You Asked, We Answered: What is an Unlocked GSM Phone?

Bring Your Existing Phone to Consumer Cellular!

We’re often asked if you can switch to our service while keeping the cellphone you already have. It certainly makes sense—you want to take advantage of Consumer Cellular’s low prices and fantastic service, but don’t necessarily want to start over with a new phone. After all, you’ve already got everything just the way you like it!

Every manufacturer is slightly different, so we can’t guarantee that your device will work with our service. However, the good news is that in many cases it is possible to switch your current phone to Consumer Cellular. For the switch to work properly, you’ll need to have what’s called “an unlocked GSM phone,” along with one of our free SIM cards. Here’s what that means:

Consumer Cellular operates on what’s called a GSM network. It’s the same type of network used by AT&T and T-Mobile, meaning that you will have the best chance of successfully switching if your phone is from one of those two GSM phone carriers. Other carriers, including Verizon and Sprint, operate on a different type, called a CDMA network. Since most CDMA phones use different technology, they can’t be switched to our service.

Before you can use your GSM phone with our SIM card, your current carrier has to “unlock” your phone. In most cases, a carrier will unlock your phone only if you’ve already paid for the device in full. They may also provide you with a code to enter into your phone, which will unlock it to work with a different carrier.

With your GSM phone unlocked, the process of bringing it to Consumer Cellular’s service is completely straightforward and affordable. You sign up for our low-cost monthly service, and we ship our SIM card to you absolutely free! Once the SIM card is inserted into your phone, you can connect to Consumer Cellular and start using your phone on our network. In many cases, that’s all there is to it—the switch has been made, you’ve kept your phone, and you’re now enjoying all the terrific benefits that Consumer Cellular has to offer!

153 Thoughts on "You Asked, We Answered: What is an Unlocked GSM Phone?"

  1. Connie Fletcher says

    I have just purchased a tracfone and they are not able to activate it can I use this phone with your service? or will I need to buy a phone from you as I have AARP. Let me know!

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thanks for asking, Connie! In general, you can use an unlocked GSM phone with our SIM card. You may want to check with Tracfone to ensure that your phone fits that description. If it doesn’t, we offer many affordable options, with some starting at just $30. You can view our full lineup here. As an AARP member, you’ll receive a monthly 5% discount on service and usage fees, so those savings will add up quickly! We can answer any questions you may have and help you sign up at 888-345-5509. We appreciate you posting, and we look forward to speaking with you soon!

      • Joselito Pena says

        Hey I’ve purchased a phone from verizon and I’m still using my sim card from consumer cellular… everything seems to be working fine but my data…

        • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

          Thanks for posting, Joselito! We may need to work with you to adjust some of the settings on your phone to allow your data to work properly. Just give us a call at 888-345-5509, and we’ll be happy to assist you with that. We look forward to speaking with you soon!

          • Matthew Lamoureux says

            So I have an apple iPhone 8 Plus that I bought from at&t and I already have a consumer Cellular phone plan on my previous SIM card that was connected to an iPhone 6 will I be able to insert the SIM card and use my phone plan on the 8?

          • Hi Matthew, great question! Thank you for your post! If the iPhone 8 Plus is unlocked from AT&T and is able to take that SIM card, you should be able to switch your SIM from the iPhone 6 into it. We cannot guarantee compatibility for all models, but our agents will do all they can to get that up and running for you.

        • Elaine Weaver says

          HI, I am a consumer cellular customer. I have an Avid ZTE828 phone. I’m tired of having a message telling me my storage is low. Can I buy a new SDHC memory card with more storage on it to fix the problem. There are some apps I’d like to have on my phone but can’t because of this problem.

          • Nicole at Consumer Cellular says

            Hi Elaine, you can buy a MicroSD memory card that would b compatible with your ZTE Avid 828 by logging in here. Once logged in, just click the menu button above your phone (3 lines) and click “Purchase Accessories”.

    • Maurice Williams Sr says

      I am a consumer cellular customer & I recently purchased a phone from your website.

      I was told that the phone is GSM unlocked. However, I sometimes travel outside the country & may need the local sim card for service.

      So, if I paid for the phone in full, will consumer cellular factory unlock my new phone?

      • Hi Maurice, thank you for your post. Our phones are all locked to our network when they are purchased from us, I apologize for that miscommunication regarding our devices. If you need the phone unlocked, we will need to have you contact us once the phone is received to go over the criteria that needs to be met before we can unlock the device.

  2. larry dawson says

    How do I change all my info on my present phone,i.e., address book, photos, apps, to your device?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for asking, Larry! If you’re moving from one Android phone to another, it’s usually pretty simple. When you setup your new phone, you’ll be prompted to login with a Google account. Sign in with your existing gmail address and your apps, settings and contacts will transfer over. For photos, you may need to transfer them to a computer first, then move them to your new phone if you aren’t using an app like Google Photos. If you haven’t synched your contacts to your Google account, you can transfer them from your previous SIM card to your new phone. We’re happy to walk you through it at 888-345-5509. We can also answer any other questions you may have, so please don’t hesitate to call. We appreciate you posting, and we hope you enjoy your new smartphone!

