Are the tracfone phones good if I just want a mobile number for certain website authentications

[Naer]

Like the steam mobile authenticator to trade on the steam market more easily. Would a tracfone number be sufficient?

Also for other websites to confirm it's my account(ie gmail, etc)

I haven't been subscribed to phone service in over 8 years btw. It's a hassle when they ask me for my mobile number to retrieve a code on various websites

 

[shortylickens]

Yeah Tracfone is fine for anyone who isnt too demanding.
I actually used one as my main phone for many years.

 

[dlerious]

I still use tracfone. It costs $125 /yr and I never use all the txt/talk/data, so it carries over. Verizon bought them so I'm not sure if things will change in the future. I get steam notifications on it, but I'm going to be moving to Yubikey for 2FA on sites that allow it.

 

[lxskllr]

I use a walmart(tracfone) for my home internet. I've never had a postpaid plan of my own. I use one for work, but if I were to get my own, it would be prepaid. Never had problems with the various servives. I've used Virgin, Boost, and Walmart so far.

 

[thedarkwolf]

Couldn't you just use a google voice number and not pay anything. You don't even need a phone.
I'm using a google voice number for all that stuff routed too my tracfone.

 

[Naer]

Couldn't you just use a google voice number and not pay anything. You don't even need a phone.
I'm using a google voice number for all that stuff routed too my tracfone.

I will look into this

 

[Captante]

I used the "Straight-talk" version of Trac phone for several years and it was pretty good because the model phone I went with used Verizon. Be sure to do your homework on the actual service provider if you go that route.

You should also look into Ting and Mint Mobile.

Google voice works well although you will need a legit phone number to activate it and it would be exclusively wifi unless used on a smart-phone with an active line.

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

You can use a phone supplied by TF, but you don't have to. Theirs tend to be loaded with bloatware. I use a Motorola Stylus I bought from JeffaZon. Pay around $10/mo or so for more time, data and messages than I'll ever use. Works for all for the annoying code to phone crap I've encountered so far.

For anyone that uses TF, get into their Rewards program. Doing stupid things like playing a simple game or monthly surveys earns points that can be redeemed for airtime. I've had about six free months so far and am close to enough points for three more.

Referral code mention edited out.
Perknose
Forum Director

 

[Hans Gruber]

I thought 7500 referral points was the standard.

 

[balloonshark]

You can get a tracfone phone loaded with 1 year airtime, 1500 minutes talk, 1500 texts and 1.5GB data for under $100. A recent deal was $30. Keep an eye on slickdeals and use their search for tracfone deals if you go that way.

I normally keep my mobile data turned off on my tracfone. If you run out of airtime, talk, text or data the phone doesn't work until you load it back up.

 

[dlerious]

You can get a tracfone phone loaded with 1 year airtime, 1500 minutes talk, 1500 texts and 1.5GB data for under $100. A recent deal was $30. Keep an eye on slickdeals and use their search for tracfone deals if go that way.

It's up to $125 and 1.46GB for that plan now (not on sale). Last I refilled, you could add extra time, talk, text, and/or data after choosing a plan - I added an extra year since I run out of time, but not the others. There was a time when they were doing double and triple minutes, but I don't recall the requirements (I think it was certain phones before they let you add your own).

 

[balloonshark]

It's up to $125 and 1.46GB for that plan now (not on sale). Last I refilled, you could add extra time, talk, text, and/or data after choosing a plan - I added an extra year since I run out of time, but not the others. There was a time when they were doing double and triple minutes, but I don't recall the requirements (I think it was certain phones before they let you add your own).

I used to have one of their old triple minute phones but I think I lost the triple minutes because i use their BYOP sim on a phone I bought. Like you I also have the issue of running out of time since I rarely use the talk or texts.

 

[Naer]

Update: going to hook up the phone I have right now to cricket wireless(family plan) Same number that I had 8 years ago

Doesn't make sense to get a new phone.(a "tracfone" or whatever) I always fantasize about getting cooler stuff but that's not the way imo. The phone I currently have is a LG fortune. It's me mums old phone. Honestly going to see where this phone takes me. It has awesome battery life, plays videos and music and I can efficiently post on internet forums(and browse web). The only con I can think about for using this phone is I won't be able to take acceptable pics to share with it(very inferior camera) But I already own a decent canon cam. Anway If the headphone jack gives out, I can always connect a bluetooth headphone. I practice frugulity. Yeah, I can afford a nicer phone, but like I said, gonna use this phone until it's no longer functional regardless

Apologies for opening a thread when the solution was with me from the beginning

I think it's kind of cool that I keep my old phone. There's history with it

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

You can (probably) use the same phone and number on TF also.

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

Can anybody get to the tracfone website?

I'm getting a weird error.

 

[Captante]

Can anybody get to the tracfone website?

I'm getting a weird error.

Working for me.


For future reference:

Is it down right now?

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

Downdetector won't find it and on sitechecker I get this:

Sitechecker can’t check this website, because the home page responds 403 HTTP status code.
This can happen for several reasons.

• The website is available only in specific countries.
• No such domain is registered or domain expired.

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

• Search results for "tracfone.com"

Search results for "tracfone.com"

Sorry, we couldn't find the company you were looking for. Please look in our Companies overview or send us an e-mail at info@downdetector.com if you feel we should add this company.

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

'Is it down' finds it though.

 

[Captante]

• Search results for "tracfone.com"

Search results for "tracfone.com"

Sorry, we couldn't find the company you were looking for. Please look in our Companies overview or send us an e-mail at info@downdetector.com if you feel we should add this company.

I edited the above-link to something better:

Is it down right now?

Shows "up" here.

 

[lxskllr]

Ignore the garbled page. It's my aggressive content blocking...

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

If I turn WiFi off on the phone itself I can get it (using LTE).

Weird.

 

[Captante]

If I turn WiFi off on the phone itself I can get it (using LTE).

Weird.

Sounds like the issue might be your ISP.... reboot the modem/router yet? (if not that's step 1)

Could also be as simple as a DNS server problem... could try jumping over to Open DNS and see if that fix's things. (100% safe)

Use Open DNS

Alternatively Google DNS also works well:

Use Google DNS

 

[nakedfrog]

Yep, I'd guess some kind of DNS quirkiness too. Could do a tracert to tracfone.com if you care that much.

 

[sdifox]

You should check what dns you are using, typically you can have a primary and secondary, set the secondary to some other provider so you are covered. Say primary google secondary opendns.

I am thinking yours is set to your isp's dns, and that it sucks.