Tracfone, the largest carrier for prepaid cell phones in the US, is currently offering a “Bring Your Own Phone Program” (BYOP). Through this program, you no longer have to buy a new phone just to enjoy the services provided TracFone. You can use your existing cell phone and run this through TracFone’s cost-effective cellular plans.
You can also purchase a new Unlocked Phone that can be set-up to work with different phone companies. The BYOP program works for both iPhones and Android models. TracFone’s calls are routed through America’s largest and most reliable networks such as AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile.
What BYOP essentially means is that you “bring” your current phone or unlocked phone to TracFone to obtain TracFone’s services and 4G or 3G capabilities to your phone, allowing your phone to access the internet and make calls and texts based on the kit you choose to obtain. Don’t worry about the hassle, it is actually a quick and simple process, consisting of only 3 steps.
Step 1: Verify your phone’s eligibility to the program.
Eligible phones are AT&T phones, T-Mobile, Verizon, unlocked GSM phones, and some models that are CDMA technology compatible. If you are not sure whether your phone is eligible for the program or not, just visit TracFone’s official website (Top Menu, Click on Shop > Bring Your Own Phone) and click the “Check Compatibility” option.
Step 2: Choosing the Right SIM
Once you are sure that your phone is qualified for the BYOP program, you can now choose which “kit” or SIM to get, most of them being bundles, offering 4G-3G together with airtime service plans. Take your time in choosing, and make sure to consider your current situation, such as your area coverage, your kind of phone (choose a TracFone BYOP AT&T SIM for an unlocked GSM or AT&T compatible phone; choose a CDMA Compatible BYOP TracFone SIM for LTE models that are CDMA compatible) and of course your budget.
Whichever you choose, however, you are guaranteed not to experience everything you don’t want in your phone service: activation fees, overage fees, cancellation fees, and being tied up to a long contract.
Step 3: Activate Your Phone
Once you have made a choice, simply activate it in your mobile phone, it’s that simple. For CDMA phones, you can click on the “Register CDMA” and then click “Activate CDMA;” the text provided should be more than enough for you to navigate your way. For GSM phones however, you might want to try clicking on “Activate GSM” and then update your ASPN settings. After the installation, you should be able to enjoy all the benefits of the services at your full disposal. If you are having trouble activating it however, you can go to TracFone’s official website (Top Menu, Click on Phones & BYOP > Bring Your Own Phone). You can look up your current problem among the FAQs, which should more or less cover your basic needs in troubleshooting your phone.
Things to Consider Before Going With TracFone
Keep in mind that the Bring Your Own Phone BYOP program is designed to be your prepaid service provider, meaning you would need to pay before you are able to enjoy all of its features.
You will enjoy unlimited carryover on your unused text messages, data, and minutes. However, carryover of airtime credits will only apply for as long as you keep your service active.
If you are interested in an Apple iPhone, check out this Buying an Unlocked iPhone 7 or iPhone 6 article.
About TracFone
Tracfone is a telecommunications company specializing on prepaid wireless services with headquarters located in Miami, Florida. Founded in 1996, it has been growing quite steadily ever since, currently handling multiple brands under its name, such as NET 10 wireless and Straight Talk, to name just a few. It is a subsidiary of “América Móvil”, the largest telecommunications company in Mexico. For more information, read the full TracFone Review.
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As near as I can tell, in 2021 the iPhone 5S no longer works with Tracfone. Mine had worked with them and I let it sit unused for months before trying to add minutes, which failed. Now the website and “customer service” both say it is incompatible. Since it used to work I assume it’s not a SIM chip issue, which leads me to believe it is just too outdated. “Customer service” could not give me a reason.
I asked the Tracfone tech “where are you?” He said Pakistan!
I use to have Tripple Minutes For Life as the Tracfone rep stated about a month ago.
A recent purchase didn’t give tripple minutes. When service dept was called, an offshore
service could not handle the situation and lead me around with all kinds of information not
pertaining to my problem. He said, “You never had tripple minutes for your account.”
That was a crazy statement and really got me upset. I thought Tracfone hired knowledgeable
personnel. 20 minutes wasted with a non-technical person.
I don’t like like getting bulldozed…