It’s Simple Switching to Consumer Cellular

On top of everything else on your schedule, switching to a new cellphone provider might sound like too much to tackle. You may be thinking, “Will it take several phone calls or mean eternally waiting on-hold? Most importantly, will it be handled correctly?”

With Consumer Cellular, making the switch is easy as can be! We only require a few pieces of information, and the transfer is usually completed within a day. Here’s the best part though: it’s hassle-free because you keep your existing phone number, so you won’t need to notify all your friends or family of a new one. It’s just another way to keep your experience with us pleasant.

Call us when you’re ready to start service, and we’ll begin the transfer for you. Just be sure to have a billing statement or other account information handy from your current provider. We’ll contact them and get your number entered into our system. In most cases, they will automatically close your account once the number transfers, so you don’t have to! There may be early termination fees or other charges due from your current service provider, so be sure to check with them ahead of time.

Porting (transferring your number) usually takes 24 hours or less. We’ll let you know when it is completed via a text message or email. And, with our 100% Risk-Free Guarantee, you can try our service without worry. It couldn’t be easier!

224 Thoughts on "It’s Simple Switching to Consumer Cellular"

  1. Richard Lewis says

    I want to go with Consumer Cellular but, I want to keep my current phone number. My service is with Verizon under an old contract that has expired. I am concerned that Verizon will not be as easy to convince to let me keep my old phone number. I have been told that they will fight to not allow me to keep my old number with a new provider. If I purchase a new phone from you and Verizon refuses to allow the old number transfer, will I be able to return the phone I purchased from you and get a refund?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      That’s a great question, Richard! In general, most companies will allow you to transfer your number to our service, but if that isn’t possible, we have a 100% Risk-Free Guarantee. You can return your phone and cancel your service no questions asked within the first 30 days, 300 minutes, 300 text messages or 300MB of data, whichever comes first. If we can help you get started or answer any questions for you, we’re ready to assist you at 888-345-5509. Thank you for taking the time to comment today!

      • Audrey young says

        I ordered an iPhone 7 Plus and i havent received it yet

        • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

          We’re happy to look into that, Audrey. If you haven’t already received the tracking information via email, we can give you an update at 888-345-5509. Thank you for posting, and we hope to speak with you soon!

          • James says

            i have a ? first i was on att 4 years, price got raised, so i searched other plans, contacted us mobile they ported my number, same day att cancelled my account, same day i requested an unlock code same day 21/09/2019, us mobile sent me there sim card, i switched sim card, phone is Locked network, contacted us mobile they said to buy a new phone then switch sim card and it will work, i brought a prepaid phone got home try ed to use it, would not accept sim card, they said i had 2 buy a plan which i did with us mobile, then i looked at the phone box i ordered online from walmart picked up at local store pickup, ok the box says the phone must be scanned at register 2 be able 2 activate, ok returned walmart phone, i ordered a phone & plan from consumer cellular, gave them the information to transfer my same number from us mobile that my att phone is locked even though us mobile shows its ported and listed with them, when i get my new consumer cell phone & plan will i be able 2 use my same number or get a new number? i try ed chat on consumer didnt understand my questing ask for my account number i explained that i order online a phone & plan, i dont have an account yet, i tryed 2 register gave my cell number that us mobile has that i cant use yet, cause they wanted 2 send me a text 2 my phone, any help

          • Hi James, thanks for taking the time to post your comment! If your phone number remains active with US Mobile, we can definitely switch it over to our service. We’ll need some basic account information such as the account number so if you have a current invoice that can be referenced for that process, I’d recommend having it nearby. Otherwise, we can definitely give you a new number if that would be easier.

    • Art Johnson says

      “…and Verizon refuses to allow the old number transfer, …”
      Richard,

      The secret (it’s Law) here is just ‘Control’ of that number, meaning keep your number active until after switching to CC.

      If you cancel Verizon first and then sign up for CC, your old number is gone, but if number is still active with ‘V’, they have no choice; it’s written into (number portability) Law: You keep that number.

      Same goes for wanting to keep your old ‘company’ number after you retire, unless you control the company and it’s still active. Makes no difference if you call the number and get recording; “this number no longer in service”, you Still can’t get that number.

      As for choice of a new number, you can choose area codes and sometimes from a few exchanges, but for the last four you get no choice at all.

    • Jim says

      I spent 2 days trying to get my old number ported. Both Verizon and Consumer Cellular blamed each other and it did not happen. I had to get a new number. Today I noticed I was billed for data on the phone number that never got ported which I never used data. I call customer support got nowhere on getting it off my usage and was yelled at by the representative. I wish I knew how to report this his supervisor.

      • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

        We apologize for that experience, Jim. Please know that I’ve forwarded your feedback to the appropriate managers. Our elite customer support team will be contacting you shortly to resolve any of the usage issues on your account. Thank you for reaching out to us, and if we can assist you with anything in the meantime, we’re happy to help you at 888-345-5509. Thank you!

        • Eldrid Lyshol says

          I need to pay my bill,I have tried to pay by phone,and internet.
          Please give me address or ,or email .

          • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

            We’re happy to help you, Eldrid. You can contact us via email at [email protected], and you can mail a payment to Consumer Cellular, P.O. Box 7175, Pasadena, CA 91109-7175 if that is more convenient for you. Thank you for reaching out to us today!

          • Trevon Jones says

            How long will it take for me to receive my iphone if I order it today from you all.with a new number

          • Hi Trevon, great question. It’ll depend on the shipping method that is selected for your order. Our free, standard shipping would get it to you within 3-5 business days. Whereas, if you pay the $10 for our expedited shipping, you’ll get it in 1-2 business days.

        • Linda says

          I have a different question. When not in my wifi area my phone automatically asks me to sign on to Optimum even though we do not have an Optimum account. This causes problems with my being able to get on to the internet. I know that I can turn off my Wifi but would rather not as then I might forget to turn it back on and will be paying for data. Can you help?

          • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

            Thank you for asking, Linda. I took a look at your account, and I see that you’re using the Moto G EXT. Try going to Settings, then to Wi-Fi. Make sure the box for “Show Wi-Fi pop up” is not checked, which may be the reason for the notifications. If that doesn’t resolve the issue, we’re happy to troubleshoot it further at 888-345-5509. We appreciate you reaching out to us today!

      • Cristie Amaral says

        I would like to keep the same number for my mother in law but she needs a new phone from you.

        • Nicole at Consumer Cellular says

          Hi Cristie, if she already has our service then that can be done by placing the order through her online account here. If she doesn’t have our service yet, her number can be transferred as long as it’s active with another company.

    • val says

      We had verizon before switching to consumer cellular and my husband and I had no problems at all keeping our old numbers. We went to our local Target store.

    • Ralph Burns says

      Received sim yesterday, called number, still after 12 hours no phone service. Transferred from at&t.

      • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

        Thank you for posting, Ralph. I’ve taken a look at your account, and I see that your port has been completed and you are good to go! Thank you for being so patient while we got that resolved. If we can help you with anything else at this time, please don’t hesitate to call us at 888-345-5509. We hope you have a great day!

        • Allison Paludi says

          Same story happened to me! I activated the new account and then went to Target because the numbers still didn’t work. Now, after being told to wait an hour, it is about 5 hours later and I still have zero service.

          • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

            We do apologize for any inconvenience, Allison. In some cases, activation of your new account can take up to 24-48 hours. I reviewed your account, and I’m so glad to see that our account advisors were able to assist you today and get this resolved. If we can do anything else for you at this time, please don’t hesitate to call 888-345-5509 at your convenience. Thank you for posting, and we hope you have a wonderful day!

        • Audrey young says

          I’ve ordered an iPhone 7 Plus and i wonder What is going on

          • Hi Audrey, we are happy to look into this for you but I’m not able to locate an account with the information provided. We will send you an email and help you further from there. Please be on the lookout for an email from us today; you can also reach us at 888-345-5509 for further assistance.

    • herman says

      I’m helping my 91 year old active friend and verizon was helpful and told me what I need to transfer.

  2. Nancy says

    I recently upgraded to a newer smart phone and Consumer Cellular made it so fast and easy. When the phone arrived, I had a bit of a struggle trying to figure out how it worked, so I decided to go to the CC website. There I found video tutorials about my phone and I watched every one of them, some twice! I have the apps I want, know all the tips and tricks of my new phone, and as a senior citizen, all I can say is Thank You So Much!! I have been delighted with CC customer service and the website. As my granddaughter would say, “You guys rock!!”

