5 Things to Know Before Signing Up with Tracfone Wireless

What You Should Know Before Signing Up for Tracfone Wireless

Tracfone Wireless is a prepaid cell phone service provider that offers affordable and flexible plans. With over 20 different service options, ranging from 30 days to a full year, it’s an attractive choice for budget-conscious consumers. However, before you make the switch, it’s important to understand what Tracfone offers and whether it lines up with your mobile needs.

We are covering 5 important things to know before you switch to Tracfone (or even if you are already a customer). Be sure to also check out our Beginners Guide to Tracfone for more information.

1. Plans and Pricing - Many Different Prices and Options

Tracfone has been around for more than 25 years and in that time they have added and modified their plans and prices quite a lot. Today, they're plans fall into two basic categories: Pay-as-you-go (PayGo) and Monthly Unlimited Plans 

Monthly Plans (Unlimited Talk/Text)

• Features: Unlimited talk and text with a varying amounts of high-speed data. (from 1GB to 20GB)
• Renewal: These plans last 30 days but you can purchase them in 1, 3, 6, or 12 month increments, with a discount for 6 and 12 months purchases.
• Rollover Data: All unused data rolls over to the next month as long as you still have a plan. (Example: You purchase the $40 plan w/ 20GB data and 30 service days. Before the 30 days are up you purchase the $15 plan w/ 1GB data and 30 service days, and all unused data from the previous 30 days will automatically be rolled over to the next 30 days.)
• Price: $15 - $40 for 30 days of unlimited talk/text and 1GB to 20GB data
• Best For: People that use their phone a lot or don't want to manage their airtime balance and are willing to buy 12 months service at one time.
• Best Plan: $20/mo unlimited talk/text with 4GB data ($192 when buying 12 months at one time, or just $16/mo )

Pay-As-You-Go (PayGo) Plans

• Features: Each prepaid plan includes a set number of service days (30, 60, 90, or 365) and a specific allotment of minutes, texts, and data.
• Renewal: Purchase new plans anytime and the new card will be added to your existing balance  automatically. Be sure to purchase a new plan before the service days on your existing plan runs out or you won't have service.
• Rollover: Unused talk, text, and data rolls over as long as you renew before the service days expire. You can switch to a monthly unlimited plan temporarily and revert to PayGo afterward without losing any rollover balances.
• Price: $20 - $125 for varying amounts of talk, text, data and service days (usually 30, 60, 90 or 365 service days). Add-on minutes, data and service days are available and can be purchased as needed.
• Best For: People who want to get the cheapest deal on cell phone service or those that don't use their phone much and just use it as a backup or emergency device.
• Best Plan: $99 1 Year/400 minute plan or purchase a phone and airtime bundle from HSN or QVC with many phones available for $100 which also includes a 1 year airtime plan. 

Tracfone’s plans are all prepaid, meaning you’ll avoid surprise overage charges. However, you will have to keep track of your airtime, and it can sometimes be alarming how fast data or other balances can be used up. Tracfone does not provide any kind daily usage information, but you can check your balance as often as you want and we have shared 4 Ways to Check your Balance to make it easy to do so.

As you can see from all the different plans, there is just about something for everyone but those that want unlimited options will have to look elsewhere.

2. Data - There are no Unlimited Data Options

Tracfone’s plans come with varying amounts of data, but none are truly unlimited. The key benefit here is data rollover: unused data can carry over to the next month or service period as long as you have service days. Tracfone includes 5G network access at no additional cost for devices with that capability. Below are Tracfone's advertised data speeds according to Verizon.

Tracfone Data Speeds:

• 5G: Download speeds of 90-170 Mbps and Upload speeds of 15-30 Mbps
• 4G LTE: Download speeds of 9-56 Mbps. and Upload speeds of 2-13 Mbps

While we have certainly experienced far slower speeds at times, which could be in part due to Verizon prioritizing post-paid customers over prepaid customers from Tracfone, their data speeds, especially on 5G, are usually pretty good.

Tracfone recently announced hotspot capability on all their Unlimited Talk/Text plans. For users who start to run low, Tracfone offers 3GB data for $10. 

For those that use a lot of data or prefer an unlimited data plan, we suggest looking into other options, as Tracfone can get expensive if you have to add extra data every month..

3. Activation Process and Network Coverage

Since Verizon acquired Tracfone in 2021, all new Tracfone customers now use Verizon’s network. This means you’ll have access to one of the most reliable networks in the U.S., but it’s important to check your local coverage first. You can do this directly on Tracfone’s website by entering your ZIP code.

If Verizon offers strong service in your area, you can expect good performance with Tracfone.

