Best Unlocked Phones for Tracfone BYOP in 2020

Best Unlocked Smartphones for Tracfone Prepaid - 2020

The best unlocked phone list by TracfoneReviewer and updated January 2020 

List of Best Smartphones for Tracfone BYOP

Tracfone offers a growing selection of smartphones to use with their prepaid cell service, including Apple iPhones, high end smartphones (Samsung Galaxy S6, S7), and many budget smartphones. Consumers can also choose to purchase their own unlocked phone to bring to Tracfone's BYOP program.

But many consumers who want to buy their own phone, have certain questions.

What's the best phone to bring to Tracfone's BYOP (Bring Your Own Phone) program? Are there any phones besides the smartphones from Tracfone that I can use with Tracfone prepaid service? What phone should I buy as a Christmas present for my family member or friend? These are all good questions, and we will help answer them, and more, in this list of the best unlocked smartphones that can be used with Tracfone prepaid service.

Tracfone's BYOP program allows users to find their own smartphone, and then activate it with Tracfone's prepaid service. It is a convenient way to get to choose whatever phone you want, while keeping Tracfone's low cost service plans. But not everyone knows all the best options, so we are here to share our top picks for phones to bring to the BYOP program.

For specific details on the requirements for activating a phone with Tracfone, see our Guide to Transferring/Activating a Smartphone with Tracfone or visit our Tracfone BYOP page (which also has a large list of phone options).

We are choosing these phones based on a variety of factors including popularity, value and cost. These are some of our best suggestions of phones we believe will fit most user's needs. In the end, each person needs to understand what they want out of a phone, and choose a phone according to that.

Most Tracfone users decide to use BYOP because they want a phone with a little more power and performance compared to most Tracfone smartphones, plus a wider selection of devices. In our list, we only include phones priced between $100-$400 as the majority of our readers are looking for a phone in that price range.

Now let's take a look at the list!

Top 6 Unlocked Smartphones to use with Tracfone (that are Reasonably Priced)

Below are the some of the best phones to use with Tracfone based on several factors. We hope this list will act as a guide and suggestion, and allow you to choose which phone best fits your needs.

Google Pixel 3a

Google Pixel 3a

One of the best unlocked budget phones for 2019, the Pixel 3a features an excellent 12MP rear camera (the same as in the more expensive Pixel 3), 5.6" full HD touchscreen, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB storage and 1.7Ghz octa-core processor. It runs on Android 9.0 Pie with minimal extra apps or software added.

There isn't any water resistance, and the price is a little more than anything else on our list at $399, but for the price you get a number of high-end features only found on $800+ phones.

The Pixel 3a is compatible with both GSM and CDMA networks.

Check out the Google Pixel 3a for yourself on Amazon - $336

Samsung Galaxy A50

Samsung Galaxy A50
With a beautiful, 6.4" full HD screen, the Samsung Galaxy A50 is a great option for those looking for a great phone at a reasonable price. It also comes with an octa-core processor, Android 9.0 Pie, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB storage and a 4000 mAh battery.

On the back of the Galaxy A50 are three cameras, a 25MP, 8MP and 5MP  for getting those blurry background 'portrait mode' shots and the front camera is a 25MP as well. Image quality isn't quite as good as the Pixel 3a.

The Galaxy A50 has great overall design, good display and great performance for the price at just $275. It is GSM network compatible only, so be aware of that and check to make sure it will work in your area.

View the Samsung Galaxy A50 on Amazon - $273

The Samsung Galaxy A20 is a less expensive version with a little less storage, ram and performance, but available for just $159

Moto G7

Moto G7

The latest in the Moto G line of budget smartphones, the G7 has a large, 6.2" full HD touchscreen, dual rear camera, Octa-core processor, 4 GB RAM and 64 GB storage. It runs Android 9.0 Pie (and will continue to get updates for several years) and can be used with either GSM or CDMA networks.

What makes the Moto G7 such a popular phone is the versatility, performance, and price. The phone is more than capable at snapping great photos and video, handling the latest games and apps, and running all day on a single charge. Best of all, it is listed for just $299 (although we've found it on sale for less). Get the full list of specs and features in our Moto G7 Review.

View the Moto G7 on Amazon - $199

View the Moto G7 Power on Amazon- $229
The G7 Power comes with a much larger battery that easily lasts several days. It also features many of the same specs as the G7 but has a little less RAM and storage, and only a single rear camera.

Motorola G6 and G6 Play
The Moto G6 is the sixth generation of a well-rounded line of phones that offer great value at a reasonable price and a year older than the Moto G7 above.

The G6 has a large, 5.7" full HD touchscreen, 1.8Ghz Octa-core processor, 3 GB RAM, 32 GB Storage and dual rear cameras. It also features the latest Android OS, 8.0 Oreo and is compatible with both GSM and CDMA networks. For more details, view our recent Moto G6 specs and features list.

The G6 is often available for $150 and makes for a great budget option. If you want to save a little money, and don't quite need the performance of the G6 but want a larger battery, the G6 Play is the answer, with a 4000 mAh battery for all day performance. The G6 Play has many of the same features, including Android 8.0 Oreo, 3 GB RAM and 32 GB storage, plus a 13MP rear camera (but not dual rear camera).

View the Moto G6 on Amazon - $146
View the Moto G6 on Amazon (Prime Exclusive)

View the Moto G6 Play on Amazon - $150
View the Moto G6 Play on Amazon (Prime Exclusive)

View the Moto G6 Plus on Amazon - $212
The G6 Plus features more RAM, Storage, and a larger screen but is only compatible with GSM networks.

Apple iPhone SE
One of the main reasons many Tracfone users started switching to the BYOP program was to use an Apple iPhone with Tracfone service. Recently Tracfone has also started offering several iPhones including the SE, 6 and 6 Plus and even the iPhone 7 (Visit our Latest Tracfone Smartphone List to see exactly what's new). But it is still generally cheaper to find an unlocked iPhone such as the SE and use it with BYOP.

The iPhone SE is a compact device with impressive internal performance. It features a small, 4" retna display, and internal specs inline with the iPhone 6S, including A9 processor, 12MP rear camera with 4K video, and up to 64GB storage.

Look for the iPhone SE in some retail stores, but also online through Amazon or eBay. Make sure you choose an unlocked version that is compatible with the service in your area.

View the iPhone SE with 32 GB on Amazon for $300
View the Refurbished iPhone SE on Amazon for under $200

Nokia 6.1
Built from a single block of aluminium, the Nokia 6.1 is made to be stylish and durable with Corning Gorilla Glass on the 5.5" full HD touchscreen. It also features 3 GB RAM, 32 GB Storage, a 16 MP rear camera and runs Android One.

For those who are unfamiliar with Android One, it is a pure version of the Android operating system with no additional apps or clutter. It is both a hardware and software technical standard from Google designed to give users a consistent experience.

The Nokia 6.1 is a great looking phone but also a little more expensive than some of the options here.

View the Nokia 6.1 on Amazon (Prime Exclusive) - $269


Ultra Budget Options Under $100:
These phones still manage to pack in some great features while keeping a price tag under $100. Just be aware that they usually don't keep up with more expensive phones when it comes to cameras or performance.

BLU VIVO X5
UMIDIGI A3S
Moto E5
ZTE Blade A3 Lite


That concludes our list of the the best budget friendly smartphones to use with Tracfone. We hope this list serves to provide some ideas of different phones available to use with Tracfone BYOP.

We want to hear from you! Share your current/favorite phone you use with Tracfone in the comments below!

Also join in on the discussion on our Facebook page where more than 3500 followers already get the latest news and information in their feed.

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

Also take a look at our list of the Latest Tracfone Smartphones to see what is new from Tracfone.

And if you need some info on activating or switching your phone to Tracfone, read our full Guide to Activating or Transferring to a Tracfone Smartphone.

