Tracfone is an incredible company that many consumers use to get pre-paid cell phone services. That includes Page Plus Cellular, Simple Mobile, Telcel America, SafeLink Wireless, Straight Talk, Total Wireless, and NET10 Wireless just to mention a few. However, for a long time, way before the Tracfone unlock, users had to pay the price to enjoy the advantages of Tracfone devices or for free if you meet the requirements. For instance, it was possible to use them with other carriers, whether in the United States or any other part of the world. In the case of an unstable network signal in your area, you also had to stick with Tracfone despite the availability of other various service providers.
Locking the devices came with a number of limitations to the Tracfone users, but the brand was reaping a lot of benefits. It was great for the economy of Tracfone because of the full dependency on its services. Nevertheless, things are now better because of the existence of the FCC rules, as well as the ruling made against Tracfone that no longer has to be the case. In order to help you enjoy both the services of the brands and the ability to use the phones even with other carriers and globally, this article has all that you need to know about Tracfone unlock. Check it out!
What is Tracfone Unlocking
As the name suggests, it is a feature than unlocks Tracfone devices. That means you will be in a position to move your phone from that carrier’s net worth to another one. For quite some time, the phones that Tracfone used didn’t allow the buyers to use services from any other subscriber. It uses various manufacturers such as Samsung, LG, and Motorola for the hardware, but the software is different. It will ensure that you can only use the Tracfone service provider unless you enter a certain code. Fortunately, FCC rules changed that.
The brand was compelled to unlock the phones after the lapse of a certain date. For people with older versions of these devices, a partial cash refund was recommended. At the same time, others could get credit. Consequently, it became possible for owners to travel to another country that doesn’t offer Tracfone services to buy a new SIM card and use it with the same device. In addition to that, he or she will go back to using the Tracfone services upon returning to the country of origin.
So, are you an owner of a locked Tracfone device? Do you want to be in a position to use it with other network carriers? If you are nodding, keep reading as we guide you on Tracfone unlock.
Is Tracfone unlock free
Unlocking your Tracfone is absolutely free if you meet all the requirements. All you will have to do is to call the customer care desk, and you are good to go. However, if you go for another alternative because of one reason or the other, then you have to pay for the service.
Which Devices are Eligible For Tracfone to Unlock
As mentioned earlier, Tracfone could either unlock your phone or compensate you. If you go for compensation, you are only eligible if you have been using the services of Tracfone or its other brands for at least a year. You must also request the company to perform a hardware unlock on your phone. Equally important, your phone must be working. Last but not least, your form shouldn’t be an accessory of any fraud or crime.
Requirements for Unlocking a Tracfone device
Here is a summary of the things that you need to meet to qualify for Tracfone unlock.
- Request for a handset unlocking
- The device must have been active for not less than a year
- Airtime card redemption within the last 12 months
- A telephone number that is neither recycled nor ported
- Your service must still be active or at least have lapsed not more than 60 days when making the request
- You need to be an owner of a Tracfone branded handset model
- The launch date of the model must not be earlier than 11th February 2014
- The activation date of its Tracfone service should not be earlier than 11th February 2015 too
- That device must still be working
- The handset shouldn’t have an association with fraud or crime and shouldn’t have been reported lost or stolen
- Ensure that you haven’t used the Tracfone unlock service in the last 12 months.
For military officers, some of the requirements do not hold water. Therefore, you get to unlock your phone regardless of whether you meet the airtime card redemption and service activation or not. However, you must have met all the other requirements and be currently serving. Once he or she requests for a handset unlock, Tracfone gives them a refund for the Trade-in Value.
What Are Your Options If You are Not Eligible For a Tracfone Unlock?
You may have met all the requirements, but the phone is still not eligible. So, does that mean that you give up? The answer is no because most of the conditions have something to do with time. If that’s the case, it is advisable to wait. If that’s not the case, you can go for other options such as a cash refund or credit to help you buy a new phone. For a cash refund, it is essential to note that it differs from one model to another. At the same time, you will have to send the phone to Tracfone physically. Last but not least, you will lose any unused airtime in your device.
How To Unlock Your Tracfone Device
Once you realize that you are eligible for Tracfone to unlock, now it is time to do the necessary. Here are the two major parts of unlocking your Tracfone device.
Getting an Unlock Code
This option is as simple as calling the Tracfone. You can reach the customer service desk using the number 1-800-867-7183. Ensure that you place the call not earlier than 8:00 a.m. and not later than 11:45 p.m. Eastern Time. However, you can call any day of the week as long as the time is as stipulated above. Once your call gets through, request an unlock code. The recipient will ensure that the phone meets all the requirements highlighted above. If that’s the case, you will get the code. It is usually a number with 10 to 15 digits. It is advisable to jolt it down so that you can access it quickly when the time to unlock comes.
You can also get the unlock code by visiting “www.tfwunlockpolicy.com”. Once there, key in your phone number at the bottom of that page. If your phone is eligible, you will be able to tap the button that will help you receive the unlocked phone.
