If you haven’t already read my article on Straight Talk Wireless, you might not be aware that Straight Talk is one of the best deals in cellular.
There is some mystery around Straight Talk, and I hope to answer today one of the most frequently asked questions regarding Straight Talk:
Can I use my existing Verizon / AT&T / T-Mobile / Sprint / Tracphone / etc cellular phone?
The answer depends on the type of phone that you have. Keep reading for more information
AT&T, T-Mobile or Unlocked GSM Phones
You can now take advantage of Straight Talk SIM, to use your existing phone on Straight Talk’s no-contract plans. To take advantage of this, you simply order a SIM card from Straight Talk, place that SIM card into your phone and follow a few simple instructions.
Note: This does not include AT&T Go Phones.
Verizon, Sprint or Unlocked CDMA Phones
Much like AT&T/T-Mobile, it is possible to take your Verizon or Sprint Wireless device and use it with Straight Talk on the Verizon or Sprint network through Straight Talk’s Bring your own CDMA Phone Program.
Note: This does not include Verizon Prepaid phones or Sprint prepaid phones.
Other Unlocked Phones
Unlocked phones will almost always work on Straight Talk as long as they support the bands needed to communicate with the Straight Talk towers. You might try contacting Straight Talk Customer Support to verify before purchasing a SIM, to make sure you purchase the correct one for your device.
Anything Else
If you have a locked phone that is not from postpaid AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint the answer is: Probably not; proceed at your own risk.
Here is a list of the types of phones that won’t work unless they are unlocked:
- US Cellular Phones
- C Spire Wireless Phones
- nTelos Wireless Phones
- Metro PCS Phones
- Verizon Prepaid Phones
- AT&T Go Phones
- Total Wireless Phones
- TracFone Phones
- SafeLink Phones
- NET10 Phones
- Straight Talk Phones
- Boost Mobile Phones
- Virgin Mobile Phones
- Cricket Phones
- Republic Wireless Phones
- PagePlus Phones
- BlackBerry Phones (may not work even if unlocked)
- Nextel Phones (may not work even if unlocked)
What if my phone won’t work?
- Sell your old phone on eBay, Craigslist or Amazon Marketplace.
- Buy a compatible phones on Amazon, eBay, or you can buy one directly from Straight Talk. Your best bet will be unlocked phones, but you can also find some good deals on phones that are locked to Verizon, Sprint, AT&T or T-Mobile.
Get up and Running on Straight Talk
As you read above, many phones are eligible to run on Straight Talk, but there are some that will not work. If you have any questions about if your phone will work, see our article what phones work with Straight Talk and Net 10 BYOD SIM cards.
I have a Samsung galaxy S3 from alltel. My service was switched from alltel to at&t. Therefore I received a new Phone the S4. So I gave my sister my galaxy s3 can she transfer here straight talk # to this alltel phone?
Go to Straight Talk SIM or Net 10 SIM and check the IMEI.
I have a AT&T iPhone 6 plus but had a bad imei will it still work with straight talk?
Unlikely
Hey I had an s5 with at&t can they use the phone on straight talk?
Yes, go to Straight Talk SIM or Net 10 SIM to order today!
I have a iPhone 6+ with C -spire can I use it with straight talk?
If it is unlocked, it might work.
I have a iphone 5s from AT&T can I use that with Straight Talk?
Yes, go to Straight Talk SIM or Net 10 SIM to order today!
I have got a amazon phone threw at&t i dont know if it has a past bill or not could it be used
Yes, go to Straight Talk SIM or Net 10 SIM to order today!
Can I take an AT&T IPHONE and used with a verizon straight talk. We purchased the verizon straight talk plan but I would like to use an AT&T phone. The phone is no longer on any plans but would I have to unlock it first ?Thanks
You will have to unlock it first.
Hi. I am a straight talk customer and have an HTC One V that came from alltel. Straight talk had the bring your own phone program here and I have a SIM card. I contacted straight talk and they said it would work with any GSM phone but they didn’t know where I could have it unlocked in my area. Do you know how I can unlock it myself?
Try some of the unlocking services online. Some of them have money-back guarantees.
Unlockslocks.Com
Received my code in two days. And offers short cuts on you tube on how to do it.
Just have a quick question I recently split way with Verizon and I still owe a little money on my iPhone 6 from the edge plan. I have straight talk now and want to know is there any way to unlock the 6 so I can use it on straight talk? I’m paying Verizon off slowly but need the phone soon my old iPhone 4 isn’t working right
Can I use my straightalk sims that is in a Verizon phone and put it in an art iphone 5c
Possibly, give it a try and see if it works. If it doesn’t work you can just get the proper SIM for the iPhone.
