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What is a PUK code? And how do you find it?

Updated on 12/13/22

Every day, 365 days a year, year in and year out, we get a couple comments that say things like, “My phone is telling me that my PUK is locked” or “What is a PUK code?” Here are a few recent examples:

Brooke said, “I have an Android free cell phone. I locked my SIM card, and have no idea how to unlock the PUK code lock. Any instructions would be appreciated. Thanks.”

Julia said, “i have a Alcatel phone and accidentally locked my SIM card and now it’s asking for my PUK code and I’ve tried 0000, 1234 and 1227.”

April said, “My phone keeps asking for my PUK code and says remaining Quota:10.”

Danny said, “I need my PUK code for my phone, I’m locked out… Thank you. I have a TracFone, Alcatel, Lifeline.”

Hunter said, “I need help. I locked up my phone. It is asking me to enter PUK I don’t know what that is.”

Calm down. Take a deep breath. Getting locked out of your phone is a problem that can easily be solved. It’s something that happens to all cell phone users, not just free government cell phone customers.

It’s usually a sign that you entered the wrong PIN number three times. To correct the problem, you need to call your free government cell phone service provider and ask for a PUK. But what is a PUK?

PUK is an acronym that stands for “PIN Unlock Key.” It’s a unique code (usually eight numbers long) that’s linked to your individual SIM card. (NOTE: Although most phones ask for a PUK code, others may ask for a PUC code. PUC is another acronym that stands for “PIN Unlock Code.” Despite the different names, a PUK code is exactly the same thing as a PUC code.)

Bad luck with your PUK?

You probably created a PIN number on your SIM card as an extra level of security. Your PIN is the number you need to type in each time you turn on your phone. Your PUK code is like a fingerprint — it is unique to your SIM card. It keeps strangers from being able to use your phone and you should never share it with anyone.

Unfortunately, if you enter the wrong PIN code three times, the SIM card is programmed to lock automatically and you will not be able to use your phone. This is when you’ll get that message that says “Enter PUK” or “Enter PUK code” or “Enter PUK to unlock your SIM card” or something similar.

As we said, breathe easy. Getting your PUK code is as simple as calling your service provider’s customer service or tech support team (although we must admit that many of our readers complain that it’s virtually impossible to speak to a live human being when they call their service providers).

Only your service provider can retrieve your PUK code. Some service providers will give you your PUK when you begin your service. If your service provider is one that does, make sure you write it down somewhere or memorize it. Others service providers will only provide you with your PUK when you call them with a problem. Of course, they want to make sure you’re really who you say you are before they give you the code, so be prepared to answer some security questions.

You can find a list of the largest service providers and their contact information here.

What happens after I get my PUK code?

After you get your PUK code, power up your free government cell phone. In most cases, a notification will pop up telling you to enter your PUK code. Just follow the step-by-step prompts on screen.

After your free government cell phone unlocks, you may be required to enter a new SIM PIN number. Do it. But remember that you can go to the “Settings” menu and turn off this feature once it’s fully unlocked.

Do not attempt to guess your PUK. Repeat: Do not guess.

Never attempt to unlock your free government cell phone by guessing your PUK code. Why not? Because if you enter the wrong PUK ten times, your SIM card will go into a permanent lock down state. (See April’s comment at the top of this article.)

That leads to a whole new series of problems. You’ll have to contact your service provider and request a brand new SIM card and you may be charged a substantial fee. Even worse for most people, you’ll be forced to live with a dead cell phone until your new SIM card arrives in the mail.

IMPORTANT MESSAGE: Readers are now asking us if any of this information on this page changes because of the exciting new Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The simple answer is no. All the information found in the original version of this page remain the same. Even if you have combined your Lifeline discount and your ACP discount into one account, all the PUK information remains the same.

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Comments

  1. Shyann Adkins says

    I need a sims card for my Android phone that is the best one for it and also maybe even a new phone in general but I wanted a nice one. If u could emails me back God bless and thank you.

    Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      Sorry, but we are not your service provider. We are not anyone’s service provider. This is an independent informational website that is NOT affiliated with any Lifeline free government cell phone company nor any Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) internet service provider.

      Reply

  3. Wilfredo Gomez perez says

    Need help with sky mobile phone 📱 need help data text message internet back on again turn on It offline need help need PUK code contact carrier enter 8 my phone model elite g55 sky phone number 646-299-**** my SSN **** date 05/**/**** free goverment phone it’s my mother name Carmen Gómez date birth 07/**/****

    Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      We are unfamiliar with Sky Mobil as a Lifeline company, Wilfredo, and find very little info on the company when we do a Google search. So we cannot help you. However, we did help you by editing out all your personal information. Do yourself a favor and NEVER leave all that sort of personal information on a public forum like this again.

      Reply

    • Henry says

      Go to skydevices.com to send a message to their support group. Go to the downloads webpage to get the PDF manual for the G55 model.

      The site does not list any phone number, so sending an online message appears to be the only way to communicate with the company based in Miami, FL. Note that the company only sells the devices to others and would not be involved with cellular services provided by either AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, or any of the MVNOs. If the phone was provided by a reseller like a Lifeline provider, then you will need to contact the service provider that sent out the SIM card and the phone. Only they have that information if you were negligent in saving it.

      Reply

  6. Frankie H Reim says

    I have insurance wireless and I’m trying to unlock the phone but the phone says T-Mobile on the back of it and it’s two T-Mobile I believe what do I do and how do I go about fixing this so I can use the phone with q Link it’s compatible for q Link but I need help

    Reply

  10. Norah Apple says

    I can’t call my carrier because the PUK is locked so what do I do am I supposed to use another phone?

    Reply

  11. Dustin says

    I called and they told me service had been transferred, but then I log into my account and it’s all the same, and active, now they won’t give it to me

    Reply

    • Henry says

      Do you mean transferred to another account or another company? If to another account, tell them that your current account is still active. The PUK code is connected to a SIM card, so if they issued a new SIM card, then you need to get the PUK code from them.

      Reply

      • Kathy Carpenter says

        I have a q link phone and it has a lock on it. They sent me an email that explains how to set it up. But I still can’t get it to unlock. Can you please help me

        Reply

        • Free Government Cell Phones says

          Sorry, Kathy, but there is no way for us to help. Take your phone and the directions your service provider gave you into a phone store. They can probably help.

          Reply

  14. Rob jones says

    I got a qlink phone Andi entered the puk witch is located on the packet the sim card came on it let me in phone then phone died now it saying enter sim pin now do I jus enter the puk again or should I call the carrier only 1 attempt left..

    Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      We’d use it to call 6-1-1 to speak to customer service, but there’s no guarantee that you’ll get through nor that you’ll get the help you need on the first call.

      Reply

      • Free Government Cell Phones says

        We are not Assurance Wireless, Donna, so we can’t help you unlock anything.

        Reply

  18. Shenequa spence says

    I was locked out of my phone and I need the p u k security code I am with Access Wireless telephone number 972-814-**** and this is Shenequa Spence

    Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      Did you read the article on this page? Have you spoken to customer service either at Apple or at your service provider?

      Reply

  20. Cls says

    This is bullsh..t you guys make us call you when you know damn well it be easier and less a pain in the a.. if you just post the damn code on here and on the paper work you send with the stupid phone you make sh..t hard when it doesn’t need to be what the hell .care to answer my question .

    Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      We’re not your freakin’ service provider, CLS. It’s not that hard to figure out that this website is not affiliated with any Lifeline service provider. It is an independent informational website. You may have a legitimate beef with your service provider, but NOT with us.

      Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      Speak to the tribal business affairs office. If they don’t have it, they can undoubtedly tell you where to access it.

      Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      Some poor devil spent many hours researching and writing the article on this page, Meghan. Is it too much to ask you to spend a few minutes reading it?

      Reply

  28. Ryan smith says

    Ive called qlink wireless and they said they could not provide a puk code and ive answered all the security questions about myself how can i gain access to my phone i have important stuff on there for my job.

