Are you thinking of getting a free government phone service through SafetyNet Wireless? The Lifeline provider has some decent perks, such as Unlimited talk, text, plus data per month. And when you know exactly what phones are compatible with SafetyNet Wireless, you’ll definitely get to enjoy all these perks without issues.
Of course, SafetyNet may give you a free cell phone- a decent one I might add. But some of us prefer using our own devices that we’re used to. Others may be looking for a phone compatible with the carrier to replace the free device they initially received.
Similar Article: Free SafetyNet Wireless Replacement Phone
What are the Best Phones Compatible with SafetyNet Wireless?
In this article, we’ll look at the various types of phones compatible with SafetyNet Wireless service. It also covers six crucial points you must consider when looking for a phone to use with the Lifeline provider.
But before we come to that, the best budget brands of phones that work with SafetyNet Wireless on 5G include:
- Best Overall: Unlocked (Pre-owned Apple iPhone 12 Bionic
- Best under $200: Unlocked Samsung Galaxy A14 5G-Enabled
- Best of Design: Unlocked Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ Stylus
- Best of Storage: Unlocked Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022)
- Best of Alternative: Unlocked Google Pixel 4A with 5G/ LTE
SafetyNet Wireless as a Free Phone Provider
SafetyNet Wireless is one of the dozen carriers in the country you can get free phone service without paying anything. As an eligible telecommunication carrier (ETC), it has the license to participate in the Lifeline and ACP programs.
If eligible for either of these programs, SafetyNet doesn’t just offer free monthly phone plans. You may also get a device to use with your service.
On the list of providers with free touch screen government phones, you’ll notice the devices SafetyNet sends out include high-end brands. Examples include Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, LG, Motorola, et cetera.
Sadly, however, the Lifeline provider doesn’t give the option to choose the device to get. It will send whatever is available in stock, which could serve your needs or not.
In case of the latter, the phone you receive doesn’t meet your requirements, SafetyNet Wireless allows you to bring your own device.
Other situations you may need to bring your own phone to SafetyNet Wireless include when:
- You only qualify for a free phone service without a handset
- The previous cell phone you had is damaged, lost, or stolen
- You want to access 5G for high-quality data & call functions
6 Crucial Points when looking for phones compatible with SafetyNet Wireless
When looking for phones to use with SafetyNet Wireless, there are several points to consider if you’d like to make the most of your service:
- SafetyNet Wireless is an MVNO (Mobile virtual network operator), a small carrier without its own cell towers. Thus, don’t expect service quality at the levels of Major Carriers like Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T.
- SafetyNet Wireless uses AT&T and T-Mobile towers only. Its previous CDMA carrier network, Sprint, is no longer active.
- SafetyNet Wireless has 5G support, which has fast data speeds and lower latency. Thus, bringing you better video calls, online gaming, movie streaming, and file downloading than 4G LTE.
- SafetyNet Wireless support mobile hotspot if you’d like to share your mobile data with other internet-enabled devices
- SafetyNet Wireless deprioritizes data, as it’s on the lower QCI priority of its Carrier Networks (AT&T and T-Mobile). Thus, your data speeds will drop more than other customers (on higher QCI priority) during network congestion.
- SafetyNet Wireless throttle data on the unlimited everything plan (with ACP + Lifeline combo). You’ll have the first 20GB on the maximum available network speeds, then the remaining month will be up to 1 Mbps.
What Phones Are Compatible With SafetyNet Wireless
As with most other carriers, SafetyNet Wireless locks the phones they send as a freebie with the ACP and Lifeline program. The phones on the SafetyNet Wireless retail department also come locked to the service.
Overall, the SafetyNet-locked phones have the best compatibility with the SafetyNet Wireless service. They come programmed to the service, anyway.
Nevertheless, you can also bring your own phone from elsewhere, provided it’s compatible. The first requirement of this compatibility is for the device to be fully unlocked, i.e. has no kind of network restrictions.
A “fully-unlocked phone” can be the factory-unlocked kind, which comes directly from the manufacturer as such (without network restrictions). It can also be a carrier-unlocked phone- a device that was previously locked to another carrier but is now fully unlocked.
Note: The carrier-unlocked phone you bring must be from either of the carriers compatible with SafetyNet Wireless. In other words, the device should have the network frequencies of T-Mobile and AT&T.
Even with a deal with both Major Carriers, SafetyNet can only utilize one network at a time. You’ll need a phone that works on the T-Mobile network for the SafetyNet-T-Mobile SIM card. Then a device that can work on AT&T for the SafetyNet-AT&T SIM.
