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Is Tracfone Compatible with Boost Mobile

Boost Mobile is one of the MVNOs in the United States offering wireless services owned by Dish Wireless. Although the carrier does not have its own network towers, it offers affordable services to its customers by leasing services from existing providers. Boost Mobile offers cell phone plans, including unlimited data, talk, and text. However, despite the US having many network providers, is TracFone compatible with Boost Mobile? This question is answered below and with other related facets.

Boost Mobile has comprehensive coverage and offers excellent services to its customers; hence it is opted for by many residents. Notably, joining Boost Mobile is straightforward for any new customer. You can switch with your current device or buy a new one. Apart from cheap phone plans, Boost Mobile has quality phone deals, and you can get a device from the carrier’s stores. You can also get a free phone when you switch to Boost Mobile.

On the other hand, TracFone Wireless also operates as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator. This carrier offers wireless services and participates in the Lifeline program, assisting all eligible households and individuals. You might ask yourself whether you are compatible with Boost Mobile services if you are a subscriber of TracFone. This one primarily relates to the network towers used by the two MVNOs. This article answers this question and explains more about the two carriers.

How do the two MVNOs operate

Here, you will check the network providers where these two carriers lease services for operation. Boost Mobile uses T-Mobile’s network to offer its services. T-Mobile is one of the primary network providers in the US. Therefore, Boost Mobile customers get the same nationwide coverage as T-Mobile considering that T-Mobile reaches its coverage to about 99% of the US. Initially, Boost Mobile used to operate under the Sprint network, but in 2020, Sprint merged with T-Mobile, which is its current provider.

On the other hand, TracFone Wireless leases services from other existing providers. Interestingly, TracFone Wireless uses the network of all the prominent providers in the US. These main ones are T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon. These carriers ensure that TracFone has comprehensive coverage, a wide range of compatible devices, and several compatible carriers due to the network technology.

Does Boost Mobile use GSM or CDMA?

As stated above, Boost Mobile used the Sprint network, CDMA. Therefore, the carrier was initially a CDMA carrier. After the 2020 merger with T-Mobile, which uses GSM technology, Boost Mobile changed, and currently, it is a GSM carrier. As a result, Boost Mobile supports GSM and CDMA devices; therefore, if your phone can operate well with any technology, it can work well with the carrier’s network.

Boost Mobile offers current smartphones with the latest technology, and many of them support both GSM and LTE networks. Most modern telephone models work well with these network standards. It depends on the model, and this is something you should examine before buying a phone. However, most of the latest phones are GSM compatible since most phone companies and carriers use GSM technology. If you have one of the latest phones, you can use it at Boost Mobile.

Is TracFone compatible with Boost Mobile?

The answer to this question is definitely yes. TracFone Wireless uses the three major network providers where AT&T and T-Mobile use the GSM technology, while Verizon is a CDMA provider. Boost Mobile uses T-Mobile’s GSM network. Therefore, TracFone Wireless and Boost Mobile share a primary provider, T-Mobile, where they offer the GSM network. Again, AT&T uses GSM technology, and TracFone also leases services from this provider, indicating that TracFone is compatible with Boost Mobile.

If you are a TracFone subscriber and intend to switch to Boost Mobile, it is good to note that all TracFone compatible phones are also Boost Mobile compatible phones. Additionally, any TracFone device using Verizon’s CDMA network can work well under the Boost Mobile network. Any other carrier that is GSM enabled is hence compatible with Boost Mobile. The compatibility is an added advantage as customers can switch their phones without fear between the two carriers.

Is Boost Mobile a reliable carrier?

The most extensive and reliable wireless networks in the United States, as stated above, are provided by Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. They have their cell phone towers dispersed across numerous states countrywide, and they use cutting-edge technology to provide their services. Boost Mobile uses one of these major networks, T-Mobile; hence, it is reliable. Furthermore, the merger between T-Mobile and Sprint in 2020 has created extensive, fast, and authentic nationwide coverage, from which Boost Mobile’s customers benefit.