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      That’s great to hear, Nancy. We appreciate hearing your kind words, and we’re so glad you’ve found our How-To videos to be helpful. Thank you for sharing your experience!

      • Mike says

        I would like to purchase a consumer cellular phone with a new number to try the service in the country where my home is to ensure service works well. After I am satisfied I would like to have my old number ported to the CC phone. Can this be done? Or do I have to port my number at the purchase of a new phone only? TIA

        • Nicole at Consumer Cellular says

          Hi Mike, that is something that can definitely be done. When you set up your order initially, just say that you want a new number. If you decide to transfer, all you have to do is call us back and we can send you out a new SIM card. You’ll want to make sure to cancel the temporary number once your transfer is done.

  3. Hilda says

    I only have one minor complaint.Some of the features in the video didn’t match my phone. That in itself wasn’t so bad because it turned into a learning experience.
    Compliments to your service representatives. They’re very helpful but most of all, patient. Yes Honey, seniors need that.: -)

  4. Amy Liem says

    First off, my name is LIEM not Liem as the mail suggested.
    I signed up last Friday, the 15 minute wait more than lasted twice that. The first SIM card did not work( after 20 minutes of trying. The second card had issues , but eventually I had a working phone with my number. Tried to sign up to an online account…doesn’t recognize my number. Next day, an new SIM card (# 3) arrives in the mail with my account number and this phone. But CC still doesn’t recognize my phone( I’m not switching to the third SIM card). I have been on hold now for almost an hour. This is very frustrating.

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      We apologize for the negative experience, Amy. I was able to take a look at your account, and I see that Carlie from our customer support team was able to resolve the SIM issue for you. Thank you for your patience, and if there is anything else we can assist you with today, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 888-345-5509. Thank you for taking the time to comment!

      • Nancy Gaudette says

        This is same thing that happened to me. I have been on hold forever!!! So frustrated and about ready to dump your service! I have now been without a phone for 4 days now! How is your service any better? Do you have 1 person answering calls? I have done the call back option, I have done the wait on phone! Horrible customer service! I have always gotten right thru to someone when I was with Sprint.

        • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

          We apologize for the inconvenience Nancy, and please know that we are working to hire more account advisers to assist our customers. We very much appreciate your patience as we have been experiencing unusually high call volume. I was able to take a look at your account, and I see that Daniel, our account adviser, was able to assist you with next steps. If we can help you with anything else at this time, please give us a call at 888-345-5509, or we can be reached via email at [email protected] if that is more convenient. We appreciate your feedback, and we look forward to serving you for years to come!

    • Tammy B says

      You spelled your name the same both times!!

  5. Luciann says

    My parents moved from california to Colorado where I live. I am switching as we speak…ya know that company that’s starts with a V…… they don’t care about their customers…just their money and lots of it.. C Celular, care..about their customers…my mother brags on ya all alot…keep up the good work C Celular !!!

  6. Laurie says

    I like consumer cell. Get your phones figured out. To talk about my bill and possibly buy another phone….. I was on hold for 40 minutes.
    What a waste of time. If you advertise as the best, get with it,

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      We apologize for the inconvenience, Laurie. As a company, we do pride ourselves on our customer service, and we’re currently hiring more representatives to address this issue. We’re happy to assist you over the phone at 888-345-5509, or via email at [email protected] if that is more convenient for you. And as always, you can complete your purchase of a new phone through our website if you like. Just be sure to login in to My Account first to save time. Thank you for your feedback, and we hope you have a wonderful day!

  7. james l greeley' sr. says

    I may be interested in a very basic phone at the least cost per month, I’m retired minimum income also take care of 2 grand children to help my daughter and son in law to help with costs of day care being very expensive! also take them to and from school every school day until mom or dad get home.the phone would be used for light conversation or emergency use . what would you suggest

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      It sounds like our plans and phones will be a great fit for you, James. Our flexible plans allow you to adjust if you need more minutes, or if you need less. You can view our plans here, which include minutes for talking, as well as text and data if you are interested in that as well. As for a phone, we have some great options. If you prefer a simple phone, our Doro PhoneEasy 626 is very popular and easy to use. If you’re looking for a smartphone, we have many affordable options, like our Motorola Moto E LTE. We can talk with you about your usage and help you pick the right phone for your needs. Just give us a call at 888-345-5509 and we’ll be happy to assist you. Thank you for reaching out to us today!

  8. Art Johnson says

    I had called August 13th and spoke with Grant in Phoenix, he sent my SIM which was in my mailbox on the 15th. What a ‘breath-of-Fresh Air’ from Verizon! My MIL had told me about her new CC and he suggested the $10 credits.

    Just got first invoice and saw the credit. Looks like it supplanted the ‘free month’ which was fine.

    Now my MIL just passed (quickly at 89) her one surviving daughter said she wrote you and I just (by email) gave her your website and phone number.

    Verizon had inherited me from WorldCom who got me from TelTech. You all are (I telephoned twice, second time selected “call me back” and the lady from Redmond was fantastic) such an absolute joy to deal with.
    🙂 Art

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      We’re glad to welcome you to Consumer Cellular, Art. Thank you for sharing your experience with us, and we look forward to serving you for years to come!

      • tims says

        i do not recall my sim 4-digit lock code. how can i establish another to lock my phone?

        • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

          We’re happy to help you with that, Tims. Our customer service team will be contacting you shortly so they can provide that to you. Thank you for letting us know, and we’ll get this resolved for you! We appreciate you taking the time to post today.

  9. Fred Hand says

    I am considering changing my service from Verizon to CC. I have read many of the comments and reviews of CC service and complaints. I have never had any of the problems with Verizon that are mentioned in the customer letters. So, it makes me wonder if I should make the change. I know many or all of the problems were rectified with little difficulty, but I still wonder. any comments?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for posting, Fred. We do our best to work with our customers to resolve any issues, no matter how big or small. In many cases, a short phone call or email is all that is needed to make a change or adjustment so that the plan and phone work well for our customer. If you would like to try our service, take advantage of our 30 day risk free guarantee so you can experience the Consumer Cellular difference. If, within the first 30 days, 300 minutes, 300 texts or 300 MB of data use – whichever comes first, you are not completely satisfied with our service, simply cancel and we’ll refund your money. No questions asked! That way, you can really get a feel for our service in your area and for your usage. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have or talk with you about our plans. Just give us a call at 888-345-5509, and we’ll be ready to assist you! Thank you again for the comments, and we hope to see you as a Consumer Cellular customer soon.

    • Art Johnson says

      Fred, Verizon is great for business use, CC is a much better choice for smaller packages of service at far lower cost (less than 1/3 the cost for me). It’s AT&T (for CC) and it depends on your location for which carrier works best.

      As far as Customer Service, CC beats Verizon for sure!

      Ability to switch plans (to your cost advantage) on last day of your billing cycle, this is supported by text and email reminder and suggestions to you, so you don’t miss out.

      Unlike Verizon; your invoice provides detail for every charge and exact logs for every call, text and data session.

      Lucky for me that it was impossible for me to get a Live Person calling Verizon, as their online ‘Chat’ was next choice and I printed our ‘chat-log’.

      When my AX bill arrived, I saw that Verizon had shorted me on the chat agreed refund. Uploading that log to AX quickly fixed that problem.

      CC’s customer web portal is far better than MyVerizon or even Verizon Enterprise, which I had been dealing with since they took over WorldCom.

      CC’s telephone support has also been excellent for me.
      Art

      • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

        Thank you for sharing your experience, Art! We’re glad you like our service, and we appreciate you taking the time to post today!

      • Carolyn Gray says

        Hi Art,
        I, also have been very pleased with CC. It is great how they warn you when you are going over your data limit and if you go over too far you are automatically upgraded to the next plan. They warn you repeatedly of this with text messages and emails, first.
        I have two lines on my account and the other number keeps going over the data. They turn the data down really slow and keep letting me know and when they spoke with me they just turned the other number’s data off until it renewed at the end of the billing cycle. I have never had a problem with customer service or with being put on hold for too long and it is a great pleasure to be able to understand the representative. I feel like I am talking to someone who speaks English and they have been very helpful. Several times I have had to be transferred to a supervisor or to technical support and it has always ended with my being completely satisfied with the resolution. I love CC.

        • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

          We truly appreciate your kind words, Carolyn, and we’re so glad that you’ve had a good experience with our customer service team! We are always happy to assist you, and hope to provide you with service for years to come!

