The Difference Between Total Wireless Locked Phones And Unlocked Phones
If you have been a mobile phone user for a while, you’ve probably heard of locked and unlocked phones. This does not refer to phones’ screens being locked but whether they are locked into a single network provider or are they unlocked and able to operate on any other wireless provider’s network.
This means that Total Wireless locked phones are the ones that are locked to Total Wireless service and won’t be able to operate on other networks. On the other hand, Total Wireless unlocked phones can accept any other SIM card and be used on other wireless providers’ networks.
Are Total Wireless Phones Unlocked?
By default or Total Wireless phones are locked to their network, which means that you cannot insert any other SIM card than Total Wireless’s to use that phone.
However, they do have an unlocking policy set in place. That means that you have the right to request for your phone to be unlocked as soon as you and your device have met a specific set of prerequisites. More on that in the following section.
How to Unlock Total Wireless Phones?
Herein we will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to unlock your Total Wireless phone. As mentioned above, before you can request a Total Wireless phone unlocking process, you and your device must meet a specific set of conditions. Thus, it makes sense to have a look at those first.
NOTE: Total Wireless is owned by TracFone, thus it follows the same unlocking policy as the owner company.
Total Wireless Phones Unlocking Prerequisites:
- Customers must have had their locked device activated on Total Wireless service for no fewer than 12 months, redeemed air time cards in no fewer than 12 months, and not have had their telephone number recycled or ported.
- Customers must request this interim unlocking solution while their service is active or within 60 days after their active service days expire. This 60-day grace period applies even if the customer’s telephone number was recycled or ported.
- Customers must currently own a Total Wireless/TracFone branded handset model launched on Total Wireless’s service after February 11, 2014, or activated with Total Wireless’s service after February 11, 2015.
- Customers must possess a handset that is in working condition.
- Customers must possess a handset that is not reported stolen, lost, or associated with fraudulent activity.
- If a customer requesting handset unlocking is deployed military personnel, upon provision of deployment papers, Total Wireless will honor that customer’s unlocking request by sending a refund for the Trade-in Value of the used, locked phone returned by the customer without regard for the 12 months of service activation and air card redemption eligibility requirements. However, all other eligibility criteria apply to Total Wireless’s customers who are deployed military personnel.
- Customers are eligible for unlocking only once every twelve months.
- Customers must request handset unlocking.
NOTE: Total Wireless may refuse any unlocking request that would result in an abuse of its Unlocking Policy or is part of an effort to defraud Total Wireless or its customers. Total Wireless/TracFone’s Unlocking Policy is subject to change at any time without advance notice.
Total Wireless Phones Unlocking Steps:
- Make sure that you meet all of the above prerequisites. To make things easier for yourself, visit https://www.tfwunlockpolicy.com, where you can check if your phone is eligible for unlocking by entering the phone number or serial number and clicking the “VERIFY ELIGIBILITY” button at the bottom. You can also check eligibility by calling 1-888-442-5102.
- If you are eligible, you MUST request for your phone to be unlocked. Call Total Wireless’s support at 1-866-663-3633. Their Call Center Hours: 8 AM – 11:45 PM (EST), 7 days a week.
- They will provide you with an unlocking code, which you will then enter into your phone. They will provide you with detailed instructions as those slightly vary from device to device.
As soon as you unlock your phone, you’ll be able to use it with almost any other carrier that is compatible with your device. The compatibility must be checked with that specific carrier.
NOTE: If you meet all of the above criteria and your phone can’t be unlocked, you are eligible to request the trade-in value of your handset. As soon as you submit your trade-in request, Total Wireless will provide a prepaid mailer for you to return the used, locked handset. Upon receipt of the device, they will send you a check for the trade-in value of the handset. The trade-in value is determined by a formula reached through agreement with the FCC. An eligible customer may elect to have the trade-in value of their handset applied to the cost of a new Total Wireless handset that is capable of being unlocked.
What Can I Do With My Total Wireless Phone If Total Wireless Refuses To Unlock It?
As mentioned above, Total Wireless is obligated by law to unlock your device. If that is not possible, you are entitled to a trade-in value of your phone, however, both of these options request the list of prerequisites (presented in the previous section) to be met.
Thus, if Total Wireless REFUSES to unlock your device, it means that your or your device does not meet the necessary conditions. If that happens, you have a chance to turn to alternative options.
There are several grey-hat options, however, by far the easiest and fastest way is to locate an unlocking company that will provide you with an unlocking code based on your phone’s IMEI number. There are many unlocking companies online and have a wide price range.
