Choosing the right data plan for your needs depends on striking the right balance between your lifestyle, and your budget. Fortunately, Consumer Cellular offers a variety of plans that deliver both outstanding value and a suitable choice for any type of user.
The primary consideration for many is: how much data do I really need? To use the Internet, social media, apps, or email requires mobile data—in fact, you’ll need data for just about everything you do on your phone besides making and receiving calls. This means deciding roughly which of the categories below your data usage fits into.
Light User. This is a person who uses data every so often to connect with friends, or check the latest headlines. In general, you’re considered a light user if your usage follows these patterns:
- You like to look at web pages, or check your email occasionally.
- You check your social media online reasonably often.
- You’re unlikely to use your internet for more than an hour a day.
If this sounds like you, our 3GB plan is a great choice that should more than cover your needs.
Medium User. A medium user does things that require data just about every single day, like sending and receiving email, and scrolling through social media often. You’re a medium user if:
- You download email daily to your phone.
- You spend quite a bit of time browsing the internet, and download a few games or apps each month.
- You like to watch streaming video and download a few songs now and then, too.
- You share data with 1 or 2 other users on your account.
For the medium user, our plan offering 10GB is a robust and affordable choice.
Heavy User. If you rely on your cellphone for just about everything you do, chances are you’re a heavy data user. This would include:
- You rely extensively on mobile data to communicate with friends and family, and access the Internet several hours per day.
- You send and receive quite a few emails daily, often with attachments.
- You watch videos online several times a week and regularly download apps, games, and music.
- You share your plan with 2 or more medium or heavy data users.
If you’re in this category, either our 15GB plan or our new option for unlimited data will deliver everything you need.
We also recognize that your needs can change. A light data user may suddenly become a heavy-duty data user by adding lines for family members, or discovering a fascinating new video streaming service. That’s why with Consumer Cellular you can change to a different plan at any time, and as often as you need to, with no additional fees. And for additional convenience and value, all of our data plans include unlimited texting.
Think about how you use your data each month, then look to Consumer Cellular to find the plan that’s just right for you!
I want to discontinue Spectrum WiFi in my home. If I do, will it mean that I cannot use my phone to surf the web, etc ? I am a current consumer cellular customer with unlimited data usage. Thank you, Chris Gregory
Hi Chris, thanks for your question. If you decide to cancel your WiFi service you could still access the internet by using the data plan that is on the account.
Can I sign up for a phone, and iPad, and a phone for my son?
Hi Eileen, thanks for your question. You can definitely sign up the three lines for our service. If you’re wanting to bring over any equipment to our service you will want to make sure that the devices are unlocked from any and all providers, is VoLTE-capable, and GSM-compatible. We can’t guarantee compatibility for all models, but we will do all that we can to see if we can get it connected for you.
I very much like this section. It’s very clear and answered many of my questions. I hope you will answer the question I sent to you just prior to this comment.
I am so pleased with Target in Sioux Falls SD. The young mans name is Edwin so very helpful, he did everything for me, from helping me find the right new phone to programming it.. I was very pleased. Thank you. It is located on Louise Ave.
Can I keep the phone number I have?
Hi Tamara, great question. As long as the number remains active with the current provider during the transfer process, you can switch it over. We will also need the current account number, PIN number if there is one, billing address, and the account holder’s first and last name to submit to your current provider so that they will release the number to us so we would recommend having a bill readily available for this process.
Do you offer hot spot?
Our in home internet sometimes goes out and we need to hot spot our printer
Hi Sandra, thanks for your post! We don’t have a hotspot device but if you’re using a smartphone, you can enable that feature to use with other devices.
Jacob, How do we go about enabling our iphone to be used as a hotspot?
Hi Jeanette, thanks for your question! To enable the hotspot feature just give us a call at 800-686-4460 or you can also chat with us here and we’d be happy to help with enabling that feature for you.
I am thinking of replacing my phone with one that says works only with GSM network am I OK with changing ?
Hi Mario, if the phone is unlocked and VoLTE-capable in addition to being GSM-only, then it may work on our service. We aren’t able to guarantee compatibility, but we’ll do all we can to get it working.
Do you have otter covers at target stores?
Hi Judy, thanks for your post. We don’t sell any accessories ourselves in Target, but they may have the brand there. You can give them a call to check and see what is available for that location.
I’m on a 15GB plan now because I was on 10GB but I used more than 10GB so I was automatically upgraded to 15GB, thank you. My question is being I am on the 15GB plan and I only use less than 10GB what will I be charged for 10GB or 15GB?
