Best Apps for Tracfone Android Users (2021)

List of the Best Android Apps for Tracfone

View a list of the best applications to use with Android OS for Tracfone users. This list is compiled by TracfoneReviewer, with help from our readers.

The Best Apps to use with Tracfone Android Smartphones

More and more Tracfone users are using Android powered smartphones that Tracfone has been making available, especially with new powerful smartphones like the Moto G Power and Samsung Galaxy A20, or the wide variety of unlocked Android phones on Tracfone BYOP.

Android smartphones are incredibly powerful devices, offering many of the same functions as a laptop computer. Android is simply a standardized operating system, which allows many people to create applications, or programs, which can work on all the different Android devices. You can surf the web, check email, look up information, manage banking, and much, much more.

But sometimes it is hard to know exactly what you should be doing with your Android phone, and what apps are the best for making life easier, and more convenient.

So we are creating a list of the Best Apps for Tracfone Android users. And we want to hear from you! Leave a comment below with your top apps, and we'll work on adding the best to the list.

Now let's get to the list of apps!

List of the Best Apps for Android Tracfone Users

These apps are some of the most popular, and most useful and cover a variety of categories. We will try to share as many apps as are useful for using with Tracfone Android devices.

Not everyone uses the same apps, or has need of particular apps, but browse through the list and see what sounds useful to you!

1. Tracfone Specific Apps

Tracfone App
The app from Tracfone to check your balance, and manage your account. It is also possible to add airtime through the app, and a variety of other functions. If your phone doesn't have a lot of space, you can just bookmark the Tracfone website and check your balance there.

AppMgr III app

AppMgr III
A convenient app manager that can let you move apps to your SD card to free up space. AppMgr III is especially useful for Tracfone Android users because of the limited internal space on many of the phones. AppMgr III does more than just moving apps, it also can freeze apps, and do other management tasks.

Note: Some phones won't allow you to move Apps to your SD card. You will have to root your device if you want to do that.

2. General/Productivity Apps

Venmo
Pay and request payment from friends in this simple and easy to use money transferring app. Do you wish there was an easy way to pay back a friend who bought your lunch? With Venmo, it is very simple and seamless to send and receive money. Venmo is owned by parent company Paypal.

Amazon Kindle App
Have an entire library on your phone. The Amazon Kindle App allows you to download books from Amazon, and read them on your phone. This is a simple, powerful app that works well,
Plus, pair it with many sources for free kindle books, and you have an almost unlimited FREE supply of reading material.

Swiftkey
This app replaces your stock keyboard with one of the most popular, and best keyboards available for smartphones. Besides using advanced algorithms to track and predict your typing to speed it up, the app also looks great, and has a number of different styles and themes to choose from.

Pocket
A save for later app that makes it simple and easy to save webpages and many other things for later offline consumption. You can keep everything in one easy to find place, so you don't forget about that article or video you wanted to see.

Gas Buddy
Find the cheapest gas with this super convenient, community updated app. Whether your just driving around your town, or traveling across country, search for and find the cheapest gas in your area or along the route and save some extra cash! It isn't hard to check the prices, and sometimes gas can be significantly cheaper just a few miles away. But be careful you don't get too caught up, because driving 50 miles out of your way probably isn't actually saving you much money...

3. News, Note, Task and List Apps

Nwsty
Want to hear about current events without spending much time? Get just the top 6-10 headlines of current news from all over the world from Nwsty delivered to your phone. The app also delivers short news podcasts for those who want to listen on the go.

WakingNews Alarm Clock
Get the latest news stories from major news sites read to you while beginning your morning. The app allows users to set an alarm like old clock radios!

TheScore - Live Sports Scores, News and more
Looking for an all-in-one app to track all your favorite sports? TheScore has you covered! Get live score updates for all your teams and curate your own favorites list for news and highlights!

Evernote
This convenient app makes note taking a breeze. Jot down a to do list, or write up a few paragraphs, no matter what you are recording this app can do it. You also have great syncing functions across devices, including your computer.

Google Keep
As a relatively new and unknown app, Google Keep is simple, and amazingly useful. It can be used for a variety of functions beyond simple list making and note taking, including setting reminders and recording photos and voice. This is a very handy app to have for when you need to run to the grocery store, or get a reminder about something at work, and it allows syncing across devices, and list sharing.

Any.do
Providing an 'all-in-one' to do list for anything from household chores, to work related tasks. Any.do is a clean and simple app that focuses on helping you remember what you need to do, and accomplish your daily goals. You can also sync between devices, and set reoccurring tasks.

4. Social Apps

Facebook
A standard for most smartphone users, the Facebook app allows you to surf Facebook with ease. The app works well, and is used by millions. Not much really needs to be said, although you do have to download an additional app if you want to use messenger, which is a bit annoying.

Instagram for Android

Instagram
For sharing pictures with friends, Instagram is another great app, and a lot of fun to use with a smartphone as you can quickly snap a picture, and then share it with all your friends and family.

Other Social apps
There are plenty of other social apps, like twitter and snapchat, that we don't feel the need to go into. Social apps are much more preference based, and it usually depends on whether you have friends already using those networks.

5. Free Calling/Texting Apps

Skype
For everyone who already uses Skype on your computer, the app is fairly similar and allows you to make free calls to others with Skype, or use Skype Credit to make calls both locally and internationally. This is a convenient app, and works well between your computer and phone.

Line app for Android

Line
Widely popular in Asia, this free messaging app is powerful and simple. Text friends, call, and even video call for free when your on a WiFi connection. A great way to stay in contact with friends and family for free.