  10. Bob Hollenbach says

    My wife & I have been with AT&T for many years and wish to change to Consumer Cellular now that our contracts with AT&T are fulfilled. Can we use our current iPhones with your system, or do we need to order new phones from Consumer Cellular?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Great question, Bob. Our SIM cards work well with unlocked, GSM phones, such as those used previously with AT&T, so you most likely will be able to use the iPhones you already have. All you need to do is ensure that your phone are unlocked, which must be done by the current carrier. Once you’ve been able to confirm that, you can pick up one of our SIM cards from Target or Sears, order them on our website here, or give us a call at 888-345-5509. That’s it! You can pick the right plan for you, and we’ll get you taken care of. It really is simple to switch. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have over the phone, just give us a call at the number above. Thank you for posting today, and we hope to see you as a customer soon!

  11. Robin says

    Could you keep your same phone number if you switched from a prepay plan with Walmart’s Straight Talk?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Great question, Robin. In most cases, keeping your same phone number is easy. Just be sure to keep the account open until we’ve confirmed that your number has been transferred to our service. When you’re ready to make the switch, be sure to have your previous carrier’s account number and other information close at hand. We’ll send you a text message once the transfer is done, and you’ll be ready to use your phone. We’re happy to help you get started at 888-345-5509 and we can answer any other questions you may have. Thank you for reaching out to us today!

  12. Linda says

    I am thinking of switching to consumer cellular. I currently have a prepaid plan with Tracfone. Since I do not receive a monthly statement, what would I need to provide in order to transfer my number over to CC?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Great question, Linda. You may have a PIN or code you use when adding minutes to your device. We would need that or any other similar information associated with your account to make the transfer go as smoothly as possible. If you give us a call at 888-345-5509, we’re happy to talk with you about what information is needed for the transfer. Thank you for taking the time to reach out to us!

      • Scott says

        My family currently uses Tracfones but one of the problems my kids face is that they do not use up the minutes within the 90 day service plan so they loose service and then have to purchase more minutes to acquire more service days etc. What kind of plan would you recommend for my kids that use less than 400 min. in 90 days? Thank you

        • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

          That’s a great question, Scott. With Consumer Cellular, our talk plans are separate from the text and data plans. You can change your plan at any time, even up until the last day of the billing cycle. That way, if your family doesn’t need to use all of the minutes on your plan in a single month, you can switch to a smaller plan, and even save some money. Our flexible plans put you in control. You can view all of our plan configurations here on our website. And of course, we’re happy to answer any of your questions over the phone at 888-345-5509. Thank you for taking the time to post, and we hope to see you as a Consumer Cellular customer soon!

  13. Greg Gruber says

    I would like to get rid of Verizon-their a rip off they charge to keep your phone number out of the directory, I would also like a new phone number if I should go with consumer cellular, must I purchase a new type of phone or can I continue to use the cordless one I have, I can’t go to anywhere to buy a new phone I have a disability problem, I would like a phone to have local and long distance service, I really don’t need text or voice mail because whoever calls their phone number shows on the phone if I don’t recognize it I just delete it. must the bill be paid by use of credit card or paper statement sent to your address to send a check in the mail. yeah! I no I am asking a lot of questions, if I think of anything else I will have to get back to you.

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for reaching out to us, Greg. It sounds like our service would be a great fit for your needs. We’re happy to provide you with a new phone number, and in some cases, you can use our SIM card with your existing phone. If not, we provide a variety of phones that range from simple phones to iPhones. All of our plans come with free long distance, and you don’t have to have a text and data plan if you prefer not to. You can pay your bill using our app, the My Account section of our site or with your credit or debit card, whichever works best for you. If you’re ready to get started, or if we can talk with you about what plan would work best for you, please give us a call at 888-345-5509. Thank you for taking the time to ask these questions, and we hope to see you as a Consumer Cellular customer soon!

  14. Leonardo Serrano says

    Hello C.C. I have a non contract service Plan from Metro PCS for four phones for me, my wife and our two kids. I am considering to switch to C.C. beginning with the basic plan that you offer but I´m not sure if have all the information to do the switch yet. I need to know if can we switch with the same numbers and what is the service in minutes, cada and text for $10 /month for every number. Tks in advance for your soon answer. LDSC

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      We’re happy to help, Leonardo. In most cases, you can keep your phone number and it’s a simple process. Just remember to close your current provider’s account after we’ve confirmed your switch to Consumer Cellular. As for our plans, our $10 per month plan works best for customers who need their phone in case of emergencies, as they pay $0.25 per minute. We offer many affordable options for families, as you can share minutes, texts and data on a plan for only $10 per additional phone. And even better, you can change your plan as often as you like, so you never pay for more than what you need. You can view our plans here on our website. We’re happy to discuss your family’s needs and help you pick a plan, just call us at 888-345-5509. Thank you for taking the time to reach out to us, and we hope to see you as a customer soon!

  15. Richard Lewis says

    Thanks for the info. I plan to go with CC soon.

  16. Richard Lewis says

    One more question. Do you provide any discount for active duty or retired vets?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for asking, Richard. At this time, we only offer discounts to AARP members, but we do appreciate the suggestion. Thank you!

  17. Shelly says

    Once I place my order, how long does it take to get the phone and how much is shipping?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Those are great questions, Shelly. Our customers usually receive their phones in about a week, though sometimes it may be faster. Best of all, shipping is always free! If you’re ready to get started, just give us a call at 888-345-5509, and we’ll help you choose the right phone and plan for your needs. We appreciate you reaching out to us today!

  18. Deb atkinson says

    Which of your phones (minus iPhones) have voice recorders.

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for asking, Deb. Other than iPhones, many of our Android smartphones have that capability, or have the ability to download an app that can perform that function. You can view our options at ConsumerCellular.com/shopping/choose/device to find the best option for your needs. We’re happy to help you select one if you give us a call at 888-345-5509. Thank you for commenting today!

  19. KarenF says

    What a joke! The iPhone 6s was to be available on Consumer Cellular at 11:00 am EST and it was – in 2 colors and only with 16GB of storage. Absolutely no 64GB or 128GB storage options available. With choices like that, Consumer Cellular obviously has a long way to go!

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      We’re sorry for the frustration, Karen. These phones are available in limited quantities, but we will be getting more in the future. A great option is to visit your local Target store, where all all color and memory options will be available depending on supply. They will take care of your activation there, and you’ll be using our service in no time. We’re happy to provide updates for you if you give us a call at 888-345-5509, or via email at [email protected]. Thank you for taking the time to comment, and we hope you have a great day!

      • KarenF says

        Actually I just tried again and all colors and storage sizes were available and my order went through without a snag! Apparently the launch at 11:00 am EST was slammed and when things calmed down there is inventory for purchase. I’m so happy and looking forward to receiving my 64GB 5s Rose Gold phone from Consumer Cellular. Thank you!

        • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

          That’s great, Karen! We’re so glad to hear you were able to get the iPhone you wanted, and thank you for letting us know!

          • Lindsey Johnson says

            I emailed the email address listen on here for customer service, but I got a response back stating that the email address is not monitored… We were looking to switch to CC.

          • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

            Thank you for posting, Lindsey. The best way to contact us is over the phone at 888-345-5509, or via chat here. We appreciate you taking the time to learn more about us, and we hope to speak with you soon!

  20. Carol Wilson says

    We have had Consumer Cellular for several years; my husband and I are completely satisfied with your service. One thing that we aren’t happy about may have noting to do with Consumer Cellular. Within days of starting service, we both began getting frequent robo calls on our new phones from “Expedia Travel”. Their numbers are from a local area code but they are never the same number twice so I can’t block them. Here are some of the numbers. 360 359-5739, 360 359-1270, and 360 359-7852. These calls started on both my husband’s phone and mine at the same time, it makes me wonder whether telemarketers may somehow have access to new customer’s phone numbers through Consumer Cellular???? Anyone else have a similar problem? How can I stop them?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for asking, Carol. This is a frustrating issue for many people, so we recommend that you first make sure that your phone numbers are registered with the National Do Not Call list. You can do so here. Your Doro 618 phones don’t have a blocking function available, but what many customers do is save those numbers to their phone with a name similar to “Do Not Answer”. That way when they call, you will know and be able to end the call. Be sure if you do answer to request that they stop calling you as well. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have about blocking calls, so feel free to call us at 888-345-5509. Thank you for posting today!

