OVERCOME SOCIAL DISTANCING WITH WIRELESS SOLUTIONS

We’re all adapting to the new realities being created by the Coronavirus pandemic. With social distancing practices and even stay-at-home orders in place in many parts of the country, people are seeking out ways to stay connected to their loved ones and fight against isolation.

Wireless devices can offer you the next best thing to being there. If you use an Android smartphone, iPhone or most tablets, including our GrandPad device, you have apps right at hand that can keep you face-to-face with family and friends at any time. Here are some of the most popular, and easiest-to-use, ways to stay in touch.

  • Google offers two video calling apps that can be used on both Android devices or iPhones. Duo offers video calling with up to 8 people at once. It also lets you create video messages which you can leave for your friends to brighten their day. Duo was designed as a replacement for the older Hangouts app, which still provides valuable tools like group texting and video calling with up to 10 contacts.
  • FaceTime works exclusively between Apple iOS devices, including iPhones, and if you’ve got an Apple-based group you want to connect with, it can accommodate up to 32 people on a Group FaceTime video chat at once.
  • WhatsApp is a popular and widely-used messaging app available for free from both the Apple App Store for iPhone users, and the Play Store for Android. It allows users to send text messages and voice messages, make video calls, and share images with up to 4 people at once.
  • Considered the “Granddaddy” of video chat apps, Skype connects up to 50 people on a video call. It’s available for free for both Android and iPhone users.
  • For social media users, Facebook Messenger can be used for video and audio calling of groups of up to 6 people. There is also a version of the Messenger app for kids, tied to a parent, grandparent or other adult account with the ability to add only trusted connections and monitor exchanges
  • If you need a solution for an older loved one who is new to using technology, consider our GrandPad tablet. It offers modern conveniences like video calling and messaging with the simple tap of a button. They’ll be connected in no time using the intuitive touchscreen navigation with large buttons for easy viewing. GrandPad does not require Wi-Fi so it can be used right out of the box and is set-up for ease of use.  Plus, it’s available with fast, free shipping.

Though we may be spending more time physically apart in the coming days and weeks, we can still enjoy the comforts of smiling, familiar faces with any of these terrific options.

55 Thoughts on "OVERCOME SOCIAL DISTANCING WITH WIRELESS SOLUTIONS"

  1. Mana says

    If I used Google Maps would this cost me more money?
    I’m interested in a long trip.

  2. Vena Amp. says

    Would like to set up ”Personal Hotspot” without additional charges on the upgraded current plan. Is this possible to enable on both shared phones to a tablet? If not, I’ll need other option soon for training/learning purpose.
    Thank you.

    • Nicole at Consumer Cellular says

      Hi Vena, you can have the Personal Hotspot feature enabled on your line by calling us at 888-345-5509. While it doesn’t cost extra to enable it, it will use the data from your Connect plan. Additionally, this can be used to connect a Tablet to the internet, as it’ll connect to the hotspot like it would with Wi-Fi.

    • Dawn Hintz says

      Would a personal hotspot allow u to connect to the internet using a Apple computer if I have a Apple phone

      • Great question, Dawn. The iPhone is able to have a hotspot enabled so that you can connect things like your tablet or computer to it. We would just need to enable it for you. Give us a call at 800-686-4460 or chat with us here for further assistance.

  3. e.k says

    i was wondering if you would let seniors. vets. disabled people on fix income that owe 1 year or less on their phones $300 and under be paid in full since income is limited thanks and hard to come by now.. just a idea

    • Nicole at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for taking the time to post, E.k. I definitely appreciate the feedback and will pass it along.

      • Susan says

        So did you really pass the question posed by E. K.? As much as I love Consumer Cellular, it doesn’t seem as if y’all are going the “extra mile” for your clients…

        • Hi Susan, thanks for your post. I do see that we followed up with E.K., for clarification, their request is something that we’re not offering at this time but the suggestion has been sent on to be reviewed for moving forward in the future. If there is anything else we can assist with or address, please let us know.

  4. Marjorie Cochran says

    I have a question regarding billing…..I added four new lines in January…I know I missed the cut off for the December promo. And was ahead of the March promo
    Just wondering if I would qualify for any new lines. I thought there was a $10.00 promo to add a new line??

    Thank you for any help.

