work at all…

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      September 26, 2018 at 2:40 pm

      That’s not got, we haven’t heard about this long of a dealy before. But we are extremely curious as to how you calculated a precise 59%.

      Reply
  30. Geraldine Blazek says

    September 24, 2018 at 9:53 am

    My life wireless phone dies when I’m not even using it.

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      September 24, 2018 at 3:53 pm

      Contact your service provider’s customer service team, Geraldine.

      Reply
  31. Carmela Cadle says

    May 28, 2018 at 2:40 am

    Can i use an old cell phone with my sym card. I broke my screen and it hardly works now

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      May 28, 2018 at 4:31 am

      You may be able to use another cell phone you already own, but only if it is compatible with your free government cell phone company’s national network. Here’s an article that tells you more about that:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/cdma-gsm-lte-phone-compatible-with-my-free-phone-network

      Talk to your service provider’s customer service or tech support team to find out if the make and model of phone you own is compatible with the service provider’s network.

      Reply
  32. DEBBIE TENNEY says

    May 10, 2018 at 1:00 pm

    WORST LOW LIFE PONE COMPENTY EVER..YOU LIFE WIRELESS ARE THE WORST.CUT OFF MY DISABEL DAD 7 TIMES.NOW HE IS DEAD BECAUSE HE COULD NOT CALL 4 HELP

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      May 10, 2018 at 1:29 pm

      Sorry for your loss, Debbie, but we want all our readers to know that ANY cell phone with a working battery can call 9-1-1 in case of emergencies. You don’t need an account with a cell phone company.

      Reply
  33. Edward waits says

    May 5, 2018 at 6:15 pm

    Hate it. Called to change number and had hard time understanding her then she changes it tells me new number and instructs me dial and power off. I did and my phone has been disconnected every since

    Reply
  34. Phil G says

    April 21, 2018 at 3:41 pm

    from 1 to 10 I give it 0 The Phone it self

    The staff are very nolageable and nice it’s just The gov Phone it self

    steel don’t see the slat to get it apart

    The WiFi is a Jock an a half theirs no Av You don’t go on line with out Av

    I just wont yous it. and no Malware just Phone calls an Text..WOW just a gov free Phone.not a payed P.

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      April 21, 2018 at 5:48 pm

      That’s exactly what we were thinking, Phil.

      Reply
  35. Jessica Guile says

    March 24, 2018 at 9:52 pm

    I got unlimited texting but for over a week I can’t text or receive. This never happened before and I’ve been using my own personal phone instead of the crap one I originally got which wound up dying on me. Why is my texting gone? And how can I get it fixed? I can’t always call my friends and family

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      March 25, 2018 at 3:20 pm

      We’re not your service provider, so it’s impossible for us to diagnose your problems, Jessica. Call 6-1-1 to speak to customer service.

      Reply
    • Eric says

      April 8, 2019 at 4:30 pm

      They say,” you can’t complain about something free,” well,maybe that’s true,but I’d like to make this suggestion.If the companies selling these cheap no good cell phones that are paid for with government money,perhaps,the government needs to quit buying them,and require everyone to purchase their own cell phone with the government service,an option lifewireless and others are given the customer anyway.Just saying,the phone are crap.

      Reply
  36. Ron Otis says

    February 2, 2018 at 10:04 am

    Run don’t walk away from lifewireless !!
    Just getting signed up should have been a red flag. I send in what was required , no response after a couple weeks so I called back and was told we can’t read the address on your License , resent it again then another week passes by with no call and now it’s the fact that one of my ID’s stated my name was Ronald on one of the ID’s but Ron on the other 3 yet they have my address on 2 of them and my social. Number as well. This took 2 more calls and another month before I finally got my phone but then when I get it you can’t hear on it. Like the speaker fell into the phone so I called again and was told to put the phone back in the box , write “ return to sender” and when we get it we will send you another phone. A week went by and I called to see that they got the phone back and they said “ nothing yet. Then the next week I called again and still nothing. The girl on the phone asked me for the tracking number and I told her as I stated before that when you write “return to sender” and place it in the mail box you don’t get one. About 20 minutes later after being put on hold I was told that a one time curtesy phone will be sent out to you. But when I got the replacement phone it had a battery that lasted maybe 10 hours so I called AGAIN and was told they would send me a new battery in 7-10 days. well 12 days passed so I called this morning and was told that “ I’m not sure who you talked to but there is nothing on my account about sending a new battery and further more it shows that we haven’t spoke to you since November??? And that if I wanted a new battery then I would have to PAY 5 bucks for it ?? So now I have to pay for a defected battery that I did nothing to ?? This place is total BS.
    AGAIN , RUN DONT WALK from these people !

