In today’s article, we will cover all the ins and out of the Safelink SIM card. The article is constructed so that each section begins with a question (the section’s title). That way you may devote your attention to a particular question that is of your most interest.
For those of you, who are not familiar with Safelink, it is one of the leading wireless providers of Lifeline Assistance support. That means they offer free plans and government phones to all who qualify for the assistance.
Moreover, Safelink is a registered trademark of TracFone Wireless Inc., which is a highly reputable prepaid phone service provider.
Now that we are all caught up and warmed up, let’s dig deeper into Safelink SIM card aspects, shall we?
Which Phones Are Compatible With The Safelink SIM Card?
Are you familiar with the Bring Your Own Phone (BYOP) option? The majority of wireless providers these days have this option and Safelink is no exception. The BYOP enables you to use your existing phone or a new phone purchased elsewhere with other carriers, in our case with Safelink services.
Generally speaking, Safelink enables you to use their SIM card with basically all unlocked devices. (“Works with any unlocked GSM or CDMA compatible phone, including Smartphones.”) They are two extremely important words in the statement within the parentheses – UNLOCKED and COMPATIBLE. Neither of which should be overlooked. See the next section to learn how to check if your phone is compatible with Safelink services.
Here are some of the devices offered for an upgrade on the Safelink online store, which ensures that they are fully compatible:
Alcatel MyFlip, Alcatel MyFlip 2, Blue C5L, Alcatel TCL A1, BLU C6L 2020, LG Journey, Motorola Moto E6, NUU A7L, NUU F4L Flip Phone, Alcatel Go Flip 3, BLU G50 Plus, LG Aristo 3, LG Aristo 3 Plus, Motorola E5 Play, Nokia 1.3, BLU V5, NUU X6P, Samsung Galaxy A01, LG Premier Pro Plus, BLU V9, LG K40, Motorola G7 Optimo Maxx, Samsung Glaxy A10e, Motorola G6, BLU V90, Motorola E, LG K31, Motorola G Play 2021, Samsung Galaxy A20, LG K51, Motorola G Fast, Motorola G Power, Motorola G Powwer (2021), Nokia 5.4, Samsung Galaxy A21, Apple iPhone 8, LG V40 ThinQ, LG Stylo 6, Motorola G Stylus, Motorola G Stylus (2021), Samsung Galaxy A50, Google Pixel 4a, Apple iPhone SE, Google Pixel 3a XL, LG Q70, Google Pixel 3a, Samsung Galaxy A51, Apple iPhone XR, Samsung Galaxy S9+, Google Pixel 4a 5G, Samsung Galaxy A51 4G, Samsung Galaxy S10e, Samsung Galaxy Note 9, Samsung Galaxy A71 5G, Apple iPhone 11, Motorola Edge 5G, Samsung Galaxy S10, Google Pixel 5 5G, Nokia 8.3, OnePlus 8 5G, Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G, Apple iPhone 12 Mini, Samsung Galaxy S10+, Samsung Galaxy S21 5G, Apple iPhone 12, Samsung Galaxy Note 10, Google Pixel 4 XL, OnePlus 8 Pro 5 G, Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G, Apple iPhone 12 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G, Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max, Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, Motorola RAZR 5G, and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip.
How Do I Know If My Phone Is Compatible With The Safelink Sim Card?
Do you have a working phone on your hands and want to check if it’s compatible with Safelink services? The easiest way to perform the compatibility check is by sending a text message with ‘BYOP’ to 611611.
If you don’t like that simple method, then you may always reach out to Safelink support at 1-800-723-3546, and ask them to help you with a compatibility check. However, we truly believe that the ‘message’ method is extremely simple and practical and thus advise you to use that option.
Another way to check compatibility is by visiting the Safelink homepage, clicking the ‘My Service’ option at the top, and then select the ‘Activate Phone’ option from the drop-down menu. On the next page click the ‘Compatibility’ button under the ‘Check Networks’ option and complete the process by following the instruction on the next page.
Can I Get A Free Safelink Sim Card With Data And Minutes?
One of the basic services that Safelink wireless offers is their free plans for Lifeline-eligible clients. Those clients are provided with a free phone (in certain areas) or they may use their own phone (BYOP option) to be used with a Safelink SIM card, which includes free data, minutes, and texts.
The exact plans vary depending on your location, however, the most common option includes 350 minutes, unlimited texts, and 4.5GB of data.
To get a free Safelink SIM card and service you need to qualify for Lifeline support.
This can be done based on your household’s low income or based on specific program participation.
Low-income eligibility:
You can get Lifeline if your income is 135% or less than the federal poverty guidelines. The guideline is based on your household size and state.