Will my LG g3 at&t phone work to switch over to straight talk?
Yes, go to Straight Talk SIM or Net 10 SIM to order today!
I have a old LG version phone. Can I use straight talk with this phone. Also I have another version prepaid phone that I would like to transfer the phone number to as well.
What model is the LG phone? You can port numbers, but you can’t normally bring other prepaid phones to Straight Talk.
I have a lg volt ls740 throught virgin mobil.i checked to see if my phone was compatible through straight talk and it said yes. So do i still need to get it unlocked to do so
I think you would. Did you end up trying it? Did it work? Please help us out by letting us know how it worked for you.
I have a at&t LG g Vista that I switched to the BYOP straight talk plan. I can’t get my hotspot to work on it at all. Is there a way I can get it to work on my phone!
Hotspot is not permitted under the Straight Talk terms of service
That’s what I was told. I’m with straight talk and use my hotspot faithfully all day everyday with my android phone couldn’t get the hotspot to open up. soon,as I would try it would shut off.so, I simply went to Google play and downloaded a hotspot app and surprise we’re all connected for 45 dollars a month.
Hello would you mind telling me which hotspot app you downloaded and got to work. I have downloaded 10 and not gotten any of them to work. I am able to use USB tethering but that doesn’t work with some unique equipment I need to use on the Jobsite. I would really appreciate if you would tell me everything you did to get yours going. Thanks Mike
Straight Talk does not allow tethering. Try T-Mobile, Google-Fi or FreedomPop for this.
i recently switched to straight talks bring your own device and i like it but when im at the office since its an at&t phone i lose signal…..is there any way i can fix this?? verizon works fine in this area…my old straight talk phone does too….but this at&t phone (not the network) wont work…..help lol
Buy a phone that uses a different carrier. A used Verizon phone brought to Straight Talk may provide better coverage indoors in your area.
I have an active contract with att Samsung note 3.
Can I just buy a straight talk Sim card $45 plan and put it in the phone and will it work?
Yes, go to Straight Talk SIM or Net 10 SIM to order today!
I bought a sony Xperia z1s on ebay. It has a bad ESN and cannot be used with t-mobile service in the US. If i get this phone unlocked can i use straight talk on it?
No
I’m about to trade my unlocked samsung galaxy mega and my daughter lg tribute on virgin mobile for a clone note 4 and a clone S5 the lady said she bought them off her friend and they used them on straight talk I was wondering if I can use the note 4 on my service t-mobile prepaid and my daughter wants to use the clone S5 on virgin mobile will we be able to use them on prepaid t-mobile and prepaid virgin mobile?
What networks are the phones that you want to convert on now?
I have a Samsung Galaxy S3 with boost Mobile. I checked with the site to see if my phone would work with St. It said it was compatible. I’m confused on the terms of St with my phone and carrier. Plz help I’m really want to switch to St. My service for boost Mobile sucks where I live. Instead of getting 3g I will get 4g with St. Plz help me I’m really confused about what I’m reading and what St said about my phone being compatible with St services.
Did you end up trying this? Did it work?
You would end up using the same network for that phone on Straight Talk — so the coverage should be the same.
So how would one switch to the boost mobile phone keeping the mins and same phone number?
You can’t do this.
I have a I Phone 5 S from Cingular Celluar
Will I be able to use it on Straight Talk ?
What is Cingular Cellular? They were bought by AT&T years ago. If the phone is unlocked, you can probably use it on Straight Talk.
Will an active straight talk galaxy ace sm-s765c phone sim card with current airtime work immediately in a at&t zte maven phone and have same number and actuve service as u had on the other?
No, you need to get a new SIM from Straight Talk or Net 10. Go to Straight Talk SIM or Net 10 SIM to order today!
I have a LG tcc-5720 from Virgin Mobile pay as you go. Can I use it with straight talk?
No
Hey, I bought a used Samsung Galaxy S6 but it has a bad ESN and it was previously with US Cellular (something like that) and I was wondering if by any chance I could use it with Straight Talk? If so how can I get it to work?
No, it’s not going to work. You got scammed, try to return the phone to the seller or seek legal action.
Hi i have a zte z max phone its thru metro pcs will it work with straight talk
I also have another question i have a phone curently thru boost mobile. Would i be able to port my number to straight talk
As far as I know, Metro PCS and Boost Mobile phones cannot be run on Straight Talk. However, you can port your number to a new Straight Talk phone.
I currently have a ZTE speed 4G LTE a boost mobile plan I want to keep my phone and if possible the same number but I want to switch my plan over to straight talk. Could this be done.!??
If you buy a new phone from Straight Talk or get another phone besides the one you have and put a Straight Talk SIM in, you should be able to retain your number.