Activating Tracfone is straightforward. Choose either a Tracfone locked phone and purchase the device, or bring your own phone to use with Tracfone. Below are the basic steps for activating with Tracfone:

1. Check Compatibility: If you want to bring your own device, ensure it’s unlocked and compatible with the Verizon network. If you plan to get a Tracfone branded device, ensure your area is within the service area.
2. Buy a Tracfone Device or SIM card kit: Tracfone SIM kits are available online for $0.99 or at major retailers like Walmart, Target, and Best Buy. Tracfone devices are also available online or from many retailers.
3. Activate Online: Follow the prompts on Tracfone’s website to activate your phone. You will also need to purchase or activate a service plan at this time.

The activation process from Tracfone has become much more smooth in recent years and their network coverage using Verizon's network is quite good.

4. Phone Selection - Unlocked or Tracfone Device?

Tracfone offers a variety of devices, from basic flip phones to more advanced smartphones. Prices range from $9.99 for reconditioned basic phones to $329.99 for an iPhone 12. While you can purchase phones directly from Tracfone, we recommend other retailers, particularly QVC and HSN which often include airtime bundles with the purchase of a phone.

Users can also choose to bring most unlocked smartphones to use with Tracfone and there are a wide range of options available. Just be sure to check that the device you are bringing is compatible.

Here are some resources on choosing a phone:

• Latest Tracfone Smartphone List
• Best Tracfone Smartphones
• Best Phones Under $100 for Tracfone

5. Customer Service - Historically Mediocre

Tracfone offers customer support through multiple options:

• Chat: Available daily from 8 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. ET on the Tracfone website
• Phone: Call 1-800-867-7183 during the same hours.
• Text Support: Text 611611 for account-related queries.

Tracfone also has a Facebook page, a forum and other avenues for customer service, but they have historically been rather poor when it comes to satisfying customers questions and needs. Many customers have dealt with a wide range of problems from lost airtime, issues with unlocking, and difficulties when switching phones. Tracfone customer service can sometimes be hard to understand, or just unhelpful.

(We also have a Facebook page where we share news and updates, and have an active community of helpful readers)

Some aspects of Tracfone's customer service have improved over time, but for those that value good customer service Tracfone might not be the best option.

Tracfone Wireless is not for everyone, but if you’re looking for affordable, no-frills service with reliable coverage through Verizon’s network, they are a great option. The data rollover feature is a standout perk, especially for light data users. And many customers are able to purchase the plan that best suits their needs without over spending on extras. However, if you need unlimited data or a more robust hotspot experience, other options may be better suited.

Recommendation: Start with a 30-day plan to test the service. If satisfied, you can upgrade to a longer-term plan to save more. For those seeking unlimited data, consider competitors like Visible, Mint or Tello.

If you have a new smartphone, two posts which are great resources are The Best Android Apps for Tracfone, and Tracfone Smartphone Cases and Covers.

Don't miss our new list of 23 Pro's and Con's for Tracfone.

Well we hope this information will help you out, and be sure to leave a comment if you have questions! Also share this along with a friend who could also use it!

And if you want to keep up with us and the latest news and info, follow us on Facebook.

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How to Unlock a Tracfone Mobile Phone (Updated 2025)

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.

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.

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:

• 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)

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.

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.

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. 

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5 Tracfone Smartphones to Avoid in 2025 (And What we Recommend Instead)

Avoid Buying these 5 Tracfone Smartphones in 2025

Tracfone offers a variety of smartphones to use with their prepaid network, often at reduced prices. But if you're in the market for a new phone from Tracfone in 2025, we recommend avoiding the devices listed below.

Major phone manufactures such as Samsung, Apple, Motorola and Google are all offered by Tracfone and can be unlocked after a certain amount of time. 

While Tracfone has offered many new devices in the last year, they are also still offering some older, outdated phones that we don't recommend purchasing anymore. The phones in this list are offered by Tracfone but should be avoided because the phones are outdated, or there are newer, better models at cheaper or comparable prices. 

Now if you currently own one of these devices, don't be too worried, they may still be functioning well. But you can also look at our recommended upgrades when you shop for a new device. See all the new devices from Tracfone in our Latest List of Smartphones.

Don't Buy These Tracfone Smartphones in 2025

1. Samsung Galaxy A32 5G

Released in 2021, the Galaxy A32 5G had a lot of great features at the time and it was one of the first Tracfone smartphones to offer 5G network access. 

But now it is more than 3 years old, and there are many better options available from Samsung and other brands at lower prices. Not only are there cheaper Samsung devices that still include 5G network access (such as the Galaxy A15 5G), there is also the updated version of the A32, which is the Galaxy A35 5G. It offers much better performance, a better screen, and improved camera capabilities.

