Despite its ubiquity, Tracfone is not a mobile carrier. MVNOs, or mobile virtual network operators, are resellers rather than building their own mobile networks, which may take years and cost billions of dollars. They lease capacity on another company’s existing network at wholesale rates and sell service plans and devices to customers under their own brand.
It is sometimes critical to be aware of which network your phone uses. Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile all have excellent coverage in most of the country. However, there are areas where one is stronger than the others. To make matters worse, you may live in a region where a carrier’s service is excellent, but not necessarily where you are.
Therefore, if you are considering switching to TracFone, you must be aware of which carriers are compatible with TracFone. Throughout this article, we will inform you of the carriers that are compatible with TracFone.
Checking TracFone Cell Phone Compatibility
Many MVNOs contract with only one of the major networks, but Tracfone leases bandwidth from all four. Your experience using a phone you purchased from the company or transferred to Tracfone can vary depending on which underlying network carries your phone number.
If you already have a phone with Tracfone, learning which network it is on will help you set realistic expectations for network coverage and know which carriers are compatible with Tracfone. For example, if you are going on a road trip and will be in an area where one carrier has significantly better coverage, you may want to choose a phone that operates on that network.
AT&T or T-Mobile Phones Steps
If you select “AT&T Compatible or GSM Unlocked Phone” or “T-Mobile Compatible Phones”, you will be prompted to enter your Z code and then click “Continue”. If your phone is compatible, you will be asked to choose between two options. An orange box labeled “Want To Purchase An Activation Kit” or “Already Have Activation Kit” in green. If you do not have a TracFone kit, select the orange box and choose the SIM card that best suits your phone. Once you have found the correct SIM size for your phone, click on the orange “Select” box to confirm the purchase.
Once you have selected your SIM, you must select an “Airtime Card”. After selecting your Airtime Card, click on the green “Add To Cart” box to visit your shopping cart and review your purchase. If you are satisfied with your SIM and plan, click on the green checkout box to continue. You will then be required to enter your personal delivery and billing information, such as your address and credit card information.
Verizon, Sprint, Other carriers
If you are unsure of which carrier is compatible with your phone or if you have a Verizon or Sprint device, you will need to select the red button and, once you are directed to another page, enter your IMEI number. You will also be prompted to enter your phone’s IMEI/MEID/ESN number. These unique numbers identify your device and the networks it may use.
If your phone battery is removable, you will find your IMEI numbers right behind your battery slot. Or, dial up the next combination of numbers to see your IMEI in your Mobile Phone display: dial #06# to get the IMEI number.
If your device is not compatible, you will be directed back to the primary BYOP compatibility page. If your phone is compatible with a TracFone plan, you will have two options: the orange “Purchase an Activation Kit” button or the green “Select an Activation Kit” box. To purchase a new SIM card, click “Purchase an Activation Kit” and follow the instructions in the AT&T or T-Mobile Compatible Phones section above.
Things You Should Know Before Signing Up for TracFone Wireless
TracFone Wireless stands apart from other wireless carriers by offering unlimited carryover data on its plans designed for light data users. This guide will review the key features and everything you need to know before signing up, including which carriers are compatible with TracFone.
Network Coverage
Tracfone Wireless is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that partners with four major wireless carriers: Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint. Tracfone does not own any wireless network infrastructure, but its agreements with the Big 4 allow the company to provide service to its millions of subscribers.
When you sign up for Tracfone, you will be supported on one of these networks, not all of them. This is dependent on your device and location. If you are currently a Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or Sprint customer, there is a chance that you will be able to keep your current phone, phone number, and network.
Plans and Pricing
Tracfone’s most basic prepaid plans with carryover Data start at $20 per month. For this price, you receive unlimited Talktime, text, and 1GB of all 4G LTE Data. There are also $25 and $30 monthly plans with more Data. If you ever run out of high-speed Data, you can always add more for $10 per GB. There is no unlimited data plan available.
Service Features
Tracfone does not offer many premium features. The unlimited rollover data is perhaps the most valuable feature offered by this low-cost carrier.
We reached out to a Tracfone customer service representative to inquire about the following features:
- Mobile hotspot is not supported
- Video streaming is limited to DVD quality (480p)
- Wi-Fi calling is available if your phone supports it
Tracfone offers simple phone plans based on talk minutes, text messages, and a predetermined amount of data. If you rely on a cellular hotspot or HD streaming, this is not the provider for you.
Phone Options
Most individuals who switch to TracFone will want to retain their current smartphone. This is possible if you have a GSM unlocked device or one that is compatible with Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile.
To verify that you can bring your smartphone to TracFone, visit the TracFone website: “tracfone.com/home“. For those who want a new device, TracFone offers a limited number of devices. All of these are priced below $300.
Customer Service
Tracfone does not provide in-person support for its users. Any issues you may have with activating, setting up, or using your device will be handled through chat or phone customer service. Customers can also find quick answers to common questions, including data usage, by dialing 611-611. As part of our research for this report, we reached out to Tracfone’s customer support a few times. There was a wait, but the representatives were able to answer our questions.
Final Recap
Tracfone’s availability at leading retailers and online makes switching to a prepaid carrier convenient. If you do not use a significant amount of data, its plans will likely save you money compared to Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint.
We have provided you with ample information on which carriers are compatible with Tracfone, so we hope you can make the right choice for you. TracFone can be your go-to prepaid wireless provider. Their TalkTime and data plans are relatively cheaper than individual carriers. You can also get your desired mobile at a reasonable price by contracting with TracFone wireless.