These are the programs (participation-based eligibility):
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
- Tribal Programs (and live on federally-recognized Tribal lands)).
Once you have determined your eligibility, you can apply either via National Verifier (nationalverifier.servicenowservices.com) and then enroll with Safelink or apply directly at Safelink by visiting their official website, entering your ZIP code, and clicking the start button.
Note: Safelink wireless covers a great portion of the USA, however, there are areas that are not covered. As such, you need to ensure that your location is covered prior to applying.
In case you also need information SafeLink Government Free Phone
Is Safelink SIM Card Unlocked?
As explained in the ‘Which Phones Are Compatible With The Safelink SIM Card?’ and the ‘How do I know if my phone is compatible with SafeLink SIM card?’ section, Safelink wireless offers a BYOP option, which means that they enable you to use their SIM card with all other unlocked and compatible phones.

All you need to do is check your phone’s compatibility as per the instructions provided in the ‘How do I know if my phone is compatible with SafeLink SIM card?’ section. If your phone is compatible, you may order your Safelink SIM card kit. If you are Lifeline eligible client, you will be provided with one for free. However, you may also purchase the SIM kit and use Safelink paid services.
How Do I Activate Safelink SIM Card?
The activation of the Safelink SIM card is very simple. Once you receive your SIM card kit, you first need to insert it in a compatible phone using a proper-sized SIM card adapter (all sizes included in the kit).
Once you have done so, you may turn on the phone and initiate the activation process. For details, visit the Safelink homepage, click the ‘My Service’ option at the top and then select the ‘Activate Phone’ option from the drop-down menu. On the next page, click the ‘Activate’ button under the ‘New Phone?’ section. Then simply follow the instruction on the next pages and complete the activation process.
How Do I Reactivate The Safelink Sim Card?
If you have an active Safelink SIM card, you can simply place it on any compatible phone and follow the instructions in the section above. However, if your Safelink SIM card is not active, you will need to get in touch with Safelink support.
Call the Safelink support at 1-800-SafeLink (723-3546). Their working hours are Monday-Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. EST, Sunday 8:00 a.m. – 7 p.m. EST.
If you are a Lifeline eligible client, you will need to recertify yearly to keep your benefits-your free Safelink plan. To initiate the recertification process, you need to visit the Safelink homepage, click the ‘My Service’ option in the top menu bar, and then click the ‘Re-Certify’ option from the drop-down menu.
How Do I Replace Safelink Sim Card If Lost, Stolen, Or Damaged?
If you lost your phone with your active Safelink SIM card inside, you need to call Safelink support immediately to report the situation and thus prevent any unwanted cost to be inflicted upon your account.
In most cases, you will be provided with a free replacement Safelink SIM card (if you are eligible for Lifeline Assistance). In case you had a free Safelink device as well, you may have to pay for a replacement device.
Read one of our past articles How To Replace SafeLink Phones
Is Safelink CDMA or GSM?
Safelink operates on the three largest wireless providers’ networks (AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon). Since AT&T and T-Mobile use GSM technology and Verizon uses CDMA, it means that it is both.
Moreover, keep in mind that CDMA and GSM technological differences these days do not play a significant role. All mobile phones produced after 2015 require SIM cards to operate (LTE technology), which enables phones to interchangeably operate either on GSM or CDMA network, of course depending on the type of SIM card used and the service provider in question.
What is the Safelink SIM Card Kit?
With every wireless provider, these days and Safelink is no exception, you receive a so-called SIM card kit (also known as SIM card activation kit). This is simply a package, often the size of a credit card, which contains a SIM card with all three sizes of adapters (nano, micro, regular) and all required numbers (PIN, PUK, activation code, SIM card number, etc.).
If you are a Lifeline eligible customer, you will receive the Safelink SIM card kit for free. You will then get to use it with your existing device or Safelink’s phone.
What is The Safelink SIM PUK Code?
Every SIM card has two important numbers, one is a PIN (Personal Identification Number) and the other one is PUK. PUK stands for Personal Unblocking Key and is not as commonly used as PIN number.
While most users set their phones so that a SIM card’s PIN number must be entered after every reboot or when turned on for safety reasons, most users never get to use the PUK number.
However, if you were to forget or mistype your PIN number three times, you need to use your PUK number to unlock your SIM card. As such, it is important to store your PUK number somewhere safe.
What is Safelink BYOP Invalid SIM?
At this point, you already know that the BYOP phone stands for ‘Bring Your Own Phone,’ which is an option that is offered by Safelink. However, as we have explained above, in order to make use of their BYOP option, you need to have a compatible phone.
