What are /r/TracFone's favorite Products & Services?

From 3.5 billion Reddit comments

I would suggest Google's Datally app.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.freighter

It can shut down background apps from using data while on cellular data .. it turns off when Wifi is used.

Works nice, I've used it for a long time now.

If it doesn't have one just download one from the Google Play Store. I use the one from Google but there are plenty of others. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.calculator

Once they unlock your phone you should be able to use the new sim for the best carrier, it says right on my kit which is the new one I think

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0728N8PT9

"Works with one of Americas top 3 4G LTE networks, choose the network that works with your phone

Once they unlock my Moto G Stylus phone later this week, I will move my main sim with Tello to it then put the Verizon sim in an older phone that I have since the Tracfone sim came with with the 1500/1500/1500 bundle thats good for a year. That will become my backup phone.

If this is what you're looking for, I bought mine on Amazon on Saturday for 99c and it was delivered the next day. They have a new sim card that works for all carriers now.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0728N8PT9

>tower carrier

The model is a A505G/DS I believe. I don't think I had a tower carrier? I only have the phone for using apps like duo but I never hooked it up via a carrier. I use a flip-phone right now for talking. I want to drop the flip-phone and activate the A50 via Tracfone. This is the A50 I bought if that helps.

Interesting. This the A50 model I bought off Amazon. I noticed that the description says:

"International Model Compatible with Most GSM Carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, MetroPCS, etc. Will NOT work with CDMA Carriers Such as Verizon, Sprint, Boost. Box is Opened to insert US conversion Adapter"

However, I tried the Tracfone Keep Your Own Smartphone Kit and used the AT&T provided GSM sim cards. It should have been compatible but the activation process on the Tracfone website ended up stalling for some reason. Thus I was confused if I was going about this the right way?

You can probably use one of those network signal checking apps to notify you whenever the signal is lost. I know SignalCheck Pro can do this, but there may be other free apps that can, too.

Definitely the most important is uninstalling the Start Magazine bloatware that's installed by default, it's absolutely horrid and a massive shame LG resorted to making extra income off it. I believe you can disable the Discover Bar and similar default always-running apps as well. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.celltick.magazine&hl=en_US&gl=US

"The thing is, can i order SIM card from amazon, such as https://www.amazon.com/eGift-Promotion-Tracfone-Phone-Prepaid/dp/B0728N8PT9."

Specifically, you cannot use that SIM if your goal is to unlock the phone. The phones you bought came with SIM cards, and they must use the original SIM cards to qualify for unlocking. (Tracfone actually tracks use for the unlocking requirement by the original SIM card.) If for some reason the original SIM cards are not available, Customer Service might be able to pair the IMEI with a replacement SIM card.

My guess is that phone will have to contact an eligible tower to actually activate. The process online indicates that the first phone call is required. From Tracfone's Terms of Service:

"Tracfone Service can only be activated where Tracfone Service is offered and supported by Tracfone. " and "You will not be able to make or receive calls on your Tracfone when you
are located outside of the United States, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin
Islands."

Go to Verizon's IMEI Checker and see if your phone is compatible with Verizon. To get your IMEI, dial *#06#.

If it's compatible like my G5 Plus, you can just buy a $1 Tracfone Prepaid Sim Card Kit. It comes with three SIMs, Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile. They're also available at Walmart and Target.

You can then contact Tracfone CS and have them transfer your number to Verizon using the new Verizon SIM in the SIM kit.

Also, go to the device's settings and in the Search box, type or say VoLTE. Make sure it's enabled. You can also search for/enable Wi-Fi calling for a backup in poor mobile reception areas.

If you use Google Messages for your texting app, go into its settings and enable Chat Features. That will enable texting over Wi-Fi.

You don't need a separate app. Just replace your phone's dialer with the app> "Phone by Google."
Get it here> https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.dialer

When you install it, it will ask to become your default Phone dialer app. Drag a shortcut to it to your home screen and long press/delete the shortcut to your current phone app.

Also, uninstall CallDetector, once you get Phone By Google working & setup. You'll find great Spam & Robocall controls in the app's Settings.

https://www.amazon.com/BLU-Battery-Unlocked-Display-Warranty/dp/B091RHKWKX

​

My phone is this. It should be 4GLTE compatible. I think I just need a new sim. Thank you for your help!

If you can get the iPhone unlocked, all you need is a new SIM Kit which includes the SIM cards for all three networks, AT&T, Verizon snd T-Mobile.