    • Carol Gaines says

      i have just purchased a consumer cellular phone when i try to put in my contacts it says: you have disabled a required permission. how
      do to change this?

      • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

        Thank you for reaching out to us, Carol. I took a look at your account, and I see that Sarah, our account advisor, was able to help you setup your device and add a contact successfully! We’re here to help you if any other questions come up, so please don’t hesitate to call us at 888-345-5509. We hope you have a wonderful day!

      • Carolyn Oresik says

        I already am a Consumer Cellular account holder and my kids purchased me an Consumer Cellular iPhone 6s. Can I move my SIM card from my Samsung to the iPhone?

        • Thanks for your question, Carolyn! You can definitely do that to get the iPhone 6s activated. Otherwise, all you’ll need to do is activate the SIM card in the iPhone 6s to get that up and running. If you need any assistance with either method, give us a call at 800-686-4460 or you can also chat with us here as well.

    • Carmen says

      I am retiring soon and I’m with verizon, need to bring down my cell cost.How can Consumer cellular help and does it cover the Caribbean (ex Puerto Rico)?

      • Nicole at Consumer Cellular says

        Thank you for taking the time to post, Carmen. I appreciate your interest! We have a variety of plans available so that you can pick one that best suits your needs and you can find all of our plans here. Additionally, we do have international roaming available with our service and you can find more information here.

  3. kelsie singleton says

    Recently purchased Apple iPhone SE from you. How can I get voice mail unlocked with no password, just talk?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for asking, Kelsie! If you are using the voicemail system, you will need to input a password of your choosing. Your iPhone does have an additional feature, Visual Voicemail, which may be more convenient for you. We can help you get this setup if you call us at 888-345-5509 at your convenience. We appreciate you taking the time to reach out to us, and we hope you have a wonderful day!

  4. Jim Blume says

    I just received a new phone from you yesterday and am wondering if my contacts, etc from my present phone will transfer to the new one when it is activated. I am going on a trip in three days and don’t want to activate the new phone until I am sure. Thank you…

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for asking, Jim. Depending on the type of phone, your contacts may transfer over automatically. If you are using an iPhone or Android smartphone, they should transfer over when you sign in with your Apple ID or Gmail account. You will likely need to transfer your photos and music over as well, which can be done the same way. If you like, you can give us a call at 888-345-5509 and we will walk you through it. You can also check out our helpful How-To videos on our Support page, which include videos that show you how to transfer your contacts using a SIM card as well. We appreciate you reaching out to us, and we hope you enjoy getting to know your new phone!

  5. Doug Gholson says

    I have an iPhone 4 from Verizon. Can I use this phone with Consumer Cellular or do I need to purchase a new phone?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Good question, Doug! In general, phones used previously with AT&T or T-Mobile are the best fit for our SIM card, as they use the same GSM technology that we do. We’re happy to see if your iPhone can be used with our SIM card, and since it is free of charge, there is no risk to you. You can find our SIM card at a local Target store, here on our website or you can order one over the phone at 888-345-5509. Thank you for reaching out to us, and we hope to see you as a Consumer Cellular customer soon!

  6. robert clair says

    What if I upgrade my Consumer Cellular phone and want to give away my old phone? Is the old phone unlocked for use with other carriers?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for asking, Robert. Depending on the model of your phone, we may need to provide you with an unlock code. We’re happy to discuss this with you over the phone at 888-345-5509. We appreciate you taking the time to post!

  7. Bob says

    I would like to use Consumer Celllular with a phone I am about to purchase. It is a “Moto G4 Plus”. An unlocked phone. Will this work with your SIM card on Consumer Cellular?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for asking, Bob. Our SIM card works best with an unlocked GSM version, so just be sure that the Moto G4 Plus you are purchasing meets that criteria. While we can’t guarantee all devices will work, most of our customers are able to use our SIM card without any issue. You can find our SIM card at your local Target store, here on our website or we can assist you with ordering one over the phone at 888-345-5509. We appreciate you taking the time to post today!

  8. Joel Whitaker says

    I don’t know how to post this question, so here goes. We are wintering in Yuma, Arizona. In our home, we can’t get service, but 1/4 mile from our home, our Consumer works. Is there a way to have our phone work from our home?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Great question, Joel. We can take a look at the coverage near your home in Yuma to see if we can remedy this issue. Please give us a call at 888-345-5509, and we can update some settings and take a look with you. Thank you for reaching out to us, and we look forward to speaking with you soon!

  9. Eugene Nadler says

    I recently purchased a MotoG4 from Consumer Cellular and transferred my phone number from a Samsung Galaxy G4 which also was purchased from Consumer Cellular to the MotoG4. What would I need to do to reactivate the Samsung galaxy with a new telephone number and add it as a family plan to my Moto g4 plan?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      It’s very easy to do, Eugene! All you need is one of our All-In-One SIM cards. You can order one through the My Account section of our site here, or you can pick one up from your local Target store. Just put it into your old device, and you should be good to go! Best of all, you’ll share your monthly minutes, texts and data, which will save you money. We’re happy to help you get started at 888-345-5509 whenever you’re ready. Thank you for posting, and we hope you have a great day!