Chart 1: Network frequency bands that SafetyNet Wireless requires to work:
| Carrier Network | Primary Frequencies | Secondary Frequencies | Low-Band 5G Frequencies | High-Band 5G Frequencies |
| SafetyNet Wireless on AT&T | 12*, 17*, & 30* | 2, 4, 5, 29, & 66 | N2, N5, & N66 | N77 (C-Band), N258, & N260 |
| SafetyNet Wireless on T-Mobile | 4*, 12*, & 71* | 2, 5, & 66 | N71 | N41, N258, N260, & N261 |
Important Note:
MVNOs are usually naturally compatible with phones locked to their Carrier Network. For instance, AirTalk Wireless works in certain phones locked to T-Mobile (such as the T-Mobile Revvl smartphones) without a problem.
SafetyNet Wireless may also work on phones locked on AT&T or T-Mobile. But it’s a “May” as this is a theory I’m yet to test.
The Best 4G & 5G Phones Compatible with SafetyNet Wireless
Below is a list of phones that work on SafetyNet Wireless you can bring without any problem.
| Network Connectivity | ROM vs RAM | |
| Unlocked Apple iPhone 12 Bionic iOS | 5G & LTE | 64GB, 4GB |
| Unlocked Apple iPhone XR 4G LTE iOS | 4G LTE | 64GB, 3GB |
| Unlocked Samsung Galaxy A14 5G-Enabled | 5G & 4G LTE | 64GB, 4GB |
| Unlocked Samsung Galaxy A13 5G/ LTE | 5G & LTE | 64GB, 4GB |
| Unlocked Apple iPhone SE (2nd Edition) LTE iOS | 4G LTE | 64GB, 3GB |
| Unlocked Google Pixel 3a FHD+ Android | 4G LTE | 64GB, 4GB |
| Unlocked Google Pixel 4A with 5G/ LTE Android | 5G & 4G LTE | 128GB, 6GB |
| Unlocked Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ Stylus | 4G LTE | 256GB, 12GB |
| Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S9+ 4G LTE Snapdragon | 4G LTE | 64GB, 4GB |
| Unlocked Motorola Moto G Stylus (2021) LTE | 4G LTE | 128GB, 4GB |
| Unlocked LG Stylo 5 6” FHD+ 4G LTE Android | 4G LTE | 32GB, 3GB |
| Unlocked Apple iPhone 11 4G LTE A13 Bionic Ultra-HD | 4G LTE | 64GB, 4GB |
| Unlocked Apple iPhone 8 64/ 2GB A11 Bionic LTE Phone | 4G LTE | 64GB, 2GB |
| Unlocked Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) Android | 5G & 4G LTE | 256GB, 6GB |
| Unlocked Alcatel QUICKFLIP | 4G LTE | 4GB, 0.5GB |
| Unlocked Alcatel Go Flip 4G LTE | 4G LTE | 4GB, 0.5GB |
| Unlocked Easyfone T200 Classic Mobile Phone for Seniors | 4G LTE | N/A |
Unlocked Apple iPhone 12 64/ 4GB Bionic iOS
Key Features:
- A 6.1-inch, FHD+ Super Retina display
- A rugged, IP68 dust/ water-resistant build
- A high-performance A14 Bionic (5nm) chip
- Includes Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) connectivity
- Supports 4G LTE & 5G Ultra-Wideband
- Built-in NFC chip for contactless payments
- Compatible with Qi & MagSafe wireless chargers
- Records crisp videos in 4K & slow-motion mode
Unlocked Apple iPhone XR 4G LTE 64/ 3GB iOS
Key Features:
- Up to 4G LTE networks
- A fast A12 Bionic (7nm) processor
- A 6.1-inch, HD+ Liquid Retina display
- A rugged, IP67 dust/ water-resistant build
- Includes Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) connectivity
- Built-in NFC chip for contactless payments
- Compatible with Qi wireless chargers
- Records crisp videos in 4K & slow-motion mode
Unlocked Samsung Galaxy A14 5G/ LTE 64GB Memory
Key Features:
- A fast Exynos 1330 (5nm) processor
- Includes Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) connectivity
- An extra-wide 6.6-inch, 90Hz FHD+ display
- Has 4G LTE & 5G high-capacity (C-Band)
- Built-in NFC chip for contactless payments
- Includes a built-in slot for a MicroSD card
- Records sharp pictures & clear FHD videos
Unlocked Samsung Galaxy A13 5G/ LTE 64GB Memory
Key Features:
- A fast MediaTek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) chip
- An extra-wide 6.5-inch, 90Hz HD+ display
- Includes Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) connectivity
- Has 4G LTE & 5G high-capacity (C-Band)
- Built-in NFC chip for contactless payments
- Includes a built-in slot for a MicroSD card
- Records sharp pictures & clear FHD videos
Unlocked Apple iPhone SE (2nd Edition) LTE iOS
Key Features:
- Up to 4G LTE networks
- A 4.7-inch, HD+ Retina display
- An Apple A13 Bionic (7nm) processor
- A rugged, IP67 dust/ water-resistant build
- Includes Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) connectivity
- Built-in NFC chip for contactless payments
- Compatible with Qi wireless chargers
- Records crisp videos in 4K & slow-motion mode
Unlocked Google Pixel 3a FHD+ Android
Key Features:
- Up to 4G LTE networks
- A decent Snapdragon 670 (10 nm) chip
- A wide 5.6-inch, FHD+ OLED display
- Includes Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) connectivity