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Moto E5 Plus and E5 Play Budget Smartphones Coming Soon

Unlocked Moto E5 Plus and E5 Play Specs and Release Info

News, Specs and more on the Moto E5 from TracfoneReviewer

Moto E5 Plus and Play Coming Soon

Motorola has announced several new budget smartphones - the Moto E5 Plus, E5 Play and E5. Although these will be low cost devices, they will pack some impressive features which we will share more about below.

They will likely be great options to bring to the Tracfone BYOP program as they are unlocked and compatible with both GSM and CDMA networks.

Motorola also recently announced the Moto G6, G6 Play and G6 Plus and you can follow the link to learn more. The Moto G lineup generally offers a little more performance at a higher cost compared to the Moto E line.

The Moto E5 Plus might be the most notable (and also the highest priced) with a large, 6" touchscreen, enormous 5,000 mAh battery, 3 GB RAM and 32 GB Storage. Motorola isn't expected to release the Moto E5 in the US market, so only the Plus and Play versions will be available.

The E5 Play will have a much smaller, 5.2" screen, smaller battery, 2 GB RAM and 16 GB internal storage but likely priced closer to $150 or less.

Both Moto E5 variants will have Android 8.0 Oreo, Octa-core processors and expandable storage with a Micro SD card slot.

The previous version, the Moto E4 Plus, had similar specs except a smaller, 5.5" screen, only a quad-core processor and a few other differences.

Both the E4 and E5 Plus are clearly aiming for customers who want a large screen, long battery life, but don't demand intense performance from the phone (but it can still handle most apps and games).

Below is a full list o the features and specs for the Moto E5 Plus and Moto E5 Play

Moto E5 Plus Features and Specs

Network: GSM or CDMA Compatible, Unlocked
OS: Android 8.0 Oreo
Screen: 6.0" HD Touchscreen at 1440x720 Resolution (268 dpi, 18:9 ratio)
Processor: 1.4Ghz Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 435 processor
RAM: 3 GB
Storage: 32 GB
Camera: 12 MP Rear, 8 MP Front with 1080 HD Video
Battery: 5,000 mAh battery
Size: 6.33 x 2.96 x 0.37 in (6.95oz)

Additional Features:
Micro SD Card slot with up to 128 GB additional storage
Headphone Jack
Micro USB connection
Fingerprint Reader (on back)
Expected Release: Late May/Early June 2018
Expected Price: ~$200

And now let's look at the smaller, Moto E5 Play:

Moto E5 Play Features and Specs

Network: GSM or CDMA Compatible, Unlocked
OS: Android 8.0 Oreo
Screen: 5.2" HD touchscreen (1280x720 resolution)
Processor: 1.4 Ghz Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 processor
RAM: 2 GB
Storage: 16 GB
Camera: 8MP rear, 5 MP front with 1080 HD video
Battery: 2800 mAh (removable)
Size: 5.94 x 2.91 x 0.35 in (5.29oz)

Additional Features:
Micro SD Card slot with up to 128 GB additional storage
Headphone Jack
Micro USB connection
Fingerprint Reader (on back)
Expected Release: Late May/Early June 2018
Expected Price: ~$100-150

There are several similarities between these models, such as the Operating System, fingerprint reader and other base features, but they also have some significant differences, with the most obvious the screen size and battery.

The Moto E5 Play has a 5.2" screen which is the same size as the Moto G5 Plus, but significantly smaller than the E5 Play. Not everyone prefers a larger phone, so this is a good option for users who prefer something that fits in one hand more easily, or in a smaller pocket. With the smaller screen, and overall smaller size, the E5 Play also has a battery almost half the size of the E5 Plus. But don't worry, that still puts it right inline with most phones of this size, and users should get all day battery life.

Also important to notice is the internal storage and RAM for each of the models, with the E5 Plus featuring 3 GB RAM and 32 GB Storage, while the E5 Play only has 2 GB RAM and 16 GB Storage. Tracfone offers a number of smartphones with 16 GB storage/2 GB RAM for under $100 including the LG Premier Pro and LG Rebel 3, so these might be worth considering, although the E5 Play does have a newer OS and better processor compared to the LG phones we mentioned.

The differences continue with the camera and processors, although these aren't as significant differences. The E5 Plus does have a slightly faster processor, and better rear camera.

And, as expected, the prices will also likely be quite different, with the E5 Play likely around $100-150 and the E5 Plus somewhere around the $200 price range.

We will continue to update this as more details become available. Share your thoughts or questions in the comment section below.

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If you're shopping for a new phone, visit our Latest List of Tracfone Smartphones to see what is new from Tracfone.

And if you have questions about activating a new phone, look no further than our Tracfone Smartphone Activation Guide which includes tips for activating BYOP devices as well.

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Motorola G6 (Unlocked) - Features and Specs

New Motorola G6 Features, Specs and Where to Buy

Motorola G6 Coming Soon!

The next Generation in the Motorola Moto G line is here now and may also be coming to Tracfone in the near future.

UPDATE: The Moto G6 is now available directly from Tracfone. Visit our Tracfone Moto G6 Review to learn more and find out where to buy with airtime bundle.

Motorola announced the Moto G6 (and several variants) on April 19th, 2018. It is the newest phone in the Moto G lineup which is well known for offering great smartphone features at an affordable price.

The G6 has a 5.7" full HD touchscreen, 1.8 Ghz Octa-core processor, Dual rear camera, and runs Android 8.0 Oreo. It also comes with 3 GB RAM and 32 GB internal storage.

The Moto G6 is available to purchase:

View the Moto G6 (unlocked) on Amazon (Currently exclusively for Prime Members)
View the Moto G6 (unlocked) on BestBuy

View the Moto G6 Play (unlocked only for GSM) on Amazon

View the Moto G6 Plus (international unlocked version only for GSM) on Amazon


Many of the past Moto G versions, such as the Moto G4 and Moto G5, have been very popular with the Tracfone BYOP program because they offer great features at a reasonable price. It is rumored that the Moto G6 will also be released directly from Tracfone, which would also be a great option for Tracfone customers. We will share additional information on this as we learn more.

Let's see the list of features and specs on the Moto G6

Motorola G6 Features and Specs

• Dual Rear Camera - 13 MP and 5 MP
• 1.8 Ghz Octa-Core Processor (Qualcomm Snapdragon 450)
• 3 GB RAM
• 32 GB Internal Storage
• Android 8.0 Oreo
• 5.7" 1080x2160px Touchscreen
• Corning Gorilla Glass 3
• 3000 mAh battery
• Unlocked and compatible with both GSM and CDMA networks
• Price: $250

One of the most notable specs is the large, 18:9 ratio full HD touchscreen. The previous generation, the Moto G5, had only a 5.2" screen, but the new Moto G6 bumps that up to 5.7".

The dual rear camera is another feature usually seen in much more expensive devices and allows for selective focus in portrait mode for a blurry background.

The Moto G6 is fully compatible with both GSM and CDMA carriers which is great for the Tracfone BYOP program.

Motorola is also releasing two variants, the Moto G6 Play and Moto G6 Plus. The G6 Play will have the same size screen, slightly downgraded internal specs, a larger battery, and retail for $199.

Moto G6 Play Features and Specs

• Rear Camera - 13 MP
• 1.4 Ghz Quad-Core Processor (Qualcomm Snapdragon 427 or 430)
• 3 GB RAM
• 32 GB Internal Storage
• Android 8.0 Oreo
• 5.7" 720x1440 HD Touchscreen
• Corning Gorilla Glass
• 4000 mAh battery
• Unlocked and compatible with only GSM networks
• Price: $200

The G6 Play comes with many of the same features in the G6, such as 3 GB RAM, 32 GB storage, and Android Oreo. The Play also has a 5.7" screen, but at a lower resolution. The processor in the Play is also not as powerful, but the phone does have a larger battery compared to the G6.

For those that don't need the higher performance from the G6, the Play variant will offer almost all of the same features at a lower price. Unfortunately the Moto G6 Play appears to be only compatible with GSM networks.

