You probably know that government provides all sorts of goods and services for people in need, including healthcare, food, and phone and wireless services. However, is it also possible to get a free iPad with a phone from the government? Doesn’t it sound a bit too good to be true? Well, let’s find out! In this article, you will learn if it’s possible to get a free iPad with a phone (from the government or elsewhere) and what your best options may be.
Is it Possible to Get a Free iPad With Phone
It is possible to get a free phone and it is also possible to get a free tablet. However, getting both at the same time can be a bit more complicated.
There are two main ways in which you may be able to get a free iPad with a phone:
Through a Carrier or Retailer’s Promotional Deal
Many carriers and retailer companies offer frequent promotional deals on phones and/or tablets. While it is very unlikely to receive both a free iPad and a free phone through the same deal, you might be able to get a free iPad when you purchase your phone at full price (even in installments). In fact, this is exactly how I got my current tablet. However, you must keep in mind that such promotional offers always come with a list of conditions. For example, you will certainly be asked to switch to the carrier’s services and you may also be required to purchase a select plan, add a line, trade in an old eligible device in good working condition, etc.
Through Two Government Assistance Programs – Lifeline and ACP
The other option is to get free devices through a government assistance program. This option is only available for low-income people who are unable to afford these devices. Lifeline is an assistance program that offers discounts on monthly phone, wireless, or internet services, as well as free phones. The new ACP – Affordable Connectivity Program, on the other hand, offers discounts on monthly internet services and internet-connected devices, such as tablets, laptops, or desktop computers. Many wireless companies all over the country participate in one or both of these programs. However, while many of them offer phones completely free of charge, tend don’t generally offer fully free tablets, as according to the government rules, the customer can get the ACP device discount if he or she pays a mandatory co-pay of more than $10 and less than $50. Still, many providers offer discounted tablets for only $10.01, which is such a low price that we can almost speak of getting a free tablet as well as a phone. As such, participating in Lifeline and ACP may be your best overall option for acquiring a free iPad with a phone.
Other Options to Get a Free iPad or Phone
Through the following options you will almost certainly not be able to get both a free iPad with a phone, however, you may be able to get the devices separately:
- Charities and non-profit organizations: Such establishments may sometimes offer either a free phone or tablet to a customer in need, however, you are highly unlikely to get both devices.
- Leasing and financial assistance: You may be able to purchase the two devices through leasing or another financial assistance option.
- Online surveys and giveaways: Nowadays, participating in online giveaway contests or taking online surveys can get you either a free phone or tablet, however, you are unlikely to get both.
Factors to Consider Before Getting a Free iPad With a Phone
Before you choose to get a free iPad with a phone through a promotional deal or a government assistance program, make sure to take the following factors into account:
- Check the plans that will come with the free devices. Carriers may offer great plans with unlimited monthly data and additional perks, such as subscriptions to streaming services. However, their plans won’t be free of charge. Instead, they will likely be quite pricey. Lifeline and ACP providers, on the other hand, will likely offer highly discounted or free monthly plans with free talk minutes, texts, and data. The amounts of minutes and data may be limited or even unlimited, however, such companies don’t also offer subscriptions to yearly streaming services for free.
- Check the contract terms. Lifeline and ACP companies will only require you to obey the program’s rules and limitations, however, you won’t have to sign a contract or commit to the company for a long time. Larger carriers, on the other hand, will require you to sign a lengthy contract with them.
- Potential hidden costs. In terms of hidden costs, government assistance programs usually don’t have them, while large carriers often do.
- The iPad and phone quality. Also, make sure to compare the phones and iPads that you can receive through the government versus through a promotional deal. Obviously, carriers often offer the newest devices, while government assistance programs are unable to do so. Nevertheless, if you are not obsessed with getting the latest iPad or smartphone model, you can surely get a very reliable and high-quality device from the top brands through Lifeline/ACP.
- Coverage. All Lifeline and ACP companies are MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) that use the network of one of the major carriers (AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon), as such, you don’t have to worry about bad coverage at all. However, one of those main carriers may offer the best coverage in your area, as such, you should choose that carrier’s MVNO.
How to Get a Free iPad With Phone Through a Promo Deal
To get a free iPad with a phone through a promotional deal, follow these steps:
- Visit the official webpages of major carriers and wireless companies that are known to often offer deals on free devices. Such companies include Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Mint Mobile, Best Buy, Amazon, etc.
- Review each company’s current deals. These deals tend to change often, as such, you should take a good deal as soon as you see it, as it may not be valid after a week. Make sure to see each deal’s conditions, hidden fees, contracts, etc.
- Compare the companies’ deals and choose the one that best fits your needs.
- Once you choose a deal, press it, and follow the company’s on-screen prompts to also choose the plan and sign up for the company’s services. Then, place the order just like you normally place an online order.
What Kind of a Free iPad With Phone Can I Get Through a Promo Deal
As mentioned before, carriers and retailers tend to offer high-quality phones and iPads, even free of charge through promotional deals. However, as these deals are only available for a short while, it’s hard to determine exactly what device you might get when you will be searching for it. Recently, some companies offered the following free iPads:
- Verizon recently offered an iPad (9th Generation) for free with a new line and a 5G iPhone purchase.