    Reply

      • Jonathan Planck says

        I don’t know why it’s asking for my PUK code but I’ve had this phone forever and my name is Jonathan Plank and the phone number is 859-420-**** and I’ve always only had to enter a four-digit code which was one one one one

        Reply

        • Free Government Cell Phones says

          Call 6-1-1 on your free government cell phone to speak to your provider’s customer service team.

          Reply

  34. Nora Harjo says

    Um I need my puk code and I don’t have it and I do need help finding it and I have read the article

    Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      We are not your service provider, so we cannot help you with your PUK. Contact your provider’s customer service team.

      Reply

  35. Matthew says

    My sim card is puk locked what ever that means says I have to get ahold of u guys to straighten it out everytime I try to call I’m waiting for 30 min just to get hungup onif u could help me that would be gr8

    Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      We are willing to bet a gazillion dollars that your phone has not told you to get ahold of FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net. We’d bet another gazillion that it’s telling you to get ahold of your service provider.

      Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      PUK cobes are even more difficult to find than PUK codes. We’d suggest that you contact your service provider’s customer service team.

      Reply

  37. Shea Nelson says

    Can’t use my phone at the moment because of the PUK. Yeah, contact you services provider to get the code. Ok that’s easy enough, wrong because you don’t got no way to contact them without someone else phone. But by the time you do that, their will be no one to answer. Never let your partner just look at your phone.

    Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      We are not your service provider, Ricky. This is an independent informational website. Contact your provider’s customer service team.

      Reply

  42. Nio says

    I am reading these comments about what I have experienced and I am going to be writing a SCATHING complaint against Q Link to the NYS Attorney General, if MORE people in this state write to her as well, they will investigate. I believe this is a SCAM to make people to BUY a NEW phone, people that can’t afford such a phone, in fact, it may be some form TRAP with their sim cards that after awhile they lock, (so many people having this issue not possible) so QLINK get ready for that AUDIT… and everyone out of state, find your AGO and write to them. There is no fucking reason why they shouldn’t have this code!

    Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      Just for the record, we wrote our “You made us laugh” comment BEFORE you told us you were a comedian. We are rare judges of talent here at FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net.

      Reply

      • Terrence says

        it’s all good baby… It’s all good. If I can make someone laugh it was I live for. But I am an aspiring comedian. So keep an eye out for a brother named Nio Phoenix. I was supposed to play the Comedy Cellar but then COVID hit. My landlord knows people.

        Reply

  43. Terrence says

    I am with Q LINK… and this happened to me, the DUMB ASSESS do not have the PUK #! My God you had to hear that conversation. They can’t even send me a new sim. So I was forced to buy another phone 20.00 which will come with a new sim. Like I said the conversation was insane. I mean how the f you don’t know the PUK number!

    I am FULL CONVINCED that EVERYONE that works in these agencies, social workers, ebt, public assistance, CPS, are the DUMBEST M/F on the planet! The ability to have COMMON SENSE just ESCAPES them! They are ALL these MINDLESS ROBOTS!

    Reply

      • Terrence says

        I am a comedian after all lol If I can make people laugh that is the goal…

        I actually said this in an HRA office in Brooklyn. ”

        I won a fair hearing determination and took the courts order to my local agency. The worker said this ” we don’t handle fair hearings here ” ” Bring the notice back to the state ” I was like wait a second, ” They sent me here, and you want to go there “? ” That is bat shit crazy! ” long story short of the Abbott and Costello routine, I lost it! and I said this ” Tell me something, how do you people get your jobs? does a giant charter bus show up at the local crack houses and make announcement ” Hey you put down the pipe come be a social worker “! The ENTIRE center erupted in laughter. I then said, that’s it, I want to speak to the director right now. They got him down, we had a nice convo, and it was resolved.

        Reply

  44. Lonnie says

    Thank you for this bit of information. I tried to stop my son from going to porno sites but i thought locking the apps. Man I really messed up.

    Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      Yes, you messed up, Lonnie. We could help you investigate if you just send us the websites he was visiting. No, seriously, that’s the only reason we ask. We’re here to help.

      Reply

  45. Eileen Garci says

    I cannot block k my phone. I think so so e was trying to get into my phone and now it is locked I need a new SIM card number please

    Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      We’re not sure what the first half of your comment means, Eileen, so maybe you should play it safe and contact your customer service team.

      Reply

  46. Tasha Baggett Colon says

    I was told on back of sim card got it out an have the long number it says over right I just ned someone to tell me which number please

    Reply

  51. James Stone says

    Trying to get my LG solo with well as family plan phone to work with my qlink sim card and not having any luck. What do I do?

    Reply

  52. Karen says

    I read your article lol! I had a consumer cellular account and switch to Xfinity. I took my daughters iPhone with me to Xfinity. Xfinity sent me a Sim card. I am getting the same message as everyone else on my iPhone asking me for the PUK.
    I guess my question is why would I need a PUK number if I am not a consumer cellular customer anymore? Or maybe you have a better question I should be asking.

    Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      We cannot answer your question, Karen, because neither Consumer Cellular nor Xfinity participate in the Lifeline free government cell phone program.

      Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      If only you could find an article titled “What is a PUK code? And how do you find it” somewhere on line. I bet that would tell you what to do.

      Reply

  54. Kenny says

    You showed what to do if a phone is lost or stolen but no procedure for a broken or malfunctioning phone. Mine is an Alcatel smart phone from Safelink.

    Reply

  55. Lisa Marie Hutchinson says

    I just had the same experience that Amanda had: QLink says they cannot give me the PUK code and that I need to buy a new phone. 🙁

    Reply

  57. Amanda Z Richardson says

    Qlink wireless is my service provider and they refuse to give me the PUK code for my device, please HELP! What do I need to do now?

    Reply

      • Amanda says

        I have NUMEROUS times!!! EVERY SINGLE time the rep argues with me that “they can not activate my device, there is no one to else for them to transfer me to, I do not need to speak with a supervisor, or they can not give me the puk code.” then they proceed to hang up on me! I AM OUTRAGED WITH THE SERVICE EFFORT FROM QLINK!!!! They are the most worthless bunch of people in one company!!!!!!!!!

        Reply

        • Nio says

          Hello Amanda,

          This just happened to me, my God the insane conversation, FUTILE… Here’s what you do, get them to send you a new phone (their cheapest is 19.99) its the only thing you can do.

          PS: I am an aspiring comedian and will be ADDRESSING this with my MILLIONS of fans very soon. They should have the damn number and they don’t.

          Nio Phoenix.

          Reply

  61. Gary Florence says

    I’m not sure which provider provides this phone on the face when I turn it on it says cloud mobile but I can’t find iCloud Mobile on the internet can you please help me out with that

    Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      It sounds as if your phone works. If that’s the case, call 6-1-1 on that phone and you will be connected to your service provider’s customer service team.

      Reply

  65. Tori Ann Langevin says

    My iPhone says to enter PKU and locked sim but Qlink wireless says I don’t have a PKU and I’ve got to get a new phone?? ?? ??

    Reply

  70. Shannon J. Hern says

    So my sims is now locked, how that happened I entered codes I thought were it and now it says I have to get a PUK code. I contacted the carrier but they says I didn’t have an acct with them. So now I don’t know what to do or who to contact for a PUK code. Please help!
    Confused

    Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      We don’t blame you for being confused. Is it possible that you contacted the wrong company? They should be able to easily identify you by your phone number, social security number, etc.

      Reply

      • Free Government Cell Phones says

        We’d like to hear the answer to Latwsha’s question, too. How did you resolve the issue, Shannon?

        Reply

  71. Tina Marie says

    SIM LOCKED. PUK CODE I. NEED. IT WAS FORJ2 GALAXY AT&T.SAMSUNG. BUT PUT IN NEW PHONE WHEN IT LO KED . ITS A NDROID NOTE 10 PRO. FROM WISH O LINE.. BUT SAME NETWORK AT&T. SO USING J2 TO GET HELP BUT HOW CUZ NO DATA OR NUMBER . PLEASE HELP WITH PUK CODE ASAP .

    Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      Contact your service provider’s customer service team, Tina. This is an independent informational website, NOT a free government cell phone service provider.

      Reply

  72. Aniko says

    I’m nervous and badly feeling some anger issues, not being able to call anyone @all,& I had no idea that I’m working with a government phone way weird I sure hope that I’m no problem and that eaverything happens quickly cause I’m just trying to get more able to get back on track!!, for ex:my worried Uncle whom hates my unknown problems has to be my chauffeur so a place that can help cause we can’t even talk when my phone is not even ringing as well I’m nervous about him cause his Hungarian temper is ready to act badly on me!, so so watch out!, first of all I know I’ve so many problems I can’t fix on my own and neither can he! I sure hope it will be fixed soon Thanks, stay safe and love always-Aniko

    Reply

  75. Maria Santander says

    What if I don’t have the puk and yes I read the article I just need to know how do I get it . I’ll read the article again just in case I over looked it

    Reply

    • JoAnne says

      I had the same problem last night. I called my carrier and they gave it to me good luck
      CALL YOUR PHONE SERV8C3

      Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      Have you attempted to communicate with them via the website? It’s crazy that some of the Lifeline companies make it so difficult to communicate with their customers.

      Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      Did you read the article? If you have further questions, contact your service provider’s customer service team.

      Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      Have you checked your service provider’s website to find out if it offers an online chat service?

      Reply

  83. Rachel says

    What about trying to use another phone that’s unlocked? Says my SIM card is locked, no option for a puk to be entered.

    Reply

  84. Tamra D says

    What do you do if your Government Assistance provider refuses to give you the PUK and tells you that you have no choice but to buy another phone?

    Reply

    • KRISTIE says

      It’s NOT A GOVERNMENT PHONE; IT IS A NUU/ ///U.S. CELLULAR PHONE ANDROID WHERE DO YOU FIND IT ON THE SIM CARD

      Reply

      • Josh says

        Dude I don’t know how this guy has the patience to read 90% of these comments…some of you people have the reading comprehension level of a fucking golf ball….

        IT DOESNT matter if it’s GOVERNMENT PHONE, your phone, her phone, iPhone, me phone, God’s phone, YOU HAVE TO GET THE PUK CODE FROM YOUR SERVICE PROVIDER… Doesn’t matter who your service is thru, or if it’s a free phone or $800 phone… a Sim card is a Sim card and a PUK code is a damn PUK code, and if you don’t know yours then you need to get it from whoever you have service with…like what is hard to understand

        Reply

        • Free Government Cell Phones says

          It’s early, but this one is definitely in the running for Comment of the Year.

          Reply

          • Amanda says

            Ok so what if your phone says invalid code once you enter what they gave you?

          • Free Government Cell Phones says

            C’mon, Amanda, do you really expect us to be able to tell you more about your phone than your service provider?

        • Nio says

          Hello,

          and when the service provider gives you some bullshit story ” they don’t have it “? what then?

          Reply

  85. Rita Madrigal says

    I just got a new Obama phone less then a month ago. In order to protect my SIM from being stolen and someone using it I decided to protect myself in advance this time and encrypt the SIM. I’ve done this before which results in having to contact the carrier then they give you or generate a code. Well I contact Qlink Wireless twice in same day on Saturday they told me they couldn’t or have no access to that information and I would need now to purchase a replacement phone for $25! I said you guys are the service providers that have all access to the SIM that came pre-installed in the phone you just sent me via UPS. Why if anything can’t you guys just send me a new SIM card……the phone works. Please if you have any other cost friendly options for me I will try any suggestions. I also still have the UPS package it was sent to me in…. Is there anywhere on there that is possible abbreviated that I’m missing as possible PUK CODE. it’s asking for 8 digits. I have a ZTE Qlink Wireless phone it’s only give me 10 attempts I have 9 left.

    Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      You’re way over our heads with your technical talk, Rita. We know nothing about encrypting SIM cards.

      Reply

  88. Tiffany says

    My provider says they can’t give it to me??? I’m confused this is bull shit!! I have a hot pepper ZTE through qlink.. is there a number I can reach somebody that will help????

    Reply

  91. laura shuck says

    Hello All,
    this is just a quick note to say that:
    ASSURANCE WIRELESS IS THE WORST COMPANY I HAVE EVER BEEN WITH!
    let me turn that up
    ASSURANCE WIRELESS SUCKETH!!
    wanna get outsourced?
    wanna get hung up on?
    they will tell you you are a liar!

    Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      If we were you, we’d start by looking for an article that explains what a PUK code is and how to find it.

      Reply

  95. Shawn says

    I am puk locked out of my phone. I called qlink and was told they do not provide the code nor does the manufacturer. How do I get my phone unlocked then?

    Reply

  96. Puk you says

    This site / blog needs to be deleted. I read the entire blog and still haven’t gotten an answer and whoever is over this blog or that works for safelink is definitely in the wrong profession.
    Very unprofessional

    Reply

  97. Jimmy campbell says

    My phone keeps saying blocked from network use. it’s my phone don’t understand (606)391-**** is my lifewieless number. still can’t use my phone

    Reply

  98. Frankie says

    PUK CODE. LOL. 😆 THE PLASTIC CARD THAT THE SIM CAME WITH. WHEN YOU TAKE YOUR GOVERNMENT PHONE SIM CARD OUT OF THE LITTLE PLASTIC HOLDER IT CAME IN. ON THAT IS YOUR PUK CODE. 8 DIGITS AND THERE YOU GO. ITS RIGHT ON TOP OF WHERE YOUR SIM CARD CAME IN. ITS RIGHT THERE. IF YOU TOSSED IT AWAY. YOU CALL THE PLACE YOU GOT IT FROM GIVE YOUR NAME DOB SSN NUMBER AND THEY WILL GIVE YOU THIS MAGIC PUK NUMBER. GOOD LUCK RELAX. ITS NO BIGGY. ITS CALL PROTECTING YOUR INFORMATION

    Reply

    • MadAsAHatter says

      Frankie…apparently you are feeling unnoticed with your response written in all caps…or maybe you just seek attention, either way you are not entirely correct. Most, if not all, Govt phones from Qlink wireless come with the SIM card already installed and are shipped without the plastic credit card size holder it came in. Also, CS at Qlink is pathetic and if you are lucky enough to get a rep that you can understand they refuse to give you the PUK code. They claim that is your SIM is locked you must order a new SIM which takes 7-10 business days.

      Reply

  99. MEG says

    Thanks for your help…I read you article very informative..Qlink does not give out puk codes and neither will the carrier Sprint …have to buy new phone..

    Reply

  104. Terrie says

    Thanks but no thanks I have never had a government phone and the phone I carry at this time is and has never been registered for government purposes, it was bought and paid for here in Forrest City, Arkansas 72335, starting playing a game (PUBLISHERS CLEARING HOUSE), and had a Facebook account. My phons has been hyjacked. I’m the past four, give or take. The eye scan pro-formed on me Illegally, was also proformd by phyla did also has never even at the point ask for perform anything from any official of any kind, in this ordeal I’m jobless, no home, no monies, I have not been employed anywhere for the past four or so given years of this incident. On purpose to not give me a proper proposal or interdictions of the such illegals that have been performed in my name and stealing my identity, such as the mentioned in no. Company’s and more, I do not have any such devices that a supplier from the bbb or any incorporated companies whom may be in linked together, never have, against my well for the time mentioned above. Made a few attempts to revolve the problems, no response, of any kind. Getting to the bottom of this would take weight of shoulders, any questions please feel free to approach the proper protocols. I do know that Facebook and publishers Clearing House is behind the scene stilling identities, unbelievable…I have not been the product on what our United States has to other of the such and have Evan tried to attempt to apply.. please hel, a lot of money is tied up in this matter and I’m untitled some of it. This is my constitutional free rights to be an American citizen to be protected here, knowing you may want persons to learn to operate your apple devices, making them a project to do others demonstrated body harm. Should maybe an investigation be preformed probably, you could have ask my cpa and regular doctor, however they are both dead.

    Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      You are the first to tell us this, Jennifer. Can any other readers confirm?

      Reply

      • Ashley says

        Yes i called qlink today and they said i have to buy a new phone for $25. I don’t understand why it says online for us to call the provider and as long as your able to verify all the security questions for identification they would provide provide the PUK code. Im very grateful for the assistance with the free service after unexpected health issues and losing all income, but the young lady i spoke with was very negative and rude!

        Reply

        • Free Government Cell Phones says

          Sorry to hear you had a bad experience with your service provider’s customer service team.

          Reply

      • Daniella says

        You can apply to a different Lifeline cell phone service provider, be approved for Lifeline service w/ the different provider, + be given a new free phone.

        Hopefully your new free Lifeline phone w/ the new Lifeline cell phone provider will have the PUK code in the box the phone came in.

        I kept entering the PUK code into my phone +, after about 6 times, the Lifeline cell phone finally unlocked.

        Thank goodness, because their “Customer Service” phone # disconnects over + over numerous times before ever ringing.

        Reply

  107. Cody says

    Thank you for the Article. My little sister got a free phone through my moms insurance through the state and ended up getting PUK locked. After reading this article I told my mom what she needs to do. Hopefully she can get ahold of the provider. I appreciate this article being out there, much more useful than most of the other’s I read.

    Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      Glad it helped you, Cody. We wish all the people who left comments below had done what you actually did — read the article.

      Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      And the article on this page is jam-packed with info on how to solve that problem.

      Reply

  109. ryan nicholson says

    I called qlink and asked them for my puk password and they told me the cellphone provider no longer give them the puk code no more. They said its not the sim card or is the phone and that I had to buy a new phone. So in this case what would you do if u just got a new phone last week and it’s now puk locked and u can’t get the code? On a LG hot pepper phone with a sprint sim card that was in the phone when I got it. Dont have the card that the sim come on or I would know the puk

    Please get back with me.
    Thanks

    Reply

          • Cu says

            If you work for the GOVERNMENT you ate VERY UNPROFESSIONAL. If not YOU NEED TO READ ALL THIS TOO!! THE GOVERNMENT HIRES ANY CLASS To ANDWER PHONE ISSUES And Just like all Businesses, some employees take pride in their work irregardless, and some either don’t care or don’t get TRAINED well or aren’t competent PERIOD. Sound LIKE YOU ARE ALL THE ABOVE!!smile:-)

          • Free Government Cell Phones says

            Hate to disappoint you, Cu, but we do NOT — repeat, DO NOT — work for the government. THIS IS AN INDEPENDENT INFORMATIONAL WEBSITE. We’ve said this, seriously, about ten thousand times.

  113. Leonor Torres says

    my. SIM was locked my name is leonor Torres 6023914658 it says I need a puk number too. unlock my phone please help me. Avondale Arizona

    Reply

  114. Sandy Putman says

    The phone number I have to call. I get out where, nobody to talk and help. What can I do to get help on a puk code?

    Reply

  116. James Anderson says

    I put my new Sim card in my old phone but didn’t know it had rejected my Sim card I need a replacement phone cuz it’s say only emergency calls only

    Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      You need to contact your service provider’s customer service team, James. We’re not your service provider, so we can’t offer you a replacement phone.

      Reply

  117. Mario says

    I have a Kyocera and I accidentally locked my self out. The point is that it doesn’t have any service so I can’t call I need help please respond as fast as you can.

    Reply

  118. Ben says

    If I travel abroad and want to rent a sim card for the trip will they be able to unlock the phone for the new sim and again to switch back to the original one?

    Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      That’s a question that goes waaaaaaaay beyond our area of expertise, Ben. We’d suggest that you call 6-1-1 to speak to your service provider’s customer service or tech support team.

      Reply

  119. Louise Dennie says

    So there is nothing that can be done if you don’t know PUC? You have to wait to contact Tech? What happens if customer service is not opened? So SafeLink doesn’t have a 24 hour customer service? What good does that do when you need your phone? Unbelievable

    Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      You don’t go far enough, Louise. We think each free government cell phone provider should assign one employee to each of its customers. That way, whenever there’s a problem the customer can bitch to that employee and get his problem solved instantaneously. That’s the very least you deserve, Louise.

      Reply

      • You know who says

        If this is the Hannah mcshan from ***** **** area 1st you straighten yourself out and get off the meth 2nd you dont even have your kids so why you trying to screw the state and draw snap when you can get a job

        Reply

  121. Andrea Sue Riegsecker says

    Phone networked locked sim…..I got it from u…call and ur people said to call att….att said u have code

    Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      You didn’t get it from “us” and “our” people didn’t tell you to call AT&T, and AT&T didn’t tell you “we” had the code. This is an independent informational website, NOT a free government cell phone company. Contact your service provider.

      Reply

  127. luisa santarosa says

    Lmao… Freegov.cell phone (person) you
    Are freaking halarios…gotta give u a ( HI5,GOLD STAR,AND 2THUMBS UP.
    FOR YOUR PATIENCE.”peope read the artical!!!! lmao
    call ur carrier ask them they will give it to u if thaey refuae then say ((i want to speak ti your supervisor)
    that should get their attention.. and i loved V.A.russal.i sooo feel your fustratoin u sound like me.

    Reply

  128. Manuel says

    My actel phone is saying that i need a sim network unlock code? If i call safe link can they unlock it for me. ?

    Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      Probably. If may depend on how long you’ve had the account. The only way to find out for sure is to contact Safelink customer service.

      Reply

      • Nadia P Archer says

        Thanks to assurance wireless for your services the service you provided is wonderful. I had access to data,text messages, and every other services available to me.

        Reply

  129. Alexandra Wilson says

    So I accidentally locked my sim card. I read the article. But I have no way to contact the costumaer service. Is there a way to do it online.

    Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      It depends on which service provider you are enrolled with, Alexandra. Some of them allow you to communicate with customer service via email on online chat, but others don’t. The only way to find out is to visit your service provider’s website and click around to see if it offers that service.

      Reply

      • None yals business says

        Gov. Assist ppl are stupid af bc if all u keep saying is call your carrier, don’t u think if we could talk to them to then y the F*** would we be asking y’all sh*** F***** stupid….. Lot of help y’all are!!!!!!

        Reply

          • Free Government Cell Phones says

            Thanks, None. You’ve demonstrated to everyone why we moderate comments and don’t post them until they have passed minimal scrutiny.

        • Free Government Cell Phones says

          It’s a pleasure dealing with an intelligent person with the sort of sweet disposition you possess, None.

          Reply

  134. Uriel arredondo says

    I have a goverment cell phone and it ask me for puk code.need help its imei number is 35411908082****. thanks in advance

    Reply

  136. Brant Snedeger says

    My service provider told me i have to purchase a new sim card! Said they dont have these codes.

    Reply

    • Greg k. says

      I’m in the same position about the puk code for my acletal phone safelink. I’m needing it very soon LIKE in a hour or so I’m unable to call my phone provider cause this is only available phone i’ve got.
      Thank you very much,
      Gregory. K.

      Reply

        • Free Government Cell Phones says

          Read the article, Jon. We don’t think it says anything about leaving a comment on an independent, informational website to get your PUK.

          Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      We’ve gone back and read the article above and, dammit, Krista, we just can’t find the part where it says you can get your PUK by leaving a comment on this website.

      Reply

  148. Eli says

    Can you please send me my PUK number to my email. The phone number for this SafeLink phone is 210 758 ****

    Reply

  149. Thomas bowen says

    Can you please send me my PUK number to my email. The phone number for this SafeLink phone is 872 238 ****.

    Reply

  154. Vivian says

    Ive been trying to contact SafeLink for my puk code but can’t speak to anyone. How else can I get puk code?