You can pickup the SIM Kit at Target or order one from Amazon for $0.99 which is delivered to your home for free if you have Amazon Prime. I did this a couple weeks ago and it took a couple days to get the SIM Kit.

Tracfone Keep Your Own Phone 3-in-1 Prepaid SIM Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0728N8PT9/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_9FWY36QEYDT3QNGZK8FW?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

After you get the SIM Kit, contact Tracfone via chat and tell them you want to transfer your number to a different phone and that you have a new Verizon SIM. It took about 20 minutes.

>I know there is supposedly some similar way for SMS messaging to work over wifi. I just haven't got that to work yet.

Easy-peasy. If you're using <strong>Messages</strong> for your SMS/MMS texting app, just go to settings and turn on "Chat Features." It may take a while to self-configure, but once it's enabled, texting over wi-fi should be available and just work.

• If you have Wi-Fi available, enable it on the phone and get the Google Messages app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.messaging
• Install it and make it the default message app.
• Go into the newly-installed Message app's settings and enable Chat Features, which will give you Wi-Fi texting.
• Text APN to 611611

This may or may not help, but worth a try.

You really need to upgrade to a new phone with VoLTE calling - aka "HD Voice," ASAP. 3G is going away soon.

Try a different texting app. If your phone didn't come with it, switch to Google Messages app. It also also lets you text over wi-fi, if you have it. It's in Settings | Chat Features.

Most carrier-provided coverage maps are bullshit, frankly speaking. Try https://www.nperf.com/en/map/US/-/-/signal/, which has maps for coverage as well as speed. I've found the maps to be reasonably accurate (there's an AT&T coverage dead zone in and around a local shopping center, and the Nperf map shows that (AT&T maps claim wonderful coverage there). There's also an Nperf app. I recommend checking coverage (for all places you're likely to go) first.

If you have a BYOP SIM kit, you can put the AT&T and T-mobile SIMs in the phone (one at a time, of course, unless you have a dual-SIM phone) and check actual signal strength (you won't be able to use data or make non-emergency calls, of course, until you activate). Doesn't seem to work for CDMA, so Verizon is a bit of a gamble.

Google's Messages app has the capability to use Wi-Fi for texting. Go in the app's settings and enable "Chat Features," which should enable Wi-Fi messaging as well. This assumes the OP has Wi-Fi turned on.

Tracfone apps use no more cellular data than other apps. It's the apps' settings that allow it. Go to each app's INFO and disable background use of Mobile Data. Do not do this for apps that might need it, like Messages, etc.

Also, Restrict Background Battery on a per-app basis, to further clamp down on background apps running.

Uninstall or disable any apps you don't want, to further limit background data use.

Look in your data usage in your phone (not the Tracfone app). It shows you which apps are using the most and how much.

A bigger concern is privacy. Those so-called unwanted call blocker apps do block some junk calls. But they make money by harvesting your contacts list (and anything else you allowed in permissions during setup), to collect more information about you and names (& addresses) and phone numbers of your contacts. This collected info is sold to data aggregators, who add it to what they already know about you and resell it to other data aggregators for marketing purposes. And when the data ends up in the wrong hands like scammers, con artists, etc. (and it does), They have a treasure-trove of info about people you know, so they can call them and rattle off info about the person from info that was scraped from these anti-spam phone apps.

There are better anti-spam methods than these data-miner apps. For example, my Tracfone number uses a T-mobile SIM. T-mobile verifies calls based on network info and displays such on incoming calls. Other Tracfone carriers may also do the same.

If you use Android, install "Phone by Google" app. It replaces your device's native phone app and has several anti-spam anti-robocaller features. And although google (already) has your data, it data won't be sold. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.dialer

You might try temporarily replacing the Samsung phone app with Phone by Google. It's the default phone app used on all Pixel phones and has visual voicemail. It also has better spam blocking tools than Samsung. If you don't like it or if it doesn't help, just uninstall it and it will make your Samsung phone app the default again.

You need to leave mobile data on. If background data usage is an issue, go through your apps and don't permit them to use background mobile data or background battery, with exceptions for important apps like phone & messages. Turn off sync in your email apps and check for new mail manually by swiping down in the message list screen.

Latest code as of 5/16 (Sunday)

Tracfone mobile app code: IHAK-7EDD (worth 8000 pts = $80 service)

Links to iOS app OR Android app

Important - Enter the referral code in Tracfone's mobile app (iOS/Android) as some users have reported issues on their website. Take screenshots before and after you submit. Once you enter the code, you should see a message "You received 8000 points"; take screenshot of this in case their system has a glitch.

