Purchase TracFone prepaid cards at many retail stores.
Prepaid TracFones work by tallying minutes used against the amount of credit prepaid. Prepaid Tracfones are sometimes locked to prevent consumers from using the phone on a competitor's network. TracFones that are GSM-enabled use SIM cards, electronic cards that can be unlocked for use on multiple networks. You must follow several important steps to unlock your prepaid TracFone.
Instructions
1. Remove the back cover on your prepaid TracFone. Carefully remove the battery from the back of your phone and write down the serial number located on the sticker inside the battery compartment. The serial number may also be referred to as an IMEI number.
2. Locate the electronic SIM card and write down the SIM card number, often located on the front or side of the SIM card. GSM TracFones need Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards to function properly, so write down the number exactly as it appears on the card. Your phone cannot be unlocked if you supply an incorrect SIM card number.
3. Call the TracFone customer service hotline and ask to speak to the technical support department. Technical support representatives are familiar with the task of unlocking phones and will facilitate the process at a faster rate. To unlock your prepaid TracFone, provide the technician with all of the information you wrote down, as well as the make and model of your prepaid TracFone.
4. File a request with the technical support representative for a TracFone unlocking code. An IMEI code is a unique numerical code that represents a specific phone being used on a mobile network. An offline group that monitors IMEI codes on mobile networks will approve or deny your filed request for an unlocking code.
5. Call the TracFone customer service hotline approximately 48 hours after your initial request for an unlocking code. A technical support representative will provide you with a TracFone unlocking code that was specifically approved for your account. If your request is denied, ask the customer service technician about steps to repeal the decision.
6. Replace the back cover and battery on the back of the TracFone, then push the on button to turn the phone back on. A screen will immediately appear, requesting you enter an unlocking code in the numerical box. If the code is accepted, your prepaid TracFone is unlocked and ready for use on multiple networks.
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