What Phones Are Compatible With Access Wireless

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Access Wireless is one of the ways you can get a free cell phone through social security benefits and other government-funded programs or low-income. However, what phones are compatible with access wireless if you decided to bring your own?

Similar to paid services like Verizon or T-Mobile, the lifeline operator is pretty friendly on device compatibility. It has a BYOP (bring your own phone) program, something T-Mobile’s Assurance Wireless is yet to introduce.

But again, not all phones will work with about any service. And for that, we’ve prepared this article with a few crucial details you should know before you decide to bring your favorite device to Access Wireless.

What’s the Best Phone Compatible with Access Wireless?

There are currently more phones compatible with Access Wireless SIM cards than before. We have to thank the recent partnership with T-Mobile for this, as the old carrier network, Sprint, was pretty strict on compatibility.

Five of the best phones you can efficiently use with Access Wireless today include:

  • Best Overall: Factory Unlocked Samsung Galaxy A13 5G 64GB Android
  • Best of Replacement: Unlocked Apple iPhone SE (2020 Release) A13 LTE
  • Best of Upgrade:  Access Wireless Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G w/ 128GB
  • Best of Design: Fully Unlocked Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ 256GB Stylus
  • Best of Seniors: Access Wireless Alcatel Go Flip 3 4G LTE KaiOS

#12 Things To Know About Access Wireless Before You Bring A Phone

  1. Access Wireless is still a mobile virtual network operator (or MVNO). Even when the government is paying for the service, the users get deprioritized same as with prepaid Straight Talk and Total Wireless.
  2. You now get free unlimited everything (Talk, text, & data) through ACP + Lifeline deal. But the unlimited data comprises 15GB of high speed before throttling to 256kbps.
  3. Now runs on the T-Mobile network, which you should know requires frequency bands 2, 4*, 5, 12*, 66, & 71* on LTE. Then bands n41, n71, n258, n260, & n261 on 5g.
  4. Supports mobile hotspot & tethering at no additional Cost
  5. Lacks 5G Access at the moment. You can only have up to 4g LTE data speeds.
  6. Supports international long-distance calls at a small fee.
  7. Free (but limited) calls to the Access Wireless customer care
  8. Gives & Sells locked phones. It’s only after one year you’ll get to qualify for unlocking unless you’re a military with deployment papers.
  9. Video streams at the SD (480p) quality when on high-speed data. It will be more likely impossible to stream after the data limit is reached
  10.  The LTE speeds seem to be capped at up to 25mbps yet.
  11. Still offers crappy smartphones when you join. If you apply to get a replacement Access Wireless phone for free, it will also be an entry-level model. The carrier frequently sends BLU, NUU, or Sky Devices models
  12. Doesn’t offer free Sky Devices government tablets as with a standup Wireless or Cintex.

FYI: ACP is an acronym for the Affordable Connectivity Program, which replaced the previous Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB).

“*” marks the “main” network bands that must be available for the phone to work.

What Phones Are Compatible With Access Wireless?

As mentioned earlier, most of the phones in the market can work with Access Wireless. T-Mobile, the carrier network it runs on, has lighter restrictions on device compatibility than other carriers.

Also, you should know AT&T operates on bands 12*, 2, 4, 5, 66, N258, & N260 as T-Mobile. Thus, most of the phones compatible with Cricket Wireless will also work with Access.

However, even with the appropriate frequency bands, your phone requires to have the right network technology to be compatible with Access Wireless. The “network technology” in this case is the software that may restrict your handset from working with the MVNO.

But the four types of phones we can confirm will be compatible include:

  • Access Wireless-branded Phones: these are the phones that come from Access Wireless or its authorized dealers while locked to its network.
  • Factory Unlocked phones: the devices that come from the manufacturer without any kind of network restriction
  • Carrier-Unlocked phones: these are phones from the carriers compatible with Access Wireless/ T-Mobile. The devices must be fully unlocked to work
  • T-Mobile branded phones: usually, MVNOs can work with phones locked to their carrier networks. So, in theory, some T-Mobile-locked devices could work with Access Wireless.