Whatsapp
More popular in America, Whatsapp provides and great instant messaging service and has millions of users. It was recently bought by Facebook, but does not appear to be changing anything. While you don't get ads or annoying stickers with Whatsapp, you do have to pay for it after your first year. It costs $1 per year.

Google Hangouts
Another great resource from Google, Hangouts offers great group video calls and many other features. Text, send photos, and much more. One of the best for keeping in touch with people a long way away.

Textra
A replacement for the standard text messaging app, Textra offers more features, customization, and looks a lot better. Download it and you will never look back. Unlike the other free messaging apps listed above, Textra replaces your standard text messaging app with a stylish materialistically designed one. Not really a free messaging app, but a free app to replace your text messaging app.

5. Phone Management Tools

Tasker
Tasker is an automation tool, which allows you to set a wide variety of tasks to be done automatically at certain times, or with certain triggers. You can use it to do simple things like turn your cell phone to silent when you get to work, or turn WiFi off when you leave your house. It can also do a wide variety of more advanced options, and is a fun app for those who like to tinker and mess around with devices. It does cost a couple bucks, but is worth it for the convenience and fun.

Llama
If you don't want to spend money, Llama is a free alternative to Tasker and can do many of the same things. The key features include the ability to set certain profiles, like silent ringer, when you get to certain locations, like your office. Give it a test run and see what you think, and then consider if you want to pay a little to get Tasker.

IFTTT
If This Then That. Use this simple formula to create an endless array of options. For example, if the forecast calls for rain tomorrow, then send a notification. Or if I arrive/leave work, log the time to a Google doc. The options are amazing, and there are thousands of 'recipes' online that range from incredibly useful, to hilariously funny. Combine it with Tasker for even more power.

Clean Master
Clean Mater optimizes and cleans your phone to remove excess and temporary files, and close background apps to boost performance. It is a very useful app especially for those who have limited internal memory on their phone. Clean Master has a simple interface that is easy to navigate and understand even if you don't know what temporary files are.

6. Security Apps

Avast

Avast Android App

You should have a Security and Anti-virus app on your phone, and Avast is the best free option. It will do weekly scans, and check files you download. Avast also has a variety of other tools, and other related apps for more security and convenience.

Android Device Manager
In case you lose your phone, or it is stolen, you want to have downloaded Android Device Manager. It will allow you to locate your device, have it ring to help you find it, reset the lock screen, and even erase the data on the phone.

7. Podcast Apps

Podcast Republic
Download, listen and organize all your favorite podcasts with this easy and convenient app. Search for new podcasts, locate your favorites, and listen to them all in one place. If you don't know what a podcast is, or don't listen to them, you are missing out. Download the app and start listening and learning great new things from the thousands of free podcast shows available.

Podcast Addict
Another widely popular podcast app, use this to download, discover and listen to all your podcasts. Great search features make it easy to find new shows to follow. Seriously, if you aren't taking advantage of podcasts on your smartphone, do yourself a favor and check them out! You can conveniently download podcasts while using WiFi, and then listen to them later for free!

8. Fitness

Google Fit
This fitness tracking app will log your activities, and keep you updated on how far you are walking/running/biking. Set goals for your workout, and then track how you do. You can also track how far you walk in a day, and much more. Can integrate with other fitness apps, and Android Wear.

7 Minute Workout
Almost everyone wants to be more fit, but most of us find it hard to set aside the time for fitness. The 7 Minute Workout is a great solution, as it allows you to complete 12 different exercises in 7 minutes that improves your health and fitness. Give it a try, and start making fitness a reality. There is also another version of the app here, if you want more options.

Garmin

For those with a Garmin smartwatch or activity tracker, the Garmin app provides a huge amount of fitness tracking information ranging from heart rate, steps, workout/activity tracking, and much more.

Strava

Strava is similar to Garmin, but is compatible with almost any fitness tracking watch or device, and can also be used with just your phone to track runs, bike rides and much more.

9. Mapping/Navigation Apps

Get the 1 Year card on Amazon!

Google Maps
The best when it comes to mapping and directions. If you don't already have it, download it. One feature many don't know about is that if you access Google Maps via WiFi, and save the maps for offline use, you can then navigate using GPS and saving your data.

NavFree
Traveling to a new city? Looking for a Navigation tool that won't burn through your data? NavFree is the solution! It is a free navigation app that uses maps saved on your device to navigate you through whatever city you're in. It has lots of additional features, and while it may not quite be up to par with Google Maps, it does a great job, and doesn't require data to work!

Waze
A GPS Navigation app with community based traffic updates which will keep you informed about the best routes, and even let your friends know your ETA. Waze can be connected with Facebook to import your contacts, and has turn by turn navigation over maps which are constantly updated by the community. This is a great app if you live in areas prone to congestion and traffic, or if you just like keeping up with your friends and family!

10. Music Apps

Spotify
Listen to music free on your phone. Choose a song, or artist, and enjoy a variety of songs related to it. Once you listen to a handful of songs, Spotify will give you a weekly playlist of new songs that are similar to what you listen to.

Pandora
A great way to discover new bands and artists, Pandora lets you pick a song, and then creates a radio station of related music that you can listen to on your phone.

Jango
Similar to the other music apps, Jango also works outside the US unlike Pandora or Spotify. Pick a song or musician, and then listen to a variety of related songs. Jango isn't quite as good as the other two options, but still works well.

11. Google Apps: (that aren't listed other places)

Google Now
Get faster access to Google and voice activated actions with Google Now. Huge number of neat features, including location based information, weather, news, and much more..

Google Drive - Storage

Google Drive
A simple way to access your Google Drive from your phone. If you don't already use Google Drive on your computer, well, you're missing out to a whole suite of amazing and free tools. Google Drive syncs between your devices, and is great for accessing and sharing information.