The Moto G6 Plus is not expected to be released in the North American market, and only released internationally. But it is still possible to purchase the international version and use it with any GSM carrier through Tracfone.

Moto G6 Plus (international version) Features and Specs

• Dual Rear Camera - 12 MP and 5 MP
• 2.2 Ghz Octa-Core Processor (Qualcomm Snapdragon 630)
• 4 GB RAM
• 64 GB Internal Storage
• Android 8.0 Oreo
• 5.9" 1080x2160px Touchscreen
• Corning Gorilla Glass 3
• 3200 mAh battery (non-removable)
• Unlocked and compatible with GSM networks
• Price: $350-400

If you are looking for high performance and don't mind spending a little more, the Moto G6 Plus has more RAM, storage and a faster processor than the G6.

Only the international version of the G6 Plus is available, and it is only compatible with GSM carriers.

We will continue to update this as we gather more details, especially any news about Tracfone releasing their own Moto G6 version. If Tracfone does release the G6, it would certainly jump into our List of the Best Tracfone Smartphones.

Keep up with the latest news and info on our Facebook page.

Also check out the recent Deals, Discounts and Sales on Tracfone.

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Moto G5 Plus with Tracfone BYOP - Specs and Info

Moto G5 Plus News, Specs and Where to Buy

If you're considering a new phone to bring to Tracfone's BYOP program, you may want to consider the new Moto G5 Plus which is now available for pre-order.

Moto G5 Plus with Tracfone BYOP

The Moto G line of smartphones is a popular choice for Tracfone users. They are versatile, budget friendly devices that pack in great performance too. We recently shared our review of the Moto G4, a great option to use with BYOP because of the capability to activate it as either a GSM or CDMA device, among other strengths.

Now we have news about the upcoming Moto G5 and G5 Plus. So if you're curious about the next generation of Moto G phones, keep reading.

Moto G5 Rumors and Release Date

A number of images and information about the Moto G5 was leaked in the weeks prior to the official announcement, and some of that information has been not quite accurate. However, with the G5 and G5 Plus officially announced at the end of February 2017, we now know full details on these new smartphones.

Only the Moto G5 Plus will be available in the US, and it is available for pre-order from several online sources including Amazon and Bestbuy. Full release of the G5 Plus is expected at the end of March.

Now let's look at what everyone is interested in, the specs for the new Moto G5.

Moto G5 Plus Specs and Features

The new Moto G5 Plus has a lot of great features packed into a compact frame. It is a solid step up from the G4, with only a small price increase.

The Moto G5 Plus has a 5.2" full HD screen. This is smaller than the G4, which had a 5.5" screen. Both phones have 1920x1080 resolution and the G5 Plus has Gorilla Glass 3.

There are two versions of the G5 Plus available, one with 2 GB RAM and 32 GB memory, the other with 4 GB RAM and 64 GB memory. Both versions use the fast, 2.0 Ghz Snapdragon 625 octa core processor.

Let's take a look at the full specs on the G5 Plus to see all it has to offer.

Moto G5 Plus Specs:

• Android 7.0 Nougat 
• 4G LTE and compatible with both GSM and CDMA carriers
• 5.2" full HD touchscreen with Gorilla Glass 3
• 2.0 Ghz Octa-core processor
• 2 or 4 GB RAM
• 32 or 64 GB Internal Memory
• Micro SD card slot for up to 128 GB additional storage
• 12 MP Rear Camera, 5 MP Front Camera
• Fingerprint sensor to unlock device instantly
• All metal design

The G5 Plus is a well-rounded phone, with powerful processor, great camera, and lots of connectivity options.

For photo and video needs, the G5 Plus has a 12 MP rear camera with dual auto-focus technology which means faster and more accurate focusing capabilities and 5 MP front camera.

You also get full metal construction, which gives them a high-end feel and appearance.

The Moto G5 Plus is available in the US, with two memory/RAM combinations. Starting price will be $229, with the higher RAM/Memory option coming in at $299 (this is $50 less than the G4 Plus with same options) and it will come unlocked and ready to use on any of the major carriers (Sprint, Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T).

Buy the Moto G5 Plus:

Moto G5 Plus on Amazon $229  (Discounted price of $184 available with Amazon Prime offers/ads)
Moto G5 Plus on BestBuy $229

Based on these specs, the Moto G5 Plus looks very attractive as a solid performer for the smartphone enthusiast. It has all the capabilities to keep up with daily demands.

We will update with full details as soon as more becomes clear, but this new phone sure looks impressive.

Keep up with the latest posts, news and deals by joining us on Facebook. We also have a YouTube channel where we hope to provide additional content in the coming months.

leave a comment with your thoughts or questions about this new phone.

Take a look at our Guide to Activating a smartphone with Tracfone BYOP if you have questions, or visit our List of the Best Unlocked Smartphones for more buying options.

And we just reviewed the LG X Style which has some great features for the price, so check it out if you're shopping for a new phone.

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Moto G4 Review with Tracfone BYOP

Moto G4 Review and How to Activate with Tracfone BYOP

Below we share our review of the Unlocked Moto G4, and how you can use it with Tracfone BYOP. Here at TracfoneReviewer we share a variety of informational bout Tracfone Wireless. If you're new, be sure to take a loot at some of the other posts we have created.

Moto G4 Review for Tracfone Prepaid

The Moto G4 is the 4th generation of a line of phones from Motorola that have been hugely successful for their combination of great features at a reasonable price.

The 4th iteration of the Moto G is no exception and brings a lineup of solid performance, reliability and long battery life for a starting price of $200.

Below we will share our review of the Moto G4 (and G4 Plus/G4 Play), and how it works with Tracfone BYOP and a brief guide to activating it.

There are several different versions of the Moto G4, each with a handful of differences, but mostly the same features. The three main versions are the Moto G4, Moto G4 Play, and Moto G4 Plus. The G4 Play is cheaper than the regular G4, but has a smaller screen and certain other changes. Likewise the Moto G4 Plus has some improvements over the G4, at a higher cost.

Let's take a look at the specs for each of these phones, starting with the mid-priced option, the Moto G4.

Moto G4 Features and Specs

These are the main features and specs. For a complete rundown, visit GSMArena.

Moto G4

• 4G LTE Compatible with Both GSM and CDMA networks
• Android 6.0.1 with upgrade to Android 7.0 in near future
• Screen: 5.5" IPS LCD with Full HD Resolution (1080x1920) and Gorilla Glass 3
• Processor: Octa-core (Quad-core 1.5 Ghz and Quad-core 1.2 Ghz)
• Memory: 16 or 32 GB (plus Micro SD Card Slot)
• RAM: 2 GB
• Camera: 13 MP Rear, 5 MP Front with 1080p recording
• Battery: 3000 mAh removable
• Price: 16 GB for $199 / 32 GB for $229

You also get all of the other typical features found on a smartphone like GPS, WiFI, FM Radio, MP3 Player, threaded SMS, email, and more.

There are three big features that stand out on the Moto G4 compared to Tracfone smartphones in this price range. The G4 has an Octa-core processor for great multitasking capability, 2 GB RAM to complement that, and a 13 MP Camera with plenty of features.

We recently reviewed the Samsung Galaxy Sky, which was released for closer to $120, but only has a quad-core processor, 1.5 GB RAM and 5 MP Camera.

Let's take a look at another version of the Moto G4 that is cheaper, and also a little smaller.

Moto G4 Play Features and Specs

These are the main features and specs. For a complete rundown, visit GSMArena.

Moto G4 Play

• 4G LTE Compatible with Both GSM and CDMA networks
• Android 6.0.1 with upgrade to Android 7.0 in near future
• Screen: 5" IPS LCD with HD Resolution (720x1280)
• Processor: Quad-core 1.2 Ghz
• Memory: 16 GB (plus Micro SD Card Slot)
• RAM: 2 GB
• Camera: 8 MP Rear, 5 MP Front with 1080p recording
• Battery: 2800 mAh removable
• Price: $149 (sometimes as low as $129)

As you can see, the Moto G4 has a smaller, 5" touchscreen, just a quad-core processor and only 8 MP rear camera. However, it still comes with 2 GB RAM, 16 GB memory and Android 6.0.1 (with upgrade to 7.0 coming soon).

