When you receive your phone preloaded with minutes and texts, you may think they are enough. Yet, various situations can eat up into your big chunk of minutes only to realize later you need more. Different SafeLink Wireless phones come with a certain number of minutes depending on the plan. There is one with 250 minutes and 1000 texts per month. Another 500 minutes with unlimited texts. Basically, running out of minutes it’s almost near unavoidable.
For that reason, you need instant top-up methods to ensure you get minutes as fast as you need them. Imagine you are talking to your doctor and deplete your allotment midway. You will need to get a refill immediately. Fortunately, there are many ways you can get SafeLink wireless extra minutes.
4 Options For Add Minutes To A Safelink Phone?
1. Buying online
TracFone company is the manufacturer of SafeLink phones. Like any other customer, you can buy extra minutes on their website known as tracfone.com. SafeLink also offers similar services but TracFone offers are the best. The reason is that SafeLink has limited packages and which are a bit expensive. Although, if you are comfortable with their minutes, you can still buy them. They have four airtime packages with different minutes.
TracFone offers more airtime options and their corresponding minutes. For instance, you can buy 30 minutes and receive 100 more minutes at only $9.99. Another option is buying 60 minutes and receive 200 minutes at $19.99. Depending on your needs, you can buy as many minutes as you want. In some instances, you may have to enter either your phone number or its serial number.
2. Buying minutes with TracFone’s promotion code
TracFone offers free airtime, minutes and other services through their secret promotion codes. If you want to enjoy these offers, you need to get a valid promo code and use it on their website. The good thing is that there are different places you can find these codes. Sometimes on the promoter’s page. You can also find them on other independent sites. Before using a code from an independent site, first, check its expiry dates. This is because most of those sites publish expired or already used codes. So, to raise your chances of succeeding, you need to pick many promo codes.
3. Contacting customer care
You can contact customer care on your cellphone to request more minutes. The representative will take you through the process until you receive your minutes. Their customer care line is 1-800-378-1684. So, if you don’t have a smartphone, you can rely on this method to add minutes.
4. Buying minutes from local retailers
There are over 70,000 retail shops across the country selling SafeLink Airtime card. These include stores like Walmart, Family Dollar, Rite Aid, Vons and many others. After buying the Airtime Card, you can choose between buying minutes on your phone or online. If you choose the online method, head to the SafeLink website and follow the prompts. To refill with your phone, follow the steps below;
- First, check whether your phone is on. To confirm this, press the PWR/END button.
- On the main screen, navigate to the prepaid menu
- Choose REDEEM AIRTIME or ADD AIRTIME option
- Finally, enter your Airtime PIN number
SafeLink Airtime Plans
SafeLink wireless has three airtime plans. They all have different features and so you need to pick one that best addresses your needs. You need to consider several factors to make an informed decision. These should include your location, the region you call and your work. The table below depicts the plans and their features;
| Plans | Features | Texts |
| Plan 1 | 68 free minutesUnlimited access to voice mailFree call waitingCaller IDInternational calling up to 100 destinations | 0.3 minutes per text |
| Plan 2 | 125 free minutes Carry over minutesInternational calling | Unlimited |
| Plan 3 | 350 free minutesNo carry over minutes International calling | Unlimited |
How do I Check SafeLink Wireless Minutes?
To avoid being stuck when your minutes deplete abruptly, it is prudent to periodically check your minute’s balance. There are different ways you can do this;
If you have a smartphone, you can check your SafeLink minutes’ balance online. All you need to do is visit their website and log into your account. All the information about your line will be there including the remaining minutes. That doesn’t mean if you don’t have a smartphone you can’t check your balance online. You can do this using a computer or someone else’s phone. As long as you log in to your account, you will see your account details.
For people without smartphones, the other method is for you. Follow the steps below to know how you can accomplish this;
- Press the MENU button on your phone
- You should see the PREPAID option on the screen
- Press SELECT/OK
- Use the scroll buttons to navigate to REDEEM AIRTIME or ADD AIRTIME
- Press SELECT/OK option
- If a message appears on your screen scroll down until you find CARD # or AIRTIME PIN
- Use your phone’s dial pad and dial 555 followed by OK
- If a promotion code option comes up, press NO
- Wait for some time and you will receive your balance
You can also use the TracFone mobile app to keep track of your minutes. The company developed a versatile Android app that can help you monitor your expenses at a glance. You just need to download it from the play store and create your account. For ease of accessibility, you can create a widget to always show the balance. To configure the app on your phone, follow the steps below;
- On your phone, navigate to the Google play store and search “TracFone My Account”.
- Locate the app and select install.
- After installing the app, log in with your TracFone credentials. If you don’t have an account, visit their website and create an account then log in to the app.
- Once logged in, you can see your balance summary and every detail of your account.
If none of the above methods satisfies you, there is still an alternative. Text the word “Balance” to 611611. This is the simplest new method introduced in which a balance message is sent directly to your inbox. Although the message is not free. You must be ready to pay the standard messaging rates.
FAQs – Frequently Ask Questions
How can I qualify for a free Safelink phone?
To qualify for a free Safelink phone, you must fulfil certain guidelines. These include;
- You must be a beneficiary of one of the major states or federal assistance programs. These programs include Medicaid, food stamps etc.
- Your total household income must be below your state or national level
- You should also have a valid street address
For how long will I receive Safelink services and benefits if I qualify?
SafeLink beneficiaries remain eligible for 12 months after which one must recertify. Failure to recertify means you stop receiving the Lifeline benefits. But if you had the phone, you can still keep and use it as a regular phone.
Is it legal to add minutes on a SafeLink free government phone?
Yes. There is no crime in buying extra minutes if you exhaust your free allotment before the end month. Safelink being a free wireless service provider allows people to add minutes at a reduced cost. Besides, without the Lifeline benefits, the SafeLink phones will function just like a normal TracFone phone.
How long do I have to wait to receive my Safelink free phone?
The process between application to receiving your phone takes a week or so. The time taken will depend on when you made the application and your address. But the orders are processed immediately as they come in.
What is the best method to add minutes on my Safelink phone?
Since there are several methods, the choice varies from one person to another. People with Smartphones will tell you the online is the best. Others will consider calling customer care. All these methods are good and their preference is user-based.
Does SafeLink wireless allow people to bring their devices?
Yes. Safelink allows people to use their current phones as long as they are compatible with their network. So, before attempting to switch, first, check out whether your device is compatible.
Fortunately, Safelink has a high compatibility rate with both GSM and CDMA smartphones. For your current phone to use Safelink services, they will issue a new SIM card to you
Recap
Once in a while, you will run out of minutes and you need the best method to top add more. Some people think it is very complicated especially when using a government free phone, but no. These are cell phones just like any other and you have the freedom to add minutes but at your cost.
We have highlighted some of the simplest ways you can follow to accomplish this. Another method that we didn’t mention there but it’s coming up is the TracFone app. Smartphone users can track and manage everything from this application. With technology growing every day, this is the next big thing. Other than using it to buy extra minutes, you can manage your account better. For example, you can view balances, set up payment modes as well as changing your physical address.