Google Docs
Need to have an important document with you to reference in a meeting? Google Docs works with Google Drive, and supports a variety of document formats that you can take with you on your phone, and even create new docs as well. Easy to collaborate with others on a shared project.

Google Camera
A powerful camera application that you can use instead of your default camera. Give it a test, and you may be surprised by the improvement in features and functionality. Includes HDR+, Lens Blur, Video, Photo Stitching and more.

12. Photo Editing Apps

LightRoom Mobile
A powerful mobile version of the desktop photo editing app, LightRoom Mobile is free and gives access to a wide range of photo adjustments including contrast, exposure, shadow and highlight recovery, clarity and much more.

VSCO
The VSCO app allows you to not only edit photos, but also take them with a number of advanced camera controls. This app is most well known for their wide range of excellent presets, and also distinct community.

SnapSeed
With a number of different tools and filters, SnapSeed is a complete mobile photo editor that was developed by Google. It includes features like selective editing brush, healing, and lens blur. You can also edit RAW files or jpeg, and it has plenty of presets to use and adjust.

13. Games

One of the first Android phones on
Tracfone - Moto E

There are many great games available covering a wide range of categories, so we will just list a few of our favorites.

Disc Golf Valley (Free)
Call of Duty Mobile (Free)
Piano Tiles 2 (Free)
Plants Vs Zombies (Free)
Crashlands ($4.99)
Atomos (Free)
Angry Birds 2 (Free)
Guess the Song (Free)

We want to hear about your favorite games! Let us know in the comments which games are your top picks, and we will add to the list here!

We hope this list will give new Android users a good place to start when looking for apps, and possibly help Android power users find a new app to try.

If you don't have an smartphone, or are looking to upgrade, check out our List of the 5 Best Tracfone Smartphone which shows Tracfone's current options for top phones. Or visit our Latest List of Tracfone Smartphones to see what's new.

Tracfone is always adding new smartphones, and we have the latest on our Cell Phone Reviews page. These phones are usually available on the Tracfone website, and are also available many places online like Amazon and eBay.

You can also bring your own smartphone to use with Tracfone! Drop by our Tracfone BYOP page which includes a list of compatible phones.

We recently analyzed all the airtime cards from Tracfone and created our Guide to the Best Deal on Tracfone Airtime. Have a look and see if you are getting the best deal.

Thanks for visiting, and remember to leave a comment with your picks for the best apps on your Android device! Let us know if we missed any good options!

Tracfone Data-Only Card and How to Reduce Data Use

Guide to Tracfone Data Cards and How to Buy Data for your Smartphone

Welcome to the TracfoneReviewer blog! This post will share specifics on how data works on smartphones with Tracfone.

How Data Works and How to Save on Data

Note - We created a full breakdown and comparison of Tracfone airtime in this post: New Prices/Changes to Tracfone Smartphone Cards.

Tracfone is a prepaid cell phone service provider that offers both phones and airtime cards. On their smartphone devices, you also get data when adding an airtime card which you can use to surf the web when not connected to WiFi.

Data is very useful on smartphones, but how does the data work on Tracfone smartphones, how can you get more, and what can you do with the data you have?

We are going to cover these questions and more in this post sharing all the details about how Tracfone Data works on smartphones.

Tracfone offers a number of different smartphones and you can see all the newest devices in our List of the Latest Smartphones from Tracfone.

Or you might be interested in the Tracfone BYOP program, which allows users to bring their own smartphone. Follow the link to learn more, and see a list of the possibilities.

Both the smartphones offered by Tracfone, and the BYOP devices, use data in the same way. So let's get started looking at how data works on these phones.

What is Data on Tracfone Smartphones?

Data is the term generally used to describe the amount (usually in megabytes) you can download or upload on your smartphone via the cell phone network. So data is basically information you download or upload from the internet. This can include many different activities, like checking email, posting photos on Facebook, reading webpages, or watching videos.

Data is consumed based on the amount of megabytes you download or upload. So if you download a 20 MB image, that will use 20 MB of your data. If you visit a webpage that takes 1 MB to load, you will use 1 MB of data. (further down we will share more on estimating how much different online activities will use up your data.)

On older, non-smartphone devices, data was used at a rate determined by the amount of time you were on a website, but this is not the case for smartphones which is a nice improvement.

As you can see, data works similarly to your calling minutes, in that you are charged based on how much you use. But calling minutes are based on time, rather than megabytes. (For example, if you make a 20 minute call, you will be deducted (about) 20 minutes of talk time.)

On Tracfone Smartphones and BYOP devices, airtime is split into three pools, Talk, Text and Data. Learn more about How Airtime Works with Tracfone Smartphones in our recent post.

How Can you Buy More Data for your Tracfone Device?

There are two ways to get more data for your smartphone:

Airtime Cards - You can add both Regular Airtime Cards or Smartphone Only Cards and get a certain amount of data along with talk, text and service days.
Data Only Card - You get only Data, at 1 GB for $10

For most situations you will probably want to add an Airtime card to your phone to increase all your 'buckets' of talk/text/data.

But sometimes you may only want to add data, in which case the data only cards are useful. Let's take a closer look at Data cards to better understand how to use them.

What Are Data Only Cards?

As mentioned above, the Data only card increase the amount of data for your smartphone, without adding any additional texts or talk minutes.

This is similar to the Text only cards we recently discussed.

There are some important things to be aware of the make the Data only cards unique.

First, they can only be used with smartphones, including the Android devices offered by Tracfone, and all phones offered through the BYOP program.

Second, like the Text only card, Data only cards do not triple, so you get the amount listed on the card (1 GB).

Data Card Amount and Cost Per MB Compared to Airtime Cards

Tracfone just offers one Data only card option at this time:

• 1 GB for $10

This results in 1 cent per MB of data.