The Moto G4 Play is built more for the everyday causal users, but still has decent specs to handle most games or apps.

For the real powerhouse of the Moto G4 lineup, let's look at the G4 Plus.

Moto G4 Plus Features and Specs

These are the main features and specs. For a complete rundown, visit GSMArena.

Moto G4 Plus

• 4G LTE Compatible with Both GSM and CDMA networks
• Android 6.0.1 with upgrade to Android 7.0 in near future
• Screen: 5.5" IPS LCD with Full HD Resolution (1080x1920) and Gorilla Glass 3
• Processor: Octa-core (Quad-core 1.5 Ghz and Quad-core 1.2 Ghz)
• Memory: 16 GB or 64 GB (plus Micro SD Card Slot)
• RAM: 2 GB with 16 GB Version / 4 GB with 64 GB Version
• Camera: 16 MP Rear, 5 MP Front with 1080p recording/720p slow motion
• Battery: 3000 mAh non-removable
• Price: 16 GB for $249 / 64 GB for $299

The Moto G4 Plus also has a fingerprint reader for unlocking the device.

If you're going to spend the extra money on the G4 Plus, you might as well get the 64 GB version because it also comes with 4 GB RAM. This pairs very nicely with the octa-core processor for more demanding apps or games. More RAM allows the phone to have more going on at once, so it will be less likely to freeze or slow down.

The fingerprint sensor is surprisingly useful and convenient for quickly and securely unlocking the device. It does have trouble recognizing a fingerprint if it is wet.

Review of the Moto G4 on Tracfone BYOP

We will go into a little more depth on some of the features for the G4 and discuss the pro's and con's of the Moto G4, G4 Play and G4 Plus.

Moto G4 Review

The internal memory and RAM on the Moto G4 is very acceptable in a budget smartphone and the Octa-core processor allows the phone to keep up with most apps and games. For low to moderate smartphone users, 2 GB RAM and 16 GB memory is plenty. However, for users who will be taking a lot of photos or video, or want to load a lot of apps on the phone, 32 GB or even 64 GB will be a better choice.

The fact that the G4 Play also comes with 2 GB RAM and 16 GB memory is a great deal. It doesn't have the same processor however, running just a quad-core 1.5 Ghz processor.

There is some occasional lag and stuttering on the G4 (all versions), which likely is not from a lack of processing power, but more likely due to firmware issues that need to be cleaned up. The phone may see some improvements when upgraded to Android 7.0, and let's hope that includes the stuttering issues. It isn't a very common issue, and only appears occasionally in certain applications or when switching between windows.

The 5.5" screen on the G4 and G4 Plus is full HD 1080x1920 resolution and looks great with good brightness and contrast levels. It also has Gorilla Glass 3 protection. The G4 Play has the smaller 5" screen with HD 720x1280 resolution and also looks quite good.

When it comes to the camera, the Moto G4 Plus has a 16 MP rear camera with a larger sensor compared to the G4 at 13 MP, and better low light shooting plus laser auto focus. It is a very nice improvement, and renders nice, clear photos in good lighting conditions. While it is also better at low light versus the G4, the G4 Plus still doesn't take great low light photos (but few smartphones do).

The 8 MP camera on the G4 Play can take good photos in good lighting conditions, but don't expect much more out of it. All three phones have a variety of different features like panorama, HDR and flash.

All three versions of the G4 are capable of recording full HD video at 30 fps. Video quality is good, and the phone does have optical image stabilization to help smooth out your shots. Videos shot at night do have noticeable noise.

Battery life on the Moto G4 is excellent, with the G4 Play providing the best battery performance of the three (due to the smaller processor and screen). These phones truly have 'all day' battery life and on many occasions we've noticed nearly 50% charge remaining after a full day with moderate use. Charging speed is also impressive, with all three devices charging very quickly.

Finally, what makes the Moto G4 such a great device to pair with Tracfone BYOP is that you can use it with either CDMA or GSM service. Just choose the correct SIM card, and follow the activation process (which we will provide more details on further along).

To Summarize the Main Pro's and Con's with the Moto G4:
The Good:
-Good combination of processor, RAM and Internal Memory
-Large, Clear Touchscreen
-Excellent Value
-Compatible with both CDMA and GSM
-Very Clean Android OS with Update to 7.0 Coming Soon

The Bad:
-Occasional stuttering/lag
-No blinking notification light
-Low Light Photo Quality is not Great

Overall, our experience using the Moto G4 Plus with Tracfone BYOP has been nearly flawless. Data and picture messaging (MMS) have both worked without any issues.

The phone itself is fast, powerful and has plenty of storage. The 5.5" screen is large, but easy to get used to and videos, games or photos look great on it. The single front speaker does a good job, and gets loud enough for most needs.

The occasional stuttering is not very noticeable, but should be considered when purchasing this phone.

Which Moto G4 Version is Right for You?

Originally Motorola had three different 'budget' phones; the Moto E, Moto G and Moto X. They have now decided to just offer one phone, but with three variations.

All three of the new variations on the Moto G are great value for the money, and they target different people who have different needs for a phone.

Moto G4 Screen Size vs Moto G4 Play and Moto G4 Plus

The Moto G4 has great specs for the price, but may be limited on internal memory unless you choose the 32GB option.

With the G4 Play you get a smaller and cheaper phone, but also sacrifice some performance and camera resolution.

For the 64 GB Moto G4 Plus you get lots of memory and RAM, plus other great features, but the cost starts to get a little high for some, and there are a number of other good phones in this price range (each with certain pro's and con's).

In the end, the right phone for you is one that you can afford, and will fit the demands you plan to put on the device. For many, the Moto G4 Play is more than adequate with nice snappy performance, and a convenient size.

However, for just $50 more the regular G4 has a number of improvements that make it a good choice for moderate to heavy smartphone users. It has a better processor for running more apps, and an improved camera.

We've seen all of the versions of the Moto G4 on sale for $20 or more below retail price, so it might be worthwhile to wait for a sale if you need to get the most bang for your buck.

How to Activate the Moto G4 on Tracfoen BYOP

The Moto G4 can be activated as either a CDMA or GSM device. We've tested it on Tracfone's GSM network with complete success. We have also received reports of successful activation on the CDMA network, although some users have run into issues.

Here are the steps for activating the Moto G with Tracfone BYOP:
1. Buy an Unlocked Moto G4, G4 Play or G4 Plus (see below for where to buy)
2. Purchase a Tracfone SIM kit (available online and in many stores for $1)
3. Choose whether you will activate with CDMA or GSM coverage, and use the matching Micro SIM card from the kit.
4. Insert the SIM card into the phone by removing the back cover, taking out the existing SIM tray, and replacing it with the Micro SIM card.
5. Visit the Tracfone website or call Tracfone to continue the activation process, which will include choosing if you want to activate a new phone number or transfer an existing number.
6. Once activation is complete, test the functionality. Sometimes turning the phone off(by holding down the power button for 3 seconds) and back on is required before the phone recognizes the SIM.

For additional activation information, and advice on what to do if you run into problems, visit our Tracfone Smartphone Activation Guide.

If you already have a device on Tracfone's BYOP program, and it uses the same SIM card, you can actually just take it out of one device and put it in the other. We tested this going from a 1st generation Moto G to the Moto G4 Plus and everything worked after restarting the phone, including MMS and Data. We don't necessarily recommend this route, but, as of yet, we've experienced no issues.

Where to Buy the Moto G4/ G4 Play/ G4 Plus

The Moto G4 is available from several different major retailers including Walmart, BestBuy, Target, Amazon and others. Below are links for online retail options:

Moto G4 - Available from Amazon (currently on sale for $179), Motorola, BestBuy

Moto G4 Play - Available from Amazon, BestBuy

Moto G4 Plus - Available from Amazon Motorola, BestBuy

There are plenty of cases on covers available from both Amazon and eBay.