Unlocking Your Phone
Purchase a new SIM card and contact its carrier. Once you do, power it off and then remove the Tracfone SIM card. Ensure that you remove it in a way that conforms to the manual of your phone as far as removing your SIM card is concerned. Insert the new SIM card. Power it and then wait for it to notify you that you need to unlock your phone before using the new SIM card. Enter the unlock code of your new carrier. That you got in the previous step. Press okay to start using the services.
Tracfone Unlock Alternative
With quite an array of requirements for Tracfone unlock, there is a possibility of not meeting one or more of them. If you don’t meet the requirements, it is okay to look for an alternative. It may cost you some money, but it is worth it given the limitations of having a locked phone. Here is a way to go about it.
Identify the international mobile device identification (IMEI) of your phone. If you can’t get it, dial *#06# to see it. It is also possible to find it on the label that is usually under the battery. Once you get it, jolt id down. Call Tracfone to see if it is eligible.
If you are not eligible, look for an online unlocking service. Once you are on that site, enter the model of your phone and hit the button that will send the request to unlock your phone to the system. Enter your current service provider. After that, you will be notified of the cost of unlocking your phone. The price ranges from one user to another, and the major determinants are the network that you will be leaving, the model of your phone, and its age, among others. You can also buy software or unlock code from reputable e-commerce sites such as E-bay.
Upon unlocking your phone, buy a SIM card. Remove the old one and replace it with the new one. Finally, turn your phone on. If the unlocking was a success, you could rest assured that the new SIM card will work as per the expectations.
Tracfone Unlocking Tips
If you have a Samsung device, expect an 8-digit unlock code. That’s the same case for Blackberry phones as well as Motorola phones. For HTC phones, LG phones, and Huawei phones, the number has 16 digits.
For I phone users, it is possible to unlock your device by simply clearing the loan that you owe Tracfone. Once you do that, visit the Tracfone website and follow the steps to unlock them.
If you intend to unlock a Tracfone Iphone, the request is made to Apple but through Tracfone. As soon as it becomes a success, unlock will be pushed to your headset over the air.
Once you unlock the iPhone all that is left is for you to insert the new SIM card from your new carrier. After that, connect it to iTunes then click back up the device. The latter will ensure that you do not lose data. Finally, click Restore Device. Consequently, you will receive a notification from iTunes stating that your phone has been unlocked.
Benefits of Tracfone Unlock
If you are torn between sticking to Tracfone and changing your service provider, here are some of the reasons that will simplify your decision.
- Unlocking your phone means avoiding expensive roaming charges. That’s because the brand’s fee is usually relatively expensive if you go for a roaming plan or happens to be traveling. It also means that you don’t need an additional package for when you are traveling.
- In the event that you need to sell your phone, it is also of benefit if your phone is unlocked. You will sell an unlocked phone at a price that is higher than that of a locked one.
- Many are times when you will find a certain brand offering cheap plans and great features. Others also make it easy to leave or come back whenever you deem it fit. So, you can freely enjoy the benefits of other service providers whenever they arise.
- If the phone comes at a low price, you can still go for it but then end up unlocking using direct unlock. That way, you get an unlocked phone without incurring the termination costs.
- Thanks to direct unlock, you also get to unlock your call without making its warranty void.
It is not only legal but also permanent. Therefore, you will not have to do it more than once. The moment you unlock it that is final. In addition to that, no one can take you to court because of doing so.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Many are times when users trying to unlock their Tracfone devices find themselves asking a number of questions. Check them out!
What are the various ways that Tracfone can compensate?
Sometimes, your phone may not be eligible for a Tracfone unlock. If that’s the case, you have several options. One of them is getting partial cash refund. The other one is receiving credit so that you can upgrade your handset. If you are a lifeline customer, expect a new unlocked handset upgrade.
In case of a cash refund, how much should you expect?
The amount of cash refund is not constant. That’s because it depends on factors such as the model and the age of the device.
How do you check the International Mobile Device Identification (IMEI) of your phone?
It is no secret that some Tracfone unlocking features will request an IMEI. If that happens, look for it anywhere on your phone, preferably on the label found under the battery. You can also dial *#06#.
Is Tracfone Unlock straightforward and legal?
For so long, Tracfone devices’ unlock was impossible. However, that changed because of the FCC rules. As much as that is the case, you must meet an array of requirements. Once you get the unlock code, the process is easy and effortless.
Final Recap
Clearly, you don’t need to put up with expensive tariffs and unstable network connection, among other inconveniences simply because you have a locked Smartphone. It is possible to unlock it. There are several ways of doing so. The first one is by contacting Tracfone. For it to work, some conditions must be met.
Fortunately, you already know them, and most of them are determined by time. In case it is impossible to meet the requirements, all is not lost. It is possible to unlock your device without meeting the needs. You have some options, and as much as they are not free, they are worth every penny that you are spending doing it. As a matter of fact, you stand to benefit a lot once you unlock your phone. The guide to unlocking your phone is now at your disposal. Do it now and start enjoying the benefits.