List of reputable third-party unlocking services:
- Official iPhone Unlock – BEST FOR iPhones
- DoctorSIM Unlock Service
- Unlock Base
- iPhone IMEI – another option for iPhones
- Mobile Unlocked
- Cell Unlocker
- DirectUnlocks – the offer very fast results and promise to get your phone unlocked in less than six hours.
Alternative Free option:
- Trycktill – a piece of software that lets you unlock many types of phones.
- Nokia-Free – an app that has been reporting great unlocking results. You simply install the app on your phone and use it to unlock your device.
- Unlockitfree – simply visit their official website, where you will be asked to enter your phone’s IMEI number and in return, you will get unlocking code.
NOTE: Free alternative options are not a reliable method and often do not work.
How Do You Activate A Total Wireless Sim Card
As many wireless providers these days, Total Wireless also lets you activate their SIM card online. You must visit their official website and hover over the “activate” item in the top menu bar. A drop-down menu will appear, enabling you to choose between “activate” and “add a line” options. Click on the former. This will take you to the next page, where you will need to select the type of product you would like to activate. There are three options, you will most likely be choosing between the “total wireless phone” and “bring your own device”. Click the “continue” button under the option that corresponds to your case.
Then just follow the instruction and complete the process. Have your SIM card kit at hand. In the case of the BYOF option, you will need to enter your device’s IMEI to check the compatibility again.
In case you encounter any problems, call Total Wireless’s support at 1-866-663-3633. Their Call Center Hours: 8 AM – 11:45 PM (EST), 7 days a week.
How To Check Total Wireless Phone Compatibility
If you plan on using your existing phone with the Total Wireless services, you need to make sure it is compatible with their SIM cards. For that, they have a practical online tool, where you can do just that.
Visit Total Wireless’s official website. Once on their home page, hover with your mouse cursor over the ‘shop’ item in the top menu bar (it is the first item on the left). This will present you with a drop-down menu, click the third option, which should be “buy sim card/BYOP”. This will take you to another page, where you will need to scroll down until you see the “check compatibility” button, which will finally take you to the page, where you will be able to check your phone’s compatibility with the Total Wireless services. Once you click the “check compatibility” button, you will first see a prompt window “terms & condition”, which you must accept to proceed.
Follow the instruction, enter your phone’s IMEI, and click the “continue” button to finally learn if you’ll be able to use that phone with a Total Wireless SIM card.
What Unlocked Phones Does Total Wireless Provide?
As mentioned above, Total Wireless does not provide unlocked phones. All their devices are locked by default. However, as soon as the conditions are meet (as per their unlocking policy, which we have presented you with above), you can request for your device to be unlocked.
If we consider this, every Total Wireless device can be unlocked as soon as the conditions are met, thus we decided to present you with the phones currently available in Total Wireless online store (both new and refurbished).Check out more Total Wireless Compatible Phone
New models:
- IPHONE SE 64GB
- SAMSUNG GALAXY S20 5G
- SAMSUNG GALAXY S20+ 5G
- SAMSUNG GALAXY S20 ULTRA 5G
- IPHONE 6S GOLD 128GB
- IPHONE 6S ROSE GOLD 32GB
- IPHONE 6S PLUS SPACE GREY 32GB
- IPHONE 7 32GB BLACK
- IPHONE 7 32GB BLACK
- IPHONE 7 PLUS ROSE GOLD 32GB
- SAMSUNG GALAXY A10E (S102DL)
- SAMSUNG GALAXY A50 (S506DL)
- SAMSUNG GALAXY A20 (S205DL)
- LG JOURNEY™ LTE (L322DL)
- SAMSUNG GALAXY J2 (S260DL)
- LG STYLO™ 5 LTE (L722DL)
- SAMSUNG GALAXY J3 ORBIT (S367VL)
- SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE10 – AURA GLOW (SILVER)
- SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE10+ – AURA GLOW (SILVER)
- LG STYLO™ 3 (L84VL)
- ZTE Z233 (Z233VL)
