So you’re to save some money and switch to TracFone? That’s great! Getting set up with your new carrier will require you to understand a little bit about TracFone compatible devices. Here’s a quick guide to help find the right phone for your TracFone plan.
Table of Contents:
- TracFone: A quick summary
- How do you switch to TracFone?
- Is my device TracFone compatible?
- How is TracFone’s device selection?
- In summary
TracFone: A quick summary
TracFone is not your standard month-to-month prepaid, no-contract carrier. Instead, they embody true “pay-as-you” with a set amount of minutes within a set time frame.
Time frames exist in 30-day, 60-day, 90-day, and 365-day increments. And one of the most significant advantages of TracFone is your ability to roll over unused texts, minutes, and data into the next pay period.
There are two things about TracFone that are a bit different. First, once the time frame lapses, you must renew your plan with TracFone. Customer service recommends that you prevent a service lapse with a modest auto-refill subscription.
Second, TracFone coverage uses the best of coverage of AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and US Cellular. While this ensures that you have access to almost 100% coverage nationwide, this does have a significant effect on device compatibility.
How do you switch to TracFone?
There are three ways to make the switch to TracFone: purchase a TracFone device, get a SIM kit, or buy airtime cards.
Purchase a TracFone smartphone or flip phone
From the TracFone website or store, you can select from any number of pre-programmed TracFone smartphones and flip phones.
If all you need is a flip phone, we recommend getting one free when you purchase a TracFone plan.
TracFone smartphones and flip phones are also at the sold the following stores:
- HSN
- Amazon
- Walmart
- Best Buy
- Target
Purchase a SIM kit
If you already have a TracFone compatible device, all you need is a TracFone SIM kit. SIM kits are available on their website, as well as the stores listed above.
Purchase airtime cards
You can either purchase a new plan that gives you a set amount of coverage for a 30, 60, 90, or 365-day period; or, you can refill an airtime card that you’ve already used.
When purchasing airtime cards, you can save money by enrolling in auto-refill. Also, you don’t have to worry that your TracFone service will lapse once your 30, 60, 90, or 365-day plan ends. You are allowed unlimited text, minute, and data rollover, but you will need an active account with TracFone before you can access rolled-over service.
Is my device TracFone compatible?
Android OS
There are several Android phones compatible with TracFone, including the Galaxy S7, Motorola Moto X, and LG G4.
Apple OS
Some iPhones are also compatible with TracFone. TracFone is one of the few carriers that still supports older iPhone models such as the iPhone 4, so long as it is a GSM (AT&T) phone capable of changing out a SIM card.
TracFone compatible devices
When examining the list below, keep in mind that TracFone doesn’t consider GSM (AT&T) and CDMA (Verizon) phones equal. If you’re interested in an AT&T-compatible phone, this list is going to be a safe bet (though not a guarantee).
For a Verizon or other CDMA phone, we recommend that you check with TracFone’s compatibility check page here.
- Samsung Galaxy Fascinate, S3, S5, S6, S7, Note II, and Note III
- iPhone 4, 4s, 5, 5s, 6, and 6Plus
- LG G2, G3, G4, and Lucid
- Motorola Moto G, Moto X, Droid Razr M, Droid 1, Droid 2, Droid 3, Droid X, Droid X2
- Nexus 5X, 6, and 6p
- HTC 1X, Droid Incredible, Droid Incredible 2, Rhyme, Trophy, and One M8
- Blu Studio 6.0 and Studio C Super Camera
- Asus ZenFone 2
- Nokia Lumia 640
- Alcatel TCL LX
How to bring your own phone to TracFone
First, you must ensure that your phone is compatible with TracFone using the online phone compatibility tool here.
So long as your phone is compatible, you can purchase and install your new TracFone SIM card. Select the 30, 60, 90, or 365-day option that works best for you. Remember that you can refill or purchase add-ons later if you need to.
The difference between TracFone Basic and Smartphone plans
There are three TracFone plans: Basic, Classic, and Smartphone.
Basic plans are only for flip phones, while Smartphone plans are ideal for customers with smartphones. In fact, you can enjoy a smartphone discount with the purchase of any Smartphone plan.
The Classic plans work for either your flip phone or smartphone. With Classic plans, you should bear in mind that these are not ideal for moderate to heavy data users. If you regularly use 1 GB of LTE every month, you would be much better off with a smartphone plan.
How is TracFone’s device selection?
So long as you do not mind older phone models, you can shop from a reasonable selection of name brand phones.
Because all TracFone smartphones are older generation phones, you will not be able to finance a phone with TracFone directly. If you still wish to finance your new smartphone, many other smartphone vendors offer financing.
Always be sure to confirm that the phone you are about to purchase is a TracFone compatible device.
In summary
When it comes to TracFone compatible devices, you’re not likely to use the latest in smartphones. But that can also be a plus since flip phones and older smartphones are far cheaper and can often do much of what current smartphones can do.
All the same, there are plenty of capable phones to choose from to fit your modest wireless lifestyle as a TracFone customer.