    Reply
  37. Addie says

    January 18, 2018 at 2:28 pm

    Zero stars

    I just got off the phone with these incompetent service representatives,
    I call to get my texting re enabled because they cut it. (They have cut my texting twice in the past month even though I have unlimited) So I call up & need wait like ten mins to talk to someone. Finally a lady answers, I tell her that my service is disconnected & she asks, “Your name please?” I reply, “My name is Addie, but this phone is registered to my parent.” & she goes like freaking crazy. “Well, I can’t help you till parent calls, this is Not your phone. I can talk to you but can’t reset your service” So I’m like, “Okay, why did you cut my service?!” She’s like mad for some reason & is like, “I can’t tell you, that private information. Your parent needs to call.” I’m like, “Listen, I’ve been without texting for two days, you guys couldn’t answer the phone for the past two days, & by the time my parent can call your office will be closed. That will be three days of no service, what atonement do I get for this?!” & then the lady screams at me, “THIS IS NOT YOUR PHONE!!!” & hangs up. What kind of customer service is that?!
    If any other carrier’s customer service demonstrated such disregard for a costumer they would be fired. This is completely unacceptable.
    This carrier has won ZERO stars on their service.

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      January 18, 2018 at 6:36 pm

      No doubt that the rep’s attitude was horrible, but unfortunately she was correct that she cannot discuss your parents’ account with you.

      Reply
  38. Alex says

    January 17, 2018 at 1:50 pm

    Besides that the service is mostly lies,I can’t use my data fully,my phone stopped working and it wasn’t even my fault,the battery is crap,the phone is crap too dosent even have space for anything and my text messages get blocked often because lies they are not unlimited you only get 1,000 per day and if you waste them after 6pm you have to wait until the next day to call and get them unblocked. Instead of just sending me a new phone they make the process longer by me having to spend my money and send mine,reason is why do you want my non working phone?. I hope I get the new one fast cause if not,I will sue.

    Reply
    • Alex says

      January 17, 2018 at 1:53 pm

      Oh and let’s not forget I’ve been less than a month with the phone. Thank God I’m getting an iPhone.

      Reply
  39. Joseph C. McGee Jr says

    December 20, 2017 at 9:54 pm

    thanks, lifewireless you make my everyday life easier and stress free.
    Joseph.

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      December 20, 2017 at 11:55 pm

      Always good to hear from happy customers of the Lifeline program.

      Reply
  40. Eugene L Gallion says

    December 20, 2017 at 5:19 pm

    My life wireless is a good carrier it helps me with all my doctor’s appointment and being able to contact my family and friends ,and schools .

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      December 20, 2017 at 11:54 pm

      Great to hear, Eugene.

      Reply
  41. Ava says

    December 1, 2017 at 12:22 pm

    Terrible company. Here’s why:

    1. They only gave me 10mb of data usage per month. I checked the amount I am supposed to have according to my state and it’s 1gb. When I brought this to their attention they refused to upgrade my data allowance and said they would “get back with me.” They never did.

    2. I can’t connect to the internet even if I wanted to use my measly 10mb of data. The customer service rep said they would send some codes to my phone that would enable internet usage but they never did.

    3. Somehow I had used 2mb of data usage. I asked the rep how did that happen when I can’t even access the internet. She didn’t answer me and acted dumb.

    4. Customer service reps are rude and act like they have better things to do. One time I was disconnected while talking to the rep, I called back and she didn’t even apologize for the lost connection. I ask a question and their reply is “I don’t know.”

    Stay away from this company!!

    Reply
  42. robin says

    November 8, 2017 at 8:51 am

    This company is a joke. I feel they are using this “life wireless” just as a front to screw the government out of money. There are so many complaints that prove it. For me they said the sent me a phone and I never even received it. I called the crappy company many times and they always say let me talk to my supervisor. And of course you get nowhere. They said its the post office. So I have to call the post office, why should I have to call the post office its their package, the post office said Life Wireless addressed it incorrectly. Needless to say many calls no answers I am done.
    Even if the phone ever shows up I will refuse it.
    Once again. DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY!!!!!!

    Reply
  43. Arron Gonzales says

    October 18, 2017 at 9:54 pm

    Dose life wireless have a 24 hour tech support number.