So while the A32 might be available at bargain prices, it is best to avoid it and go with one of the latest Samsung smartphones.

What to buy instead: Samsung Galaxy A15 5G or the Samsung Galaxy A35 5G

2. Moto G Stylus 2023

The Moto G Stylus 2023 is another device that might catch your eye, especially if you're looking for a phone with stylus functionality and a large screen. However, this model is hindered by its aging MediaTek Helio G85 chipset, which leads to sluggish performance, as well as a low resolution screen and poor camera setup.

When the Stylus was released, it was quickly overshadowed by the 2023 Power, which has better performance and a higher resolution screen for almost the same price. And now in 2025, there are more options in the $100 range that outperform the 2023 Stylus.

For a similar price point to the 2023 Stylus, consider the Moto G Power 2023, or the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G. For those looking for the large screen and stylus functionality, shop the new Moto G Stylus 2024 5G which has a full HD touschreen, and powerful Snapdragon processor.

What to buy instead: Moto G Power 2023, Moto G Power 2024, or the Moto G Stylus 2024 5G

3. Moto G Play 2023

The Moto G Play 2023 is one of the most budget-friendly options on the market with a retail price of around $50, but you get what you pay for. With just 3GB of RAM and a basic Snapdragon 460 processor, this phone struggles with multitasking and running demanding apps. Other features such as the camera and screen, are also not the best. 

One of the main reasons we recommend avoiding the 2023 Play is the release of the 2024 Play which offers several upgrades at the same price point. Better yet, consider some of the budget options from Samsung which can be found for around $100 and include better software update policy and extra features like 5G and NFC.

What to buy instead: Moto G Play 2024 or the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G

4. Samsung Galaxy A54 5G

The Samsung Galaxy A54 5G might be a surprise addition on this list, but it's included for good reason. 

While it offers 5G connectivity, a good display, great camera performance and Samsung's excellent update policy, it has recently been eclipsed by a new smartphone that offers improved performance and features at a similar price. 

The Galaxy A54 5G retails for around $300 from Tracfone and has not dropped in price very much over the year it has been available. Now, Tracfone offers the Galaxy A35 5G which includes the same processor, an upgraded screen and latest Android OS, at a similar retail price of $299.

If you were considering the A54 5G in 2025, we recommend shopping for the Galaxy A35 5G for a few upgrades at a similar price.

What to buy instead: Samsung Galaxy A35 5G

5. Moto G Pure

The Moto G Pure is an entry-level phone that falls short in many areas. With a low-resolution display, minimal RAM, and an underpowered MediaTek Helio G25 processor, this phone struggles with basic tasks. The camera performance is lackluster, and the overall user experience is subpar. Even at a low price, the Moto G Pure is a phone that’s hard to recommend in 2025.

Compounding those issues is the wide variety of better phones available at a similar budget price such as the Moto G Play 2024, or the Galaxy A14 5G. These devices are available for under $100 and offer improved performance and connectivity. For all our budget picks see our list of the best Tracfone smartphones under $100.

What to buy instead: Moto G Play 2024 or the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G

Conclusion

There are plenty of other devices we could also include in this list, such as the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G, which customers should choose the A25 5G instead, but we hope the included phones will help guide your shopping this year.

Phones from TCL, Alcatel, BLU and Nokia are typically very budget friendly, but offer limited features and may not include security or Android updates. Along those lines, Motorola also has a limited update policy with just one major Android update. For those looking to keep their phone for several years, consider spending a little more, and shop phones from Samsung, Google or Apple.

Tell us about your experiences or phones you suggest avoiding (or buying!) in the comments below,  or head over to our Facebook page to join the conversation!

For more on the basics of Tracfone, visit our Beginners Guide and also read our 7 Tips and Tricks to Save Money with Tracfone

Also take a look at our List of the Best Tracfone Smartphones under $100!

Finally, learn how to Make your Airtime Last Longer and also check out our recent post on How Data works with Tracfone.

Thanks for visiting! 

Tracfone Review: 25 Pros and Cons of Tracfone in 2025

Is Tracfone a Good Deal? Is it Worth It? - Top Pros and Cons for 2025

Tracfone Wireless has been around for more than 25 years and while plenty of things have changed about the company, they generally have always been focused on low-cost cell phone service.

But how do things look for Tracfone in 2024 and what are some of the potential drawbacks users might want to know about before signing up for their service? We've compiled a list of our top 24 pros and cons of Tracfone Wireless. 