    • Art Johnson says

      Carol, these RoboCall machines can easily dial every number within every single Area Code. You can Google any number and the telemarketers will have prior complaints. You can report the call and if your number is on the “Do-Not-Call” list, they can be fined, unless of course the call is from a Politician or a Charity, as they are exempt from that law.

      I’ve seen Attorney Commercials (usually block those with DVR) that claim to get you a lot of money from those calls to your cell phone.

      Make sure your Voice Mail is set up, telemarketers almost never leave voicemail’s (Politicians often do), but CC does not charge anything for calls not answered or voicemail’s left (unless you use your Cell Phone to listen to them). Basing the “almost never” on my landline which with Caller-ID goes into a simple answer machine. I have Never Received a voicemail on my cell phone from any telemarketer or robocaller and that may be due to extra steps needed when leaving a cellphone voicemail.

      I had to pay for a seven minute call to AT&T to set-up my voice mail with a personal outgoing message. (Press and hold) the ‘1’ on your cell phone to access AT&T’s voicemail setup machine. It’s handy to have your “outgoing message” available pre-recorded before doing this, I used my answer machine’s “Announce” button on both AT&T’s “callback” and “Personal Message” requests.

      If your Plan has extra ‘texts’ leftover, the iPhone also allows setting up a ‘one-click’ automated pre-selected text you could use to send to any caller (with text) instead of answering. I wouldn’t use that for unknown callers, but rather for when you don’t want to talk on your cell phone to a known caller.

      • Art Johnson says

        I am replying to myself (second attempt) because I made a mistake in my post above in explaining AT&T Voicemail programming operation, using their automated setup.

        I wrote above:
        I used my answer machine’s “Announce” button on both AT&T’s “callback” and “Personal Message” requests.

        And I should have said:
        I used my answer machine’s “Announce” button on both AT&T’s “Your Name” and “Personal Message” requests.

        Sorry for the confusion on my part, just quickly writing from memory.

        My voicemail works great now, you get the same simple Quick message whether you dial my home number or cell number.

        I don’t think it’s needed to tell people to “wait for a beep” or “Leave a callback Number” any more.

        Just a very quick: “Hi, you have reached (your name/names), (I’m/we’re) not here right now, please leave a message.” In a cheery friendly voice, this will let “wrong-number’s” hear what they need and your friends will be more likely to leave a message than if they must listen through the typical long drawn out greeting, especially those machine-sounding “generic” ones provided for you by the voicemail program.

  21. claudia says

    I am interested in moving over to CC when my contract is up with ATT. However, I also have a Samsung notepad (ipad) attached to my account…can this be transferred as well?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for asking, Claudia. You can use one of our SIM cards with your iPad, but we do urge you to be cautious. Tablets use a great deal of data, which might result in higher than expected data usage. Our recommendation would be to use Wi-Fi whenever possible. Just give us a call at 888-345-5509 when you are ready to get started, and we’ll be happy to take care of the transfer. We’re glad to hear that you’re interested in our service and we hope to see you as a customer soon!

      • Art Johnson says

        I use WiFi even to the point of “Breakfast at MacD” when on a Road Trip. I never came close to the 1 GB Verizon gave me on their Smartphone minimum $45 auto-prepaid plan.

        CC’s current Max Plan is $40 for 4 GB, but then another GB would add $15 (that $0.015 per MB could really add a Lot of Money to your bill). There is no maximum protection on your bill beyond bankruptcy.

        CC is definitely Not for high-use or careless customers. The New iOS-9 has (default on) Cellular Data Assist for your WiFi, which could really surprise you. My iOS-8 was already grabbing Cell Data while on WiFi… Unless Cellular Data was turned off.

        • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

          Thank you for the comment, Art and for sharing your experience with our service. It’s true, many of our customers are able to save by using Wi-Fi as often as possible. By having the ability to change their plan as needed, they can avoid paying for data they won’t need that particular month. We appreciate you taking the time to reach out today!

  22. Gary Kimball says

    Your unlimited plan is 50.00 per month and I am paying 35.00 per month with Verizon. How is that cheaper? Am I missing something here?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Great question, Gary. Many of our customers find the best value in our flexible plans. They never pay for more than they need since they can change their plan as often as they like, even up until the last day of the billing cycle. That way, they can pay less for a month when they aren’t using their phone as much, and then go back to the unlimited plan if that makes more sense. By putting our customers in control, they can save money. We’re happy to talk with you more about how our plans might work for your needs, just give us a call at 888-345-5509. We appreciate you taking the time to post today!

  23. thomas mccullough says

    I may be slow, but your instruction videos go too fast. You know they are experts by their fast actions, too fast for me. Also, I have problems using the telephone key pad to put names in. There may be numerous letters, and unless it is the first letter, I can’t get it to work. Thanks

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for the feedback, Thomas. I was able to take a look and see that you’re using a Moto E LTE. It sounds like you’re having a problem when entering contacts, and we recommend using the keyboard to type the name rather than the keypad function. We’re happy to assist you over the phone if you like, just give us a call at 888-345-5509. Thank you again for your comments regarding our videos, as it helps us improve on future versions. We hope you have a great day, and that you’re enjoying your new phone!

  24. gerard curry says

    I purchased the moto G EXT waiting to receive so i can update from older Doro.MotoEXT comes with kitkat but will update to 5.0 LILIPOP.I know a newer version Lollipop 5.1 been out for quite few months will i get that newer 5.1 update when i start my download on new phone?
    gerard

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Great questions, Gerard. The Lollipop update is available for the Moto G EXT, and once you’ve activated your new phone, you’ll soon see an alert prompting you to download the update. When you see the alert, just follow the steps on the screen and if you run into any issues, we’re happy to assist you at 888-345-5509. We’re sure you’ll love your new smartphone, and we appreciate you reaching out to us today!

  25. marianne canty says

    Phone service out again in Buckeye AZ 85396. Any idea how long it will be out this time.

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      We’re sorry to hear that, Marianne. I was able to take a look at the coverage in your area, and there doesn’t appear to be any tower issues at this time. I also ensured that everything looked good on our end as well. This may mean the outage has been resolved, so please turn your phone off, then back on again. This will allow it to reconnect with the nearest tower with a strong signal. If the issue persists, please call us at 888-345-5509 and we can perform some additional troubleshooting. Thank you for letting us know, and we hope you have a great day!

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      We’re sorry to hear that, Marianne. I was able to take a look at the coverage in your area, and there doesn’t appear to be any tower issues at this time. I also ensured that everything looked good on our end as well. This may mean the outage has been resolved, so please turn your phone off, then back on again. This will allow it to reconnect with the nearest tower with a strong signal. If the issue persists, please call us at 888-345-5509 and we can perform some additional troubleshooting. Thank you for letting us know, and we hope you have a great day!

  26. jerry alpaugh says

    Will you ever offer a flagship android smartphone?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for asking, Jerry. We are constantly adding new phones to our lineup, and we do our best to provide a variety of options at different price points. However, we understand that some of our customers may want a device that we don’t currently offer. That’s why our SIM card is a popular option, as you can have the phone you want and still use our service. Our SIM cards work best with unlocked GSM phones, but please keep in mind that we can’t guarantee every phone will work. We’ll certainly do our best, though! If you have any questions about our SIM cards or service, feel free to give us a call at 888-345-5509. Thank you for commenting today!

  27. Anita G. says

    I’m having trouble accessing my voice mail. I’m doing everything
    right, but it keeps ending the call before I get my password in.
    What’s going on?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for the post, Anita. I was able to look at your account, and I see that Conner, our customer account advisor, was able to help you adjust your settings to prevent this from happening. If there is anything else we can assist you with at this time, please don’t hesitate to call us at 888-345-5509. Thank you, and have a wonderful day!

  28. Nancy says

    I had a CC support experience this week that I think will enhance my likelihood of referring my android preferring friends to consumer cellular. I like the value and service here but the android phone selection is quite poor. The phone set up support for my new Samsung was vastly improved with an online article outlining settings for various GSM phones and the text from Support with settings for text messaging. This allows us to use some Androids with higher megapixel cameras, etc. Thank you. Now if you could just write a piece about ‘how to get rid of the other GSM Carrier’s app’s and sweeping our contacts. The unwanted app’s and “sweeps”” use lots of data unnecessarily. I’ve figured out how to disable some of them without damaging the OS but life would be easier with a high end CC android. That said, the improved support for other carrier androids alone makes choosing CC a better choice.