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      October 18, 2017 at 11:43 pm

      Check the company’s website at LifeWireless.com

      Reply
  44. Just Me says

    October 16, 2017 at 9:43 pm

    Received phone and, when activated it said I would get 10MB per month instead of the 1GB as advertised for people in my state (1/10th) so have to purchase more data from them. Government paid/subsidizing isn’t enough. Customer service said wasn’t eligible because a new account using AT&T and not T-Mobile. I HAD NO CHOICE WHO PROVIDER WAS!
    The phone sent keeps putting random digits in PINs, outgoing telephone numbers, web pages.

    Reply
  45. Mark Teoli says

    September 28, 2017 at 12:24 pm

    I got my phone and it never really worked. They said keep trying it and they will send me another one free if not satisfied. I could never answer my phone. I pressed so hard I thought my screen was going to break. In the box was directions like a little book from a cracker jack box it reminded me of. You couldn’t see it at all. I called to get another phone and she said it was $35.00. Was so rude and she never cancelled my service but said she did.

    Reply
  46. C says

    August 23, 2017 at 8:46 am

    Awful!!!! Coustomer service is rude. The rep refused for me to speak to a manager and on top of it all I received a non working phone. I was told they would send me out a new one but I would have to pay for shipping even tho they sent me a Non working device.

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      August 23, 2017 at 10:19 am

      Might be time to file a complaint, C. Here’s an article that tells you the most effective ways to do it:

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

      Reply
  47. joanne mansfield says

    March 23, 2017 at 9:49 am

    After reading most of the neg. replies I wasn’t sure what I would be getting. I rec. my phone yesterday and it was very easy to set up once the battery was charged up. I was able to use it with no problem and it was as clear as my home line. Thank you for a great phone.

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      March 23, 2017 at 2:32 pm

      Don’t thank us, Joanne, because we’re an independent informational website, not your service provider. But it’s always good to hear back from a happy customer.

      Reply
  48. Joe says

    March 20, 2017 at 4:57 pm

    This phone company is not complient at all man I’m trying to get a job I applied about 3 week ago but I guess I’m the dumb one I put all my personal information​ to apply it took 1 for them to send me my page and shirt no mangers contacted me all business was done on the internet and email
    They gave me all random into I was suppose to get training I called the guy over ten times I live in a local area and he live far away I never met the guy he finally picked up the phone 6 days after I called them said he was going to train me first he say Monday then Monday turns into next Saturday to Tuesday it’s just been so much better yet I still haven’t had the training I need to start and all the people I called to try to get help it keep taken me to the same person please if u thinking about working here don’t do it!!

    Reply
  49. Leticia says

    February 23, 2017 at 4:24 pm

    I applied for a life wireless phone at a booth. I took out the chip and put it into an prepaid AT&T cell phone that I bought at Walmart. I’ve been using it over a year. It works great. Just remember to place at least one phone call within every 30 days or your service will be terminated. The cell phone that I bought at Walmart cost $30 at the door. I believe it is called an AT&T Microsoft Lumia.

    Reply
  50. Grace M Rhodes says

    February 23, 2017 at 10:47 am

    I’ve been a LifeWireless customer since June 2016…This is the absolute worse phone company. Not only have I had to have four phones replaced since the beginning, they forced me to purchase one for $35 back in October 2016. By January 5th of this year, the new phone had stopped powering on so I had to send my new phone back to them. They finally sent me a phone Feb. 2nd, but it wasn’t the new phone I purchased. This phone had scratches on it and did not look new. I called and argued with them until a supervisor checked the IME for the new phone I had purchased, and I read her the IME number for the phone they had returned to me. We both agreed it was not my new phone but the supervisor said it was a warehouse issue and there was nothing she could do. However, I find out this morning the supervisor I spoke with had noted on my account that they did send me my new phone (a flat out lie); so when I tried to make arrangements to send this phone back, I was told I had to buy yet another phone because according to their records my warranty had run out. I’m so disgusted with this company that I ask them to disconnect my service, then I was told I couldn’t change to another government company until after a year of leaving LifeWireless.
    I’ve always paid for extra minutes every month with this company, and today I feel cheated and ripped off.

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      February 23, 2017 at 12:54 pm

      Not a pretty story, Grace.

      Reply
  51. Sam says

    February 15, 2017 at 7:31 am

    LIFE WIRELESS plans are a complete rip off!!!! I don’t use the free minutes I PAY 29.95 for 30 days of unlimited talk and text this is the second month in a row they have ripped me off a week!!! I added minutes January 27th here it is February 15th and my phone doesn’t work! I WILL NOT be adding anymore minutes!!! Not only do I get jipped on my 30 days you don’t get service hardly anywhere! I’m a truck driver so I need service!! I am switching to straighttalk today!