A Summary of the 12 Best Phones Compatible with Access Wireless SIM Cards

Phones Compatible with Access WirelessNetwork ConnectivityROM vs RAM
Factory Unlocked Samsung Galaxy A13 5G 64GB Android5G & 4G LTE64GB, 4GB
Unlocked Apple iPhone SE (2020 Release) A13 LTE4G LTE64GB, 3GB
 Access Wireless Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G w/ 128GB5G & 4G LTE128GB, 6GB
Fully Unlocked Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ 256GB Stylus4G LTE256GB, 12GB
Access Wireless Alcatel Go Flip 3 4G LTE KaiOS 4G LTE4GB, 0.5GB
Unlocked Motorola Moto G Stylus (2021) LTE 128GB Android4G LTE128GB, 4GB
Access Wireless Apple iPhone XR 6.1-inch Retina LTE Phone4G LTE64GB, 3GB
Fully Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S9+ Waterproof Snapdragon 4G LTE64GB, 4GB
Unlocked Google Pixel 3a 5.6-inch FHD+ Android Smartphone4G LTE64GB, 4GB
Unlocked Apple iPhone 11 4G LTE A13 Water-Resistant 4G LTE64GB, 4GB
Unlocked Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G & LTE 256GB Android5G & 4G LTE256GB, 6GB
Unlocked Apple iPhone 8 64GB Internal Memory A11 LTE4G LTE64GB, 2GB
   
  1. Factory Unlocked Samsung Galaxy A13 5G 64GB Android

Best Features:

  • A wide 6.5-inch, 90 display
  • 4G LTE & 5G connectivity
  • Captures vibrant 50MP photos
  • A MicroSD slot for up to 1TB card
  • Supports WiFi 5 (802.11ac) & WiFi calling
  • Built-in NFC sensor for contactless payment
  • A side-mounted fingerprint reader for quick access

2. Unlocked Apple iPhone SE (2020 Release) A13 LTE

Best Features:

  • A fast A13 Bionic processor
  • A 4.7-inch, HD+ Retina display
  • A sturdy IP67-rated aluminum build
  • Built-in NFC & fingerprint sensors
  • Records videos in Slo-Mo & 4K quality
  • Supports WiFi 6 (802.11.ax) & WiFi calling
  • Can charge on a Qi magnetic wireless charger

 3. Access Wireless Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G w/ 128GB

Best Features:

  • A wide 6.5-inch, 120Hz display
  • Up to 4G LTE & 5G connectivity
  • Super-fast Snapdragon 865 processor
  • A rugged, IP68-rated aluminum build
  • Captures smooth videos in 4K@ 60fps
  • Supports WiFi 6 (802.11.ax) & WiFi calling
  • Built-in NFC for digital payment & content sharing

4. Fully Unlocked Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ 256GB Stylus

Best Features:

  • An extra-wide 6.8-inch, QHD+ display
  • A super-fast Snapdragon 855 processor
  • Built-in NFC & fingerprint sensors
  • Up to 1TB MicroSD card support
  • A sturdy IP68 water-resistant aluminum build
  • Captures videos in super-slow motion & 4K quality
  • Supports fast Qi/ PMA, & Reverse wireless charging

5. Access Wireless Alcatel Go Flip 3 4G LTE KaiOS

Best Features:

  • A Snapdragon 210 processor
  • M4/ T4 hearing aid compliance
  • A bright display with large fonts
  • Expandable memory of up to 32GB
  • Big tactile buttons & enlarged numbers
  • WiFi 4 (802.11.n) protocol & WiFi calling
  • Support Real-Time-Text & Text Telephone

6. Unlocked Motorola Moto G Stylus (2021) LTE 128GB Android

Best Features:

  • An extra-wide 6.8FHD+ display
  • A decent Snapdragon 678processor
  • Supports up to 1TB MicroSD card
  • A side-mounted fingerprint reader to unlock
  • WiFi 5 (802.11.ac) protocol & WiFi calling
  • Built-in Stylus to sketch, doodle, & edit pics
  • Captures vivid photos & videos in 4K quality