  10. Doris Parks says

    Can a group text be done on a Motorola Moto G LTE (3rd Generation) phone?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      It can indeed, Doris! It’s easy to get a group text started. You’ll want to start by opening your Messaging app, then starting a new message. Rather than just selecting one contact to add, you will pick as many as you want on that message. Then type out what you want to say and tap the Send button. It’s that simple. If you run into any issues, just give us a call at 888-345-5509 and we will be happy to walk you through it. Thank you for posting, and happy texting!

  11. Doris Parks says

    I tried doing what was suggested for a group text but when sending, the message “MMS cannot be sent/received when mobile data has been disabled”. I have gone into the settings for the group messaging and the box for that is checked, restarted the phone, and it still doesn’t send. I have looked at all other settings, and cannot tell what else to try. Any suggestions?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for updating us, Doris. You may want to check that your phone is not in Airplane mode and that your data is turned on. If that doesn’t resolve the problem, we’re happy to help you troubleshoot it over the phone. Just give us a call at 888-345-5509 and we’ll work with you to get this fixed. We appreciate you posting!

  12. Jim says

    My wife has a Moto G LTE 3rd gen phone that won’t receive or send pictures. We were told it is a AT&T issue because of their towers. Is this true?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for reaching out to us, Jim. We have had some reports of customers having this issue, and we are working with all parties to get this resolved as quickly as possible. I reviewed your account, and I see that we recommended that you keep your data turned on for best results. If this issue continues, please let us know at 888-345-5509. We appreciate your patience, and we hope you have a great day!

  13. Jack says

    How do I download the Google Chrome app to appear on my screen?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for asking, Jack. I took a look at your account, and I see you are using an iPhone. You’ll need to go to the App Store and download the Chrome app. Once you’ve done that, press and hold your finger on your home screen until you see the icons “shake”. This will allow you to rearrange your apps on your home screen, and you can place the Chrome app in a convenient location. If you find yourself with any questions or if we can assist you in any way, please feel free to call us at 888-345-5509. We appreciate you taking the time to post today!

  14. Ed says

    If I purchase a consumer Cellular phone is it locked?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thanks for asking, Ed. Our devices are designed to work only with Consumer Cellular. We’re happy to discuss this with you at 888-345-5509 if you like. We appreciate you posting today!

      • paula says

        This is terrible! Do you mean I can never switch carriers if I want to? This is unheard of. I have an iPhone. I was told it would be unlocked after six months.

        • We hope that you decide to stay with us, Paula, but if you decide to switch carriers you can do so at any time. To use your iPhone on another service, it can be unlocked after being active with us at least 6 months as long as it is paid for in full and the account is current. If you need to unlock your device, we’re happy to discuss the options with you at 888-345-5509 and answer any questions you have. We appreciate you taking the time to reach out to us!

  15. Rebecca says

    I recently got an replacement phone and had my number transferred. But a week later found my old one. So now I have both of them, one with no number. Can I take it to another service to be turned on ? or do I still have to wait for it to be unlocked ?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for asking, Rebecca! If you have a device from Consumer Cellular and would like to discuss your options for unlocking it, please call us at 888-345-5509. We will be happy to assist you. We appreciate you taking the time to reach out to us today!

  16. Emily says

    I purchased an iphone for my daughter through CC a while back and I stall haven’t been able to get the text messages or data to work. I’ve tried everything its not in airplane mode, mobile data is on, I uses Wi-Fi to setup the apple accounts, what else can I do?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for reaching out to us, Emily. If the messaging and data features aren’t working, we may need to work with you to update some of the settings on the device. Please give us a call at 888-345-5509 at your convenience, and we will be happy to work with you to resolve this issue. We appreciate you taking the time to reach out to us!

    • Steve Hendrix says

      Thanks Emily your a sweetheart

  17. elaine says

    I have straighttalk can I use may phone I have now

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for asking, Elaine! We have many customers who have been able to use our SIM card with their devices. Please keep in mind that unlocked GSM phone work best with our service. You’ll need to confirm with your previous carrier that your device is unlocked, as we aren’t able to perform that task on our end. We’re happy to talk with you more about this and get a SIM card on the way to you. Just give us a call at 888-345-5509 at your convenience, and we will be ready to assist you. We appreciate you posting today!

  18. Alvin Stephens says

    I recently purchased a phone to add a line to my plan for my son. I like the looks and features of the new phone better than mine. Can I switch the SIM cards between the two phones so I can keep the new one with my existing number and give him my old one with the new number?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      You can indeed, Alvin. Once you do so, please give us a call at 888-345-5509. That way we can update your account accordingly, and send any new updates to the devices that may be required. Thank you for reaching out to us today!

  19. Chelle Banks says

    I have a Samsung J7 that I purchased from AMZN a year ago. It worked fine with my AT&T sim card. When I changed to CC Network this year, I had service for a while. But now I can’t access your network at all. I was provided with a new sim card that works in my old phone but not the J7. Apparently, the phone has been locked all of a sudden. Can I get an unlock code if I go to Target?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for posting, Chelle. First, we may just need to adjust the APN settings on your device so that it will be able to access our network. Please give us a call at 888-345-5509 and we will be happy to help you. If possible, please call from another phone so that we can walk you through inputting any information or completing any necessary troubleshooting. We look forward to assisting you soon!