  5. Dodie says

    My grandma has a Grandpad I sent with her to Oregon Veterans Home in Lebanon Oregon. She is 98 years old and had a stroke last June. She loves the Grandpad because all she has to to is push buttons to contact family and friends. The home she is in has 15 cases of covid 19. She wants to talk to her friends in the care facility but she can’t because of quarantine that is keeping the virus from spreading. I am very thankful for the Grandpad device.
    There are 151 veterans residing in the home, I wish they all had one because while they have Skype it’s more complicated than Grandpad. Fabulous device!

  6. Brenda Jackson says

    Are you opening “limited time” plans to “unlimited” during this stressful time? I’m in Florida & my sister, who has your limited service is in Ohio in hospital…her room phone cannot call long distance, she can only call me & other sister (in California) on her cellphone. Please help.

    • Hi Brenda, thanks for your question. We’re not extending any of our promotions at this time, but the costs of our plans are ones that will stay the same during this time. If you would like to take a look at them, visit our website here.

  7. Paula says

    does anyone know how to take my MOTO G-7 off “emergency”?
    it keeps saying that and requiring a password.

    Thanks for any help

    • Hi Paula, thanks for your message. I see that you were able to chat with one of our agents and get this issue resolved. If you need any further assistance, please give us a call at 800-686-4460 or you can also chat back with us at here.

  8. Lisa Green says

    Do you have an unlimited data plan?? If yes how much does it cost? I can get it on another plan for $45 a month but would have to get a new phone. Dont want to change plans. Thanks Lisa Green

  9. Gail Ruggieri says

    I need to replace my phone, mine fell out of my pocket and cracked

    • Hi Gail, thanks for reaching out about that. I see that you were able to get in contact with SquareTrade and a replacement phone has been ordered for you. Let us know if you have any other questions or concerns!

  10. Judy says

    Help! I have been getting voicemail and I can’t read it. The message keeps saying to enter my password and I don’t know what that is?

    • Hi Judy, thanks for your post! To change the password for your voicemail, we would need to have you give us a call at 800-686-4460. It can be changed either through the automated system, or you can also speak with one of our agents to do this as well.

  11. Debra Meadows says

    Are you helping anyone who has consumer Cellular who cannot pay their phone bill. Would you turn off their service if they couldn’t pay.

    • Hi Debra, thanks for your questions about this. The bills will need to be paid, but we are not suspending service for late payments on accounts during this time. You can find more information about what we’re doing for our customers by going to our website here.

  12. Jonathan says

    I can’t find a store with a consumer cellular employee in the store and i have a phone that needs to swapped over. I don’t know what to do and i can’t get ahold of anyone on the telephone.

    • Hi Jonathan, thanks for reaching out. When visiting a partnered Target location to sign up for service, you may want to check with them to see what the hours are for Target Mobile who will be the ones that will help with this process. You can make sure you’re visiting one of our partnered locations, you can go to our website here. Otherwise, you can also sign up for service by going to our website here.

  13. Curtis Jones says

    Does CC have a security policy/procedure/protocol in dealing with sim-swapping? FOR CLARIFICATION: SIM swapping is when someone convinces your carrier to switch your phone number over to a SIM card they own. By diverting your incoming messages, scammers can easily complete the text-based two-factor authentication checks that protect your most sensitive accounts. Or, if you don’t have two-factor set up in the first place, they can use your phone number to trick services into coughing up your passwords.

    • Hi Curtis, that’s definitely a great question to ask. What we’re recommending to customers to help keep their account secure is to add a security passcode to the account. It will want to be one you don’t have listed anywhere else or that someone could easily figure out and this way if anyone tries to access the account they would need to have that information in order to get into it.

  14. Mary Scott says

    I was browsing through the comments and questions asked by various individuals , I was looking to see if you had mobile hot spot and can it be added to my plan , if so how much more will my bill be or do I have to change my plan ? I’m a senior citizen with an autistic grandchild and don’t have access to the internet . Due to the Coronavirus I have no way to help with his on line activities please reply .

    • Hi Mary, thanks for your question. We don’t offer a hotspot device but there is a smartphone feature that can be enabled for your smartphone. You can get this enabled by giving us a call at 800-686-4460 or chat with us at here.