The ‘invalid SIM’ message may pop up in case you use a phone that is not compatible with Safelink services.
How to Set Up Safelink APN Settings?
In order to access the APN settings, you need to navigate your menu to settings. Below, you can find the exact steps to take on both Androids and iPhones.
Changing APN settings on Androids:
- Go to main menu > Settings
- Tap on Mobile Networks
- Tap on the Access Pint Names (APN)
- Tap the ‘Plus’ (+) button
- Enter the Safelink APN Setting (as per below)
- Save the settings
- Restart your phone
Changing APN Settings on iPhones:
- Go to main menu > General
- Tap on the ‘Network’ option
- Select the Cellular Data Network
- Enter the Safelink APN Setting (as per below)
- Save the changes
- Restart your phone
Safelink APN setting (AT&T):
- Name: Safelink
- APN: tfdata
- Proxy: proxy.mobile.att.net
- Port: 80
- Username:
- Password:
- Server:
- MMSC: mmsc.mobile.att.net
- MMS proxy: mobile.att.net
- MMS port: 80
- MCC: 310
- MNC: 410
- Authentication Type: PAP
- APN type: default,default,mms,supl,hipri
- APN Protocol: IPv4
- APN Roaming Protocol: IPv4/IPv6
- Bearer:
- MVNO Type:
- MVNO Type:
Safelink APN setting (Verizon):
- Name: Safelink
- APN: TRACFONE.VZWENT
- Proxy:
- Port:
- Username:
- Password:
- Server:
- MMSC: http://mms.vtext.com/servlets/mms
- MMS proxy:
- MMS port:
- MCC: 311
- MNC: 480
- Authentication Type: PAP
- APN type: default,mms,supl,hipri,fota,ims,cbs
- APN Protocol: IPv4/IPv6
- APN Roaming Protocol: IPv4/IPv6
- Bearer:
- MVNO Type:
- MVNO Type:
Note: To get the latest APN settings details, visit the Safelink homepage, scroll all the way to the bottom, and then click the ‘APN Settings’ under the Navigate section. Once on the next page, enter your phone number or SIM number into the designated field and click the ‘ENTER’ button. Then follow the provided instructions.
Can I Use My Safelink SIM Card With Another New Phone?
Like many other wireless providers these days, Safelink gives you the option to Bring Your Own Phone (BYOP), which means that you can use their SIM card with a wide range of other devices.
Generally speaking, as long as the phone is unlocked, you have a good chance of being able to use your Safelink SIM card with it. However, it is important to always perform the compatibility check in advance. To do so, please, refer to the details provided within the ‘How do I know if my phone is compatible with SafeLink SIM card?’ section.
Can I Transfer My Safelink SIM Number to Another Phone?
To understand this process, you need to know the basics. Your phone number tight to your SIM card, which is tight to your provider. However, to make things user-friendlier, most provider these days offer a port-in option, which means that you can port your phone number from one SIM number to another.
In order to do that successfully, you normally need both wireless providers (the one you are porting from and the one you are porting to) to collaborate and approve this action. If you don’t have any outstanding bills, this ‘number switch’ is typically approved with ease.
Safelink doesn’t provide any details regarding the number transferring, so you will need to call their customer service to request this.
However, if you simply want to place your Safelink SIM number in another phone (device), you can do that with ease as long as the phone is compatible with the Safelink services and your phone number will automatically be transferred with your SIM card.
Do You Lose Everything When You Change Safelink Sim Cards?
These days there are very little data stored on the SIM card as we keep the majority of the content on our phones, including our contacts. That means that when you switch SIM cards, all your data stays on your phone.
Changing SIM cards is a safe process and should not result in any data loss.
If you are changing your phone, on the other hand, you need to use one of many available methods to transfer the data between the phones.
Do I Need To Back Up My Phone Before Switching Safelink Sim?
If you are keeping that phone and will now be using it with a Safelink SIM card, there is no need to back up the data prior to that. Changing SIM cards is completely safe and should not result in any data loss.
However, if you are slightly paranoid and want to stay on the safest side possible, you may back up your data.
Wrapping Things Up
At this point, you are a true semi-expert when it comes to the Safelink SIM card and all related aspects. You now know quite a lot about SIM cards and BYOP options in general. You also know that Safelink wireless offers their clients to use other phones with their SIM cards as long as they are compatible.
In the sections above, you’ve learned how to check that compatibility, how to activate your SIM card, and much more.
Safelink is one of the highly reputable and reliable options, especially for those of you who are Lifeline eligible so make sure to use the information provided herein wisely.
Do you want to learn more about Safelink Phone Upgrade read one of our past articles