  29. Latisha says

    I can’t send text messages or receive them now. There’s no higher gb data plan other the 4g. They cut my data off and wouldn’t allow me to keep it on. Some of us don’t have home WiFi. And that makes it set up for failure. Back to the texting problem. I have called since it happened a few days ago. Still no fix I really recommend for CC to try and get a technical support team. Because I pay for unlimited text and call and 4g data and not been able to use the service properly because of constant troubles. One more thing I have the Ascend mate 2 so I should be enjoying the 16gb phone but instead I have to call every morning with a new problem. I only been a customer for 11 days and CC got me wanting to switch.

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      We’re sorry to hear that your text messaging has been causing problems for you, Latisha. I was able to take a look at your account, and I’m glad to see that Tantanesha, our account advisor, was able to get your text messaging issues resolved. If we can assist you with anything else at this time, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 888-345-5509. Thank you for reaching out to us today!

  30. Joanne says

    I would like to try out CC before turning off my current ATT phone. Is it possible to get a phone and plan from CC and then have the current ATT phone number switched to the CC phone when I’m sure everything is working well?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Great question, Joanne. We can absolutely help you with that. If you have an AT&T phone, you can even try our SIM card with it as long as it is unlocked. That way, you can try our service without paying for a new phone. Once you’re ready to switch, we can help you transfer your number. Give us a call at 888-345-5509, and we can get a SIM card on the way to you now! We appreciate you taking the time to post, and we look forward to serving you!

      • Joanne says

        I ordered my sim card and a phone from you. At 7 a.m. I was told that my package would be mailed within a couple of hours and I would receive an email with a tracking number. It is now nearly 12 hours later and I haven’t received an email or any information. How do I find out if it was shipped?

        • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

          Thank you for asking, Joanne. It looks like your order is on the way to you now, and that we’ve sent you a confirmation email with the tracking information. We’re sure that you’ll love your new iPhone! If we can assist you with anything else at this time, please feel free to call us at 888-345-5509. We appreciate you taking the time to post!

  31. Joanne says

    My usage details shows .28 mb of data used at 6 a.m. today when I was still sleeping and my phone was right next to me. I was the only one home! How is this even possible?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      This is a common question, Joanne, so I’m happy to help you. Data is reported by the cellular towers in batches, so the time that shows in your usage detail doesn’t necessarily correlate to when you used the data. Your phone may also have been performing app updates, so it’s always a good idea to keep Wi-Fi turned on so that your phone won’t use data for these. If we can answer any other questions you may have, just give us a call at 888-345-5509 and we’ll be happy to assist you. Thank you for posting!

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      This is a common question, Joanne, so I’m happy to help you. Data is reported by the cellular towers in batches, so the time that shows in your usage detail doesn’t necessarily correlate to when you used the data. Your phone may also have been performing app updates, so it’s always a good idea to keep Wi-Fi turned on so that your phone won’t use data for these. If we can answer any other questions you may have, just give us a call at 888-345-5509 and we’ll be happy to assist you. Thank you for posting!

  32. Phil Hughes says

    We switched to Consumer Cellular last month and I just had to make a comment. I Had called to ask a question about one of the Phones and got all of the answers I needed. I mentioned to the customer service rep that we were considering switching service and she brightly said “well, I’d be glad to handle that for you right now” and she did getting all the options and phones we needed, Also making sure that the phone numbers stayed the same…….All at a cost less than we were paying before. Kudos to you for outstanding customer Service!

  33. Brenda says

    My husband and I have consumer cellular service and it works with both our phones,but we want to switch phones, so if we switch sim cards will it switch our phone numbers also??

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Great question, Brenda. If you take your current Consumer Cellular SIM cards and put them into a different phone, it will switch your phone number to the new device. If we can help you with that, just let us know at 888-345-5509. Thank you for posting today!

  34. elijah garcia says

    If I already have a phone can I use that instead of getting a different one

    • Dominic at Consumer Cellular says

      Great question, Elijah. Yes, in many cases, you’ll be able to use your current phone. To be compatible, your phone should be either a Consumer Cellular phone, a phone previously used with AT&T, T-Mobile, or an unlocked GSM phone. We cannot guarantee that all non-Consumer Cellular phones will be compatible with our service or that all phone features will work on our network. However, if you’d like more information on this option, please feel free to contact us at 888-345-5509. Thank you.

  35. BW says

    Can I have my Straight talk phone number(Walmart cell phone-CDMA)ported to a CC phone?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for asking, BW. In most cases, you can absolutely keep your current phone number. Just be sure to keep your account open until we are able to complete the number transfer. We’re happy to walk you through the next steps at 888-345-5509 whenever you’re ready. Thank you for posting, and we hope you have a great day!

  36. jan says

    I am new to cc. and brand new to texting. Do you need just the cell phone number to set it up? Your info books don’t say and I dont know.

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Welcome to Consumer Cellular, Jan! We’re glad to have you! To send someone a text, all you need is their cellphone number. I took a look at your account, and I see that you have the Moto E LTE. You can check out our How-To video on texting with the Moto E here. That way you can see the whole process step-by-step. And if you need any help, we can walk you through it over the phone at 888-345-5509. Thank you for posting, and we hope you enjoy your new phone!

  37. bradley says

    I’m looking to take my father off of our plan. He just lets anyone use it and I’m footing the bill. Is it possible to split him off to his own account and keep our other two phones on our existing account.

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      We can help you with that, Bradley. We will need to talk to you over the phone at 888-345-5509 so we can get that taken care of. Thank you for reaching out to us!

  38. Annie C. says

    I am very interested in the Huawei Ascend Mate 2 because of the screen size. I receive very few calls and my outgoing calls are local and brief. I have WiFi at home but I wonder about choosing data plans if I’m not in my apartment or someplace without free WiFi.

    I estimate 95% is for apps and internet at home with my own Comcast WiFi. With retirement and a Sprint Contract finally ending I look forward to the switch to CC ♡

    My Sprint plan is due to expire shortly and I hate my current service and phone! I usually get told I’m breaking up or they can’t hear me! Will I have the same issue with CC?
    I am impressed already just reading all the above Q&A. I think I will be very happy with CC.

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      We’re so glad to hear that our service may be a good fit for you, Annie. The Ascend Mate 2 is a great Android phone, and our flexible plans will allow you to see what works best for your needs. If you’re using Wi-Fi most of the time, you may not need a large data plan. Best of all, you can always upgrade or downgrade your plan when you need to if you find you need more data. As for your call quality, we offer nationwide service from coast to coast. Check out our Coverage Map here to see how the reception is in your area. As always, we’re happy to answer any other questions you may have and help you get started at 888-345-5509. Thank you for taking the time to post today, and we hope to see you as a customer soon!

  39. Jaime Rafter says

    It has been over 24 hours since I have started the process of transferring my phone number from straight talk. I am getting very frustrated as I was told it should be completed 12 hours ago.

    • Dominic at Consumer Cellular says

      Hi Jaime! I’m sorry to hear this. I was unable to locate your account with the information provided. Can you send us your information at [email protected]? We’d like to pull up your account to assist you further. Thank you!

  40. Precious says

    I want to switch my plan over to my aunts.. It’s still with Consumer celluar and I’m still paying on the phone

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for posting, Precious. We’re sorry to see you leave, but are ready to assist you in making the switch. Please note that any balance remaining on an EasyPay plan will be due with your final invoice. In order to cancel, we will need to speak to you over the phone at 888-345-5509. Thank you for giving our service a try, and we hope you have a wonderful day!

  41. PJ says

    I have sat on hold for 45 minutes. I was going to transfer my Mom’s account from ATT to CC, but am leary of the lower than usual customer service. This is the second time I’ve not gotten through.

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      We’re very sorry to hear that you’ve been waiting on hold, PJ. Thank you for being patient, and we apologize for any inconvenience this has caused. I was able to respond to your other comment regarding service for your mother. If we can assist you with any other questions, we’re happy to answer emails sent to [email protected] as well. Thank you for taking the time to post, and we look forward to speaking with you soon!

  42. PJ says

    Will and Apple IPAD work with CC? Will the apple Iphone 5 work with CC? Would love to switch my mother over to a reasonable plan but must make sure that it goes smoothly for this techy 91 year old!