  20. Tricia says

    I have had Consumer Cellular for approx. 3.5 years. I have an unlocked LG Optimus Pro. How do I get OS updates for my phone??? I have gone through all the options (e.g., settings, about phone, software update, check for update) and always get the same answer…my phone is running the latest software. This isn’t true as I’m still at Jelly Bean…which is now a couple years old. If I stay with Consumer Cellular, will I be able to get any updates?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      This is a common question, Tricia, and we’re happy to answer. Software updates are provided by the manufacturer of the phone, so unfortunately, we don’t know when or if they will be offered for any given device. It sounds like you are taking the appropriate steps to see if the update is available, and you may try reaching out to LG to see if they have any additional information. If you like, we can discuss this with you further at 888-345-5509. Thank you for posting, and we hope you have a great day!

  21. May says

    Hello i just purchased an samsung j7 and i got it just now while im reading this i just realizes that i made a mistake in my order because i want ro send it to philippines for my son and i am wondering if he can use a philippine sim card on it.. i hope you can advice me what is best for me to do.. thanks

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for posting, May! Our devices are designed to work with our service in the United States only, so we’re happy to talk with you about your order and assist you further. Please call us at 888-345-5509 at your convenience, and we can help you with any questions or concerns. We appreciate you taking the time to comment, and we look forward to speaking with you!

  22. Maria Elena Pinch says

    Can hotspot work with your service?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thanks for asking, Maria! In most cases, this feature is available if your device has the capability. We’ll need to speak with you over the phone in order to enable the feature, so please feel free to call us at 888-345-5509 at your convenience. We appreciate you posting today!

  23. David Marshall says

    My wife has an iPhone 6s from Verizon. We are looking at moving from Verizon to CC. I keep hearing phones from AT&&T and T-Mobile are no problem. To your knowledge, has there ever been any Verizon customers able to use their unlocked Verizone phones when switching over to your service. CC has been around long enough you should know if this is possible. I just need a direct answer of yes or no.

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thanks for posting, David! Newer iPhones typically work well with our SIM card as long as they are unlocked. While we can’t guarantee that a device offered from another company will work, we’ve had many customers use their iPhones successfully. We’re happy to help you order a SIM card to test with your phone if you like. Just give us a call at 888-345-5509, and we can get that on the way to you. Thank you again for taking the time to comment today!

  24. Lyn says

    I love my Samsung Galaxy J7 I bought from Consumer Cellular. What stinks is I often only have one bar and can’t make calls. I am hearing I am on the ATT Network and this Network has coverage issues. What is going on Consumer Cellular? I am so disappointed with these coverage problems. I am moving to Palm Coast FL and I am hearing that the development we are moving to does not have good coverage with the ATT Network. I am really bummed. Love the phone, hate the network Consumer Cellular is using. Help??

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      We’re happy to help you, Lyn! We offer service on two of the nation’s largest networks, so we can see if a new SIM card would resolve this issue for you. Please give us a call at 888-345-5509, and we can work with you to make sure you’re getting the best possible coverage. Thank you for taking the time to post, and we look forward to speaking with you!

  25. Nancy Brown says

    My mother in law wants to switch from att to CC but her phone is a att prepaid phone and when I try to unlock the phone it says that it can not be unlocked. Help

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for reaching out to us, Nancy. We recommend contacting her previous provider to see if they can unlock the device on their end. Unfortunately, we aren’t able to unlock a device sold by another carrier. We’re here to help if you have any other questions about using our SIM card or switching to our service, so please feel free to call us at 888-345-5509. We appreciate you taking the time to post, and we hope you have a great day!

  26. Steven says

    Hello,

    If I purchased an iPhone SE from Consumer Cellular, does it come locked to this company? If so, what are the requirements to have it unlocked? Thank you.

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      That’s a great question, Steven! Our phones are designed to work only with Consumer Cellular. If you need to unlock your device, we’re happy to discuss the options with you at 888-345-5509 and answer any questions you have. We appreciate you taking the time to reach out to us, and we look forward to speaking to you!

  27. Kyle bellmyer says

    I just bought a CC moto g3 gen and want to use att service will a att sim work in the phone???

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for posting, Kyle. Our phones are designed to work with our service only. We’re happy to talk with you about this further at 888-345-5509 if you like. Thanks for taking the time to reach out to us today!

      • karl bryant says

        hello ashley need to know if i can use a cricket phone. cricket use att

        • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

          Thanks for asking, Karl! In most cases, a fully unlocked phone that uses GSM technology can be used with our service. You just need one of our SIM cards, which you can learn more about here. Of course, we’re happy to assist you with any questions you may have at 888-345-5509 as well. We appreciate you taking the time to post!

  28. Jim b Brannan says

    I bought an iPhone 7 Plus from an AT&T store in Colorado Springs in December 2016. I just paid it off and got a notice from AT&T that said I was eligible to have it unlocked. I tried twice and was told I need to call Customer Cellular to hav eit unlocked. I don’t understand why I have to call you for my AT&T phone and why they say you own it.

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for posting, Jim. If you purchased the device from AT&T, we aren’t able to unlock it as we aren’t the original carrier. We’re happy to discuss this with if you like at 888-345-5509 at your convenience. We appreciate you taking the time to reach out to us!