Pros of Tracfone Wireless Prepaid Service:

1. No contracts required
2. Very affordable plans starting at just $10 per month (and even $99 for a year of service) (see our Cheapest and Best Tracfone Plans)
3. Nationwide coverage on major networks (Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile)
4. 5G network access at no additional charge (where available - See coverage maps and more details)
5. Flexible plan options and the ability to add airtime/data as needed
6. Variety of Tracfone branded (locked) phones available at subsidized prices (List of Best Phones Under $100)
7. Option to use most  unlocked phone with Tracfone service
8. Manage your account online or on the app 
9. No credit check required for activation
10. Option to purchase international calling time
11. Buy airtime and phones from many major retailers or a variety of online sources (Walmart, Amazon, etc.)
12. Unlimited carry-over for talk, text and data
13. New increased data amounts for unlimited talk/text plans

Bonus: Get free airtime with Tracfone Rewards (Sign up using our code and get 7,000 points!)

The main benefit of Tracfone is that it is affordable and flexible. Plans are available for as low as $99/year, or even $15/mo for unlimited talk and text, and you can always switch to different airtime plans depending on your usage. Plus, airtime has unlimited carry-over, so what you don't use is automatically added to the next month.

Tracfone is also very easy to get started using - just buy a phone (or bring your phone), buy an airtime card, and activate it. There are no contracts, credit checks or forms to fill out.

But there are some drawbacks to Tracfone that we'll share now:

Cons of Tracfone Wireless Prepaid Service:

1. Poor customer service - often inconsistent, difficult to access and hard to understand sometimes
2. No unlimited data plans available and extra data is $10 per 3GB
3. Must purchase a year of service to get the best deal on new unlimited talk/text plans (prices range from $144 w/ to $384 w/ various amounts of data)
4. Reduced network speeds during times of heavy network congestion
5. Few premium phone options compared to postpaid carriers
6. No international roaming options
7. Customers using AT&T or T-Mobile networks may have to switch to Verizon's network by the end of 2024.
8. Limited mobile hotspot capability unless using unlimited talk/text plans
9. Uncertain future due to Verizon acquiring Tracfone in 2021 (Verizon is working on consolidating the Tracfone family of brands which likely includes changes to Tracfone)
10. Tracfone website can be buggy and hard to use
11. Must keep track of your airtime - if you run out, you will not have service until more airtime is added
12. Few new Tracfone promo codes in recent years for customers to use when adding an airtime card to get free airtime. Tracfone seems to be phasing them out.

One of the biggest complaints about Tracfone is their poor customers service. And while they have made a variety of changes and different ways to get support, there are still countless stories from customers spending hours, days or even weeks trying to fix a problem.

Additionally, with Verizon acquiring Tracfone in 2021, they will likely be shifting customers who are currently using AT&T or T-Mobile networks to Verizon's network by the end of 2024. And, Verizon is also planning to consolidate some of the Tracfone brands (such as Net10) in 2024 and beyond as well. We're not sure what this means for Tracfone yet.

While Tracfone service can be very cheap, it can quickly get expensive for anyone who uses a lot of data. There is no unlimited data option, and additional data is $10 per 1GB. For those that use more than a couple GB per month, there might be some better options, like some of the ones we list in our Best Alternatives to Tracfone post.

Is Tracfone a Good Deal in 2025?

For light users who don't use a lot of data, or just need a phone as a backup, Tracfone can be an excellent deal and is the cheapest option we can find. For some moderate users who are good at keeping track of airtime usage, it can also be a great deal, especially with some of their unlimited talk/text cards.

Tracfone recently updated their primary airtime options to offer a larger discount for those purchasing a year of service at a time, and they increased the amount of data included. The $15/mo plan comes with unlimited talk/text and 1GB data. If users purchase a year of that plan, it costs just $144, or $12/mo. To get more data, users have to bump up to $20/mo for 2GB data, $25 for 3GB, $30 for 5GB or $40 for 10GB per month. There are discounted prices for these plans when purchasing 3, 6 or 12 months at a time. This pricing model is very similar to Mint Mobile, but more expensive for the large amount of data.

For those that use their phone more regularly, or especially use a lot of data, there are alternatives to Tracfone that offer a better deal for more data or even unlimited data. 

The bottom line is that Tracfone is a good deal for some people that learn to make it work for them, and are okay with the lack of good customer service. 

***

That's it for our Pros and Cons list. Leave a comment below with any thoughts or questions and also join us on Facebook to connect with our growing community and get the latest info.

Don't miss out on our monthly list of Tracfone Deals, Discounts and Sales which also include unlocked phones and Tracfone smartphones.

Keep up with the latest in 5G network access with Tracfone including 5G Coverage maps! And a list of Tracfone 5G phones.

If you're new to Tracfone, start with our Beginners Guide which shares helpful information about how it all works.

And finally view our Tracfone Promo Code list with codes to get discounts or free minutes when adding airtime!

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