A reader, Todd asks:
Hi Bob!
I have a somewhat complicated situation. I got an iPhone 4S through Sprint a few years ago. I have not been a Sprint customer now for over a year. I started a plan back in June through Wal-Mart Family Mobile with a cheap dumb phone and got a new phone number. I would prefer to be using my Iphone 4S, but it isn’t compatible. I put in my MEID and zip code and Straight Talk says my Iphone is compatible, but I’ve been using my Wal-Mart Family Mobile number for business so I’ve given out the number to many people. Its a GSM phone with a sim card. I would like to transfer the phone number I’m using to Straight Talk, but also use the IPhone 4S I already have, as I don’t currently have the funds to purchase a new phone. Would this be possible, or is it just too complicated? Lol, lmk.
I wrote this article in the Fall of 2014. If you are using Family Mobile and are thinking of switching to Straight Talk I suggest you also consider AT&T GoPhone, Verizon Prepaid, Total Wireless, and even Net 10 Wireless. As Spring 2017 all these carriers have may be a better value than Straight Talk’s $45 Umlimited 5GB plan. See the articles below.
In 2020, you have a lot of choices for prepaid wireless service. You may be able to save $100s per year and get the features you want such as Wi-Fi calling, Mobile Hotspot, and Visual Voicemail. Sound good? to learn more see, Is Straight Talk Your Best Option in 2020?
Hi Todd,
Sounds good. You should be able to use your Sprint iPhone 4s with Straight Talk and it shouldn’t be too complicated. You want to transfer, or port, your phone number from Family Mobile so you’ll have to follow a extra steps.
Check the MEID of your iPhone on Straight Talk’s web site.
Contact Family Mobile, tell they you need your account number and account PIN and ask if there is anything else you need to do to transfer your number.
On the Straight Talk web site, start the registration process here: http://www.straighttalk.com/wps/portal/home/h/byop/registration
You’ll need to enter your Zip code and MEID. Next, you’ll need to choose between three options. Enter a Network Access Code, Buy a Network Access Code, or upgrade your existing BYOP Straight Talk CDMA phone. You’ll need to choose buy a network access code.
The Network Access Code will register your phone on the Straight Talk network. Afterwards, you’ll need to activate the phone. There will be an option to transfer in your phone number from another company. You’ll need to do that. The website will ask for your phone number and the other account information. You’ll also need to buy your 30 days of service. You can buy it online at that time. As part of this process, you should also end up creating an account on the website.
After that, you’ll need to wait for your phone number to transfer.
Some Additional Info
Your current phone is using the T-Mobile network. Your iPhone 4s on Straight Talk will be on the Sprint network. Make sure the Sprint network has coverage where you live, work, or use your phone. If you don’t want to be on the Sprint network, look into selling your Sprint iPhone 4s and picking up a Verizon or ATT model used. Depending on your selling price, this could cost you some money out of pocket, be a break even deal, or even net you a small profit. Selling your old phone and buying a used phone requires effort, but its better than using a network with poor coverage in your area.
Also make sure to plan when you switch. Make sure you have a free afternoon when you do this. The process can go smoothly or require a long support call. In your case, it shouldn’t be too bad. Your current phone will remain active until the transfer completes. At that point, the phone will be deactivated and your family mobile account will be terminated. Your number will be active on the iPhone, you may need to reset your iPhone to get it working.
Make sure to read all the comments on thwe articles below to read about other readers’ experiences.
Moving a Sprint iPhone 4s to Straight Talk Wireless
Can I Use my Sprint iPhone 4s with Straight Talk Wireless?
I just paid my service with Wal Mart family mobile today is there anyway I can buy a straight talk phone transfer my number and paid service to that phone or do I have to buy another pre paid plan?
I’m not clear on what you are trying to do. You can buy a new phone and transfer your current FM phone number and service to it. However, you won’t be able to use a Straight Talk phone with FM service. You can buy a Straight Talk phone and sign up for Straight Talk and transfer your FM phone number to Straight Talk. You’ll need to buy a Straight Talk plan, as you can’t transfer service credit from FM to Straight Talk.
If i want an iphone 6 straight talk and they are out of stock can i get the same phone from family mobile and convert it with a straight talk kit?
I don’t know if it will work. Straight Talk, Total Wireless, Net10, Simple Mobile, Family Mobile are all owned by Tracfone so sometimes the phones from one brand will work on another. For example, my Straight Talk iPhone SE came with a sticker on it saying it could be used with Straight Talk or Total Wireless. And the phone did work with my tracfone SIM. But, I can’t say for sure. I checked online at straighttalk.com and the phones are out of stock. They are the same price in Walmart too, check online for in-store availability in your area.