Cost per MB for Tracfone Data cards and Airtime cards Compared:

Below is a table with all of the current airtime cards from Tracfone and how much data comes with each one. We've included both Smartphone only cards and regular airtime cards.

Tracfone Data Amounts and Cost per MB

There are two key points to take note of from this Chart:

• Smartphone only cards come with a lot more data compared to regular airtime cards
• Smartphone only cards are a better deal for data (except the 1500 and 200 minute cards)

In general, if you only need data, the data only card is a good deal. But if you also need talk and texts, then the 300 or 750 minute smartphone cards are a good deal.

Where to Buy Tracfone Data Cards

Tracfone Data cards are available form a variety of sources, as is the case for Tracfone Airtime cards. You can find Data cards on the Tracfone website under Airtime.

You can also find the Tracfone Data cards in many retail stores, and even online through other retailers. We have found Data cards on eBay in various amounts.

Now let's cover one more question that we see asked quite often.

How Much Can you Do Online with 300 MB of Data?

A common question we see is, what can you do online with a certain amount of data? This is a very good question, because many people tend to estimate how many airtime minutes they will need, and then buy the airtime card that suits their needs best. But if you're unfamiliar with how much data is used by smartphones, it makes it hard to estimate.

It is a little hard to give a straight answer to this question, it all depends on what you do online  Take a look at this image (provided by Tracfone) to help give you a better idea:

Estimated usage for 300 MB of data with Tracfone

From this table we see you can visit about 245 webpages with 300 MB of data, or send/receive about 4000 emails. Hopefully this information will help you gain a better understanding of how data is used with Tracfone, and where your data is going.

If you notice, doing certain things online, like streaming music, or even more so, streaming video, will use your data quickly, while visiting webpages or sending emails, especially those with few images, will use less of your data.

Another good resource for estimating your data usage is the Data Calculator on Verizon's website. Enter your estimated activities, and it will tell you about how much data you will use in a month.

Remember, that if you want to stop using data, you can go into the settings on your device, select data, and turn it off. Using WiFi networks, like at your home or work, does not deduct from your data.

Tips for Reducing Data Use

Here are some helpful tips to reduce the amount of data you use.

• Keep track of your data use and set data use warnings to help
• Turn off background data (learn more here)
• Download/upload large files over WiFi as much as possible
• If you use Google Maps often in a certain area, download the map of that area over WiFi. Here is some helpful information about using Google Maps without using data.
• Download songs/podcasts over WiFi instead of streaming them.
• Set your Apps to only update over WiFi.
• Download Images/Videos only when using WiFi

As you can see, the best way to reduce data usage is to avoid using it for large downloads or uploads, which will quickly drain your data. Using free WiFi whenever possible will go a long way in extending your data.

Here is a helpful article on what online activities use data, and some other basic details about data usage from an AT&T Forum.

We hope you found this information helpful, and please leave a comment with any questions, or if you have something to add!

Learn the basics of how Tracfone works with our Beginners Guide to Tracfone.

Find us on Facebook and join over 4000 followers who get the latest news and updates.

Take a look at one of our other popular posts, the Over 30 Great Android Apps to use with your Smartphone.

And check our recent post on 7 Ways to Reduce Your Airtime Usage with Tracfone including some more tips for making your data last longer.

Thanks for visiting!

Originally published 8/2015 and Updated 8/2020

Tracfone Beginners Guide - New to Tracfone? Start Here!

How to Get Started with Tracfone Prepaid Service

Updated August 2020

If you're new to Tracfone, or want to know more about how it works, this is the place to begin!

How Tracfone Works - Beginners Guide

Learn the basics of what Tracfone offers, the  phones and airtime available, and how to get your phone up and running!

Also get a general overview of the different kinds of prepaid minutes, from add-on to unlimited, we've got all the details to get you started with Tracfone here.

Let's get to it!

What is Tracfone?

Tracfone Wireless is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) that provides both prepaid service and a variety of branded smartphones to use with their service. They do not have any contracts and all airtime has unlimited carry over for talk, text and data.

If you would like more general information on Tracfone, go check out our page, About Tracfone (and then come back).

What Does Tracfone Offer and How Do Minutes Work?

Tracfone offers prepaid cell phone service in the form of airtime cards, with values ranging from 30 minutes to 1500 minutes. Some options are only available online at the Tracfone website, but many prepaid minute cards, like the 60, 120, 200, 450 and 400/1 year cards are available from many different retailers, both in stores and online. (You can find cards at stores like Walmart, Target, Dollar General, Amazon, and eBay)

Tracfone now offers four different types of cards:

• Regular airtime cards - Can be used with regular phones or smartphones, comes with varying amounts of airtime and service days
• Smartphone only airtime cards - Can only be used with smartphones, comes with a certain amount of talk, text, data and service days
• Unlimited smartphone cards - Only for smartphones, comes with unlimited talk and text, a certain mount of data (1-3 GB) and 30 service days
• Add-on cards - Only for smartphones, comes with either talk, text or data in a specific amount and no service days.

The Smartphone airtime cards can be used with any smartphones, and offer specific amounts of talk, text and data (plus service days) on each card. Most smartphone cards come with 60 service days.

Unless otherwise marked, the Regular airtime cards come with 90 days of service. So, for example, if you buy a 60 minute card (which usually costs $20), you get 60 minutes for calling and texting, and also 90 days of service time. The regular airtime cards come with either 60, 120, 200 or 450 minutes. When you add a regular airtime card to a smartphone, the airtime is automatically split into talk, text and data. With the 60 minute card, that would be 60 talk, 60 texts and 60 MB Data.