That concludes our review of the Moto G4. We hope this information is helpful for those considering this phone as an option to use with Tracfone BYOP. There are also many other great smartphones to use, and we've even created a list of the Top 6 Smartphones to use with Tracfone BYOP.

Leave a comment below with any questions or thoughts you want to share. All comments are moderated for a short period of time before posting.

Also get involved on our Facebook Page where we share the latest news and information with our active community of over 2300.

For more information on the BYOP program, visit our Tracfone BYOP page. And you can also take a look at some of Tracfone's smartphone options on our Cell Phone Reviews page.

Thanks for visiting!

Guide to Activating or Switching to a Smartphone with Tracfone

Tips and Advice for Activating or Switching to a Tracfone Smartphone

We get a lot of questions from our readers here at TracfoneReviewer about switching to Tracfone smartphones, and as more and more people make that transition, we wanted to share the best advice and tips we've gathered from our experiences, and those of our readers.

How to Activate a Tracfone Smartphone

If you're in one of the following situations, this how-to will be especially helpful for you:
-Switching from a Non-Smartphone to a Smartphone
-Switching from one Smartphone to Another
-Activating a New Smartphone
-Switching to a Tracfone BYOP device.

What we want to share is some information on how to start the transfer or activation process, and our best advice on making the transition as smooth as possible. A number of longtime Tracfone users are making the switch to Smartphones (partially because of the closing of 2G networks) and it can be very challenging and frustrating to try and figure out how to do it.

Let's start with the activation process.

Basic Process for Activating a Smartphone

Here are the basic steps we would recommend for activating a smartphone with Tracfone. Before we start, keep in mind these points about smartphones:

Remember that...

• You cannot switch from a smartphone back to a regular phone
• Airtime on smartphones is split into three pools - Talk/Text/Data
• Not all Smartphones come with Triple Minutes for Life (Tracfone recently changed that)
• Smartphone-only airtime cards do not triple.
• Promo Codes can be used with Smartphones (in most cases)

OK, now let's start the process.

Step 1 - Verify what coverage works best in your area

Verify and purchase a phone that will be compatible with your geographical area. Tracfone offers both GSM and CDMA coverage, but some areas only have one or the other. For their GSM coverage, they use AT&T cell towers and for their CDMA coverage they use Verizon towers. If you've already got a phone from Tracfone, check what comes at the end of the name. a 'G' at the end means GSM, a 'C' means CDMA (for example, the LG 306G uses GSM).

Tracfone Activation Steps

For those planning to bring their own device, check that the phone you are purchasing is unlocked, and compatible with the network you plan to use. Some smartphones can actually be used with either network, like the new Moto G 4th Gen.

If you're shopping for phones, visit our Cell Phone Reviews page or our Tracfone BYOP page.

Step 2 - Gather Necessary Items

To activate a new Tracfone smartphone, you simply need the phone you wish to activate, and the red activation card which includes the serial number.

To activate a phone on Tracfone BYOP, you will need a Tracfone SIM card kit, the phone you wish to activate, and an airtime card (or credit card to buy airtime).

You can get the BYOP SIM card kit from Tracfone, or get it from Amazon or BestBuy for $1. Also available from other sources.

If you're transferring service, you should also have your old phone with you.

Step 3 - Start the Activation Process

You can either call Tracfone or use their website to start the activation process, but we recommend using the website.

Go to Tracfone.com and look for the orange button towards the top right of the screen that says "activate/reactivate/transfer" and choose this option.

Follow the prompts, choosing whether you are using a Tracfone Smartphone, or a BYOP device. Then continue to enter the information as prompted.

We've heard from many readers who have been able to activate their device in a matter of minutes. But things don't always go so smoothly, so continue on to the next step.

Step 4 - Check that Everything Works

Once you complete the activation process (which usually takes less than an hour, but may take up to 2 days), make your test calls, test texts, and check that your data works.

If something is not working, start by turning your device off and back on (for most devices this means hold the power button for several seconds until it powers down or asks if you want to turn it off), and then wait at least 48 hours after activating to see if it will start working.

If you still don't have an active device, it is time to contact Tracfone.

There are (at least) 6 Ways to Contact Tracfone:

• Call Tracfone - 1 (800) 867-7183 (this is their customer service number, available 8AM-11:45PM EST 7 days a week)
• Text Tracfone - Text 'HELP' to 611611 (we've never actually tried this, so don't know how well it will work)
• Email Tracfone - This doesn't seem to be available at the moment
• Use the Tracfone Forum
• Use the Tracfone Facebook page
• You can also chat via Facebook

Here is the contact page on the Tracfone website

For most, calling is the best way to get help, although other methods might work better for you depending on your situation. Be prepared to be patient and clearly explain your problem. Tracfone customer service is not the best, but I've always had my problems fixed eventually.

The majority of people have no issues and smoothly activate their new phone or transfer their number and minutes. But a small percent seem to run into issues, anything from Tracfone sending the wrong SIM, to ill-informed customer service. Based on years of comments and reports from our readers, these issues just sometimes happen, and you will need some patience and determination to work through it.

Leave a comment with your preferred method of communication, and any other feedback on contacting Tracfone in the comments below!

Additional Tips and Advice for Actuating a Tracfone Smartphone

Here are some extra tips and helpful information we hope will make for an easier activation process and answer some of your questions.

• Double check your coverage area. One way to check what service you have in your area is to enter your zipcode on the Tracfone website when shopping for a phone. If only CDMA devices show up, you live in an area best suited to CDMA. But, that doesn't mean GSM won't work in that area. We've heard from several readers who reported using a different zipcode to activate their phone and the device still works in their home area.
• Buying Tracfone smartphones from other retailers like Amazon, eBay, HSN, QVC and retail stores, can often be much cheaper than buying directly from the Tracfone website.
• Most unlocked smartphones will work with Tracfone BYOP. Occasionally they don't, but with enough persistence they might. 
• You can check your device's IMEI or ESN number on the Tracfone website to see if it is compatible, although they are occasionally wrong.
• Get a BYOP SIM card kit from Amazon or BestBuy for $1. This includes all the SIM cards you will need (Nano, Micro and Regular) and a network activation code.
• If you're having trouble with getting help from customer service, try escalating to Tracfone's Florida help center number: 1-800-876-5753. But if the lines are busy, you'll be directed back to regular customer service. 
• Try to be clear and patient with customer service. They are not the easiest to understand, nor are they always correct, but they do try to sort things out. If you're not making progress, ask for a supervisor or hang up and call again.
• Turning your smartphone off and back on will often solve problems. Doing a full reset may also solve issues if you can't find a different solution.
• If you are transferring from one smartphone to another, you should be able to log into your Google account on the new phone and automatically load your apps, contacts, and other information.
• If your Data or MMS is not working, you can try updating your settings here.
• In some cases it is possible to take the SIM card out of an existing Tracfone device and put it into a new phone with no need to make any other changes. Some users have found that if a phone isn't being recognized by Tracfone, inserting an active SIM can help resolve the situation. 

Over the last several years Tracfone has become much better at activating smartphones and BYOP devices. Those that tried activating smartphones when they were first released probably remember all the issues. But many problems have been fixed, the BYOP program has been expanded to almost any smartphone, and the activation process is generally fast and easy.

We hope these tips will help make your activation process easier, or give you the confidence to give it a try. Leave a comment with further questions, or any tips we missed! (FYI - comments are posted after they are moderated, as we get a lot of spam)

Join our Facebook page where you can post questions, and see the latest news and information about Tracfone.

If you're looking for a new phone, see some great Deals and Discounts we recently posted!

Also, take a look at our update to 4 Ways to Check your Airtime with Tracfone if you like to keep track of your minutes balance.

Thanks for visiting!