  29. Edward Shelton says

    How can I transfer contacts etc if I switch sim cards AT&T to CC on a iPhone 6 I don’t use gmail as email its another server and what about the apps that are on my phone now, will they remain or not?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Those are great questions, Edward. If you are only changing the SIM card in your device, your apps and settings should remain the same on your iPhone. If you currently maintain your contacts on a SIM card, you can transfer them to your new SIM card or directly to your iPhone quite easily. You can find instructions for the process here. We’re happy to answer any other questions you may have at 888-345-5509 at your convenience. We appreciate you taking the time to reach out to us, and we hope you have a lovely day!

  30. Cathie says

    I have consumer celluar but want to buy a used phone and keep using CC.
    What do I need to look for?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thanks for posting, Cathie! For the best results, we recommend looking for an unlocked phone that uses the GSM network, such as a phone that was previously used with AT&T or T-Mobile. We recommend that you verify with the seller that the device was fully unlocked by the original carrier. We aren’t able to complete that for you on our end. Then you’ll just need one of our SIM cards, which you can find here on our website or at your local Target store. It’s that simple! We’re here to help with any questions you may have at 888-345-5509, so please don’t hesitate to call. We appreciate you taking the time to comment today!

  31. Rebecca Hodson says

    I have an IPhone 6 s that I purchased from Sprint. It is paid for and unlocked. I just switched to CC. Because CC uses AT&T towers my reception is terrible. Is there anyway CC can use Sprint Towers so my reception is much better?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thanks for posting, Rebecca! We offer service on two of the nation’s largest networks, so we can review your coverage and see if there is a better option for you. Just give us a call at 888-345-5509, and we will be happy to assist you! We appreciate you reaching out to us, and we look forward to speaking with you soon!

  32. Paula Henry says

    Hi CC! I am going to purchase a iPhone 6s unlocked from Gazelle and your company is not on there compatible or non compatible unlocked list! Do you know if a phone unlocked by Gazelle could be used with your lovely service?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thanks for posting, Paula. In most cases, fully unlocked devices that are designed to use GSM technology, such as those used previously with AT&T or T-Mobile, are the best options to use with our SIM card. If you are interested in learning more about our SIM card or if we can tell you more about our service, please don’t hesitate to call us at 888-345-5509. Thank you again for reaching out to us today!

  33. Tonie says

    My husband has a phone that died and we’d like to switch to Consumer Cellular. Would it be possible to buy one of your flip phones but keep his old phone number?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      That’s a great question, Tonie! You can transfer your current phone number to our service easily. Just be sure to keep your previous account open until we can confirm that the transfer is complete. To get started, please give us a call at 888-345-5509. We’ll help you select a flip phone and a plan that will work well for you and your husband. We appreciate you posting, and we look forward to assisting you!

  34. patricia daniels says

    We have metro pcs can it work with Consumer Cellular?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      That’s a great question, Patricia. In general, fully unlocked phones that use GSM technology work best with our service. This includes phones that were previously used with AT&T or T-Mobile. We’re happy to tell you more about using our SIM card with a phone you already have at 888-345-5509. You can also watch this helpful video here as well. Thank you for taking the time to learn more about our service, and we hope to see you as a customer soon!

  35. Matthew says

    I recently purchased a Alcatel go flip phone through Consumer Cellular. I’m looking to transfer my phone number I had with AT&T to the go flip phone. I’ve unlocked my phone number through AT&T, backed up my iPhone 6, shut it down, then placed the AT&T SIM card inside the Alcatel Go Flip phone while it was powered off. After that, I turned on the flip phone, and it says I have 10 attempts to enter a NetWork Code. Where do I obtain this code from? Also, what other additional steps do I need to take to installing my phone number on the Alcatel phone? Looking forward to hearing back from you.

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thanks for posting, Matthew. It sounds as though you’ll need to reach out to AT&T for a SIM unlock code. This will allow you to use that SIM card to transfer your contacts. We even have a helpful video here that will walk you through the process. If you have any other questions along the way, don’t hesitate to call us at 888-345-5509. Welcome to Consumer Cellular, and we hope you have a wonderful day!

  36. Daniel says

    Hello There.
    My IPhone 5s it Consumer Cellular phone. Now I want to upgrade to IPhone 8 plus. It unlocked phone could carries with any services. So I just pop out the sim card and put in on new IPhone 8 plus it will work ..

    Thanks
    Daniel

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      We appreciate you posting, Daniel! You can try switching the SIM card from your current iPhone into the new phone to see if it will work with our service. Just be sure to call us at 888-345-5509 when you’re ready to make the switch so that we can ensure your new phone has all of the updates needed for the best possible experience. Thanks for reaching out to us!

  37. H Pham says

    I am a current Consumer Cellular customer and using a very old Samsung S3 phone and would like to upgrade to a more modern phone. I have purchased a used Samsung S6 (T-Mobile provider), however it is locked. Can it be switched over? What steps are needed?

    • Hi there, thanks for your question. If the phone is locked to T-Mobile you would need to contact them to request unlocking it. We offer a number of new smartphones, including Samsung phones. If you’re interested in upgrading and purchasing a phone from us please give us a call at 888-345-5509. Have a great day!

