Transferring My Phone Number from Walmart Family Mobile to Straight Talk Wireless

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.

Hey,
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?

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