Unlock Your Tracfone Mobile Phone for Free
 |
Unlock your Tracfone smartphone for free with this guide so that you can use your phone with other carriers in the US or even internationally. TracfoneReviewer shares the requirements and a step by step guide below!
An unlocked phone makes it easy to switch between carriers, or travel to another country and insert a new SIM card to have data and service. All Tracfone smartphones are locked to Tracfone for a certain amount of time, but now it is easier than ever to get your phone unlocked!
Tracfone is well known for not allowing their phones to be unlocked (several years ago), but because of FCC rules, and a ruling against Tracfone, they are required to unlock phones from after a certain date, offer a credit towards an exchange, or offer a partial cash refund for older devices.
Here is the free unlocking guide, with detailed requirements below.
There are a lot of requirements, but the key points are that you need to have your phone active for 12 months with Tracfone in order to unlock it unless you activated it with new service after Nov 23rd, 2021. For iPhone users, Tracfone says they will automatically unlock it when eligible, but we have not been able to confirm this.
Thanks for visiting!
Here is the free unlocking guide, with detailed requirements below.
Unlock a Tracfone Cell Phone - 3 Steps:
Our easy, step-by-step guide to unlocking your Tracfone cell phone. Be aware that not all Tracfone devices can be unlocked, many of the older phones are not eligible, and can only be traded for a small cash refund. Additionally, some newer Tracfone smartphones, including iPhones, automatically unlock after 60 days.Step 1: Contact Tracfone for Unlock Code
Go to www.tfwunlockpolicy.com and enter your phone number at the bottom of the page. You can also call 1-888-442-5102 during normal business hours, but using the web is typically much easier.
You must have had the phone active with Tracfone service for 60 days or in some cases up to 12 months to be eligible for unlocking. See full requirements below.
Step 2: Get Unlock Code and Write it Down
If your phone is eligible, you will be able to continue the process to receive an unlock code for your phone. If your phone is not eligible to be unlocked, you may need to wait a little longer, or in some cases you may still qualify for a credit towards a new phone, or a cash refund.
We tested several older Tracfone devices and while they were 'eligible' to be unlocked, Tracfone wasn't able to unlock them due to various issues, and offered instead a cash refund of $5-$15. Many of Tracfone's older devices are unable to be unlocked due to software issues.
Step 3: Insert New SIM and Enter Unlock Code When Prompted
Once you get the unlock code from Tracfone, you can purchase a SIM card from another carrier, power off your phone, switch the SIM cards, and turn it back on. You should get a notification that your phone is locked, but there should be a place for you to enter your unlock code. After the code is entered your phone will be able to use the new SIM card. You can always switch SIM cards whenever you like, just remember to turn your phone off and back on.
And that is all it takes to unlock a Tracfone prepaid device. It is a fairly easy process, if your phone is eligible. If you have questions or need help, connect with our community on Facebook.
NOTE: Some online websites offer unlocking services for a price. We do not recommend using these, they will charge you whether or not they can unlock your phone and there is no guarantee it will work.
Going through the process of unlocking a Tracfone device doesn't seem worthwhile in most cases with the huge number of unlocked devices available on the market at very low prices. Amazon, eBay and many other online retailers have plenty of unlocked phones, and if you buy older models, or refurbished phones, you can often get a great deal.
Check out our list of the Best Unlocked Phones for Tracfone to get some ideas about the great options already available.
Step 2: Get Unlock Code and Write it Down
If your phone is eligible, you will be able to continue the process to receive an unlock code for your phone. If your phone is not eligible to be unlocked, you may need to wait a little longer, or in some cases you may still qualify for a credit towards a new phone, or a cash refund.
We tested several older Tracfone devices and while they were 'eligible' to be unlocked, Tracfone wasn't able to unlock them due to various issues, and offered instead a cash refund of $5-$15. Many of Tracfone's older devices are unable to be unlocked due to software issues.
Step 3: Insert New SIM and Enter Unlock Code When Prompted
Once you get the unlock code from Tracfone, you can purchase a SIM card from another carrier, power off your phone, switch the SIM cards, and turn it back on. You should get a notification that your phone is locked, but there should be a place for you to enter your unlock code. After the code is entered your phone will be able to use the new SIM card. You can always switch SIM cards whenever you like, just remember to turn your phone off and back on.
And that is all it takes to unlock a Tracfone prepaid device. It is a fairly easy process, if your phone is eligible. If you have questions or need help, connect with our community on Facebook.
NOTE: Some online websites offer unlocking services for a price. We do not recommend using these, they will charge you whether or not they can unlock your phone and there is no guarantee it will work.
Going through the process of unlocking a Tracfone device doesn't seem worthwhile in most cases with the huge number of unlocked devices available on the market at very low prices. Amazon, eBay and many other online retailers have plenty of unlocked phones, and if you buy older models, or refurbished phones, you can often get a great deal.
Check out our list of the Best Unlocked Phones for Tracfone to get some ideas about the great options already available.
 |
| Three Steps to Unlock a Tracfone Smartphone |
Requirements for Unlocking a Tracfone Device
There are several key requirements that you must meet in order to get your phone unlocked. Here are the requirements:Unlocking Requirements for Android devices:
TracFone will provide an unlocking code to customers who request unlocking, as long as they meet the following conditions:
TracFone will provide an unlocking code to customers who request unlocking, as long as they meet the following conditions:
- If the TracFone device was activated with TracFone service prior to November 23, 2021, then the device must have been active on TracFone Service for no fewer than 12 months with Service Plans redeemed in no fewer than 12 months, and not have had their telephone number recycled or ported.
- If the TracFone device was activated with new service on the Verizon network on or after November 23, 2021, then at least 60 days must have elapsed since the device was activated.
- The device must be in working condition.
- The device has not been reported stolen or lost, and there are no indicators of fraud.
- (Source - www.tfwunlockpolicy.com/)
Requirements For Apple iPhone devices:
- TracFone will automatically unlock the device when it becomes eligible for unlocking.
- For all Apple devices activated with TracFone prior to November 23, 2021, the device will be automatically unlocked after 12 months of active TracFone service.
- For Apple devices activated with new TracFone service on the Verizon network on or after November 23, 2021, the device will be automatically unlocked 60 days after activation in the absence of an indication of fraud.
- (Source - www.tfwunlockpolicy.com/)
(You can also check if your phone is eligible by entering your phone number or serial number at the bottom of this page)
If you have an unlocked phone, you can activate it with Tracfone BYOP. Then, if you travel to another country and need to use cell phone service, simply power off the phone, switch the SIM cards, and you are ready to use your phone in the new country. Switch the SIM cards back when you return to the US.
We hope this information has been helpful. Leave a comment below with any questions or thoughts, and also share your experiences.
We are also on Facebook, with a large community who help answer questions, share news and much more.
We hope this information has been helpful. Leave a comment below with any questions or thoughts, and also share your experiences.
We are also on Facebook, with a large community who help answer questions, share news and much more.
New to Tracfone or still trying to figure things out? Visit our Beginners Guide.
Also take a look at our List of the Best Tracfone Smartphones under $100
See our latest post about the Best Tracfone Deals, Discounts and Sales including several recent smartphones with airtime bundles.Thanks for visiting!