  38. Chip Rosecrans says

    I have an iPhone 6 plus from Sprint. Can I use it with your service?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thanks for commenting, Chip! In general, fully unlocked GSM devices can be used with our SIM card. This would include devices used previously with AT&T or T-Mobile. We aren’t able to guarantee that your device will work with our service, but we’re certainly happy to test it for you. You can see how easy it is to use our SIM card here. Our SIM cards can be found on our website, at your local Target store, or we can send you one if you call us at 888-345-5509. We appreciate you posting, and we hope you have a lovely day!

  39. Christian says

    Hi I’m just wondering if a Sprint iPhone can be used with consumer Cellular?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for posting, Christian. In general, most fully unlocked GSM phones, such as those used with AT&T or T-Mobile, work best with our SIM card option. You’re welcome to try your device with our SIM card risk free. Just visit your local Target store to pickup a SIM card, or give us a call at 888-345-5509. Thanks to our Risk-Free Guarantee, you can try our service to see if it’s the right fit. We appreciate you posting, and we hope you have a great day!

  40. Rolan says

    I just purchased a Motorola x⁴ (unlocked) GSM phone. Will it work with Consumer Cellular?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thanks for posting, Rolan. It sounds like your new phone would be a good fit with the SIM card, Rolan. You can test it out with one of our SIM cards easily. Just visit your local Target store, order one via our website here, or give us a call at 888-345-5509. Our SIM card is a great way to have the smartphone you want with our great service. We appreciate you taking the time to post, and we hope you have a lovely day!

  41. Thomas says

    I’ve been on metro pcs for two months now with very poor phone service. I have to use WiFi in my house, no cell service in grocery store or on the road a lot of the time. Your web sight says I can switch to your service with my phone, if I do will I have better service?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thanks for asking, Thomas! We offer coverage on two of the nation’s largest networks, so we’re happy to see if our service would provide a better experience for you. Just give us a call at 888-345-5509 at your convenience, and we will be happy to give you an idea of the level of coverage you would receive. We appreciate you posting, and we hope to speak with you soon!

  42. Jim Peters says

    I am thinking of purchasing a Nokia 6.1 or a Moto 6 for my Consumer Cellular account. Are they compatible with the CC network?

    I am pretty sure the Moto 6 is but not so sure about the Nokia 6.1. Thanks.

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thanks for posting, Jim. In general, our SIM card can be used with most fully unlocked phones that use GSM technology. This would include phones used previously with T-Mobile or AT&T. You can test your device with our SIM card, thanks to our Risk-Free Guarantee. That’s the best way to know for sure if a device sold elsewhere will work with our service. We’re happy to tell you more about this option at 888-345-5509, or you can check out our video here that shows how to use the SIM card. We appreciate you posting, and we hope you have a wonderful day!

    • Mark says

      Late reply, but I have a Nokia 6.1 and use Consumer Cellular. Works fine.

  43. Dean says

    My wife and I have an iPhone 7. Our contract ended a while ago. While we are on a grandfathered plan that is less than current plan, we pay for data we do not use. Consumer Cellular would be cost effective for us. Will our phone work with your service if we call Verizon to unlock (I understand that is the process) and then insert your SIM card. I do not want to cancel our grandfathered plan only to learn that the phone does not work on your plan. Thank you.

    • Nicole at Consumer Cellular says

      Hi Dean, thank you for your interest in our service. In most cases, you can use your own phones with our service. In order to use the Apple iPhone 7 phones that you got from Verizon, they will need to be unlocked and able to use a SIM card. While we cannot guarantee compatibility for all phones on our service, but we generally have good experiences with iPhones on our service. If you’re concerned about canceling your service with Verizon, you can get a SIM card with a new number first to test it in both devices. If the service works, then you can call us to ship out two SIM cards to transfer your existing numbers, and cancel the new number that’s no longer needed. If the service doesn’t work out with that SIM to test, then you can cancel within 30 days for no charge.

  44. Tim Hoyne says

    I’m looking to purchase a Galaxy S7 (on my own). I’m leery because I had an S7 for work that I tried to change over to Consumer’s Cellular, unsuccessfully. Tech support was saying it was locked to Verizon, but my company said it was unlocked. (I swapped the S7 for an I phone 6s, and that works).

    I want to buy another Galaxy S7, unlocked, but I don’t want to get into the same issue and be stuck with it. Is this possible? And, what do I need to look for?

    • Nicole at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for posting, Tim. In order to use a non-Consumer Cellular phone with our service, it must be unlocked and GSM compatible. Since devices previously used by CDMA providers, such as Verizon, are not always GSM compatible or have extra settings that can prevent it from working on a GSM network, we would instead recommend either a factory unlocked device, or one that is unlocked and previously used with AT&T or T-Mobile. Please keep in mind that we cannot guarantee compatibility for all phone models, but our agents will do all they can to resolve any issues.

  45. Kenneth Maynes says

    Hi I’m looking to buy an iPhone from you but I have att. Do your phones come pre unlocked and if I go through with it will it automatically work with my att SIM card.