Hi Robert, great question. Unless the plan is lowered back down to the 10GB option you will be charged the cost of the higher plan. If you’d like to get that lowered back down you can give us a call at 800-686-4460 or you can also go online to lower it by visiting your online account here.
I currently have an IPhone 8 and my wife has an older iPhone SE.
My contact with Verizon just ended and we want to switch carriers. I heard that our current phones won’t work with CC. Is that correct? Thanks
Hi Frank, thanks for your interest. If the phones are unlocked from Verizon and are GSM-compatible, they may work on our network. We can’t guarantee compatibility for all models we have had success with iPhones switching over as long as the mentioned criteria is met.
I have a dumb phone (only a cell phone)
Do you have a plan for me.
Can I use my at&t Pantech Flip
AT&t Cingular Flip 2 ?
Hi Janet, thanks for your interest! We do offer a wide variety of plans that you can select from for all types of usage and phones. You can view all of our options by going to our website here. If the phone is unlocked from AT&T, VoLTE-capable, and GSM-compatible, it may be compatible 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 you connected to our service.
I’d like more information on consumer cellular for my phone I’m a medium
Hi Marold, thanks for your interest in our service! You can get more information on our service by going to our website here. If you have any questions though, please let us know!
I have a question, if I have a pre paid phone from AT&T can I use it on Consumer Cellular Services???
That’s a great question, Sherry. If you’re interested in bringing over your own phone from AT&T, it will need to be a VoLTE-capable, unlocked, and GSM-compatible phone. We can’t guarantee compatibility, but we generally have good experiences with phones previously used on AT&T’s service.
I would like to switch the account I have for myself and my adult son from Verizon over to Consumer Cellular. We both have iPhones, his a 10 and mine a 5s, which is showing some signs of aging, as we all are. We are both heavy data users so would probably fit in the 15GB catagory. What are the first steps I need to take too make this all happen?
Hi Nona, you can sign up for service on our website, by calling us at 888-345-5509 or by going to one of our retail partners. You can find a retail partner near you here: https://www.consumercellular.com/StoreLocator.
You can also keep your same numbers and transfer them from Verizon, they’ll just need to remain active until the transfer has completed. You’ll also need your Verizon account information, include your number transfer PIN, so we recommend having that on-hand when signing up.
I need to call a number in Canada, but the recording says no can do. Help
Hi James, it’s likely that your international calling service needs to be enabled on our end. Our customer service team is happy to help with that if you give us a call at 888-345-5509 or start a live chat here.
I would like to know how much it would cost to change my number and if I did would I be offered a choice of numbers to pick from or would I just get assigned a new number at random based on the area of my previous number.
That’s a great question, Lisa. There is no charge to change your number, but the new number would be chosen at random as we don’t have the option to pick new numbers. It would be generated based on what is available in your area. You can call us at 888-345-5509.
I thought if you were connected to your home wi-fi, it didn’t go against your data usage. Am I wrong?
Hi Joanne, thanks for your post. If you’re connected to WiFi then the data plan is not connected. However, as soon as you leave the WiFi connection then the phone will switch over to using data.
Do you have discounts for AAA members? What sort of discounts do you honor?
Hi Dominick, thanks for your question. The only discount that we are offering at this time is for our members with AARP.
What apps use up my data. Does maps
Hi Donna, thanks for your question. Apps such as email, anything that needs an internet connection such as Facebook, or messengers, and maps will use data when there is not a WiFi connection for the phone to use.
Can you locate my consumer to cellular phone and other question the cost and if you see that I use my tablets samsung as a phone also ?
Hi Ann, thanks for your questions. We are not able to track a phone if it is lost, if you’re using a smartphone though, you can use things such as “Find my iPhone” or features from Google to track it. If you decide to add a line, it will cost $15 a month. If you want to add a tablet, you will want to make sure it is VoLTE capable, GSM-compatible, and unlocked from all providers. We can’t guarantee compatibility for all models, but we’ll do all that we can to see if we can get that working for you.
Can I buy an I phone from u and can all my photos and such be switched to I phone I now have ccgalaxy A20
Hi Thelma, thanks for your question. You can definitely purchase on of our Samsung A20 models and we can walk you through how to move all of your information such as your pictures over to it.
Robot calls ,I get to,to many. I am CC user. I am close to getting an iPhone from y you people. I do not want any to go calls. can I get that option????? Tony
Hi Tony, your Doro 7050 has a blacklist option available. You can activate it by going to Menu > Settings > Privacy & Security > Blacklist > Activation. Then, you can go to Setting > Privacy & Security > Blacklist > Number List > Add to manually add a new number to your blacklist.