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for asking, PJ. Our service works well with most Apple devices, but it’s best if they are an unlocked GSM version. To get your mother started, she should only need a SIM card for each device, which can be found here on our site, or at her local Target or Sears store. We can also help you over the phone at 888-345-5509 as well. Thank you for taking the time to ask questions, and we look forward to welcoming your mother to Consumer Cellular!

  43. bill says

    When I switch from AT&T using your SIM card will all my phone contacts transfer? I have an iPhone 5. Thanks

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Great question, Bill. Your contacts should be able to stay on your iPhone if you are keeping it. If you are planning to switch to a different iPhone, just be sure to make sure all of your contacts are synched with your Apple ID. Then when you get a new iPhone, you’ll just need to use that same ID. We’re happy to walk you through the switch if you like at 888-345-5509. Thank you for taking the time to post today!

  44. Al Joseph says

    I am with Verizon and my contract has just been fulfilled. I am the primary account holder with my wife who is still under contract. I wish to switch to Consumer Cellular but do not want to jeopardize my wife’s status. How should I handle this? I want to keep my phone number and have an iPhone 6 + with sim card.

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Great question, Al! First, we would recommend checking with your current carrier to make sure that porting your phone number to our service won’t cause any issues for your wife. Once you’re ready to sign up, give us a call at 888-345-5509 or order a phone or SIM card through our website. We’ll help you keep the number you already have and transfer it to our service, and in most cases, it only takes 24 hours or so. Just make sure you select the option to “Keep Your Existing Phone Number” if you’re completing the process online. We’re happy to answer any other questions you may have about using our service, so give us a call at a time that is convenient for you. Thank you for reaching out to us, and we look forward to having you as a customer!

  45. evan strouse says

    Hey so I have a Consumer Cellular sim card that has been working fine in my old phone, just bought a samsung s6 and everything seems to work after I put the card in except for the data usage. I can use Wi-Fi but outside of that I get no internet connection. I checked all the settings and nothing implies it to not work. HELP

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for posting, Evan. It sounds like you may need assistance with entering some information into your device that will allow you to use the data from your plan. These are referred to as your “APN Settings”. We’re happy to help you with that over the phone at 888-345-5509, or you can follow the instructions here in our FAQ’s. Once you update these settings, you should have no issue with using all the wonderful features your Samsung S6 has to offer. We appreciate you reaching out to us, and we hope you have a great day!

  46. Sue says

    I received a go phone as a gift. It hasn’t been activated can I switch to consumer cellular right away or do I need to activate it first?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for asking, Sue! It sounds like that phone was purchased from another carrier, so you’ll want to make sure it is unlocked before you make the switch. The carrier who provided the phone will need to do that, as unfortunately, we can’t perform that on our end. Phones designed to work with a GSM network, such as those used with AT&T or T-Mobile are the best fit for our SIM cards, which will allow you to use our service with that device. If we can help you order a SIM card or answer any questions you may have about our plans, please don’t hesitate to call us at 888-345-5509. We appreciate you taking the time to post!

  47. Keith says

    I just purchased consumer cellular and I am still waiting for phone service . It has been over 3 hours and no service , does anyone know how long it generally takes or should I call customer service again ?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for posting, Keith. In general, porting a number over to our service can take up to 24-48 hours, though in most cases, it is much faster. I reviewed your account, and I see that you were able to provide us with some additional information that was needed, and that your phone is working correctly. We’re always happy to help you if you have any additional questions or concerns, so feel free to call us at 888-345-5509 at your convenience. Welcome to Consumer Cellular, and we look forward to serving you for years to come!

  48. gd says

    We just switched over to Consumer Cellular our daughter is with another service we have 1.5 gig data and unlimited texting she wants to send us pics of herself with her new hair cut will that use up our 1.5 gig of data or does it use up on her side?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      That’s a great question! When a picture message is sent to you, it won’t deduct any data from your plan. Feel free to share those pictures as much as you like!

  49. Craig Wilde says

    I am already a Consumer Cellular plan member. My son wants to give me his old Apple 5 to replace my Doro Flip Phone. He said to ask you if I can switch to is because it is CDMA protocol. Can that protocol be used if I want to use his old phone on my current plan? If so, do I only need to switch out sim card to new phone?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Great questions, Craig! In general, unlocked phones used with a GSM network, such as AT&T or T-Mobile, are the best fit with our SIM card. However, some other newer smartphones will work as well. Since you already have a Consumer Cellular device, you can test the iPhone with the SIM card from your current phone to see if you are able to connect to the network. If you have any other questions about using another device with our service, please feel free to give us a call at 888-345-5509 and we will be happy to assist you. Thank you for posting today!

  50. Jane says

    I have an lg360g phone. Can I use with Consumer Cellular?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for asking, Jane. In general, unlocked GSM phones, such as those used previously with AT&T or T-Mobile work well with our service. All you’ll need is one of our free SIM cards to get started. You can watch a great video on how they work here, and even order one if you like. That way, you can test our SIM card with your device to see if it is compatible. Our SIM cards are also available at your local Target store, or we can help you over the phone at 888-345-5509. We appreciate you taking the time to post today!

  51. Karen says

    I recently got a new LG phone (Page Plus) and my 2016 Honda doesn’t connect to it. It connected to my old HTC phone. How can I be sure a phone will be “seen” by my car’s bluetooth system?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thanks for posting, Karen. First, if you’re able to verify the Bluetooth connection works with another device, such as a headset, try that to make sure that Bluetooth is working properly. Your new phone may also require a PIN to connect to your video, and this information is often within your vehicle manual. Without the PIN, the Bluetooth connection may not work. If neither of these steps resolves the problem for you, we can help you over the phone at 888-345-5509. We appreciate you reaching out to us, and we hope you have a wonderful day!

  52. Rcorners says

    Hi I am currently with US Cellular and would like to switch a iPhone over to CC. I see that you list AT&T or TMobile as compatible carriers. Can I use a phone from US Cellular if I get a CC Sim card?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thanks for asking! In most cases, unlocked GSM phones will work with our SIM card. This includes devices used previously with AT&T or T-Mobile. If you’re not sure if your device falls into this category, you can verify whether or not is unlocked with your current carrier. The best way to know for sure is to test your device with our SIM card. You can learn more about it here and even watch a video to see how easy it is to use! If you’re ready to give it a try, you can order a SIM on our website, over the phone at 888-345-5509 or pick one up at your local Target store. We appreciate you posting, and we hope to see you as a customer soon!

  53. Mary Lou Bradley says

    We have go phones & do not receive a statement. How do we transfer to consumer cellular?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for reaching out to us, Mary Lou. We’re excited to hear that you’re thinking of joining Consumer Cellular! If you’re currently using a pay-as-you-go service, you’ll want to have any login information or PIN codes associated with your account. Then, just give us a call at 888-345-5509, and we’ll be happy to help you start the transfer. You can also sign up on our website as well, or at your local Target store. We appreciate you posting, and we look forward to welcoming you as a customer!

  54. Kelsey says

    My mom and I would like to upgrade the two phones we currently have with CC (planning on getting iPhone 7) but are worried that we won’t be able to keep the same phone numbers. If we upgrade them using the “Replace/Upgrade” button under our phone numbers, will we be able to keep the same phone numbers?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Rest assured, Kelsey, that’s exactly how to go about it. It will update the device on each line, and your phone number will stay the same. If we can answer any questions or assist you in making the update over the phone, please don’t hesitate to call us at 888-345-5509. We appreciate you taking the time to reach out to us, and we hope you have a wonderful day!

  55. Maria says

    i have a samsung galaxy grand phone from Tracfone and want to know if i will still be able to use my phone when i switch over to CC.?
    Will it accept a different sim card ? What should i do ? help .

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thanks for commenting, Maria! If your device is unlocked and uses GSM technology, you may be able to use with our free SIM card. We recommend confirming with your previous carrier that your device has been unlocked, as we aren’t able to do that on our end. Then all you’ll need to do is remove the old SIM card from your phone and replace it with ours. To see how easy it is, check out our video here to see the SIM card in action. If you would like to see if your device is a good fit, please give us a call at 888-345-5509 to order your SIM card, or you can pick one up at your local Target store. We appreciate you taking the time to learn more about our service!

  56. RICHARD WENK says

    Hello! I have a question:
    Can i keep my old consumer cellular number if i decide later to switch into verizon or Tmobile?
    Looking forward to hear from you.
    Thank you.
    Rich

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thanks for reaching out to us, Richard! In most cases, we can transfer your number without any issue. If you like, we can speak with you about this and address any other questions you may have at 888-345-5509 at your convenience. We appreciate you posting, and we hope you have a wonderful day!