    Reply

  158. Rob says

    Thank you that clarified the situation luckily I have another phone ,it’s nice when you get a direct and straight for word and are to a question

    Reply

      • Nick says

        What if my grandma got me this phone I’m 17 and I don’t know the answers to the questions and my grandma don’t remember

        Reply

        • Free Government Cell Phones says

          Well, first things first, Nick. You don’t qualify for the phone because you’re under 18. Grandma is participating in a bit of behavior that could be interpreted as fraud.

          Reply

  160. pam Smith says

    My phone isn’t a free government phone. It was purchased at the dollar general store. Someone tried to get into my phone and i didn’t know it. Then when i went to get into the phone it was telling me PUK Blocked. How do I fix it.

    Reply

  163. David says

    My Sim card was locked. I successfully unlocked it and when I did, I was notified that my phone service was completely off. No phone signal what can I do now? Apparently no one else is having this problem.

    Reply

  164. Robert Duggan says

    I do not know who my supplier is for my government cell phone is. It says it is puk locked. My number is 318 206 ****

    Reply

  167. V.A. Russell says

    Please instruct me as to how I may recover my cell phone use. It suddenly has somethink you refer to above, called “PUK” and I feel stupid and frustrated. THis is my only phone, and I am in my 60’s and might need to call an ambulance one day. Have pretty decent computer design skills, but am totally ignorant about how to get a worm out of my cell phone. Tried to get someone at “Best Buy” in D.C. to help me, yesterday, but everyone told me they were too busy. Please send me instructions or a link to instructions on how to solve this…Do I take the battery out of y phone for a week? I a sending this to yu from the Mount Pleasant Library in D.C. on the day before Thanksgiving, 2017. My most recent gmail address is “******@gmail.com” and my very first gmail was “*********@gmail.com”. Believe the person who stole that address is the same person who stole the cell phone. Am trying to get “Safelink” to track down the user of that stolen cell which worked with my “*******@gmail.com” address, now also inaccessible to me due to the phone it is attached to not being mine.
    Had asked “Safelink” to turn that phone off, but have not been able to get them to do that. The couple who stole it have put their phone and their name on MY APARTMENT entry box number so they steal any packages and any visitors to the building, while pretending to be me. Thus, although I worked full time for more than 35 years, I am being “disappeared” in the city I have lived in for more than 37 years.
    Every time I use the “wifi” at the local Library, I have trouble accessing my gmail, and it is often “disappeared”. I remember now, (had a stoke in 2001), that public “wifi” is “not safe”, & suspect perhaps the Library staff does not care for me, or just finds it entertaining to pull tricks on me. If I cannot recover my old email addresses, can you tell me how to “kill” them so that my identity is safer? My paper mail has been stolen also, over & over, which means that my monthly allowance never arrives. Suspect the same person has my money having stolen my gmail address, and they seem to have also attached the entry code to the apartment building where I live, and the apartment I live in, to their apartment instead of mine. The telephone number which they stole is (202) 717-****. Pretty certain the robbers are two illegal aliens who are residents of “The Marietta” apartments on 17th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. When I see this couple who are in their late 30’s or early 40’s and do not speak English well), I believe, is is difficult for me to tell whether they are Hispanic or Middle Eastern. Both are dark haired, with a tan skin color, and a mode of dress which reminds me of people who would live in a country that has Alpacas. (A sort of sheep creature, which I think is native to Brazil). Thank you for any instructions you may be able to give. My current email (when it works), is *****@gmail.com

    Reply

  168. Nicole Gardner says

    my phone is locked out its asking me for a PUK code and then it will ask me to enter a new pin then i will then it will go back the PUK code.

    Reply

  171. Robyn-Ann Chasse says

    Hi. I’m switching from EE to O2. I’m also changing my number. My new sim WON’T work! Please help???😢

    Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      If we’re not mistaken, you’re using United Kingdom phone terminology, Robyn-Ann. The Lifeline free government cell phone program only operates in the United States.

      Reply

  172. Charlene says

    Pls help me my 5 year old son put a SIM lock on my safelink phone and it’s asking for a puk code it’s a ZTE phone.

    Reply

  174. Brittany Daugherty says

    I locked my sim card twice every happens if I leave it the way it is our do I need a new sim card or will my phone act normal

    Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      There’s no way for us to diagnose your SIM card problems, Brittany. Contact your service provider’s customer service or tech support team.

      Reply

  175. Rb says

    How call I call my provider when my only open is to enter the code or make an emergency call. Powered it off same screen is only option

    Reply

  176. Chancie says

    If none of us has set the eight digit password for the Puk. OK why are you having us to read the article when we don’t recall putting one in what’s the point of you helping us out when you want us to read the article hmm ??? Should I dye your company

    Reply

      • Free Government Cell Phones says

        Yes, you should definitely sue us. Find a good lawyer and sue the damn pants off of us. We are scoundrels of the worst sort and should be taught a lesson.

        Oh, by the way, Chancie, please tell that attorney that this is an independent informational website, NOT a free government cell phone company.

        Reply

          • Free Government Cell Phones says

            We suck? You want us to somehow perform services we are not authorized by the Federal Communications Commission to provide? We’ve said this literally a thousand times — WE ARE NOT A FREE GOVERNMENT CELL PHONE COMPANY! This website provides information, you raving lunatic, not the ”SERBICE” you are looking for.

  178. Allen says

    I have the ZTE track phone.. Yes the free one, an I never made a code. I tried, now it’s saying sim card is puk-locked?? but I never got to set up a code in the first place!! Please help me out…do I need to call the 611 number from another free government phone?? Thank you!!

    Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      You can, indeed, call 6-1-1 from another free government cell phone, but you need to make sure that other phone comes from the same company that you are enrolled with. Otherwise you’ll be connected to the wrong customer service team.

      Reply

  179. Carissa Veith says

    I am also locked out of phone because of punk code, yes I read the article. I have called T-Mobile because that’s the name under my text messages and they tell me cintex is my wireless provider but I called them and they have no record of my phone service. They could not even pull up my information like T-Mobile did.i have a vortex beat 2.0 and live in Maryland for my government phone. Can u please tell me how to figure out who I contact to get my code?

    Reply

  184. Wenona Thornton says

    I never created a PIN but my gov phone all of a sudden says enter pin so after trying the usual # like1234 it said enter PUK. I keep trying to call them but I can’t get tech support what do I do?

    Reply

  185. Susan says

    What “free government cell phone” mean? We have no idea what is going on. We only buy time cards with minutes, no service from any company.

    Reply

  186. Pedro says

    I locked my self out of my sim card i have a ZTE ZMax pro Z981 and i cant get back in it unless i put the 8 digit code in and i dont know it could you please help

    Reply

  191. Vecente Tsinnie says

    I accidentally locked my safelink phone.
    It’s Telling Me For PUK Code.
    What Is PUK.
    Know How To Unlock These Safelink Phonesw?

    Reply

  192. Michael says

    I don’t know my pin to get Into my phone so it’s pretty much useless does anyone know what the master reset code is?

    Reply

  196. Tisha Timmons says

    My sim card is locked I don’t know my puk code Im not able to call costumer service my manual doesn’t have a help number

    Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      You’ll need to use another phone to call your service provider’s customer service team. Maybe they can help.

      Reply

  197. Mrs. Kennedy says

    So I have a Samsung entouch cell phone an need a PUK code because I factory reset my phone when I tried to clear data space

    Reply

  198. john says

    Um i dont know my service provider my vortex profile 3g is government phone in Georgia but the man didnt tell us who was the service provider

    Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      You’re going to need to do some homework to find out, John. Here’s where you can find all the free government cell phone companies in your state:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states

      The only way to find your provider is to start at the top of the list and call each of the companies customer service teams. Sooner or later one will be able to identify you as a customer.

      Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      We are not your service provider, so we have no way of knowing your PUK code, Ashley.

      Reply

  201. Devin says

    How can I call my provider for my PUK if my phone is locked and won’t allow me to make a call??

    Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      Two ways: (1) Borrow someone else’s phone. (2) Check your service provider’s website to see if it offers an online chat function or a customer service email form.

      Reply

  203. Bobby says

    Yes my vortex phone broke but I have another phone its a lifewirels phone can I put Sim card in it cause it say I need Sim me lock code is there a way to get it unlock to use on other phone asap please

    Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      It’s impossible for us to answer that question, Bobby. Not all cell phones are compatible with all cell networks. You should contact your service provider to find out if your particular make and model is compatible with its network.

      Reply

      • Ari says

        Please Stop saying read the article for those who don’t know the solution to getting their phones back on again! There is no information as to which number to contact or email so we can get the puk.

        Reply

        • Free Government Cell Phones says

          You know what, Ari. We always attempt to be polite to our readers, but every once in a while a comment just plain pisses us off. Yours is one of those. All the information anyone needs is on this website. We can’t do a single article that tells you every piece of information needed for every situation because it would be so damn long that no one would read it all and it would be worthless. But if you use the freakin’ brain you were born with, you can find everything you need. Although based on your comment, you were not born with much of a brain. Go away. Start your own website if you think you have a better way of doing it. We are done with you.

          Reply

          • ChDuf says

            BLAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! Omfg… I don’t know if anyone checks these messages anymore, but if you do, I just want to say thank you! It’s Sunday night & I’ve spent the last hour reading this thread because it’s geeking me out!!! Free Government Cell Phones you’re hilarious! I would’ve quite my job by now… you have some patience man! The amount of stupidity I’ve just read is out of control. This thread alone has made me lose all hope in humanity! I swear I saw someone give you their Bday and social security number up above 😂 email addresses phone numbers IMEI number… maybe if they gave you the name of their first pet and the name of their 1st grade teacher you would’ve been able to help them. Hey if someone asks for the PUK # again you should give them these instructions:
            First you need to subtract the year of your birth from the IMEI #. You multiply that by the pin code you use to unlock your phone. Add that to your favorite number and then divide that by your phone number (area code included). You subtract that from your zip code and add that to the dollar amount of food stamps you receive each month.
            OMFG… Free Gov’t where do I apply for a job?? I’m sure I’ll end up fired my first day of work but it’ll be totally worth it! 🤣😂🤣

  205. Rose-Marie says

    I can’t phone out and I have one try left for puke number plz help me I can’t use my phone

    Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      We hope you mean PUK number and not puke number. Yuck!

      Do you have another phone? Contact your service provider’s customer service or tech support team on that phone, Rose-Marie.

      Reply

  206. Carolyn Matthews says

    I’m locked out of my Trac phone the number for phone is 727-240-**** if you need to call me at 727-657-**** Thank you so much.

    Reply

  207. John says

    I have qlinkwireless and they said they don’t give puk codes out that I would have to buy a new phone

    Reply

  208. Nicholas says

    How can i unlock my sim card to work in another phone?? Do i have to call safelink and ask for a brand new sim and thentake that sim card and insert it into my new phone or is there someway of unlocki g the one i have so i can use it in my other phone ?

    Reply

  211. Maria says

    I keep calling for help with my PUK and nobody has helped me. They say they are “sending something through” and it should work? Well it’s not. Any other suggestions?

    Reply

  212. Dustin mcknight says

    I need my puk password for my aclatel one touch straight talk phone but it’s after hours and can not reach customer service how can I get help please help me asap

    Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      If you can’t find the info you need in this article, contact your service provider’s customer service or tech support team, Emma.

      Reply

  219. Daniel Sturgill says

    My phone is a lg treasure and i pay each month and i need a number to get my punk code to unlock my cell i need in it bad

    Reply

      • Free Government Cell Phones says

        No problem, Daniel. We’ve seen far worse typos than that. We’ve done them ourselves.

        In answer to your question, read the article above. If it does not answer your question, contact your service provider’s customer service or tech support team.

        Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      We don’t provide PUK codes because we’re an independent informational website, not a Lifeline free government cell phone company. However, here’s where you can find a complete list of service providers in your state. Just click on your state, then click on your service provider and you’ll be taken to an article that has the contact info you’re looking for:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states

      Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      You didn’t mention which company you enrolled with, but many companies have a “Check Your Status” function on their websites. Give that a try. If your company doesn’t offer that fucntion, contact customer service.

      Reply

  224. Paula haywood says

    Need my puk number for number 475-218-**** n do a change of address. new address is 67 ***** lane bethlehem ct *****

    Reply

  225. Donna Kirkley says

    I received a Ptel phone, and 1 week it locked up ,people say Ptel is no longer in business. I tried to apply for safe link wireless and they tell me I can’t until feb.16th.2017 ,because of ptel.I need a phone and I’m eligible for one through my foodstamps,I would really appreciate someone helping me solve this problem, thanks Donna Kirkley

    Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      We’ve never heard of PTel and as far as we know, it is NOT part of the Lifeline free government cell phone program. It appears that you are saying you had a PTel phone, but who was your service provider? It is true that you cannot enroll with a different company until your 12 month enrollment period has ended. So you may just be out of luck unless you can convince your former service provider to take you back.

      Reply

  226. Jan Friedrich says

    My phone says enter PUK now. Apparently because I forgot my pin and entered too many guesses. What do I do now? What is my PUK? My Safelink phone is the only phone
    I have. So, I can’t “call” anyone!
    Thanks for any help !
    email: ********@outlook.com

    Reply

  227. the truthseeker says

    After the hell that I went through with SafeLink, both in getting my phone started and ending my service when my phone was stolen, I need a PUKE code! (But those details I’ll save for the PUC, hehehe!)

    But let me help out those who seem to be a bit confused on what to do when they’re stuck here.

    First off this is not your phone company.

    This is never your phone company.

    This is a third party site.

    This is what we call a help site.

    People who help others because they feel frustrated there is no other help around. People who do other work volunteer their time for free here, helping you out because of the lack of support everywhere else.

    But that doesn’t mean that is your phone company still.

    That’s like speaking to a mechanic and asking why they aren’t sending you a replacement washing machine.
    Find out who your phone company is your phone provider, your service provider, whatever you wish to call it.

    Secondly, if your asking for a puk code here, you did not read the article. If you read the article and still cannot get your puk code, you have to contact the phone company that provides your lifeline service.
    There is no way around this.
    I will mention another way to contact the company if you have to call, (but I can’t guarantee this will work) at a later moment in this post.
    Again, stop treating this help site as your phone company; stop asking the mechanic to order you a new washing machine.

    Call the company that makes the phones your phone provider.
    And if you try entering that code 10 times and are totally locked out, you had a wait for an entirely new sim card. You are sol, be ready to possibly have to wait for a new phone as well. Some companies can’t simply send a sim card but have to send a phone that only works with it as well.

    Thirdly, the government does not give you phones.

    Again, the government does not give you phones.

    The federal government and sometimes state government when there is an additional subsidy like California, pays so people can get phones for little to no cost.
    As mentioned earlier, this is called a subsidy.

    When phone companies sign up customers, they receive a subsidy for each customer. It is that phone company that gives you your free phone, not the government.

    So if you’re going to call it anything, call it a subsidized phone.
    Every time I hear somebody call it an Obama phone or a government phone. I know who failed the lifeline intelligence test. And this includes some major phone carrier employees as well. So don’t feel too badly about it. But now that you know, call it the right thing.
    And btw, George W. Bush initiated this lifeline program extension from landlines to cellular phones. Not Obama.