New Prices/Changes to Tracfone Smartphone Cards

Tracfone Updates Smartphone Only Cards with New Amounts/Prices

TracfoneReviewer is an independent website that provides news, reviews and other information about Tracfone. We always try to provide helpful and accurate information, and appreciate our readers who also help keep us informed.

See the Changes to Tracfone's Smartphone Airtime Cards

At the end of 2015, Tracfone added new airtime cards that are for smartphones only. These cards gave certain amounts of talk time, texts and data. They are significantly different from the regular Tracfone airtime cards which come in amounts ranging from 60 to 450 minutes.

In general, the smartphone only cards were a better deal, as they gave a lot more texts compared to the regular cards, which is what most smartphone users run out of first.

We compared the Smartphone Only cards to Regular Airtime cards in this post from December 2015 (which is now outdated) but Tracfone has now changed the smartphone only cards with new prices and amounts of airtime you get. They also changed how many service days you get.

Below we will go through and compare the old smartphone-only cards with the new smartphone-only cards and see what the changes mean. We will also include the regular cards for comparison.

Tracfone has not made any changes to their regular airtime cards, and we expect they will continue to offer them at the same prices and amounts.

Before we get to that, we do have some information that will make many Tracfone customers happy:

Tracfone Reduces Price for Text and Data only Cards

Along with making changes to the smartphone only cards, Tracfone also made some changes to their Text-only card and Data-only card (these cards give only additional texts or data, and no extra service days). But the only change they made was to reduce the price, which is great! These prices are only available on the Tracfone website, but we expect retailers to eventually change their prices to match.

You can now get:
1000 texts for $5 (previously was $10 for 1000 texts)
1000 MB data for $10 (previously was $10 for 300 MB)

This is a huge reduction in price, and makes buying extra data or texts much more affordable.

Remember, these cards can only be used if you have a smartphone with Tracfone (which includes BYIO devices).

Comparison of New Smartphone Only Cards vs Old Smartphone Cards (plus Regular Cards)

Now let's get into the changes Tracfone has made to their smartphone cards. These changes are a little difficult to compare, because they changed the prices on the cards, the amounts of talk, text and data you get, and also the number of service days.

Below you can see our chart that has the card, the amount of airtime, the price and the price per unit of talk/text/data. (Note - After some help from our readers, we've updated the tables to more accurately display the information, thanks for your feedback!)

(Click to View Larger) Comparison of Regular Airtime Cards vs Old Smartphone Cards vs New Smartphone Cards

(View this table in Google Docs)

We've subtracted the cost of service days from the original cost to be able to just look at the airtime casts. We've used $50 for 1 year service as the base price for airtime(because you can buy that as an add-on from the Tracfone website), which comes to $4.167 per 30 days.

There are a number of conclusions you can make from looking at the table, but the main take away for us is that the new smartphone only airtime cards are generally a better deal and especially a better deal when it comes to data compared to the old smartphone cards.

Take a look at the cost per data (MB) for both the new and old smartphone only cards. The new 500 minute and 750 minute cards are a much better deal when it comes to buying data, and pretty close to the same for talk and text costs.

Here is another table that shows how many talk/text/data minutes you get per dollar:

Tracfone Airtime Comparison - Airtime per Dollar

This table shows how many talk, text or data minutes you get per dollar. For example, with the regular 1 Year/400 Minute card, you will get 72 talk minutes per dollar, 72 texts per dollar, and 72 MB data per dollar.

Notice the smartphone only cards, for these you get very different amounts of airtime per dollar, depending on the card.

Let's see which cards give the most airtime per dollar (we won't include the old smartphone cards, because you can't buy them anymore):

Best deal on Talk - 500 Minute Smartphone card - 90 talk minutes per dollar
Best deal on Text - 500 Minute Smartphone card - 180 texts per dollar
Best deal on Data - 750 Minute Smartphone card - 112.5 MB data per dollar

So, the 500 and 750 minute smartphone only cards offer the best value per dollar you spend.

We've got one more table that we think will be helpful for those trying to decide which airtime card best suits their needs. In this table, we've multiplied each airtime card so that they all have 1 year of service, and then listed how much it would cost, and how much talk/text/data you would get.

Let's take a look:

Best Deal on Tracfone Airtime

Looking at the table, we can see that, somewhat surprisingly, the best deal if you just need more service days is the regular 60 minute airtime card.

The 120 minute card and 1500 minute smartphone card are almost the same.

Check out the 500 minute smartphone card, it gives you twice the talk and data, four times the texts, for just $25 more than the 1500 minute smartphone card.

The key takeaway from this table is that, depending what you tend to use most, different cards are a much better deal. We get a lot of comments from people who just need service days, and looking at the table we can see either the 60 minute card or the 1 year/400 minute card are both pretty cheap. But the best deal for just buying extra service days would be to get the 200 minute smartphone card, and then add on the 1 year of service for $50 (only on the Tracfone website) for a total of $65 (before taxes).

Form the changes to these new smartphone only cards we can see that you generally get more data for your money, but less service days. Keep this in mind when adding the new smartphone cards, you only get 60 days (or 30) instead of 90, but that doesn't mean they are not a good deal.

It appears then that Tracfone is just adjusting the smartphone cards to make them a little more balanced, and give users more data to use with each purchase, which may have been based on feedback they received.

The changes made to smartphone airtime cards is somewhat subtle, so it may be helpful for each user to take a look at the numbers and determine which airtime card best suits their needs.

Remember, the regular airtime cards have not changed, and are not changing (as far as we know).

Leave a comment below with your thoughts or questions about the changes to Tracfone smartphone airtime cards. We are interested to know what our readers think. We want to thank those that helped contribute to this post and keep our math correct.

We've been sharing a lot of news on new Tracfone devices, including new Samsung and LG Tracfone Smartphones, New ZTE and Alcatel Smartphones, and news about iPhone devices coming to Tracfone. Follow the links to learn more, and look for reviews of these new phones soon!

Join over 2000 other Tracfone users who follow us on Facebook where we post the latest news, deals and tips about Tracfone. You can also send us a message there if you have specific Tracfone questions.

View and download the tables we created for yourself on google drive.

Thanks for visiting!

GSM 4G LTE Activation Kit for Tracfone BYOP Available

Bring Your AT&T/GSM Smartphone to Tracfone

This information regarding bringing GSM devices to use with Tracfone is brought to you by TracfoneReviewer and we will continue to update and share additional information here as we know more. Stay tuned!

News about Tracfone GSM Activation Kit

Tracfone Wireless appears to finally be allowing GSM users to bring their smartphones to use with the BYOP program. We've seen various signs of this over the past few months, and now it is becoming a reality.

Order a CDMA/GSM activation kit on the Tracfone website, have an AT&T compatible GSM device, follow the online instructions, and you should be up and running. It sounds simple, and maybe it is, but stick around as we look into bringing GSM devices to Tracfone.

For those who might not know, Tracfone is a low cost prepaid service provider. They also sell phones to use with their low cost service, as well as allow consumers to bring certain smartphones to Tracfone.

Until recently, you could only bring Verizon compatible CDMA phones to use with Tracfone. This was great, but for those who live in areas without Verizon coverage, you were out of luck.

But now Tracfone is offering the same option of bringing your own smartphone to use on Tracfone's GSM network (through AT&T). It also appears that Tracfone has released at least one GSM smartphone, the LG Sunrise.

Well let's jump straight into what you're probably looking for, how to get your unlocked GSM phone activated with Tracfone.

How to Get a GSM or CDMA Activation Kit

If the first kit is sold out, try the kit with 60 Minutes (below)

To add your unlocked AT&T (GSM) or Verizon (CDMA) 4G LTE device to Tracfone you will need a NAC (Network Access Code) and SIM card. You can get both of these in a Tracfone Activation Kit.


You get everything you need to activate either a CDMA or GSM smartphone in one kit from Tracfone. At this point, you can find the Kit in stores, or online at the Tracfone website.