- SAMSUNG GALAXY S8+ BLACK (G955U1C)
- MOTO G6 (XT1925DL)
- IPHONE XR CORAL 64GB
- SAMSUNG GALAXY J7 CROWN (S767VL)
- MOTO G7 OPTIMO (XT1952DL)
- SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE8 (N950U1C)
- SAMSUNG GALAXY S9 (G960U1C)
- SAMSUNG GALAXY S9+ (G965U1C)
- SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE9 (OCEAN BLUE)
- SAMSUNG GALAXY S10+ PRISM BLACK (G975U1)
- SAMSUNG GALAXY S10 PRISM BLACK (G973U1)
- SAMSUNG GALAXY S10E PRISM BLACK (G970U1)
- IPHONE XS MAX GOLD 64GB
- LG SOLO LTE (L423DL)
- SAMSUNG GALAXY S7 (G930VL)
- LG REBEL 4 (L212VL)
- IPHONE 6 PLUS SILVER 16GB
- IPHONE XS SPACE GRAY 64GB
- ZTE MAJESTY™ PRO PLUS
- MOTO E5 (XT1920DL)
- TCL LX (A502DL)
- ALCATEL MYFLIP™ (A405DL)
- IPHONE 6 GRAY 32GB
- SAMSUNG GALAXY S8 GREY (G950U1C)
- SAMSUNG GALAXY LUNA PRO
- IPHONE 8 64GB SPACE GRAY
- IPHONE 8 PLUS 64GB GOLD
- IPHONE X 64GB SPACE GRAY
- ZTE ZFIVE C LTE (Z558VL)
- MOTO G7 OPTIMO MAXX (XT1955DL)
- IPHONE 11 64GB – BLACK
- IPHONE 11 PRO MAX 64GB – SPACE GRAY
- IPHONE 11 PRO 64GB – GOLD
- IPHONE 8+ SPACE GRAY 256GB
- LG PREMIER PRO LTE (L413DL)
Reconditioned models:
- LG REBEL™ 3 LTE® (L158VL)
- SAMSUNG GALAXY J7 CROWN (S767VL)
- LG REBEL 4 (L212VL)
- SAMSUNG GALAXY S9
- SAMSUNG GALAXY J3 ORBIT (S367VL)
- ALCATEL MYFLIP™ (A405DL)
- LG PREMIER PRO LTE (L413DL)
- IPHONE 6 SPACE GREY 32GB
- IPHONE SE 32GB ROSE GOLD
Which Other Carriers Support Total Wireless Unlocked Phones?
Verizon is the safest bet. However, in general, every carrier that offers a bring Your Own Phone (BYOP) option, should accept Total Wireless unlocked phones that are 4G LTE operable.
Before 2015, there were compatibility issues between the GSM and CDMA networks, however, with the birth of LTE, these problems were overcome, as both types started to use SIM cards that are interchangeable.
How Do I Know If My Unlocked Phone Will Work With Another Carrier?
Every carrier that offers a bring Your Own Phone (BYOP) option has a special webpage set in place, where you can check your phone’s compatibility. This is a smart step to take, before ordering a SIM card.
However, if you already have a SIM card, you can insert it in your phone, turn it on and see if it connects to the network. If it does and if you can make calls, your phone is compatible.
NOTE: Compatibility may not be 100%, this means that in some cases some specific actions or tasks may be slightly limited.You can check out How to Switching Phone Carriers
Pros And Cons Of An Unlocked Phone?
As far as we are concerned there are only pros to unlocked phones. Having a device that can operate on any network and accepts every SIM card gives you the ultimate freedom and variety. You can simply insert any carrier’s (home or foreign) SIM card, turn the phone on and enjoy the connection.
It has also been reported that unlocked phones get updates first, which is also practical.
Buying unlocked phones, you should know that you must pay the phone in full, so this might be a slight con for those of you’d who’d prefer to pay off your phone in 24 monthly installments.
FAQ
What does MVNO mean?
MVNO stands for Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), which is a reseller for wireless communications services. An MVNO leases wireless capacity (in effect, purchases “minutes”) from a third-party mobile network operator (MNO) at wholesale prices and resells it to consumers at reduced retail prices under its business brand.
What to do if you forgot your Total Wireless service PIN?
If you can’t remember your PIN and have entered the wrong one three times, you will need your PUK number. If you don’t have your PUK number, call Total Wireless support and they will tell you what your next options are. The worst-case scenario is to buy a new SIM card and transfer your number over to that one.
Can I put my Total Wireless SIM card in another phone?
Yes, you can always put a Total Wireless SIM card into another phone. However, whether it will work and let you use Total Wireless services depends on whether the phone is unlocked or otherwise compatible.
Can you use a Total Wireless phone with Verizon?
Yes, Total Wireless phones can be used with Verizon, however, they must first be unlocked.