    • Nicole at Consumer Cellular says

      Hi Kenneth, our phones are locked to our service upon purchase and equipment can only be purchased in conjunction with a service plan. If you want to purchase of our phones, you would have to have our service and in order for it to be unlocked it would need to be active on our service for a minimum of 180 days, and fully paid off.

  46. Nancy carter says

    I have a Samsung Galaxy s6 from Verizon. Got your sim card and phone was working now all my Google features don’t work. The ok google bar on front gone. What do I do to get it back

    • Nicole at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for posting, Nancy. I’m happy to help. If the OK Google bar is no longer showing, you may just need to add the widget back to the home screen. This can be done by pressing and holding on any empty space on your screen. This should cause a menu to pop up with a “Widgets” option. From there, you can search for the OK Google bar, then press and hold on it, and drag it onto your home screen. If you need any further assistance, feel free to chat with us here.

  47. Mary says

    If I purchase a used iPhone 6, unlocked, can I use your service? How is that done? Does it mean a new sim card?

    • Nicole at Consumer Cellular says

      We appreciate your interest, Mary. In order to use your own unlocked Apple iPhone 6 with our service, you will need one of our SIM cards. You can place an order for a free SIM card on our website here, by calling us at 888-345-5509, or you can purchase one of our SIM cards from a retail partner, found here.

  48. Wil says

    I have a Samsung galaxy s5 with Hawaiian Telephone company. Can this phone be unlocked and be used with CC?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Great question, Wil. In most cases, you can use a fully unlocked GSM phone with our service, such as one that was used previously with AT&T or T-Mobile. You can see if your phone is compatible with our service by trying our SIM card. You can order one here on our website, or pick one up at your local Target store. We appreciate you taking the time to post, and we hope to see you as a customer soon!

  49. Mike Leahy says

    Can I us a sim card from Ireland on my Moto e5 play,

    • Nicole at Consumer Cellular says

      Hi Mike, to use a SIM card from another provider in your phone, you will need to have the phone unlocked. Please call us at 888-345-5510 or chat with us here to have that done.

  50. Paul says

    Can I use a Rugby 2 AT&T phone with consumer cellular?

    • Nicole at Consumer Cellular says

      We appreciate the interest, Paul! In most cases, you can use your own phone with our service. You will want to make sure that the Rugby 2 has been unlocked by AT&T and is able to use a SIM card. While we cannot guarantee compatibility for all phone models, we generally have good experiences with phones previously used on AT&T’s network.

  51. Travis says

    I am wanting to sign my parents up with phones on my Consumer Cellular account. They have purchased Samsung Galaxy S5 phones that are unlocked, 100% AT&T compatible.

    Right now they are using old flip phones from Net10 and would like to keep their phone numbers.

    If I try to get the SIM cards online to add the account they ask for information regarding their AT&T account to transfer the numbers. They do not have an AT&T account to give a number from, only a net10 account which I do not know if they even have account numbers for them. Because of this, I do not know how to proceed and allow them to keep their current phone numbers.

    • Hi Travis, thanks for your post! You ask a great question, Net10 does actually have account numbers for their customers. What they use is the IMEI or the serial number of the phone as their account numbers. So if they are using the Samsung phone with them it would be those numbers, otherwise, it would be one of the phones that are in use with them. You can easily access it on the active phone by dialing (star)*#06# and then enter it where it says account number when filling out that information. I would have them double check with Net10 though to see if there is a PIN on file for the account to be able to transfer those numbers over.

  52. Peter Feiler says

    I have a Samsung S7 SM-G930F which I bought globally unlocked.
    My current carrier (PureTalk USA) does not provide wifi calling although they use AT&T as underlying carrier. As a result the settings do not have an entry to en/disable wifi calling.
    I would like to switch to Consumer Cellular in particular to get wifi calling. Will the firmware of my phone be updated when I add the Consumer cellular SIM card to add/enable Wifi Calling in the phone settings?
    Thanks

    • Nicole at Consumer Cellular says

      Hi Peter, we appreciate the interest. We do offer Wi-Fi calling on our service. If you want to use your own phone with our service as well, it will need to unlocked, GSM-compatible, and able to use a SIM card. We aren’t able to guarantee compatibility for all phone models and features on our service but we will do all we can to get the phone working with our service and with Wi-Fi Calling. Upon activation, all we would need to do is enable Wi-Fi calling on our end, and you should then be able to enable it on the phone if the option is available.

  53. Suzanne says

    I have an iPhone 6s that i purchased through Verizon and it has been unlocked. I have upgraded to another iPhone and would like to give the iPhone 6s to my granddaughter and purchase a plan for her with CC. Is this possible?

    • Hi Suzanne, thanks for your post. If the phone is unlocked and GSM-compatible, it may work on our network. While we can’t guarantee that all models will work with us, we’ve had good experiences in the past with iPhones switching over if the mentioned criteria is met.

  54. LORI says

    I purchased an unlocked Samsung online and replacing my existing CC phone. Can I just take the sim card out of my current phone and use in the new phone to keep my number and service? Or do I need a new sim card to activate it?

    • Great question, Lori. You should definitely be able to take the SIM from your current phone and place it in the new phone to use with it. When you place the old SIM in the new phone, simply power it off and on to have it start reading that SIM and connect to our towers. If you have any trouble with it, give us a call at 800-686-4460 or you can also chat with an agent here for assistance as well.