If you use all the 60 minutes, you can't make any more calls or texts. And if you go beyond the 90 days without renewing, you also can't make any more calls or texts. So you don't want either to run out!

The nice thing is that minutes and service days roll over. So if you already have 100 minutes, and 10 service days, when you add a 60 minute card, you will end up with 160 minutes and 100 service days!

So its good to keep track of your minutes/service days because you don't want to run out.

Many Tracfone devices come with either Double Minutes for Life or Triple Minutes for Life. These are great bonuses that make it so every minute you add to your phone will be either doubled, or tripled. Look carefully at the descriptions for Tracfone devices to see which they include. Most newer Tracfone's come with Triple Minutes for Life, including many of the Android phones (except those using Android 6.0 or newer, and released after April 2017).

Tracfone has recently Changed their Triple Minutes for Life policy, and new phones released after April 2017 may not include that feature. Follow the link to learn more about these changes.

Tracfone service can be very low cost, as little as $10 a month (even less for some!). And there are prepaid plans that automatically add airtime and service days so you don't have to worry about it.

Tracfone also provides its own branded phones to use with its service. These include both smartphones and regular phones. They have a number of options, ranging from $10 flip phones, to $100 Android powered smartphones and even several different Apple iPhones. We will cover more details on the phones offered by Tracfone a little further below.

Airtime is deducted for sending or receiving calls, for sending or receiving texts, and also for using the web (when not connected to WiFi).

On Android smartphones, airtime is split into three pools, one for calling, texting and data. Learn more about how minutes work by reading our Guide to How Minutes Work with Tracfone Smartphones.

Now, let's move on to activating your Tracfone.

How to Setup Your First Tracfone

Setting up a new Tracfone devices is very easy, and can usually be done in a few minutes, with it taking a few hours to fully activate.

Each Tracfone device should come with a small red card that includes instructions, and the phones serial number which you will need to register the phone.

You can activate your phone by following the directions, and either calling Tracfone or going online to their website. You can choose to either activate your phone with a new number, or transfer your number from your old phone.

The process for activating phones with Tracfone is usually very easy, and doesn't take much time. But occasionally, and especially with BYOP phones or some smartphones, you might run into problems that cause it to take longer. The key is to be persistent and patient.

Once your phone is activated, you will be able to manage your minutes on the home screen (except for the smartphones, where you can use the Tracfone My Account App). You can also check your minutes by signing in to the Tracfone website and going to your account page. Learn 4 Ways to Check your Tracfone Airtime for some additional methods!

Visit our Guide to Activating Smartphones and BYOP devices for more information on these newer phones.

Now that your phone is all set, you can add minutes to it, and start enjoying the freedom and flexibility of a no-contract phone.

Cell Phones Available with Tracfone

As we mentioned above, Tracfone sells their own branded devices for use on their cell phone network. They get these phones through partnerships with many major cell phone makers like LG, Samsung, Apple and others.

Tracfone cell phones generally cannot be used on other networks or unlocked (you can check if your Tracfone can be Unlocked in our recent guide), but you can bring a variety of smartphones to use with the Tracfone 'Bring Your Own Phone' program (BYOP).

There are three general categories of Tracfone devices that we will explain:

• Feature Phones (non-smartphone)
• Tracfone Smartphones (Android and iPhone)
• BYOP Phones (Unlocked smartphones)

The Non-Android or Feature Phones are the cheapest, and usually include flip phones, some touchscreens, and other 'basic' phones which do calling and texting well, but might not have internet capabilities. These phones may have double or triple minutes included, and often have long battery life.

These phones have been around for a while, and are generally durable and get the job done. Some examples include the LG 530G and LG 306G. The LG Classic Flip is a newer option that has 4G LTE capability for those who like basic flip phones.

Feature phones are best used as a backup phone, or for people who just want to call/text.

See these and many more phones on our Cell Phone Reviews page.

Tracfone J7 Crown

Android Smartphones and Apple iPhones - Tracfone sells a variety of Android powered smartphones ranging form $20 to several hundred dollars for newer, better phones. Android devices have access to over a million apps and can be used for many things. See what phones are new with our List of the Latest Tracfone Smartphones. 

Tracfone also recently added several Apple iPhones including the iPhone 5S, 6, 7, 8 and iPhone SE. These devices use Apple iOS and have access to the Apple App Store.

Smartphones are great for daily use and Tracfone offers Smartphone-only airtime cards that are a great deal for most users (smartphones can also use the regular airtime cards).

Remember that airtime is split up into talk, text and data with all smartphones.

See some of the latest smartphones on our Cell Phone Reviews page. Also learn How to Add Texts to your Smartphone and How Data Works on Tracfone Smartphones for more in depth information.

Unlocked Moto G7

'Bring Your Own Phone' or BYOP, is a program Tracfone offers that allows users to bring their own device to use with Tracfone service. In general, an unlocked phone is required, but some locked devices will also work. There are a wide variety of unlocked smartphones available that offer great performance at a reasonable cost. The Moto G6 and Moto G7 are popular options currently.

To activate a phone with the BYOP program you just need your device and a BYOP SIM kit. Learn more about what phones will work and the activation process on our BYOP page.

The BYOP program is great for users who want to get the most out of their phone or enjoy shopping for bargains on unlocked phones.

Tracfone Promo Codes

If you are new to Tracfone, you might not know about Tracfone Codes! Basically these are codes provided by Tracfone which will give you extra minutes for free whenever you add a new prepaid minutes card. There are certain codes that work for different Cards.

Visit our Tracfone Promo Codes page for all the codes, and more details.

Additional Tracfone Resources and Helpful Links

We want to share a few more additional resources for learning more about Tracfone, and getting the most from your device. So browse the following links and take advantage of the information.