If you don’t want to receive calls from people not in your contacts, then you can enable to Whitelist instead by going to Menu > Settings > Privacy & Security > Whitelist and enable it.
How can I make an international call
Hi Muriel, thanks for your post! You can find more information on how to make those calls, and the costs for them by going to our website here. If you have any other questions just let us know!
The battery on my husbands phone is not charging and I was thinking of giving him my phone. However can his phone no. be transferred to my phone and I will buy a new phone and keep my no. Sorry for the confusion.
Hi Susan, thanks for your questions! We can move his number over to your current phone by moving his SIM card into the device. Then when you update your phone, it will have your number assigned to it for you. If you need any help with that process give us a call at 800-686-4460 or you can go online to your account at here to place the order.
I don’t have WiFi at home can I use my phone and data plan as spot connection?
Hi David, thanks for your question. If you would like to use your data plan on your phone instead of WiFi to access the internet you can definitely do that. If you’d like to enable the hotspot feature to connect other devices just give us a call at 800-686-4460 or chat with us here for assistance with that.
It appears that for the 1st day of a period (at least it that way now) that the current invoice (shows June) is the same as the prior month (June) and detailed call data is no where (June 15 – July 14). That appears to be a bug making detailed call information for the prior periods unavailable.
Hi Dan, we’d be happy to address any of your billing concerns if you give us a call at 888-345-5509 or chat with us here.
My connectivity is not good at all what can I do
Hi Cindy, our customer service team would be happy to help with your service if you give us a call at 888-345-5509 or chat with us here.
Can I use my iphone 8? I’m presently bundled with Spectrum. I’m thinking of dropping my land line and using my iphone for TV & Internet. Hat do you suggest?
Hi Rhodora, thanks for your post! If your iPhone is unlocked from the carrier and GSM-compatible, it may work on our network. We can’t guarantee compatibility for all models, but we’ve had good experiences in the past with iPhones switching over as long as the mentioned criteria is met.
Am I using data to keep a severe weather alert on at all times?
Hi Barbara, thanks for your question. The app will use data each time it’s opened or if it’s going off to let you know about the alerts. If you’re connected to WiFi though that is what the phone would use rather than your data plan.
I have a iPhone that is facetime capable. Can I facetime with a talk only service.
Hi Robert, great question! In order for FaceTime to work, the phone would need a connection to WiFi or a cellular data connection. If you have any further questions on how that feature works just let us know.
If an Apple watch was bought from Verizon & is brought over to Consumer Cellular, will the cellular aspect of it still work? One cellular service provider that me that only the bluetooth & wifi connection will work because the watches sold by Verizon have been locked.
Hi Gail, that’s a great question, thanks for your post. We don’t actually support Apple Watches, we don’t have the e-SIM the phone needs to run. It’s only able to connect with our phones currently using the Bluetooth option.
Thanks Jacob. The eSim is actually built into the recent Apple watch models. It allows the watch to have stand alone mobile cellular voice and data. They work with T Mobile and AT&T carriers which Consumer Cellular uses. Given the many health monitoring features of the watch it is used by many young and old health conscious people and has even saved many lives. It would make sense for Consumer Cellular to offer this service. I for one would like to have it.
We appreciate that feedback, Robert. I’ve gone ahead and passed along your comments and suggestion on to the appropriate department so we can look into that further for going forward. Thank you!
Are you (Target) going going to have the new iPhone 12 available for order or pre-order?
Hi Katherine, thanks for your question. We don’t offer a preorder option for any of our phones and we’re not set up with Target to do it. If this ever changes though, we’ll let our customers know.
Consumer Cellular needs to support Apple Watch or it is going to lose customers.
We definitely appreciate the feedback, Richard. While we cannot support the cellular function of Apple Watches because it requires eSIM compatibility, which is only available to a small number of carriers at this time, the Bluetooth function can be used instead.
Was prepared to switch to Consumer Cellular, but the lack of support for the Apple Watch was a dealbreaker. Just wanted you to know.
Hi Mike, thanks for your post. We appreciate your feedback on this and have passed it on to the appropriate department for going forward. Thanks!
I have a Net 10 (Tracfone) flip. Can I transfer my phone number over to a CC phone? If so, what info would you need from it?
Hi Wanda, you can transfer your phone number from TracFone to our service, and to one of our phones. Your TracFone account number will be required, which is usually the IMEI/MEID of the TracFone device you’re using.
I have medical problems and walk. Want to get an Apple Watch for its medical monitoring functions.
So I need to hook my cellular service to my watch as well.
How do I do this?