We ordered our kit by visiting this link, clicking select SIM, and then choosing the Activation Kit plus 60 Minute Card, because the Kit only option was sold out. (We have since found the activation kit available on Amazon and the Walmart website)

We received the kit in about a week, coming with both the kit and minutes.

Tracfone GSM/CDMA Activation Kit (plus 60 Minutes)

Once you have the kit, and a phone, you can get started by visiting the Tracfone byop site and following the prompts for adding your phone. In some cases, consumers have had a quick and simple process of activating a new phone, while others have faced some challenges.

We will share additional updates on this once the kit arrives.

Should you Choose GSM or CDMA?

For quite a while now, Tracfone only accepted smartphones that used Verizon CDMA service. This limited smartphones to only those in areas with good Verizon coverage.

Now that is changing as people in GSM areas with AT&T coverage can also use smartphone with Tracfone service. But which one is right for you?

We created a resource that goes into the Difference between GSM and CDMA that you can take a look at if you are not sure about your situation.

For more information about bringing your own phone to use with Tracfone, visit our Tracfone BYOP page.

Will Tracfone Release more GSM Smartphones?

This is a common question we see, although usually it is, 'Will Tracfone release a GSM Phone soon?', but now that the LG Sunrise has appeared, we expect Tracfone to continue to, although perhaps slowly, release newer and better GSM smartphones. We saw this with the CDMA smartphones, and Tracfone has continued to offer newer devices with better specs.

So if you don't want to try bringing your own device to Tracfone, it shouldn't be too long before more GSM smartphone options are also available.

Check out the comments section below and leave a comment with your questions or experiences using Tracfone BYOP, and if you've been able to activate a GSM phone on their service.

Also visit our Facebook page with a community of over 1100 users where we share the latest news, updates and deals.

Thanks for visiting!

4G LTE with Tracfone BYOP

Use 4G LTE Smartphones with Tracfone BYOP program

This post details the latest on Tracfone BYOP and 4G LTE. We will continue to update it, as well as our main Tracfone BYOP page which also contains a list of compatible phones. 

Tracfone BYOP 4G LTE 

We are excited to share the news that Tracfone has now opened their BYOP program to 4G Smartphones! Previously, only Verizon compatible 3G phones were capable of being used with Tracfone BYOP (Bring Your Own Phone). This meant the best phones you could get were the iPhone 4s, Moto G, and other similar types. While these smartphones are great, they are not top of the line.

With 4G LTE now available with Tracfone, you can use the iPhone 6, or a Samsung Galaxy S6, or many other high-end devices and get the fastest data speeds. The only requirement is that it must be able to connect with Verizon 4G service to activate.

We will dive into more details on activating your phone and what kind of requirements there are after we cover the basics of how the Tracfone BYOP program works.

UPDATE: Tracfone is now offering Activation Kits for both CDMA and GSM devices. It appears that you can bring GSM devices compatible with AT&T to use with Tracfone BYOP. We will be sharing more details about this in a new post very soon.

How Tracfone BYOP 4G LTE Works

Using a 4G LTE device with Tracfone BYOP works similarly to bringing a 3G device to Tracfone. You will need to have your own smartphone, and it needs to be compatible with Verizon service.

Tracfone contracts with Verizon to use their cell towers for service, but everything goes through Tracfone. If you go outside the coverage of Verizon, you may lose service, or run on lower speeds.

To get started with Tracfone BYOP, you will visit this Tracfone page and check that your phone is compatible by entering your ZIP code and MEID/ESN. Following the steps, you will be prompted to buy an activation kit, which will give you a SIM card and Network Access Code.

Additionally, you can go over to SaveonTracfone.com and buy the Activation kit there. You can choose between the 4G LTE and 3G kits, and it might be a few dollars cheaper.

Most users are reporting a quick and painless process, but you should be prepared if something doesn't work right, and you need to make a phone call to customer service.

Phone Requirements and Activating on Tracfone BYOP

Activation Card for 4G LTE

The requirements for what kind of phone can be activated with 4G service on Tracfone seems a little more straightforward than before. You need a device that is compatible with Verizon 4G LTE, which includes a wide variety of top of the line devices. It also needs a clean ESN, which means it can't be in contract, or stolen.

A 4G LTE device will need a SIM card to connect with Tracfone, and this will come with your activation kit. On a side note, once you have activated a Verizon compatible 4G LTE device, you can take the SIM and move it to many other devices that would not be able to activate on their own. Not all the details are clear on this, but many users are confirming switching between devices.

This could be very convenient for those who want to have a backup device, since you could just buy another phone, and then switch the SIM card to it if you ever needed to.

To activate your phone, make sure you have the 4G LTE activation kit (or start by getting it, which will be mailed to you in about a day) and then proceed through the steps on the Tracfone website or by calling Tracfone.

To review, here are the steps:

1. Get a 4G LTE compatible smartphone that runs on Verizon and has a clean ESN (is not on contract or stolen) and test it on the Tracfone BYOP website.

2. Follow the steps on Tracfone and purchase your Activation kit (SIM card) and Network Access Code. The SIM card will be mailed to you. You can Also purchase this through SaveOnTracfone.com.

3. Activate your 4G device only at Tracfone.com or over the phone.

If you have thoughts or questions on this process, check out the comments below.

Where to Find Phones for Tracfone BYOP

You need a 4G LTE capable device that is for Verizon service (CDMA) to use it with Tracfone BYOP. Fortunately, there are many different phone options, and many different retailers to choose from. Used or new will work, as long as they are not currently under contract.

One of the cheapest and easiest places to find phones is online. You can quickly browse many different options and price points, as well as used, new and refurbished. Follow the links below to get started and see some of the options. Once you have a certain phone in mind, you can search for that device.

Search for Verizon 4G LTE phones on Amazon

Search for Verizon 4G LTE phones on eBay

There are many more retailers to search including Newegg, BestBuy and more.

To get some ideas, and for a full list of compatible phones for both 3G and 4G LTE, visit our Tracfone BYOP page.

We hope this covers the exciting news about Tracfone's slow expansion into 4G LTE and hope that they will also add support for 4G on GSM networks.

Please let us know if we missed anything, we strive to provide accurate and helpful information!

If you're interested in other phone options, visit our Cell Phone Reviews page which includes many Android devices like the LG Ultimate 2, which was our pick for the Best Tracfone Smartphone.

We have also created a list of the best Apps for Android with more than 40 great apps, almost all of which are free. I have found Clean Master App to be very handy for keeping my phone running well, and reducing wasted space.

Thanks for Visiting!

Use the Moto G with Tracfone BYOP

How to Use the Moto G on Tracfone: A Guide by TracfoneReviewer

This Guide to using a Motorola, Moto G on the Tracfone BYOP program is put together by TracfoneReviewer with help from many visitors to this blog who shared their knowledge and experience.

Use the Moto G on Tracfone BYOP

The Moto G is a very popular mid-level smartphone widely available on many carriers, and unlocked. But wouldn't it be nice if such a solid Android phone were usable with Tracfone prepaid service? Well keep reading...

Tracfone is a prepaid, low cost cell phone and service provider. They offer minute cards with varying amounts of minutes, and cell phones to use the minutes with. 

In 2013, Tracfone first began offering Android powered smartphones for use on their prepaid network. Since then, they have continued to add new Android phones to the list of phones they offer. These Android phones are locked to Tracfone, and cannot be used with other providers. (See the full list of phones, with basic specs and features compared, on our Tracfone Android Phone List.)

And while the Android phones they offer are getting better, like the LG Ultimate 2 or Moto E, they still are a little behind, and have limited options.

And then came along the Tracfone BYOP program.

Introduction to Tracfone BYOP

The 'Bring Your Own Phone' program, or Tracfone BYOP, allows users to bring a wider variety of smartphones to use with Tracfone prepaid service. Phones are limited to only those that use Verizon 3G and 4G LTE, but this still offers some great possibilities, including the Motorola Droid 3, Samsung Fascinate, iPhone 4S and more. 