For the latest deals and sales on Tracfone devices, head over to our Deals and Discounts category which features periodically updated blog posts that share the lowest prices on Tracfone devices and minutes.

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.

Debating about buying a smartphone? Our list of 6 Major Differences Between Android Smartphones and Non-Android phones may help you with that decision!

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.

Thanks for visiting!

Best Tracfone Smartphones - 2021

List of the Best Tracfone Cell Phones for 2021

Everyone wants to know, what is the best Tracfone device? Which cell phones are the best options from Tracfone? We have collected the information and now share the top options from Tracfone below.

As you might expect, this list is dominated by more expensive smartphones Tracfone has released over the last few years. But which one will receive the top pick? And where in the ranking do the rest of the phones fall?

If you would like to see all of our recent reviews, visit our Cell Phone Review page. Also keep up with new devices on our Latest Tracfone Cell Phone List.

We are judging this list of the best cell phones based primarily on features, specifications, and performance as well as feedback from consumers. Price and availability will only be small factors, as both of these variables change often.

Here's the our picks for the top Tracfone smartphones in 2021:

Best Tracfone Smartphone (2021)

1. iPhone XR 64GB
2. Samsung Galaxy A51
3. Moto G Power
4. Samsung Galaxy A50
5. Apple  SE 64GB
6. Samsung Galaxy A21

For most users, the top phones in our list are impractical due to their high cost. So a good option is to purchase an unlocked phone and use with the the Tracfone BYOP program. 

We expect Tracfone to continue to release several new Android and Apple smartphones in 2021, and will update as needed!

Now let's see the list!

Best Smartphones from Tracfone (2020)

iPhone 8

#1 Apple iPhone 8/8 Plus

Screen: 4.7" HD touchscreen/ 5.5" screen on iPhone 8 Plus
Camera: 12 MP camera with OIS and 4K video up to 60 fps
Storage: 64 GB
Processor: A11 Bionic Chip
Operating System: Apple iOS

The iPhone 8 is our pick for the best phone from Tracfone at this time. It brings updates and upgrades to the iPhone lineup, including the new A11 Bionic hexa-core processing chip which results in better performance compared to older iPhone models.

You also get a 12 MP camera with 4K video recording, 2 GB RAM, 64 GB storage, iOS 11 and a 4.7" retina display. The iPhone 8 is also built with durability in mind with a strong, aluminum band around the outside, and it is water and dust resistant.

The iPhone 8 edges out the competition with Apple's well known performance and high quality screen, camera and app store.

The price may be the only drawback, at $374 currently on the Tracfone website.

Note that there are newer models of the iPhone available, including the iPhone 8 which is available from Tracfone, and the iPhone X which is not available from Tracfone at this time.

Choosing between Apple and Android is usually a matter of personal preference, as the operating systems differ quote a lot, and many users prefer to stick with one or the other.

#2 Apple iPhone 7

Apple iPhone 7

Screen: 4.7" HD touchscreen
Camera: 12 MP iSight camera
Storage: 32 GB
Processor: A10 FUSION CHIP
Operating System: Apple iOS

The iPhone 7 is our pick for the next best phone from Tracfone at this time. It brings updates and upgrades to the older iPhone 6 with faster processor and improved camera..

You also get a 12 MP camera with 4K video recording, 2 GB RAM, 32 GB storage, iOS 10 and a 4.7" retina display.

Apple devices are well known for the combination of a great user experience and solid design. However, the iPhone 7 is a few years old, and it might be worth the money to go with the more expensive but newer iPhone 8.

The price may be the only drawback, at $239 currently on the Tracfone website. Note that there are newer models of the iPhone available, including the iPhone 8 which is available from Tracfone, and the iPhone X but it is not available from Tracfone at this time.

Unlocked Moto G7 Play

#3 Moto G7 Optimo MAXX

Screen: 6.2" HD touchscreen
Camera: 12 MP camera
Storage: 32 GB
Processor: 1.8 Ghz Octa-core (Qualcomm Snapdragon 632)
Operating System: Android 9 Pie

Released in early 2020, the Motorola Moto G7 Optimo MAXX is a powerful budget smartphone that comes with a nice, 6.2" HD screen, 32 GB internal storage, 3 GB RAM and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 632 processor to keep everything humming.

While it might not have some features, like a high-resolution screen, that more expensive phones have, it does have a powerful processor and the latest Android OS version which is very important.

Get the full specs and details, in our Moto G7 Optimo MAXX Review.

The smaller, Moto G7 Optimo has a 5.7" screen, smaller battery and a few other differences, but otherwise many of the same specs for those who don't want a device with such a large screen as the MAXX.

For those with Tracfone BYOP consider the unlocked Moto G7.

Tracfone Samsung Galaxy A10e

#4 Samsung Galaxy S20 (S205DL)

Screen: 6.4" HD Super AMOLED Infinity display
Camera: 13 MP Rear Camera with 5 MP Ultra-wide and 8 MP Front Camera with LED Flash, Autofocus
Storage: 32 GB
Processor: Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A73 & 6x1.35 GHz Cortex-A53)

Operating System: Android 9 Pie

A popular new phone from Samsung, the Galaxy A20 was released in mid 2020 and comes with a large, 6.4" screen, 32 GB internal storage, Octa-core processor and runs Android 9 Pie.

The Galaxy A20 comes with Samsung One UI which adds a unique look and feel on top of the Android 9.0 Pie operating system. Some of the unique features you get include optional theme and icon packs from Samsung. With a 4,000 mAh battery and 3 GB RAM, the A20 is very comparable to the Moto G7 Optimo MAXX, although it runs a little more expensive.