Thank you for posting, Jody. The cellular Apple Watch is not compatible with our service because it requires an eSIM, which is not supported. The Bluetooth function is still compatible with iPhones on our service, however.
I’d like to add an Apple Watch with cellular service. Connecting an Apple Watch to an iPhone via Bluetooth, with no cell network connection for the watch, is too unreliable: in an emergency, I would need to both a) be near my iPhone and b) have the iPhone charged. An Apple Watch with a cellular connection provides its own independent path to summoning emergency help.
Many carriers are managing to use the eSIM built into the Apple Watch. Does Consumer Cellular have a time table to accommodate eSIMs ? What work does CC need to do? With Consumer Cellular’s focus on older clients, this would seem like a big priority. CC has been excellent in many ways, I’d rather not leave to another carrier .
I’m in the same place as you Barry – I would like to use dual SIM cards but need CC to upgrade to eSIM. I love the service and price I get with CC, don’t want to change carriers either!
Hi Angela, we definitely understand that and appreciate your feedback. I’ve gone ahead and passed your feedback and suggestion on so that it’s something we can take into consideration for the future. Thanks!
I switched to Consumer Cellular a few months ago with three phones. I now want to add an Apple Watch with Cellular. I called customer service and after the rep did research for several minutes, was told that the eSIM is not supported, which is totally baffling. I am now heavily considering switching to another carrier. We need the Watch for health/safety issues.
Hi J, we’re sorry to hear that you’re thinking of switching your service. We consistently look for ways to improve the service we offer, and feedback from our customers is imperative to our growth and improvement. We place heavy emphasis on our customers’ opinions as to how we may provide a better service to them. Thank you again!
Add me to the list for wanting Apple Watch compatibility. I’m a long time customer. This is becoming more of an issue for me as time goes on.
Today I too began researching Apple watches for health reasons. Kindly add my interest to the “suggestion box” as well.
I’m considering going to another carrier who can support Apple Watch. I have a friend who discovered a heart problem detected by her Apple Watch. Given the age of your customer base and your connections to AT&T and T-Mobile, you need to develop this service quickly. Your customer base is becoming more tech savvy and competitors are starting to lower their prices. Your customer service is still the best but . . .
Hi Lee, we appreciate you taking the time to give us this feedback on our services. I have taken this and passed it on to the appropriate department so that we can look into this further for going forward. Thank you again!
I am also disappointed that CC doesn’t support the Apple Watch.
Hi Lisa, we appreciate you taking the time to give us this feedback on our services. I have taken this and passed it on to the appropriate department so that we can look into this further for going forward. Thank you again!
I second (third, fourth, fifth, etc) the need for Apple Watch cellular support. I’ve been a Consumer Cellular customer for many years, but the lack of support for the Apple Watch cellular is about to force me to change which is sad, because otherwise Consumer Cellular has been great.
My situation is a little different, although I’m also disappointed that CC doesn’t support cellular on Apple Watch. I need a 2nd phone number on my iPhone 11 Pro (using eSIM) which it also sounds CC cannot support. Is this correct?
Thank you for posting, Paul. That’s correct, eSIM is not currently supported on our service. eSIM support is only offered on a small number of carriers at this time. If that changes, we’ll be sure to let our customers know.
Perhaps you can tell us WHY eSIM capability isn’t supported by CC when it is supported by both AT&T and T-Mobile whose network coverage your business is based on. It seems like it’s a CHOICE not to support this feature rather than any sort of technical challenge.
Add my voice to those CC customers who are considering leaving because their Apple Watch won’t work (properly) with their phone.
Thanks.
Hi. I’m old man and retired. Actually I have a plan of $60.00 and I’m thinking to change to #20.00 a month plan
Hi Eduardo, thanks for your post. We’d be happy to help with this process is needed. Give us a call at 800-686-4460 or chat with one of our agents here for further assistance.
Add me to the list of folks wanting to use the full capability of an Apple watch. I, too, am very happy with consumer cellular, but I’ll need to change if you cannot support the watch,
Hi Leslie, we appreciate you taking the time to post your feedback regarding this and have passed it along to the appropriate department to be looked into for going forward. Thanks!
I will transfer to CC once you guys get support for Apple Watch.
Hi DB, we appreciate your feedback and have passed that on to the appropriate department for the future. Thanks!
One more vote for eSIM support (iPhone11 Pro user) for international travel and for two numbers. Also, I support Chris on July 8 asking WHY is there no eSIM support since both CC SIM suppliers, AT&T and T-Mobile, have it?
Hi Walter, thank you for your question. Since all we are using are their towers, we do not have access to all features they have including the eSIM card. We’re happy to pass along your suggestion though and thank you for taking the time to post that. Thank you!