  55. Kathy says

    I am potentially interested in switching to Consumer Cellular and buying a Samsung s10e from Comsumer Cellular. Where can I get more info about the features of the phone you offer. Is it locked or unlocked? Is it both CDMA and GSM compatible? Processor model? LTE band? Etc. Thanks!

    • Thanks for your questions, Kathy! Our phones are set up to work on the GSM network as this is what we used for service. They are locked to our network until the phone has been paid off and up to 180 days. If you’d like some further information on the device, visit our website here.

  56. Kathy says

    Thank you but your website does not help. Still trying to figure out what I want to do. I am buying a new Samsung s10e phone and am shopping for new service. I have been with verizon for many years. Would like to try CC. Would like a phone that can be used on other networks if I don’t like my new carrier. I may buy an unlocked GSM/CDMA phone from Best Buy which is compatible with the following networks:
    AT&T, Boost Mobile, Cricket, H2O Wireless, MetroPCS, Mint Mobile, Net10, Simple Mobile, Sprint, T-Mobile, TRACFONE, Total Wireless, Verizon. Does this mean it will not work with your service? Thanks

    • Hi Kathy, thanks for your question. If you purchase an unlocked, GSM-compatible option, it may work on our network. We can’t guarantee compatibility for all models but we’ve had good experiences in the past with phones that are compatible with AT&T when moving them to our service.

  57. Ruth Ann Rose says

    I currently am a customer with Consumer Cellular. I have an IPhone 5 and I want to get a newer year IPhone I am leaning to an 8. What do I have to do other than buying an unlocked refurbished phone?

  58. Madison Alspach says

    I am a new consumer cellular customer that has an iphone 8 plus that is locked to at&t. will i still be able to get service with consumer cellular ?

    • Nicole at Consumer Cellular says

      Hi Madison, your Apple iPhone 8 Plus will need to be unlocked to be used on our service. If it’s still locked to AT&T, then it won’t work so we recommend contacting them to see if they can help you unlock it.

  59. Sandy Ketchersid says

    How can I check to see if my phone will be compatible? It’s a Samsung s8 and I’m with straight talk right now.

    • Nicole at Consumer Cellular says

      Hi Sandy, if you’re interested in bringing over your own phone, it will need to be a VoLTE-capable, unlocked, and GSM-compatible phone. We can’t guarantee compatibility, but we will do all we can to get it working with our service. If you’re not sure if this model meets that criteria, you can usually check with your provider.

  60. Darrell Aldridge says

    Your site says you cant use samsung phones but my friend has samsung and he has Consumer cellular on his.
    Why bnb is this….

    • Hi Darrell, thanks for your post. I apologize for any confusion that has taken place regarding our service. If you have a Samsung phone that is unlocked, is GSM-compatible, and is VoLTE capable, it may work on our network. We can’t guarantee compatibility for all models of Samsung, but we’ll do all that we can to see if we can get it working with our service. You can also purchase one of our Samsung phones to use as well.

  61. casandra jones says

    I have a metropcs by T-Mobile phone can I use it with consumer cellular

    • Thanks for your interest, Cassandra! If your phone is unlocked from MetroPCS, is GSM-compatible, and VoLTE capable, it may work on our network. We can’t guarantee compatibility for all models, but we’ll do all that we can to see if we can get it connected for you.

  62. Tracy Schall says

    Hi, just today we paid off our AT&T phone and bill (still have active service until the middle of June), and then got a Consumer Cellular SIM card. The CC SIM card has been inserted and we are curious to know when the service will become available, or if there is an extended wait time to use Consumer Cellular? Thank you!

    • Nicole at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for posting, Tracy. If we shipped you the SIM cards, the transfer is started automatically 7 days after the shipping date. You’ll also want to make sure that your phone is unlocked by AT&T. If you need assistance, we’re happy to help if you give us a call at 888-345-5509 or chat with us here.

  63. Tracy says

    Okay, thanks for your response. Will give you a call if it doesn’t start working. Thank you again.

  64. Betty says

    Hi!
    I want a smaller phone but not a flip and with a full keyboard. My son suggested BlackBerry Bold 9780 Unlocked Cell Phone with Full QWERTY Keyboard, 5 MP Camera, Wi-Fi, 3G, Music/Video Playback, Bluetooth v2.1, and GPS (Black) and I am wondering if it will work.
    Thanks!

    • Hi Betty, thanks for your question! With the phone, you will need to make sure that it is unlocked from the network, is GSM-compatible, and a VoLTE phone. We can’t guarantee compatibility for all models, but we’ll do all we can to see if we can get it connected to our network.

  65. Shakeria Mitchell says

    Hi !
    My current phone is from xfinity and I want to purchase a phone from consumer cellular but I heard that y’all phones are locked and the carriers are att and T-Mobile I tried to get service with them but I couldn’t do I have to have my my carrier as them or could I have y’all as my Carrier without having to go through them?

    • Hi Shekeria, thanks for your interest! Our service uses AT&T towers to provide service to our customers. To use our phones, which are locked to our network, you would need to use those towers with our service.