Learn more about this phone and what it has to offer in our Samsung Galaxy A20 Review.

Find the A20 from QVC at this time, with more retailers coming soon.

#5 Apple iPhone 6S Plus (and iPhone SE)

iPhone 6S Plus Unlocked

Screen: 5.5'' Retina HD display
Camera: 12 MP iSight camera
Storage: 32 GB
Processor: A9 Chip
Operating System: Apple iOS

Next in this list is the iPhone 6 Plus which is larger and more powerful compared to the iPhone 6, but also has a higher price. The iPhone SE has the same camera and internal specs, but a much smaller screen.

The 6S Plus comes with Apple iOS, a 5.5" HD touchscreen, 32 GB internal memory, dual core processor, 2 GB RAM and 12 MP camera.

While the specs are not impressive on paper, Apple devices are well known for their great performance due to their unique operating system and tailored processors. The 12 MP rear camera has excellent image quality and can record 4K footage at 30 FPS for high resolution videos.

The iPhone 6S Plus is currently listed on the Tracfone website for $189 which is a pretty good deal. There are also unlocked refurbished options available on Amazon for $148 (GSM compatible)

The iPhone SE actually has the same internal specs as the larger, iPhone 6S, and they were both released at the same time. The iPhone SE has a smaller, 4" screen, and originally retailed for $399, but the Tracfone website has it available for under $200.

The iPhone SE can be found on the Tracfone website and in some retail stores. Additionally, you can buy your own iPhone and bring it to the Tracfone BYOP program. Follow the link to learn more.

#6 Moto G6

Tracfone Moto G6

Screen: 5.7" HD touchscreen
Camera: Dual Rear Camera (12 MP + 5 MP)
Storage: 32 GB
Processor: 1.8 Ghz Octa-core (Qualcomm Snapdragon 450)
Operating System: Android 9 Pie

Released on Tracfone at the end of 2018, the Moto G6 is a very popular budget smartphone that packs a number of great features into a reasonable price.

With a 5.7" full HD touchscreen, Android 8.0 Oreo, 32 GB Storage, 3 GB RAM and Dual Rear Cameras, the G6 has a lot to like about it.

The Moto G6 is one of only a few smartphones from Tracfone that offer 32 GB storage, and certainly the least expensive at this time. For more details on this device, see the Full Tracfone Moto G6 Review.

There are several online retailers offering the Moto G6, including Tracfone, HSN, eBay and more, but we found the Moto G6 on Amazon with airtime bundle.

The Moto G6 is a great value for the money and it can also be found unlocked and used with either GSM or CDMA service on Tracfone BYOP.


More Tracfone Smartphones to Consider:

• Samsung Galaxy J7 Crown
• LG Stylo 4
• Moto E6

For more options, visit the Latest List of Tracfone Smartphones.

That concludes our list of the Best Tracfone Cell Phones. For many, buying the S6, iPhone 6 Plus or S7 would be impractical because of the high cost and older release date, but these are the most high-end options available through Tracfone. Leave a comment with your thoughts, and if you enjoyed this list, take a look at our List of the Best Phones for Tracfone BYOP.

Honorable Mentions - Unlocked Smartphones on Tracfone BYOP

The BYOP program from Tracfone makes it easy for consumers to have the phone they want at a reasonable price on Tracfone's prepaid service. Visit our main, Tracfone BYOP page for all the details.

The Moto G7 is an example of a popular unlocked smartphone that can be used with either GSM or CDMA service and is available for around $200.

We hope you found this article useful, leave a comment with your pick for the best Tracfone device. Also be sure to share this with your friends.

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We also want to share that Tracfone continues to add new phones to their lineup, and we will work to update this post as needed.

For more on the cell phones offered by Tracfone, visit our Cell Phones Review page.

Also don't forget about our most popular page, the Tracfone Promo Codes!

Finally, keep up with all the latest news and info on our Facebook page!

Thanks for visiting!

How to Unlock your Tracfone Cell Phone

Step by Step Guide to Unlocking a Tracfone Device

How to Unlock your Tracfone Cell Phone

It is now possible to unlock some Tracfone devices, mostly smartphones, so that you can use them with other carriers in the US or around the world. TracfoneReviewer shares the requirements and a step by step guide below! (Updated May 2020)

Owning an unlocked phone means that if you travel to another country that offers service for unlocked phones, you can buy a SIM card and service, and you will have cell phone use in that country. When you leave, you can switch your old SIM card back in to resume service with Tracfone.

Tracfone is well known for not allowing their phones to be unlocked, 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.

We've got all the information you need about unlocking your Tracfone device. We will start with the requirements, including who can unlock their phone, and then give a step by step guide.

Let's get started.

Requirements for Unlocking a Tracfone Device

There are a number of requirements that you must meet in order to get your phone unlocked. Here are the requirements:

(You can also check if your phone is eligible by entering your phone number or serial number at the bottom of this page)

• Customers must request handset unlocking.
• Customers must have had their locked device activated on Tracfone service for no fewer than 12 months, redeemed air time cards in no fewer than 12 months, and not have had their telephone number recycled or ported.
• Customers must request this interim unlocking solution while their service is active or within 60 days after their active service days expire. This 60-day grace period applies even if the customer's telephone number was recycled or ported.
• Customers must currently own a Tracfone branded handset model launched on Tracfone's service after February 11, 2014 or activated with Tracfone's service after February 11, 2015.
• Customers must possess a handset that is in working condition.
• Customers must possess a handset that is not reported stolen, lost, or associated with fraudulent activity.
• If a customer requesting handset unlocking is deployed military personnel, upon provision of deployment papers, Tracfone will honor that customer's unlocking request by sending a refund for the Trade-in Value of the used, locked phone returned by the customer without regard for the 12 months of service activation and air card redemption eligibility requirements. However, all other eligibility criteria apply to Tracfone's customers who are deployed military personnel. 
• Customers are eligible for this program only once every twelve months.
• (Source - www.tfwunlockpolicy.com/)

There are a lot of requirements, but the key points are that you need to have your phone active for 12 months with Tracfone, it needs to be a newer phone from after Feb 11, 2014, and you can only unlock a phone once every 12 months. While we haven't confirmed this yet, it is likely that only GSM smartphones are able to be unlocked. Let us know your experiences in the comments.