- Built-in NFC chip for contactless payments
- Records vivid videos in 4K & Slow-Motion mode
Unlocked Google Pixel 4A with 5G/ LTE Android
Key Features:
- A fast Snapdragon 765G (7 nm) chip
- A wide 6.2-inch, FHD+ OLED display
- Includes Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) connectivity
- Has 4G LTE & 5G high-capacity (mmWave)
- Built-in NFC chip for contactless payments
- Records vivid videos in 4K & Slow-Motion mode
Unlocked Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ Stylus
- A fast Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) processor
- 4G LTE & 5G high-capacity (mmWave)
- An extra-wide 6.8-inch, AMOLED display
- A rugged, IP68 dust/ water-resistant build
- Includes Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) connectivity
- Built-in NFC chip for contactless payments
- Supports Samsung DeX for desktop mirroring
- Compatible with Qi/ PMA & reverse wireless chargers
- Records crisp videos in 4K & super-slow-motion mode
- A built-in stylus to sketch, scribble, & control apps remotely
Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S9+ 4G LTE Snapdragon
Key Features:
- Up to 4G LTE connection
- A fast Snapdragon 845 (10 nm) processor
- A 6.2-inch, QHD Super AMOLED display
- A rugged, IP68 dust/ water-resistant build
- Includes Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) connectivity
- Built-in NFC chip for contactless payments
- A slot to expand storage with a MicroSD card
- Compatible with Qi/ PMA wireless chargers
- Supports Samsung DeX for desktop mirroring
- Records crisp videos in 4K & super-slow-motion mode
Unlocked Motorola Moto G Stylus (2021) LTE
- Up to 4G LTE network connection
- A decent Snapdragon 678 (11 nm) chip
- An extra-wide 6.8-inch, FHD+ display
- Includes Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) connectivity
- Built-in NFC chip for contactless payments
- Includes built-in stylus to sketch & scribble
- Captures vivid videos in 4K Ultra-HD mode
Unlocked LG Stylo 5 6” FHD+ 4G LTE Android
- A wide 6.2-inch, FHD display
- Up to 4G LTE network connection
- A decent Snapdragon 450 (14 nm) chip
- Includes Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) connectivity
- Built-in slot to insert a MicroSD card
- Captures clear videos in Full HD quality
Unlocked Apple iPhone 11 4G LTE A13 Bionic Ultra-HD
- Up to 4G LTE networks
- A fast A13 Bionic (7 nm) processor
- A 6.1-inch, HD+ Liquid Retina display
- A rugged, IP68 dust/ water-resistant build
- Includes Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) connectivity
- Built-in NFC chip for contactless payments
- Compatible with Qi wireless chargers
- Records crisp videos in 4K & slow-motion mode
Unlocked Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) Android
- A fast Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) chip
- An extra-wide 6.8-inch, 120Hz FHD+ display
- Up to 4G LTE & 5G high-capacity (C-Band)
- Includes Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) connectivity
- Built-in NFC chip for contactless payments
- Includes built-in stylus to sketch & scribble
Key Takeaway:
SafetyNet Wireless sells some of the phones above at a discounted price. You can get an Android phone or iPhone from as low as $60 to $100, which is pretty fair. However, the devices available in stock are refurbished and come locked to the carrier.
So, don’t expect to buy the phones to use with another carrier the next day. To use the phones outside the SafetyNet network, you’ll have to wait for the carrier to give you the unlock code. And as per the unlocking policy, the device must be in service for at least 12 months to qualify.
Avoid Phones Intended for the International Market
Whether it’s joining with BYOD, upgrading, or replacing a damaged/ lost device, that’s everything relevant you should know about phones compatible with SafetyNet Wireless. The most crucial point to note is that the Lifeline carrier is now on only GSM networks, AT&T and T-Mobile, which work with most phones.
However, the devices you bring to the service should be either locked to the SafetyNet service or fully unlocked. If you bring a phone locked to another carrier, it certainly won’t work with your SafetyNet Wireless SIM.
Another thing, you should know U.S. carriers are no longer so friendly with phones made for the international market. AT&T compatibility rule, for example, has a whitelist of only US-version phones. If you bring an international version of the phone models listed as compatible, it has a high risk of not working.