  15. Martha says

    Hi if you don’t use all your data does it roll over to the. Next month plan

    • Hi Martha, thanks for your question. We don’t offer a rollover option for any unused data. However, you can look at lowering your plan if you’re not using your data to help save you some money. If you’d like, we’d be happy to make sure that you’re on the best plan. Just give us a call at 800-686-4460 or chat with an agent here for further assistance.

  16. Lisa Howard says

    Mom is 83. I live here and have Wi-Fi established here for my use. Mom tries several times a week, occasionally several times a day to virtual window shop( This means I pull up what ever store she is in the mood to explore.). Mom cannot stand having to call me over to get her back to the web site she wants to be on. She is very frustrated with how getting on line has been so difficult. She enjoys the on line shopping, whether she buys anything or not. She also has 8 great-grandchildren. My daughter really wants to get the Grand Pad for her. But I have a question about services. Are there any perks, benefits to having the Grand Pad if it’s connected to my Wi-Fi instead of your $40.00 per month plan?

    • Nicole at Consumer Cellular says

      That’s a great question, Lisa. While the GrandPad can be connected to home Wi-Fi, it would still need to have active service with us in order to do so.

  17. Lothar sackman says

    Is there a program if you can not work do to job shot down to keep the phone working

    • Nicole at Consumer Cellular says

      Hi Lothar, while we don’t have a program in place we aren’t suspending service due to non-payment through the end of April. You can also review more of what we’re doing in response to COVID-19 on our blog here.

  18. Nick says

    We are in it together. Shouldn’t we get a extra gig for all the information we need. Extra gig for officer n hospital nursing employee. Give Back. Please “WE ARE THE WORLD, WE ARE THE CHILDREN. LET’S MAKE A BRIGHTER DAY. FOR YOU N ME.

    • Nicole at Consumer Cellular says

      Hi Nick, I appreciate you taking the time to post. In response to COVID-19, we have more than doubled the data available with our highest plan from 25GB to 55GB at no extra cost. You can find more about what we’re doing here.

  19. George says

    Do you need Wi-Fi to use as my uncle is not hooked up .

    • Nicole at Consumer Cellular says

      Hi George, all of the services listed would require Wi-Fi if your uncle doesn’t have cellular service set up.

  20. E P Belknap says

    Could CC consider an in-between data plan that was half way between 500 meg and the 3.0 gig? Say 1.0 or 1.5 gig. I need around 1.0 gig but not quite the 3.0 gig. I don’t like to leave data on the plate. Thanks, Ed

  21. Patrick Wallace says

    Could Consumer Cellular send out a message to your customers with some specific techniques for sanitizing cell phones? It seems kind of silly to into a restroom, put your phone down, wash your hands, and pick your (unwashed) phone back up. I don’t think soap and water is the solution. Can the surfaces withstand 70% sanitizer?

  22. Lo says

    Can I keep my phone number if I switched?

    • Hi Lo, thanks for your 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.

  23. Carmen Ramos says

    My phone is not working

    • Hi Carmen, thanks for taking the time to post. I see that you were able to speak with one of our agents yesterday and got the phone back up and running for you. If there is anything else that we can help with, please let us know.

  24. Rolaine Benson says

    I have signed up with Consumer Cellular. I kept my same phone & same number. Just recently, I dropped my phone by my front seat & it cracked the screen. Is it covered?

    • Hi Rolaine, thanks for reaching out with your question. Because the phone was not purchased from us directly, we’re not able to offer a protection plan at all for it to cover that damage. You can reach out to a third party company though to have that fixed.

  25. Howard Kramer says

    Just switched from AT&T (18 years) to Consumer Cellular. Turned out very easy and will save us over $50 per month. Actually both companies were fine to deal with. Only one concern – if you have a locked phone, do not discontinue the service and the contract until AFTER the phones are unlocked. For AT&T, you enter the information on line, I was unlocked in 30 minutes, my wife in 26 hours. Then it is a simple thing to just change the SIM cards. Lastly, cancel the contract. CC just ports over the phone numbers to them. The CC SIM wouldn’t work until we unlocked the phones.

  26. Michael Spaulding says

    Thanks

  27. Andi says

    I ordered an Apple iPhone SE 64GB and just got the tracking info. I’m wondering if it will come new in the original box? Thanks!