Yes, I am another longtime CC customer who is considering changing carriers because of this Apple watch incompatibility. I called today and the rep told me she could send me a SIM card to try with the watch? Is that even possible?
Hi Jayme, thanks for your post. While there may be some watches that may have taken physical SIM cards at one time, the newer models do not. They would need the eSIM card which is not something that we support. I apologize for the confusion, we will definitely be following up with our agent and I’d be happy to pass along your feedback for you.
Can I use my data with my apple watch?
Please add me (and our family of three) to the list of CC customers urging you to implement support for Apple Watch cellular service and eSIM for the newest phones.
Hi Jeff, thanks for your post. We appreciate your feedback and suggestion and have passed it on to the appropriate department for further assistance.
We were all set to purchase a new iPad Mini when we inquired about swapping SIM card from existing iPad. Imagine the disappointment of the gift recipient when we learned CC wouldn’t support the new device. If mobile carriers in much smaller countries can support eSIM, surely a big and growing company like CC should be able to. Surely by now, after months of saying “I’ll pass along your suggestion”, it’s time for CC to step up.
Hi Steven, thanks for your post. We appreciate your feedback on this and have passed along your suggestion and concerns regarding this along to the appropriate department for going forward. Thanks!
Let me know when Consumer Cellular starts supporting Apple watch. That will be the day that I switch to CC.
Hi John, thanks for your post. We will definitely let our customers know if there is a change on whether or not we open the Apple Watch. Just let us know if you have any questions in the meantime.
Add me to those who will need to find another service for Apple watch
Hi William, thanks for taking the time to post. We appreciate your feedback and suggestion on this and have passed it along to the appropriate department. If there is anything else we can help with, let us know!
I’m another who wants Apple Watch support. Very happy with CC otherwise.
Am buying an apple watch, another longtime cc customer who will be leaving. I have a pulmonary embolism and want the oxygen measuring feature. Please get off the dime and start supporting this sim chip. It is no longer cutting edge but has moved mainstream
Hi Jan, thanks for your post. We’re sorry to see you go, but understand needing those features. We appreciate you taking the time to post your feedback regarding this and have passed it along to the appropriate department for the future. Thank you.
Hi. Just adding my comment regarding the Apple Watch. My husband and I really need that feature due to health issues and the isolated location of our home. We will definitely be adding extra lines with CC when the e-sim capability becomes a reality. Thanks
Hi Marolyn, thanks for your post. We appreciate that feedback and have passed along your suggestion for going forward. Thanks!
I am looking to get apple watch with cellular as well. Sad that CC doesn’t support it. Please consider working on it. Thanks.
Hi Lana, thanks for your post. We appreciate your feedback on this and have passed your suggestion along for you. Thanks!
I have to agree with so many of the comments here about not supporting the Apple Watch cellular option. Many are using these devices for their health monitoring benefits, and potential life saving capabilities (like ability to call right from a watch). For someone who is getting an Apple Watch for my Mom for these benefits it’s a shame that we will have to move to another carrier (we are long time CC customers).
Hi Will, thank you for your post. We’re sorry to hear that you’re thinking about leaving our service. We appreciate your feedback on this though and have passed it along internally for going forward. Thank you.
I too am an Apple Watch user and for years I had AT&T support for it. I changed to CC because I believed it wouldn’t be far out before you implemented eSIM service. It makes no sense to me that you haven’t moved on this yet. You’re major networking partners support this. I’m starting to believe now that this is just a choice by CC. And if the boat doesn’t move into the future, I’m going back to AT&T. Even at twice the cost. It’s time to move people. You have a huge support base asking for this and there is literally no reason you can’t do it.
We appreciate your feedback on this, Randy. I have passed your suggestion along for going forward in the future. Thank you.
I’d love to know how to determine what is using so much data on a particular day/time. I’m using a fairly low amount of data every day, but all of a sudden on one day, I used about 1gig!! Where did that come from I’d like to know???
Hi John, on your iPhone you can see what apps used data on your phone by going to Settings > Cellular. When you scroll down, there will be a list of apps sorted in order of most-to-least data usage.
I’m in the same boat as all these other people. I depend on the Apple Watch to work by itself, especially for the fall detection. It saved me when I took a hard fall and didn’t have the phone nearby. I can’t switch to a carrier that doesn’t support it.
Hi, we switched to CC about two years ago, because the cost for our two phones is half of what it cost on AT&T. Win! However, I’m considering an Apple Watch for health reasons, but I’ve seen that CC doesn’t support that. Please add me to the growing list of customers who would really like to have this connectivity feature. Thanks!