    Reply
    • jeffery says

      April 27, 2017 at 11:11 am

      That took my money. Then the next that took my 29.95.and no that will not put my money back on my card or gave me my money back..

      Reply
      • Free Government Cell Phones says

        April 27, 2017 at 12:21 pm

        Tell us more, Jeffery. Why are you paying for your free government cell phone?

        Reply
  52. jose says

    January 12, 2017 at 9:27 am

    never had any problems until now, I just enrolled again and got a smart phone, I love it, but today is dead, it doesnt charge, cant get it on, is just dead after about two monthsths

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      January 12, 2017 at 11:25 am

      Contact your service provider’s customer service team immediately, Jose.

      Reply
    • Samantha says

      June 21, 2017 at 8:31 am

      Jose,
      Same thing happened to me! I’ve had my Lifewireless phone for only a couple of months and it stopped working. Lifewireless refuses to replace it even though after explaining what happened it was evident that it was a malfunction with the phone. I will never again use this company for anything! How is it that other people are getting a phone when they are not eligible but ones who need it are denied??

      Reply
  53. Diana says

    August 15, 2016 at 2:06 am

    I did have Life Wireless service, I cancelled after just 4 days. I received a very poor quality of actual voice service. Quite often the icon on the screen of my phone would light up indicating that I didn’t have any working phone service. Other times my phone calls would just disconnect in the middle of the conversation. After conversing with Life Wireless tech support, it was determined that the problem was because they use AT&T equipment and the reception was very bad by my home. Funny because my SafeLink service I now have uses T-Mobile equipment and works great. But T-Mobile and AT&T use the same equipment. Huh? Also, they were handing out their phones within 2 blocks from my home. Why would they hand out their phones in an area where it’s known that AT&T has very bad reception? Oh, well, it’s all good now.

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      August 15, 2016 at 3:37 am

      So sorry that Life didn’t work out for you, but happy to hear that Safelink has solved your problem.

      However, your story should serve as anothe warning for our readers about street booths and tents. The people who work at these facilities are generally independent contractors who do not report directly to the Lifeline Assistance companies. They set up where and when they want and the Lifeline companies generally do not know their schedules. The fact that you were given equipment that doesn’t work well in the area in which it was given out reinforces what we’ve said so many times to our readers:

      ENROLL IN LIFELINE BY PHONE OR ONLINE, NOT IN STREET BOOTHS AND TENTS.

      Reply
  54. Chester Artis says

    July 24, 2016 at 8:49 pm

    I’m a friend of one of your customers, Mr Chester Artis, & the only reason why I am sending you this text is because he isn’t able with his phone. Please feel free to call this number 253-732-1457.He needs a replacement phone for work. Thanks in advance for your assistance. Also this is my email because he cannot access his.

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      July 24, 2016 at 8:59 pm

      Sorry, Chester, but we are not Life Wireless. We are an independent website that’s not affiliated with any of the free government cell phone companies. You need to contact Chester’s service provider directly. Here’s an article that tells you exactly what to do if your phone is broken:

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

      Reply
  55. James Stamper says

    June 8, 2016 at 11:48 pm

    The phone I got had everything in Spanish language! And there were no settings to change it to the English language. And after 1 month the battery failed! I ended up putting the sim card into a AT&T GoPhone and then it worked fine. The service is just as good as AT&T in terms of coverage, signal, etc. But the phones you get from LifeWireless are the absolute worst!

    Reply
    • Lisa Shelton says

      July 3, 2016 at 10:42 pm

      I just received a small older safelink cellphone that is too small for me..can i used my sim card in another cellphone

      Reply
      • Free Government Cell Phones says

        July 4, 2016 at 3:58 am

        It depends on the phone, Lisa. Not all SIM cards are compatible with all phones and all cell networks. Contact your service provider’s customer service team or tech support team to verify before you try it.

        Reply
  56. mark says

    March 6, 2015 at 6:12 pm

    I simply wanted to swap out my phone, cause I got the phone with small lettering , and could not see the screen well. They gave me a hard time , so I cancelled my service. I’m disabled and needed the phone for my doctors. Thanks for nothing life wireless.

    Reply

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  • tony MARTIN on Which companies offer the best free texting plans? And which ones offer the worst?: “MOST. MOST of the phones they give us are either REFURBISHED, RETURNES OR DAMAGED PHONES, NOT NEW,” Jun 9, 13:49
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