In general using a phone from one of these brands on the other’s network works best when using the att or tmobile option, not the Verizon option. If you wanted to use the phone with Straight Talk’s Verizon network, you’d need to check the serial number online to register the phone and it might come back ineligible. You might have better luck with a Total Wireles iPhone 6 if you can find one.
If you don’t understand what I am talking about, that’s ok I have articles that explain this too. Finally, the iPhone 6 has a bigger screen but the iPhone SE is actually a better phone in many ways. It uses the iPhone 6s camera on the back and many of the same internals. The smaller screen may be an issue for you though.
I hope this helps.
I need my account number…changing phones styles..,,,,please help leaving for vacation in three days.
Patti,
I don’t work for Straight Talk nor Family Mobile. You need to contact your carriers support team to get that information. I suggest you use online chat. You can find the link here https://www.myfamilymobile.com/contactus or here https://www.straighttalk.com/wps/portal/home/support/contactus
I have a Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime I had at the moment have family mobile service from Walmart I want to switch to Straight Talk may I do so with this phone thank you
Your phone is probabally the G530T, as Family Mobile uses the T-mobile network. The phone should work with Straight Talk’s T-Mobile network. See if you can borrow a T-Mobile from someone and check if it works in the phone if you want to be 100% certain the phone isn’t locked or restricted to Family Mobile. That phone is 50% compatible with the AT&T network too if it’s unlocked. Keep in mind that Family Mobile and Straight Talk are both Tracfone brands. Which Straight Talk plan do you want to sign up for?
Hi Bob, I have an LG Optimus L90 that I purchased at Walmart with a Walmart family mobile plan, I get terrible service in my house and want to switch to Straight Talk BC my husband has sprint and he gets great service where we live. Will I need to purchase an Activation and Sim card kit at Walmart in order to switch my service with my same number, or is this somerthing that can be done online or through Straight Talk customer service. I tried asking the in store electronics department at Walmart and they could not even begin to help. Thanks!
Bwethany
Family Mobile uses the T-Mobile network. Your phone may work with Straight Talk’s T-Mobile network, but you’d have the same coverage problems. Straight Talk uses the AT&T, Verizon, Sprint or T-Mobile networks depending on your location and which phone you use.
You can transfer your number to Straight Talk, but you’ll need new phone. You mentioned your husband is on ST’s Sprint network, did he buy his phone from Straight Talk or sign up for the BYOP program using a phone he had from Sprint? Which network do you want to use AT&T, Verizon, or Sprint?
I have been with Walmart Family mobile for almost two yrs now. I have no issue with the service or my bill. I’m just wondering if I can use my sim card in a straight talk phone I see Walmart has a decent price on a iPhone 5s with straight talk.
Thanks
I think it might depend on which phone you buy. If you look at this one.
http://www.shopstraighttalk.com/bpdirect/straighttalk/PhoneDetails.do?action=view&productVariantExtensionId=26653865
It says This iPhone 5s is secured for activation on Straight Talk Wireless Only.
If you shop around you should be able to find a nice used iPhone 5s on eBay that will work just fine/
I have an HTC Desire s6 thru Walmart family mobile and I was wondering if and how I could transfer to straight talk I’ve been a straight talk customer for years but I thought I’d try something new but the data fees and extras are too expensive so I was wondering how to transfer to straight talk. PLEASE HELP
Ok. I’m not familiar with your phone. Its an S6? is that the model? I did a google search and I’m not finding the phone. Did you mean 626?
What was your monthly bill with Family Mobile? what are you looking to spend? Do you know how much data you need per month?
Hi Bob I’m replying to this comment because I do have an HTC desire 626s that automatically came with the Walmart family mobile, I recently bought the straight talk BYOP package, but my phone is locked into T-Mobile and I was curious if there was an easy fix to unlock my phone so I’m able to properly save an apn
Family Mobile may unlock it for you.
https://www.myfamilymobile.com/Support/DeviceSupport/DeviceSupport.aspx?supporttype=UNLOCK
I purchased a Family Mobile phone and now I want to switch it to Straight Talk. Is this phone compatible? It is a Galaxy lll
Hi Alta,
I don’t know. There are two issues. The first, is is compatible with Straight Talk and the second is the phone locked. Compatible means the phone is technically able to work with Straight Talk. Locked means did Family mobile alter the phone to prevent you from using it with Straight Talk.
Family Mobile uses the T-Mobile network. Straight talk uses both T-Mobile and ATT networks. You choose the network when you sign up. You pick the network that has better coverage in your area and the network that your phone will work with.
If you want to change to Straight Talk because you have poor coverage, then the issue is likely the tmobile network in your area.
One trick you can try is to find a friend with an ATT phone that uses the same size SIM card and put in in your phone. If your phone works, it isn’t locked.
What’s the model number of your S2?