  57. Chris says

    I am planning to switch to CC once my AT&T contract expires in the next few weeks. I have two lines I’d like to transfer over (keeping both phone numbers). Based on the comments, I see this shouldn’t be an issue. However, I’d also like to upgrade the phones for both lines. Should I purchase those phones from the CC website, or if I go to my local Target store, will they be able to provide the phones, and get my new service activated? I’m looking at two new iPhones. Thank you.

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      We’re so glad to hear that you’re planning to switch to our service, Chris! You can purchase new iPhones on our site or at your local Target store. Depending on the option you want, you can view the stores that carry that model here on our website. You can create your account and activate your phones in a single Target visit. We can also help you order and transfer your numbers over the phone at 888-345-5509 if you like. It’s really up to you! If we can answer any questions you may have or tell you more about our service, please don’t hesitate to give us a call. Thanks for taking the time to post today, and we look forward to welcoming you to Consumer Cellular!

  58. phil says

    I’m replying to myself. Oops. I had started reading posts at the top of this series of Q&A and had not seen the questions that are very similar to mine. If the iphone I’m receiving is owned free and clear by my family member, I’m assuming he can verify that it’s unlocked and GSM compatible? Would you recommend ordering a SIM card for the iphone, and trying to activate via your customer service number? Or is it likely there would be pitfalls, and I would be better off going to a Target store? Thanks, and apologies for duplicating other queries.

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thanks for posting, Phil! If your family member is giving you an iPhone to use, they should verify with their carrier that the phone is fully unlocked, and that it uses GSM technology. If that is indeed the case, you can call us to order a SIM card, or activate within your local Target store. It really would depend on which option is the most convenient for you. If you need to activate the SIM card as quickly as possible, Target may be your best option. We’re happy to answer any other questions you may have at 888-345-5509 if you like. We appreciate you posting today, and we hope you enjoy your new phone!

  59. Liam says

    Will Straight Talk phones work with Consumer Cellular?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thanks for posting, Liam. In general, most unlocked GSM phones can be used with our service, such as those used previously with the AT&T or T-Mobile network. If you’re not sure what type of device you currently have, we recommend checking with your previous carrier to see what type of network it uses and to ensure it has been fully unlocked. Then you’ll just need one of our SIM cards to get started. It’s simple and risk-free, and you can learn more about this option here. And of course, we’re happy to answer any questions you may have about switching to Consumer Cellular at 888-345-5509. We appreciate you taking the time to post today!

  60. Joe says

    I just bought an unlocked LG Nexus 5 D820 GSM phone on which I will be flashing Ubuntu Touch. Will this phone work with 4G on your network?

    Also, I very much value my privacy. Exactly what personal information do ask for when someone opens a Consumer Cellular account?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for reaching out to us, Joe. In general, most unlocked GSM devices can be used with our service via our SIM card. You can learn more about how this works here. While we can’t guarantee that a device sold by another company will work, many of our customers are able to take advantage of this option. As for the type of coverage you can expect, you can take a look at our Coverage Map here. We can also take a look at specific areas if you like, so feel free to call us with any questions at 888-345-5509. As for the information needed when starting your account, we’re happy to discuss this with you and ensure that you’re only providing information that you’re comfortable with. If you’re looking to transfer an existing phone number, we do need the account information from your previous provider. If we can answer any other questions you may have about our service, please don’t hesitate to call us. We’re always happy to help! We appreciate you taking the time to post, and we look forward to speaking with you!

  61. David Broder says

    My father is 87 year old WWII Vet who is blind. I’ve been trying to switch his current service with att over for past three days with no luck. Waiting for customer service for 15-20 mins every time we try to contact consumer Cellular. Very frustrating. Any suggestions?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for posting, David, and please accept our apology for the inconvenience you’ve experienced. We have been experiencing some unusually high call volume, and our team is working diligently to assist our customers as quickly as possible. I see that we were able to assist you via our Facebook page, and if we can be of any further help to you, please don’t hesitate to call us at 888-345-5509. Thank you for your patience, and we hope you have a great day!

  62. Raymond Lhommedieu says

    I am changing over to Consumer Cellar. Me and my wife both have Motorola Droid turbo 2 phones,Will these work with your system. They have sim cards. I could not find out if they are compatible. Could you please let me know if ok. Thanks.

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Great question, Raymond. In general, most fully unlocked GSM phones can be used with our service, such as those used previously with AT&T or T-Mobile. While we can’t guarantee that a device sold elsewhere will work with our service, many of our customers are able to use the phones they already have without issue. We even have a video here that walks you through how this works. You can test our SIM cards with your phones risk-free. To get yours, just visit our website, pick one up at your local Target store or call us at 888-345-5509. Thank you for taking the time to post, and we look forward to having you as a customer!

  63. David L says

    I will soon be out of contract with Verizon with one cell phone. I will soon be out of contract with Xfinity with one land line. I would like to purchase one new phone and keep my current cell phone. Can I move the land line to a cell line through your company?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thanks for asking, David! In most cases, you can port your current home phone number to our service. Please keep in mind that you will need to keep the original account open until we can confirm that the transfer is complete. It could be used with a cellphone, or you may be interested in our Wireless Home Phone Base. This allows you to make calls with your home phone using a cellular signal. You can learn more about this option here. We’re happy to answer any other questions you may have about our devices or our service at 888-345-5509. We appreciate you taking the time to learn more about us, and we look forward to speaking with you!

  64. steve schardin says

    I have a legacy T-Mobile pre pay plan. Can my existing phone number be ported to Consumer Cellular?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      That’s a great question, Steve. We’re happy to port your phone number over to our service. You’ll want to keep your previous account live until we are able to confirm that the transfer is complete. Be sure to have a previous invoice or any other information, such as a PIN number or code, on hand so that we’ll have all the information we need when you create your Consumer Cellular account. To get started, just give us a call at 888-35-5509 and we’ll help you get everything setup. We appreciate you taking the time to reach out to us, and we’re excited to welcome you to Consumer Cellular!

  65. Rosa says

    I have verizon internet. Can I keep that and use the house Wi-Fi with Consumer Cellular phones and plan? Not tech savvy and want to make sure we are not going to be going over Consumer Cellular data plans if using at home.

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      That’s a great question, Rosa. You can absolutely use your home Wi-Fi with our devices, and it’s a great way to save data from your plan. By connecting a device to Wi-Fi, you’ll have internet access, and you won’t need to use any cellular data. If you’re ready to get started, or if you have any other questions we can answer, feel free to call us at 888-345-5509 and we will be happy to assist you. Thanks for taking the time to post, and we hope you have a wonderful day!

  66. Brenda L. Thompson says

    My phone has been turned off since I cannot pay until my next payday. Will this be a problem to switch ?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thanks for posting, Brenda. If you’re looking to transfer your phone number to our service, you’ll want to make sure that is an option with your current carrier. When you’re ready, it’s easy to switch. Just give us a call at 888-345-5509, visit your local Target store or visit our website. Select a plan and a phone or SIM card, and you’ll be ready to start saving! If you have any questions about our plans or about making the switch, we’ll be happy to answer them. We appreciate you reaching out to us, and we hope to see you as a customer soon!

  67. Nick C. says

    How do I switch from AT&T to Consumer Cell. Can I keep my phone & cell#

    • Nicole at Consumer Cellular says

      Hi Nick, we appreciate your interest. You do have the option of keeping your same number. In order to do so, it will need to remain active with your provider until the transfer has completed. Additionally, you will need your current account information, as it will be required when you are signing up for service, so we recommend having a recent invoice on-hand.

      In order to use your own phone with our service, it will need to be unlocked and able to use a SIM card. Please keep in mind that we cannot guarantee compatibility for all phone models, but our agents will do all they can to resolve any problems.

  68. leon says

    ATT was easy to switch from, but be aware if you have a credit balance they will not refund it. We had 127 dollars in credit that showed on our bill and they will not refund says it is in the contract they keep any credit balance. Make sure to transfer at the end of your billing cycle

  69. Cynthia says

    I am thinking of switching to Consumer Cellular from Verizon but I would like to keep my iPhone 6. Am I correct in understanding that if I switched SIM cards I can do that?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thanks for asking, Cynthia! Our SIM card can be used with most fully unlocked GSM phones, such as those used previously with AT&T or T-Mobile. The best way to know for sure is to test our SIM card with your device. You can pick one up at your local Target store, or you can order one on our website here, or give us a call. We appreciate you taking the time to learn more about us, and we hope to see you as a customer soon!