Why use my code-

• I am a Tracfone user for the last 3 years with prepaid service till 2025.
• You will get maximum possible referral bonus of 8000 pts (worth $80 service) after 60 days of service (min requirement). Before 60 days, it will show up as pending under your dashboard.

Thanks for using my code.

If you have an Android phone and use Google <strong>Messages</strong> app, enable Chat Features in Messages settings. That will let you text over Wi-Fi.

I am just wondering. What band you are using anyway?

You can find that out with this app hopefully: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.simplyadvanced.ltediscovery&amp;hl=en_US&amp;gl=US

e6 https://www.amazon.com/Tracfone-Motorola-Prepaid-Smartphone-Locked/dp/B07Y5TTS2Q/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&amp;keywords=tracfone&amp;qid=1605739689&amp;sr=8-1-spons&amp;psc=1&amp;spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFZVUJMRFRKUks0VlAmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA2MjI5NDcxQ0Q1TlFVSjdUTEg0JmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA1NjkxMTdYUEFBRFBKSzBaR0cmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

I don't know about the LG Stylo 4, but the Moto E6 has a user-swappable battery (in fact it's shipped with the battery outside the phone). It takes about a minute to 'install' the battery (less time after you've done it once or twice). My last phone works fine, but the battery is dying, and it would cost more to fix it than the phone is worth.

If you still haven't bought a phone, Amazon has the Tracfone Moto E6 on sale today for $19.99: https://www.amazon.com/Tracfone-Motorola-Prepaid-Smartphone-Locked/dp/B07Y5TTS2Q

Amazon's normal price for this phone is $39.99. I've seen it on sale before in the low $20's a few times, so if you missed today's sale, you might want to wait until it's on sale again (I've seen some previous reddit announcements of such sales).

I actually bought an unlocked E6 for $100 (to replace my other phone with the dying battery), but I also just bought one of the Tracfone models for $20, simply to use as a 2nd battery and charger.

For $20, I get a battery, charger plug and USB cable, and I plan to use the Tracfone E6 itself as a 'dock' to keep the 2nd battery charged up until I need it (and maybe use the phone without activation as a WiFi 'mini-tablet' elsewhere in my home). Given that the extra battery alone sells for about $19, this was too good to pass up!

So .. I'm looking to do what you are doing. My car has a hotspot, but it's only 3g and AT&T at $15 a month. No thanks.

I have looked at that NET10 ZTE 10gb hotspot as well.

I have a different solution:

Context: Last year, I visited London and bought a SIM card on Amazon from the "3Mobile" company. The SIM worked in Europe, but I activated and used it in the US before and after my trip. It was $30 for one month. It's for GSM networks, but I'm not sure if it's ATT or T-Mobile in the US.

That same 3Mobile company has a 24 GB in 24 months SIM on Amazon for $48 .. so, it's $2 per gig. That's a hell of a deal. You can buy more data (top up) data on their website .."Topping up" your account appears to be 1 pence (1 cent) per Meg, which would equates to 10 pounds per GB ($13 USD).

Or .. I suppose, throw out that SIM and buy another 24 gb SIM for $48. Can't get a better deal than $2 per GB.

Amazon link https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01M3VJ2B2/

Note: I haven't tried this yet (other than my trip last year) .. but at the moment, that's what I plan to do. Just need to buy the SIM and a hotspot. (Looking for an unlocked GSM hotspot that maybe has external antenna ports, so I can improve reception in fringe areas/while driving.)

I get these texts quite often too. Not sure there's anything we can do. Blocking doesn't help because they always use different numbers. At least I don't get as many robocalls as I used to. I think CallDetector by TracFone has helped with that.

The Tracfone App only asks for the Airtime card's PIN# (which just needs to be valid). If you want to be completely anonymous, you should pay cash for the airtime card. A VPN service is another great way to protect your privacy (I use NordVPN, myself). Also, the mobile version of Firefox let's you use add-ons, so you can use ad-blockers like uBlock Origin with it.

If you're willing to go about halfway in between on the price I would look for an Amazon Renewed Samsung Galaxy S9 or S9+ 64GB, fully unlocked. It's a flagship phone and will last you several years, and have more storage. Negative is it won't come with a year of service like the TracFone branded phones on QVC/HSN. Example: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07C5ZZXDG