If you're phone is eligible for unlocking, you can continue with our guide to unlocking it.

How to Unlock a Tracfone Cell Phone in 3 Steps

Here is our step by step guide to unlocking your Tracfone cell phone. Be aware that not all Tracfone devices can be unlocked, many of their older phones are not eligible.

Steps for Unlocking a Tracfone

Step 1. 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.

Step 2. 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 still qualify for a credit towards a new phone, or a cash refund

We tested a Motorola EX 431G Tracfone prepaid phone. It met the requirements to be unlocked, but because it is an old phone, it can't be unlocked. So Tracfone offered a $5 cash refund. To get the cash refund, you have to send the phone to Tracfone, and you lose any remaining airtime on the device.

We also tested an LG Ultimate 2, which is an Android smartphone. This phone also could not be unlocked, and Tracfone offered a $15 cash refund.

Step 3, 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.

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.

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.

See our last post about the Best Tracfone Deals, Discounts and Sales including several recent smartphones with airtime bundles.

Thanks for visiting!

Smartphone Security Tips - Keep Your Tracfone Safe!

Smartphone Security Guide and the Best Anti-Virus Apps

Welcome to TracfoneReviewer! We share the latest news, reviews and promo codes!

Do you need an anti-virus app? How can you keep your phone secure with all the possible threats out there? These are good questions and we will be answering them and more in this smartphone security guide.

Most people have heard about computer viruses and malware but many don't know that smartphones can also fall victim. Fortunately there area handful of basic security tips that can make a big difference in securing your phone.

These tips are mostly for Android users, but they also apply to Apple devices which can be susceptible.

Fun fact, smartphones can't actually get infected with a virus, which is a specific type of self-replicating  malicious software. However, there are many other types of malware which can infect a phone in different ways.

Looking for a new phone? See the latest Tracfone smartphones in one list.

Smartphone security is becoming more and more important as we use our phones for a wider range of things, going beyond just calling and texting, to shopping, banking and more. Keeping your phone and information secure can typically be accomplished by following this simple list of basic security tips.

5 Basic Smartphone Security Tips

These are five basic tips to help keep you and your phone more secure.

1. Secure Your Phone with a Lock Code
If your phone is not secured with a lock code or fingerprint lock, someone could either accidentally or purposefully access your phone and install malicious apps and software. Set a code or other lock, and you won't have to worry about that.

2. Keep Your Phone Updated with the Latest OS and App Updates.
While it can be a hassle when your phone or other apps seem to update all the time, these updates often fix security holes and bugs. Check for system updates on an Android phone by going to Settings, then About Phone (or on some phones, Security and Location) and scroll down for Software Updates and tap it to check for new updates. Here's a more detailed walk through for checking for updates.

3. Don't Download Apps Unless they look Trustworthy
There have been a number of apps that were actually operating in nefarious ways and even installing malicious software on user's devices who downloaded these apps. The first step in avoiding this is by always using the Google Play store for downloading apps.

What to look for when checking if an app is safe

Next, use these steps to check if an app looks trustworthy:

• Who is the Developer? Check the developer's name, which is below the app's name, and do a quick search on Google to determine what else they have been involved with. 
• How Many Downloads does the App Have? If an app has a large number of downloads it is probably good to go.
• What about Reviews? Check the number of reviews and if it is a large number (and relatively positive) the app should be safe.
• When was it Published? If you are downloading a well known app like Instagram but it says it was just published recently, you might be downloading a fake.

Following these steps should help reduce the chance of downloading a malicious app. Games are typically the most common app used to hide malware, so pay special attention to these.

4. Don't Enter Personal Information over Unsecured or Public WiFi
Avoid entering any personal information like credit card numbers or your social security number while using any public unsecured WiFi. It can be possible for someone to track your keystrokes or get other information.

5. Keep Bluetooth Turned Off When Not in Use
Bluetooth is a common way to connect your phone with speakers, headphones and more but it can also be used to access vulnerabilities on your phone. The best defense is to keep it off when not in use and especially in busy, public areas.

Following this list of tips will go a long way in helping to secure your phone. But what about using a security app for additional protection? Let's take a look.

Do You Need an Anti-Virus App?

The short answer is not really.

For many smartphone users, an Anti-virus app is not necessary and following the above tips should be enough to keep your phone safe. But if you tend to download a lot of different apps or want that extra security, there are a number good security apps, some paid and some free, that can give you peace of mind.

Here are some of the best we've found:

• Avast Antivirus - Free version available with ads. Does a good job scanning and comes with a number of features. Link to Avast on Google Play
• Bitdefender - Paid app ($15) with excellent scanning and offers VPN and other features. Link to Bitdefender on Google Play.

One thing to note with anti-virus apps, if you're using an older phone the apps may slow it down noticeably during scans.

That concludes our guide to keeping your smartpthone safe. Leave a comment below with any thoughts or questions.

See a list of the best apps for Android that we've put together.

If you're new to Tracfone, start with our beginners guide which walks through all the basics from airtime to which phones to buy.

Finally, don't miss all the lowest prices on Tracfone devices in our Deals, Discounts and Sales post!

Thanks for visiting!