7. Access Wireless Apple iPhone XR 6.1-inch Retina LTE Phone

Best Features:

  • A fast A12 Bionic processor
  • A 6.1-inch, HD+ 625 nits display
  • Captures video in slow-motion & 4K
  • Built-in NFC for contactless payments
  • Support Fast & Qi wireless charging
  • WiFi 5 (802.11.ac) protocol & WiFi calling
  • A sturdy, IP67-rated aluminum construction

8. Fully Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S9+ Waterproof Snapdragon

Best Features:

  • A super-fast Snapdragon 845 processor
  • A 6.2-inch, QHD Super-AMOLED display
  • A sturdy, IP68 water-resistant construction
  • Captures videos in super-slow motion & 4K
  • Supports Qi & PMA wireless charging
  • Built-in NFC, iris scanner, & fingerprint sensor
  • Expandable memory(MicroSD) of up to 400GB

9. Unlocked Google Pixel 3a 5.6-inch FHD+ Android Smartphone

Best Features:

  • A 5.6-inch, FHD+ display
  • Captures video in up to 4K@ 30fps
  • Built-in NFC for contactless payments
  • Decently fast Snapdragon 670 processor
  • A rear-mounted fingerprint sensor to unlock
  • Up to WiFi 5 (802.11ac) protocol & WiFi calling

10. Unlocked Apple iPhone 11 4G LTE A13 Water-Resistant

Best Features:

  • A fast A13 Bionic processor
  • A bright 6.1-inch HD+ display
  • A sturdy IP68 water-resistant construction
  • Capture videos in slow motion & 4K quality
  • Supports fast (18W) & Qi wireless charging
  • Up to WiFi 6 (802.11.ax) protocol & WiFi calling
  • Built-in NFC for digital payments & content sharing

11. Unlocked Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G & LTE 256GB Android

Best Features:

  • A decent Snapdragon 480 processor
  • An extra-wide 6.8-inch, FHD+ display
  • Captures crystal 48MP images & videos
  • Supports up to 4G & 5G connectivity
  • Built-in Stylus to sketch, doodle, & edit pics
  • Expandable (MicroSD) memory of up to 1TB
  • A rear-mounted fingerprint reader & face unlock

12. Unlocked Apple iPhone 8 64GB Internal Memory A11 LTE

Best Features:

  • A 4.7-inch, HD+ display
  • Still decent A11 Bionic processor
  • Records videos in slow motion & 4K quality
  • A sturdy IP67-rated, aluminum construction
  • Up to WiFi 5 (802.11.ac) protocol & hotspot
  • Supports Fast (15W) & Qi Wireless charging
  • Built-in NFC & front-mounted fingerprint reader

Common Related Questions:

Can I bring my own phone to Access Wireless?

Different from Assurance Wireless, you can bring your own phone to Access Wireless without any issue. You just have to make sure the device you bring supports the T-Mobile technology. And if coming from another carrier, make sure the device is fully unlocked.

What company is Access Wireless through?

While it still operates independently, Access Wireless runs through Kroger company. Hence, the reason it’s possible to purchase and get help with your phone at local Kroger stores.

Will any unlocked phone work with Assurance Wireless?

As was mentioned, many phones are compatible with Access Wireless, including those from other carriers. And this is great considering no unlocked (BYOP) phone work with Assurance Wireless at this moment.

Again, Avoid International Phones

Access Wireless is one of the best lifeline services to use for free government service. The operator has a retail department with some pretty great deals instead of using their crappy phones. Then there’s also the option to bring your favorite brand.

When looking for a phone compatible with Access Wireless to bring, pay attention to frequency bands and network technology (carrier lock software). The carrier still has no 5G support yet (same with most lifeline services). But when upgrading, just get a 5G-enabled device to ensure you’re covered when the feature comes.

Another thing, when choosing your next 5G/ 4G LTE phone, we’d recommend focusing on the U.S. versions of the models. Yes, T-Mobile and its carriers are still compatible with international models. But, who knows, the carrier may decide to blacklist them (international phones) as AT&T.