- T-Mobile recently offered several iPad tablets.
- Amazon offers highly discounted iPad 2021, iPad Pro 2022, and iPad Pro 2021 models.
- Companies that often offer deals on free phones include Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and many of their MVNOs.
How to Get a Free iPad With Phone Through Lifeline and ACP
To get a free (in fact discounted) iPad with a free phone through Lifeline and ACP, follow these simple steps:
- Make sure that you qualify for both assistance programs, as through Lifeline, you can get a free phone, and through ACP, you can get a highly discounted tablet. You can qualify for these programs based on your income (if your household’s annual income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for Lifeline and at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for ACP) or your participation in a qualifying government assistance program (such as Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, WIC, FPHA, Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit, Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program, Tribal programs, or if the household received a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year). To participate in the two programs, you must also be at least 18 years old or an emancipated minor and the only applicant in your household.
- Make sure that you can prove your eligibility. To do so, you must provide a clear copy (physical or digital, depending on how you wish to apply) of a valid official document that includes your personal information and either your low income or program participation (depending on your eligibility criterion). You may also need to provide copies of documents that verify your identity, age, address, and other personal information.
- Apply for Lifeline and ACP through the National Verifier. It’s best to do so online at nv.fcc.gov/apply and nv.fcc.gov/apply?awsl=button-from-homepage-apply&id=acp&ln=RW5nbGlzaA%3D%3D. However, you can also apply via mail, which will take a lot more time. During the application process, make sure to provide all the required information and proof documentation.
- Finally, find a Lifeline and ACP company that offers a free (discounted) iPad with a free phone in your area. You can only apply with companies that operate in your state of residence. You can find each company’s application form on its official website. There, you will also get to choose the plan and make sure to choose the Lifeline and ACP Combo plan as only this way will you be able to get both devices instead of just one. While applying, make sure to provide the same information and documentation that you have provided while applying through the National Verifier, as the company may compare the two forms. If your application gets approved, expect to receive a discounted iPad, a free phone, and a monthly wireless plan with limited or unlimited talk minutes, texts, and data.
What Kind of a Free iPad With Phone Can I Get Through Lifeline and ACP
Most Lifeline and ACP companies don’t reveal which phone and tablet model customers can get in advance, as the offer depends on the state, plan, availability, and more. The norm is to get an entry-level to mid-range Android smartphone and/or tablet. However, there are a few companies that offer more advanced smartphones and tablets, including Apple iPhones and iPads. Such companies currently offer the following iPads:
- Apple iPad Air
- Apple iPad Air 2
- Apple iPad Mini
- Apple iPad Mini 2
- Apple iPad Mini 3
- Apple iPad 3
Free phones offered by these companies include:
- Apple iPhone 7
- Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus
- Apple iPhone 8
- Samsung Galaxy A20S
- Alcatel Revvl 5G
- Samsung Galaxy A51
- Motorola G Stylus 2020
- Apple iPhone 7 Plus
- Coolpad Belleza
- OnePlus 7T
- Samsung Galaxy Note 8
- LG V50 ThinQ 5G
- Google Pixel 4 XL, and more
Which Providers Offer a Free iPad With Phone Through Lifeline and ACP
The only companies that have so far confirmed to offer discounted iPads along with free phones include:
- AirTalk Wireless (see its service plans, tablets, and phones and apply at airtalkwireless.com)
- Cintex Wireless (see its service plans, tablets, and phones and apply at cintexwireless.com)
- NewPhone Wireless (see its service plans, tablets, and phones and apply at newphone.com)
Some other companies may also offer discounted iPads and free phones, however, they do not reveal which tablet models they offer in advance. For instance, Easy Wireless just states that it offers an 8-inch tablet ($120 value) for $10.99, while the tablet brand and model are not mentioned.
Why Would You Need a Free iPad With Phone
Both phones and iPads have recently become indispensable in our everyday lives. We rely on our smart devices for communication, accessing information, work, education, entertainment, and much more. However, some people are at a disadvantage as they are unable to afford such devices. For individuals and families facing financial constraints, a free device could provide a valuable tool that would make their lives simpler.
Getting a free iPad with a phone may be especially valuable for low-income people who:
- Need a device for connectivity and communication – this way they can search for information, and access social media, email, and other online platforms.
- Need a device for education and learning purposes – this way, they would be able to access online learning materials, online classrooms, read e-books, watch videos, write assignments, etc.
- Need a device for professional or work-related use – this way, they could work remotely, attend virtual meetings, create and access documents, etc.
- Have accessibility needs – these devices come with a user-friendly interface and accessibility features, which can benefit people with disabilities and special needs.
Getting both devices could enhance the user experience, provide access to a larger screen for multimedia consumption, improve productivity, and add convenience.
FAQ
Can I Replace a Free iPad With Phone?
It depends on the policies of the company you got the devices from. Most companies offer a one-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Can I Upgrade a Free iPad With Phone?
It depends on the company, however, many companies do offer upgrades, although they are not free of charge.