    Finally, I promised I’d give you a possible option if you can’t call anyone because your phone is locked, but you may have your phone able to do other features.
    If you are able to get internet access with your phone and you are able to download apps, what you can do is download an app like sideline, talk tone or any of the other applications that use wifi to make calls. you can call your provider’s telephone number and take as long as you need to wait. If you can get a wifi hot spot or place where you can get free wifi like Starbucks, it’s highly recommended you use that instead of your usually. 500 Megabytes worth of data to do this, of course. The catch is you need to be able to go online with your phone, and if you can’t do anything like install anything then you are not going to be able to use a third party application to make internet dialing calls. This also is called voice over IP or voip. If all else fails try using google voice, there may even be ways to use google voice on a public library computer. Trust me when I say you will find a way to call your provider, wait on hold for who knows how long and get the idiots to finally give you your 8 digit puk code, no matter how incompetent they are, see safelink. And if you are using internet access to look at this site and send comments, then you could do a search on how to find and use google voice on. A computer or phone or whatever you are using right now. Anything more and you have to start paying money for real technicians or real support.

    And if you post something that has already been answered because you’re just not going to bother reading, whether it is my or their information, don’t bother posting at all. Look first ask, secondly. Try not being like a certain Trumpy person.

    Best of luck and hope your phone is unlocked soon, everybody!

    I AM,

    –the truthseeker

    Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      We’ve gone back and re-read the article on this page and hard as we tried, we could not find anything that said, “Find out your PUK code by leaving a comment at an independent website that’s not affiliated with any of the free government cell phone companies.” C’mon, Zachary, read the article.

      Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      If you’ve exhausted the options discussed in the article above, your last hope is contacting your service provider’s customer service or tech support team.

      Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      There’s absolutely no way to know in advance which phone you’ll get, Jason. Every Lifeline company hands out the free government cell phones randomly.

      Reply

  242. Tamara Davis says

    I need Safe Links contact information. I can not find the number anywhere. I have been locked out of my phone. Its asking me for a PUK. Does this have anything to do with Trump being elected?? Did he beat me to this??

    Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      Congratulations, Tamara. You win the award for the dumbest comment of the day. We think the President has more important things to do than have you locked out of your phone. Did you read the article above?

      Reply

      • Candy Church says

        Your “Hosting” or Q&A service whatever you want to label it as is degrading, disrespectful, and shame on all those who retorted with their little judge mental comments…some are not fluent with the communication tools or perhaps language or education plays a part in their (?) s being to your disfavor. Well I hope you get all you deserve….God Bless all.

        Reply

          • Fred Will says

            Lmao..You guys..SMH.
            Informative low brow entertainment.
            “Innernet” don’t get no better than this.

          • Death says

            Rotf she’s talking about y’all not your readers! Your site should be taken down! Learn to be respectful to your readers! You said any questions you can help…so either say something nice or don’t reply!
            P.s you’re the one that has grammar issues, seems like to me that you’

          • Free Government Cell Phones says

            You are absolutely right, Death. Our site should be taken down. Immediately. I’m going to talk to management and demand that they take it down. Hey, wait. That would mean I’d be out of a job. Upon further consideration, I’ve decided that you win the official FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net “Dumbest Comment of the Day.” Congratulations! This is an award more coveted than the Nobel Prize and the Academy Award. We can’t imagine how proud you must be.

  243. Victor says

    I got a alcatel phone from my service provider Safelink, and i switched my SIM chip from the alcatel phone that Safelink provided with me to another alcatel phone that i got from a friend, but now on the new alcatel phone it keeps asking me to put in the SIM network pin. and i have no idea what that freaking is!!!! can someone please help? is it my puk code or something else? and how do i l get the pin?

    Reply

  244. Ed says

    We bought TracFones on HSN and we are regretting every second we use our phones. Messages get changed thanks to spellcheck, then get cut off and sent before we finish. Now, we have to get a PUK number from the server. A suggestion to all cell phone providers, KISS – Keep It Simple Stupid, and easy would help.

    Reply

  248. Heidi says

    Hi all of a sudden my old state phone just asked for a puk. Pincode. I never put one on. Pls help.. and it’s only letting me call SOS.

    Reply

  249. Deana Bell says

    my phone says attempt left 9 then a picture of a lock then enter PUK code I have been trying for days and on hold for many hours please tell me what to do this my only phone and I live alone thank you for your time

    Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      Are you saying you want to put your SIM card into a different phone? (“Unlocking” has several different meanings, so we want to make sure we understand what you’re asking.)

      Reply

      • Victor says

        yes! say if theroitically i want to put my SIM into another different alcatel phone other than the one safelink provided me, its telling me to enter a SIM network pin and my puk code wont work.

        Reply

  254. Amy Vanderheiden says

    515-709-**** Alcatel SafeLink phone requires a PUK code, I am requesting this code today please so I can make my required call. Thank you. Alternative phone: 515-227-****

    Reply

  255. Sylvie brubacher says

    Does anyone have a phone number to a real person at Safelink….the automated system is not helpful when my phone is stuck on PUK mode!!

    Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      Apparently it’s becoming tougher to reach a real, live person at Safelink. How about if you go to the company’s website and use the online email for to send an email to Safelink. You can also try calling 6-1-1 on your cell phone (if it’s still working).

      Reply

      • Sylvie B says

        I tried to send an email from their website but get a message that says Oops something went wrong… I can’t call out on my phone….can only hit the green/send button however it’s for an emergency call only!!

        Reply

        • Free Government Cell Phones says

          Sorry to hear about your problems, Sylvia. We’re out of advice if neither of the things we suggested work. The only advice we have is to continue trying the email function on the company website.

          Reply

  259. A.Arruda says

    Will you be willing and or able to send me a new, (Free) Gov. SIM card. So I too may be enabled to utilize cellphone services. That I may otherwise, NOT be able to afford & or procreate under mine own means. ” Please ”?…….

    Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      We’d do it if we could, A, but we’re an independent website, not a free government cell phone company. You need to speak to your service providere’s customer service team. (And as a side note, you’re the first person who’s ever wanted to procreate on our website. Yes, we know we’re sexy, but we didn’t know we had groupies.

      Reply

  260. Daniella Mendoza says

    I have an LG treasure LTE phone. I have accidentally locked my phone because of the PUK. How do i find my PUK code?

    Reply

  261. lindsey says

    I cannot call my service provider when my phone is locked…what am I supposed to do? i don’t have anyone to borrow from, and they don’t have payphones anymore.

    Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      It appears that you do have an internet connection, so you should probably visit your service provider’s website and see if they have a customer service email address or email form. But it’s always better to call and speak to a real live human. Do you have a friend or neighbor whose phone you can borrow?

      Reply

  262. Sheila Middleton says

    My grandson has an Alcatel Tracfone we obtained from a free program. He has accidentally locked his SIM card and needs a PUK code.

    Reply

  264. MIRANDA MARTINEZ says

    Omigod… First of all… Thank you guys for your help! THIS ARTICLE DOES HELP **IF YOU READ IT!!*** Man oh man… People are crazy! I can not believe you guys haven’t gone off on someone yet! Man the patience you guys have after these repetitive comments is unbelievable! Props, guys! You guys are awesome!

    NOTE:

    EVERYONE…
    BEFORE COMMENTING,
    ***PLEASE***
    READ THE ARTICLE!!!!

    Reply

  265. Nicole says

    Hi, my name is Nicole and I have a few questions. My friend gave me an HTC Desire 610 and I’be been waiting on my mom to turn it on. So right now it is locked with PUK, I have 8 attempts left, and the friend that gave it to me has no idea what to do. Please help! My mom is refusing to buy me a new phone until I turn 17!

    Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      We’re pretty sure you meant PUK code, not pike code. Nevertheless, do as the article says, Mario.

      Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      Go to your service provider’s website to see if they offer a way to communicate with customer service via an email form or online chat.

      Reply

  280. Kevin says

    Hi… i did a system update and once over my sim card locked it self. Any thing i can do to unlock would be great. I have not totally locked the sim yet. Anyways i need a puk code pls. Any help or knowledge would help me a lot thanks

    Reply

  281. Paulette says

    I am a vision impaired disabled person and having a hard trying to get customer service, tech support just to unlock the puk code! Bad business here just hard for a vision impaired person! the puk code (that is what my son said) and the phone is locked! How do I get someone to help me with the puk code? Please?

    Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      Which service provider do you use, Paulette? Do you know what your provider’s policy is regarding vision-impaired customers? Here’s an article that will tell you the policies of each company:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/government-cell-phones-hearing-vision-speech-impaired

      Ask for a supervisor the next time you call customer service. We’ve found that it always helps to go up a little higher on the chain of command. For example, this comment moderator recently switched from one service provider to another. The old service provider wanted to charge us a fee for early termination of our contract (we’d been with the company for ten years, but my wife’s newer two-year contract had not yet expired). We asked to speak to a supervisor and he quickly removed the fee. Try it. It can’t hurt.

      Reply

  283. carolyn trueblood says

    My sim card is blocked I need to unblock it. I got my life line phone in Anderson Indiana I need a phone number to call for assistance to unblock my sim card.

    Reply

  285. Gina says

    Hello i am locked out of my phone. this is the only phone i have and i just have email. can you email me the instructions?

    Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      We can’t email you the instructions, but read the article above. It tells you what to do.

      Reply

  288. Ivan says

    My goverrment phone. Vortex matrix, the sim card islocked its asking for puk code …can anyone direct me on how to unlock this problem

    Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      As it says in the article, “Only your service provider can retrieve your PUK code.” So you’re pretty much out of luck if you don’t know who your service provider is, Helen. The only way to track down the right company is to contact every service provider in your state to ask if you’re their customer. Here’s where you can find a list of all those companies. Maybe you’ll get lucky and live in a state that has a small handful of companies:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states

      Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      You can two choices. (1) Contact your service provider’s tech support team and they can talk you through it. Or (2) Google the make and model of your phone and the words “user manual.” You can find the user manual for virtually every phone make and model online. Once you find it, look for the answer to your question.

      Reply

  292. Antrolique shy says

    I can not call out on my phone because it’s asking for the puk code and I don’t kno it may someone please help me to unlock my phone so I can use it

    Reply

  293. Wayne says

    Thank you for your sound advice on my government phone. PUK problem.I should have left my phone alone .now I can’t use it.I have to call Trac.and try and come up with a real person to talk to me..this will take forever.I’ll c u in about twenty years..

    Reply

  294. Sarah Muller says

    I’m really in desperate need of needing help getting my PUK code ASAP pleaseeeeeeeeee someone help me!!!?????

    Reply

  296. Randy Dean Edmonds says

    I am out of minuets and have locked my cell phone. I need to obtain my PUK code so ICan get my monthly minuets. Thank you ! Randy Edmnnds 336.935.****

    Reply

  297. Sylvia Perez says

    I have a puk code thing on my phone I need help to get the number and you peole don’t have an agent to help.im very disappointed with this company and phone

    Reply

    • Jason Burton says

      I am a lifeline phone agent have been for 5 years, the only reason you would EVER need a PUK code or PIN unlock key is because someone has taken the sims card out of the original phone and tried to use it in a phone that is not compatible with it and then when inserted back into the original phone it locks it up and requires a PUK to unlock it

      Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      The number for what, Randy? (Your comment reminds us of the time TV newsman Dan Rather claimed to have been beaten up by some mysterious mugger. He said the mugger stood over him saying, “What’s the frequency, Kenneth.” Sorry, just a random thought we had when we read your comment/question.)

      Reply

  301. Krista says

    ive been locked out of my phone for weeks. it asks for a PUK code. I have tried calling the tech support etc. but i cant get a real person on the phone.. its an automated message. it go through the main menu. press the numbers the apply.. than i get to tech support and it says ” Make sure your phone is on blah blah.. and try back in 15 mins.” ive tried 5 times.. nothing changes. what number can i call to talk to someone who can actually help me?

    Reply

  304. tAMMI BIRD says

    SAFELINK sUCKS. I GOT A JOB THIS WEEK AND GOT LOCKED OUT OF MY PHONE. I AM SURE THE COMPANY HIRED SOMEONE ELSE BECAUSE SAFELINK WILL NOT ANSWER MY CALLS, I AM HOMELESS AND GETTING ABUSED.

    Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      Horrible, Tammi. We wish there was some way we coul help. You left this comment on an article about PUK codes. Does that mean you were locked out for the reasons discussed in this article? If so, follow the steps discussed in the article and see if you can get your phone operable again. Good luck.

      Reply

  306. Phone holder Amanda says

    Can u please tell me my puk code without calling. Tell me online with my #. I have no way of calling. My number is.,606-588-****

    Reply

  312. Sam Romo says

    my phone has not worked for at least 2 mos, i dont know if its locked or disconnected,but i need a working phone. please let me know what i need to do. my enrollment# is1325*** and my name is Sam Romo and my phone# is 682 202 ****. My contact#is 817 641 ****.

    Reply

  313. David Doyle says

    I have a huge problem. I have a government cell phone I don’t remember what service provider I’m with Is problem number 1- problem number 2- my kids did something to the phone to were it was asking for a pin and apparently they have tried to many times and now the sim card is locked what can I do

    Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      That is, indeed, a huge problem. It sounds as if the phone is permanently locked and only your service provider can unlock it. But if you don’t know who your service provider is, you can’t get them to help you. The only solution we can think of is for you to wait 60 days. When the phone is unused for 60 days, your account should be automatically closed. Then you can attempt to enroll with another company.

      Reply

  315. Long Van Nguyen says

    Hi
    I lost the PIN , The phone ask the PUK code . I call customer service . They gave me 8# of PUK and new PIN
    I did . enter PUK , phone ask new PIN , I enter new PIN ( customer gave me ), the phone ask confirm new PIN , I enter same new PIN which customer gave me . But the phone show me : Wrong PUK 4 times lelf .
    What happen ???

    Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      If this article doesn’t answer your question, Angelica, you’ll need to contact your service provider’s customer service or tech support team.

      Reply

  318. Stephon Mincey says

    I have a safelink wireless Alcatel phone. Never been used still showing 510 mins. For the month it came in but either the phone or the sim card don’t work correctly and I have been messing with this for awhile. I signed for a new one to come in. But if this one can get going today I really need it.

    Reply

  319. Debra windom says

    I whould like to report that my lifeline cellphone has been stolen and I would like to have to turned off immediately. My phone number is 213-925-****

    Reply

  320. Christopher Pullum says

    So Lifeline customers with locked phones that ask for the PUK code and have no access to a landline or other cell/smartphone are completely screwed? Safelink has a link to click to find information regarding contact for technical help, but the link simply redirects to the toll-free number and a message stating that 800 numbers on Safelink Wireless are STILL paid calls and one should call via landline to request help. If I had a LANDLINE that was exclusively MINE I wouldn’t have to use a free, government sponsored code! I could put THAT phone number down on applications/resumes I submit for EMPLOYMENT. To add insult to injury, I did NOT receive a ‘PUK Code needed’ message because I typed in the wrong pin I set up with the account because I DIDN’T SET ONE UP YET. I simply activated the phone, and the first time I turned it on after doing so, I received the error code. I need a phone, my future depends on it. How long will it be before I can DROP this ridiculous excuse for a telecommunications rep and apply for another one? Retirement?

    Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      We can feel your anguish in your writing, Christopher. Sorry. In answer to your question, you can switch companies 60 days after your account was first activated.

      To find a list of alternative companies, click on the “States” link at the top of this page, then click on your state. You’ll find a list of all free government cell phone companies you can go with. Check the all out because they all offer slightly different plans (different numbers of minutes, texts, maybe data, etc) and different geographies.

      Reply

  321. h prada says

    If the phone is a smartphone and it gets locked down, can other features such as the camera or Wi-Fi still be used?

    Reply

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      Not by default. Your cell phone typically does not have its camera running unnecessarily in the background. So when your phone is locked, you lose the ability to take photos. However, if the camera app is opened and minimized so that it utilizes the RAM (are we getting too technical?) to stay up and not get closed, it may be available for photos. That’s true for most smartphones, but we can’t guarantee that it’s true for all makes and models.

      Reply
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