See the full list of phones, and all the details on the program, on our Tracfone BYOP page. And read all about using 4G LTE devices with Tracfone in our recent blog post.

These are pretty good phones, but not all of them have the latest operating systems, and some are a few years old. It would be nice to have a newer phone, with the latest OS and decent screen, with Tracfone's super low cost service. However, BYOP phones do receive Triple Minutes for Life which is nice.

The details on which phones work with Tracfone BYOP (beyond that it must be Verizon 3G and now also 4G LTE) are a little murky. And it doesn't help that Customer Service are notorious for giving out bad information and telling customers one phone won't work, when later it does end up working. 

But there were hopes for the Verizon branded 3G Moto G, which retails for just $100 (or less) and is for use with Verizon prepaid service. 

Now, multiple sources are confirming activating a Moto G on Tracfone, so we are sharing this information with you so that you can have the option of using the Moto G with Tracfone BYOP if you so desire.

What is the Moto G?

The Moto G is an Android powered smartphone created by Motorola while they were owned by Google (Motorola is now owned by Lenovo)

The Moto G has a first and second generation, but we will be talking only about the first generation Moto G which was released in 2013. The newer Moto G (2nd gen) which was released in Sept. 2014, does not work with Tracfone at this time.

The Moto G (1st Gen) is a workhorse kind of phone that does the daily tasks efficiently and painlessly. It has a 4.5" IPS display with Gorilla Glass 3 protection that is stunning, especially when compared to more expensive phones. It features front and rear cameras, with flash and autofocus on the rear 5 MP camera.

Let's take a quick look at the list of specs for the Moto G:

Moto G Specs and Features

The Moto G has a number of features that are somewhat similar to the Tracfone LG Ultimate 2, with several noticeable improvements.

Moto G Front and Back

• Latest Android OS - Currently 4.4.4
• 4.5" IPS Touchscreen (720x1280)
• 5 MP Rear Camera, 1.3 MP Front Camera
• Quad-Core 1.2 Ghz Processor
• Adreno 305 Graphics
• 1 GB RAM
• 8 GB Internal Memory
• Micro USB and 3.5mm headphone slots
• GPS
• FM Radio
• Battery Talk time 24 hours
• See even more specs at GSMArena.

A couple of key features that put the Moto G ahead of any of Tracfone's current phones are the processor, Internal Memory, Battery Life, Operating System, and Touchscreen.

The processor is a powerful quad-core 1.2 Ghz Cortex A7, a multitasking champ that runs well with the 1 GB of RAM. Internal Memory is 8 GB (some have 16) which is 4 GB more than current Tracfone devices, and is enough space to load all the apps you want.

The touchscreen is beautiful, and has plenty of resolution for this kind of price. The Moto G's battery is amazing, and can easily last two full days with moderate to low use. Surprisingly, the phone also charges very quickly. The long batter life isn't due to a large battery, but to the processor and other power-saving features.

Lastly, the Moto G will be getting Android 5.0 when it comes out, which none of Tracfone's other smartphones will get (except perhaps the Moto E). If you want the latest Android OS, the Moto G has you covered.

The Camera on the Moto G is fine, but doesn't really stand out, and can't compete with high-end devices like an iPhone 6 or Nexus 6. If you want a fantastic phone camera experience, you can buy these phones and use them with the 4G LTE service on Tracfone.

Finally, the fit and form of the Moto G is nice and comforting, giving the user a feeling of sturdyand ergonomic  construction.

Well, as you probably guessed, we are pretty big fans of the Moto G because of two key points: Price and Quality. For the money, there is probably no better phone currently available (besides the 2nd gen Moto G of course). But enough about the phone, time to share exactly how to get a Moto G working with Tracfone!

How to Use the Moto G on Tracfone BYOP

Now that you are familiar with what the Moto G offers, and what the Tracfone BYOP program is, we are going to share exactly how to get the Moto G to run on Tracfone BYOP. Note, there is no guarantee that a particular Verizon Moto G will work with Tracfone, but if you have the patience and are willing to take a risk, it is possible.

Step 1 - Find a used or refurbished Verizon (or pageplus) Moto G (1st Gen) on Amazon, eBay or elsewhere. The phone needs to have been used on Verizon prepaid for at least 6 months (we have not confirmed this, but it appears to be the case).

• Verizon Moto G on Amazon $50-105 or This One - look for used or refurbished 
• Verizon Moto G on eBay $50-120 or try This One - look for used or refurbished

Verizon Moto G

Step 2 - Go to Tracfone's BYOP page and enter the ESN/IMEI/MEID and follow the steps to register it, which includes a $10 activation charge. Note, this is the step that you might have the most difficulty getting through, as phones on Tracfone BYOP seem to be required to have been used on Verizon for a certain time, but no longer be active. If your phone fails the first time, you can try calling customer service, but that can be a challenge. Best advice from users is to have patience, and keep trying.

Step 3 - Once registered, log into your Tracfone account on the Tracfone website and choose "Transfer my Number and Service from One Tracfone to Another" and follow the steps there.

Step 4 - Your Moto G should be active in a few hours, or up to 24 hours. If it doesn't become active, you may have to call customer service to sort things out.

And now you have a Moto G active on Tracfone BYOP! This step by step guide was originally provided by an anonymous Tracfone user for TracfoneReviewer to share here. Thanks anonymous user!

Be sure to leave questions, thoughts and your experiences in the comments.

User Comments, Reports and First Hand Experiences

We want to share some of the comments and first hand experiences below for your convenience.

From Anonymous on Nov 4th, 2014:

Update on:November 2, 2014 at 3:38 PM My Moto G came today and I am on Tracfone, no problems and did it on-line too. This is a fantastic phone clear picture loud sound and it is like greased lightning. $9.99 for BYOP transfer and if you have an account just pick transfer you number to new phone. Look for Moto G refurbished and Verizon and Page Plus, clean ESN and right now going for less than $70.00 on Amazon. What a buy! Now it is learn how to operate this baby!

From Anonymous on Oct 18th, 2014:

Unlocked post paid verizon Moto G worked no problem. I am guessing this phone was flashed by ebay seller. It was advertised as being good for "PagePlus" also

From Anonymous on Oct 12th, 2014:

so all statements are not true to all extent i bought a new droid x2 "mb870"? no contract phone witch according to this post wont work anyway my steps to make it work step one set up with tracfone this alone wont work it will get activated to your account but the phone will not go through the activation to get that to work i had to call the (Verizon prepaid activation number "number" when i did this i received my telephone number (to let you know at this point i was completely pissed with tracfone and was just going to go to Verizon) when i got my number i thought at first it was a Verizon# so i went to the verizon site and entered the number but it said it wasn't a verizon number so i called back the tracfone support they said this is a tracfone number my best guess is that when i called the verizon act number it sent the unlock code well after a few min with tracfone the phone works.

The last comment, while a little hard to understand, seems to indicate that it may be possible, in a roundabout way, to activate new Verizon phones with Tracfone if you follow the right steps.

We hope this information, and the comments and input provided by anonymous users, will help you be able to activate a Moto G on Tracfone, if you so desire. Be sure to let us know how it goes, by leaving a comment below.

Be sure to visit our Tracfone BYOP page where there is lots of general information, and a lot of user comments. Also visit our Cell Phone Reviews page if you are looking for a new phone, but may want an easier route than the BYOP program. The Moto E is a great option, with somewhat reduced features compared to the Moto G, but still a solid phone.

We also share Tracfone Promo Codes each month, but unfortunately these codes don't work on Android phones.

If you're curious about how minutes work with smartphones, read our guide, How Minutes Work on Tracfone Android Phones. : D

Thanks for visiting! We will continue to update this as information becomes available. Keep up to date with us by following on Facebook!

Additionally, you can find a new Verizon Moto G on www.frys.com and use promo code 4397819 to get it for $48. But you may have to use it on Verizon prepaid for a few months before it will work on Tracfone. Thanks C. P. for the tip!