  70. Vera says

    I have a phone through straight talk and my plan is supposed to be unlimited everything is data and 3 GB witch crosses me 35 a month, but they the 3 day I have to put another 10 dollars on my account to go online with I call straight talk they leave me on hold and they don’t respond to my issue. I no longer want to deal with this company, how do I switch over and how much would my bill be I need everything unlimited

    • Nicole at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for the interest, Vera. While we don’t have unlimited everything, we do have a variety of plans depending on your needs, and they can be found here.

  71. Michael Cameron says

    My wife and I are in the middle of contract with Verizon and it cost us over 450.00 a month. I just am starting the retirement program and we would like to switch to consumer cellular. Any help.

    • Thanks for your post, Michael, we’d love to have you! We do not offer a way to pay off current contracts or phones with other providers. We have had customers switch though and with the money, they’re saving with us, they’re able to get those paid off and use our service. If you would like to see if we can save you that money and make the pay off cost worth your while, you can take a look at our current plan offerings here.

  72. Tucker Gibbons says

    Do you guys pay for early termination fees? If I transfer from Verizon and i still have $400 left to pay on a phone, do you guys pay that?

    Thank you.

    • Nicole at Consumer Cellular says

      We appreciate the interest, Tucker. We aren’t able to cover the cost of any early termination fees with your provider but we have had customers who find that the amount of money they would save may outweigh the cost of early termination.

      • Tucker Gibbons says

        Ok. My family’s plan has about $1300 left to pay off, so maybe in a few months we will switch. Thank you!

  73. Deb says

    I currently have Verizon and my 2 phones are paid in full with them. I want to switch to Consumber Cellular, but I am unsure how to confirm my Verizon phones are unlocked. Is there a way to confirm? They are Samsung S9’s.

  74. Wanda Selph says

    I upgraded my iphone 7 plus to a iphone xs max on Feb 16, and it is the 18th and my account says it is “In process”

    • Nicole at Consumer Cellular says

      Hi Wanda, if your order says “In Process” that means it hasn’t shipped yet, but it should be shipping out shortly. Once it does, you’ll get an email confirmation with the tracking information. If you have any questions about your order, you can give us a call at 888-345-5509.

  75. Esther says

    I have a Moto G7 power on Consumer Cellular and an unlocked iPhone X, if i put the SIM card in the X, will my number transfer over, and will my account update to me having an X or will it still show the G7 power?

    • Nicole at Consumer Cellular says

      Hi Esther, you can swap the SIM card from your Motorola Moto G7 Power into an unlocked Apple iPhone X and the service would transfer with the SIM card. Your account may not automatically update immediately, but you can provide us with the IMEI of the phone you’re using by calling us at 888-345-5509 or via chat here and we can update your account for you.

  76. Pat says

    My husband and I are considering switching to Consumer Cellular from AT&T. We’ve been with AT&T for decades ….and well….you know change is sometimes hard LOL. We currently have IPhones, and I know we can use those phones with Consumer Cellular but my question is this….can we keep our numbers and will the emails and current text messages that are now on our phones remain?

    • Hi Pat, thanks for your interest! 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. If you’re wanting to keep using your unlocked phones, any information that is already there would not be disturbed by switching to our service.

  77. Pat says

    Sorry, I forgot to add this question to my last post….how does traveling out of the country effect the service or fees?

    • Hi Pat, thanks for your post. We offer an international roaming feature that the phone is able to connect to use while you are out of the country, without it the phone would not connect. You can find more information on how this works by going to our website here.

      • Kim says

        My uncle moved here from Texas. He is on a friend’s plan, not CC. His friend will be cancelling my uncle’s service tomorrow.

        I want to add my uncle to our family plan, but was told by a CC rep that we can only do that by assigning my uncle a new phone number.

        I’m annoyed about this. Why should he give up his number? He has a Consumer Cellular phone.

        • Nicole at Consumer Cellular says

          Hi Kim, a phone number can only be transferred between companies if it has active service. Once the service for a phone number has been cancelled, it’s no longer eligible to be transferred to another company. If your uncle’s friend can keep the line active to transfer it, then we can do that. The account information with that provider will be required, however. That information includes the account holder’s name, account number, billing address, and PIN (if there is one).

          If the line cannot be left active to facilitate the transfer, or your uncle’s friend won’t provide the necessary account information, then your uncle would need to get a new number.

  78. Richard Wilson says

    I would like to switch from at&t to consumer cellular, however my wife still owes $500 on her phone. Do we have to pay that off first or do you offer a buyout plan like other providers?

  79. Priscilla Brendler says

    Can I port over a business landline to CC and keep the original business number?

    • Nicole at Consumer Cellular says

      Hi Priscilla, you can transfer a business landline to our service. The account information for that line would be required in order for the transfer, so we recommend having that information on-hand when getting started.

  80. Margret Pepion says

    It’s hard to say

  81. ScottD says

    Do I need a PAC # to port my cell # to a new account at consumer cellular?

    • Hi ScottD, thanks for your interest! The information that’s needed for transferring your phone number is the current provider’s account number, the PIN number, and the account holder’s information such as the billing address.

  82. DAVE KNAPP says

    Hi,

    My wife and I have an account with Verizon with two phones and two lines. I would like to buy a new phone for my wife and transfer just her number to the new phone and leave my phone and number with Verizon for now.

    Is it possible to just move one number from Verizon to Consumer Cellular?

    Thanks,
    Dave

    • Nicole at Consumer Cellular says

      Definitely, Dave. You aren’t required to transfer both of your numbers and transferring just one should not affect the other line on the account.

  83. Freeman Grunwald says

    Hi there! Do you know if they make any plugins to protect against hackers? I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Any recommendations?

  84. Joe says

    My wife and I both have separate CC phone numbers and one account. When I got my phone I ended up with the same password as my wife’s and we both get the same text messages. I think we both have the same Apple ID. I’d like to get my phone separate-ID, texting, password so our phones work exclusive of one another. This was set up by CC when I purchased the phone.
    J

    • Hi Joe, thanks for your post! We don’t actually set up Apple accounts, that would need to be set up separately. You can definitely do that though by going to Apple’s website though to and select to set up a new iCloud account before setting that up in your phone. Once the Apple account has been set up, and if you need any help getting that set up in the phone, definitely just let us know!

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  86. Will says

    My mother in law is getting divorced. Her current AT&T phone is on a joint plan with her soon to be ex, which he pays. That ATT account is in only his name and she does not have access to any information about it. Can she still port her number over to (a new phone with) CC and if so how and what information will be needed?

    • Hi Will, thanks for your interest in our service. To transfer a phone number over, we will need the account number, the PIN number on file, the account holder’s first and last name, and the billing address on file. Without that information, we wouldn’t be able to switch it over.

  87. Mary says

    Should my mom want to transfer her existing phone number from a landline to one of your mobile phones/service is that possible? If so, what will you require from her to initiate the process, and how long does reassignment of her landline phone number to her potential new mobile phone and service take? Thank you.

    • Hi Mary, thanks for your interest in our service! As long as the number remains active with the current provider during the transfer process, including landline numbers, 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. Landline numbers can take longer to transfer, up to 7-10 business days, but we do try to get that completed as soon as possible.

  88. Mary says

    Also is the EasyPay plan available to all, or must one first qualify in some way?

    • Hi Mary, thanks for your question. A customer qualifies for EasyPay based on the credit check that is run when you first sign up for service. If you don’t qualify right away, we can look at checking that again once we set up a good payment history with us.

  89. Kat says

    I am considering switching to CC from Verizon. I am very unhappy with how Expensive Verizon has become. I watch your commercials and everyone says how great their customer service is but, as someone who worked in retail for many years, it makes me wonder about CC. I know that most people never have to find out what a company’s customer service is like unless they have a problem. It makes me wonder what kinds of problems all these people had that they needed to deal with your customer service.

    • Hi Kat, thanks for your question. Our customers can contact us for a variety of reasons from general questions, troubleshooting an issue with their phone, questions about a bill, changing a plan, ordering a new phone, changing information for the account, or helping with adding or removing features for a line. If you have any other questions, give us a call at 800-686-4460 or chat with us here for further assistance.