You can check if Boost Mobile services are available in your area. You need to visit the carrier’s official website and check the coverage map and zoom in on your location or enter its ZIP code in the search box to confirm. With its cheap services, you are assured of saving after switching; hence it is a reliable carrier.

How can you join Boost Mobile from TracFone Wireless?

Switching to Boost Mobile from any carrier is easy as you do not require to buy a new phone. You can join with your current phone, although the carrier has various phones for sale on its website that you can check out. In this case, TracFone Wireless is compatible with Boost Mobile; hence no need to check about compatibility. However, to use a TracFone device with Boost, you need to have it unlocked.

Notably, if you did not buy your phone through TracFone, the device is likely to be unlocked, and hence no unlocking code is required. To unlock a TracFone device, you have to:

  • Contact TracFone Wireless customer service at 1-800-867-7183 between 8:00 am and 11:45 pm, Eastern Time (ET), 7 days a week.
  • Request an unlock code for your device. The attendant will confirm that your phone and account meet all the set conditions for the unlocking process to work. After that, you will be issued an unlock code.
  • Get a Boost Mobile SIM card and replace the TracFone SIM card from your device with the Boost Mobile SIM card. You have to ensure your device is turned off.
  • Power on your phone. You will get a notification that your phone needs to be unlocked before it can work with the installed SIM card.
  • Enter the unlock code you were given by the TracFone representative and press ‘ok.’ Your phone will be unlocked to operate with Boost Mobile.

After that, you can activate the phone with the Boost Mobile network and enjoy the carrier’s services. Again, you can also join TracFone Wireless from Boost Mobile. You also have to unlock your Boost Mobile phone since the two carriers are compatible with each other.

How can you unlock your Boost Mobile Phone?

To unlock a Boost Mobile device, call the carrier’s customer service at 1-833-502-6678 and answer the questions the representative will ask. In a few days, the unlocking process will be completed. However, it would be best if you met the following Boost Mobile policy conditions for unlocking:

  • The unlocked device must not have been reported as lost, stolen, or disabled.
  • The Boost account linked with the unlocked device must not have an adverse payment history.
  • The phone must have been on the Boost Mobile network for at least a year.
  • The device must be purchased through Boost Mobile, as the carrier does not unlock phones purchased from other carriers.
  • All payments must be made within three months of the unlock.

After then, the customer service team will offer you unlock code, which you must enter according to their instructions.

You may also utilize the official Unlockitfree website, which requires your phone’s IMEI number. Enter the IMEI number and select “find” on the webpage when prompted. You’ll enter your phone’s model number and country of origin in the provided spaces, select Boost Mobile as your provider, and select “Generate.” You’ll be presented with a list of unlocking codes; input one and press “Enter.” After that, restart the phone to confirm the unlocking.

How can you tell that your phone is unlocked?

If you are unsure whether or not your phone has been unlocked, you should contact Boost Mobile or TracFone, depending on which carrier’s phone you were unlocking. Their customer support will be able to look into your account and determine whether or not your device has been unlocked. You can also use a different carrier’s SIM card to confirm this as an alternative.

Once you insert a SIM card, the name of your new carrier should appear on the screen of your phone, indicating that your phone has been unlocked and that you are now on the new network. Turning off and on the phone may help if the benefits aren’t immediately visible. For most phones, restarting makes them recognize a new network.

Bottom line

Boost Mobile is among the popular MVNOs in the US-owned by Dish Wireless. The carrier operates using T-Mobile’s GSM network technology. Among the carriers using this technology is TracFone Wireless which means that TracFone is compatible with Boost Mobile. Any TracFone compatible device is compatible with Boost Mobile. Hence, you can switch between the carriers after you have unlocked your device with the carrier you are switching from.

Karissa Bell

Karissa is a senior editor, covering all things Smartphone for Compatible Phone. Prior to joining Compatible Phone, she was a senior reporter at Mashable, where she wrote about Smartphone Reviews, big tech companies and internet culture. In her free time, she enjoys snowboarding, traveling and watching too many cat videos on Instagram.

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