I’m trying to buy an iphone 6 from a friend. The original carrier was Verizon. Will straight talk work? I dont want to purchise the phone if i can’t use it!
Yes, go to Straight Talk SIM or Net 10 SIM to order today!
Hey have a question not what I can do so I have a HTC Desire 510 and I had it for Sprint the contract is over I do not have a number with Sprint anymore not a contract phone anymore so could I buy a CDMA LTE Activation Kit from Straight talks website and switch it like so ??
Yes, go to Straight Talk SIM to order today!
Hi I have a LG G4 from att. Am I able to bring this phone to straight talk?
Yes, go to Straight Talk SIM to order today!
I have a Samsung galaxy s2 that was originally with Alltel service, and then I had it switched to page plus. My internet always ran slow and didn’t allow me to do much, so I stopped using the service. I now have a phone with straight talk service, can I switch my straight talk number to my galaxy s2?
Yes, you should be able to get this to work – contact Straight Talk support for help.
I have a At&t contact iPhone 5c phone, will I be able to switch over to straight talk if I buy a activation kit?
Yes, go to Straight Talk SIM or Net 10 SIM to order today!
I have a verizon plan on a Samsung Galaxy s5. The payment is currently past due. I would like to switch to straight talk for a cheaper option. Can I switch now? It’s a 4G LTE. Do I need to unlock it? Some sites say they are not locked.
Pay your bill first, then switch.
It will work with straight talk if the phone has global mode and use a GSM sim
Yes, go to Straight Talk SIM or Net 10 SIM to order today!
I think the question is can she port a number over with a past due bill, would Att let her? It doesn’t mean she is not going to pay her bill. My question is not on here and I don’t know why but some people like my friend who’s been a loyal ATT customer for over 7 years has had to switch plans every 3 months because of overages that don’t make any sense. Now she intends to pay her BILL but cant pay all at once (800.00) but doesnt want to be without service in the mean time !
If you need to pay off your AT&T service while having service, get a new phone (they start at close to FREE) from Tracfone, Straight Talk or Net 10, and then use that until you can port your other phone or buy a new one.
I have a boost mobile galaxy s2. It doesn’t take a sim card. The straight talk phone I have now is not working very well but I can’t afford a new phone. How can I switch my plan over to my galaxy?
You can’t
Will a unlochef tmobile phone work with a Verizon straight talk Sim card
No. Wrong radio
I bought a HTC One Max not a contract phone I already have a straight talk phone can i just take my SIM card out and put it in the new phone and it work?
Probably not. But it wouldn’t hurt to try.
I have purchased a virgin mobile phone & I go through the straight talk phone company would I be able to switch?
No
I have an AT&T Samsung Galaxy S5 and I purchased the activation kit. I followed all the instructions and I tried to keep my same phone number. It said it would take two hours to transfer and it’s been 4 hours now, and still won’t work when I put in the Straight Talk Sim card. What should I do?
Call Straight Talk Customer Support
Hello, i just got a Iphone 6 from US Cellular and was told by someone there that I indeed could take it to stright talk. Do you believe this information? And if so what sims card would I need to get for it?
You can, but it will probably need to be unlocked first.
I have a zte zmax2 with go phone will it work for straight talk
If it is unlocked, it may.
I want to buy a i phone 5s from ebay for my sister who already has a existing straighttalk account. We live in a remote area where verizon towers work best. Would i buy a cdma, gsm, verizon phone,or a factory unlocked. Im so confused. I just want a i phone 5s that will work on straighttalk verizon towers.what phone should i buy
If you get a Verizon locked phone, it is a guarantee that it will use Verizon on Straight Talk.
I just bought a used samsung galaxy s3 and I cannot find a carrier that it is compatible with! Could I go through straight talk? ?
What carrier was it on originally? Locked or unlocked?
I have a Verizon phone with straight talk service when I switched over it curt out my mobile network hot spot and I can’t figure out why it says mobile number not found when I try to turn it on can someone help me?
Call Straight Talk support
I have an unlocked cspire s5 will it work on straight talk ? Which sim card do I use?
Yes, go to Straight Talk SIM or Net 10 SIM to order today!
Choose “Other Carrier”. It is probably a CDMA phone.
I have (2) iPhone 5c and a Samsung Galaxy S4 with Sprint. Can I use these devices with Straight Talk?
Yes, go to Straight Talk SIM or Net 10 SIM to order today!
Hey does straight talk support Lumia 950 XL or not.please answer the question don’t just take question out.
What carrier was it on originally? Locked or unlocked?
If I buy an iPhone 5s with straight talk can I use it with metro pcs?
No
If I get an iPhone 5s with straight talk can I switch to boost mobile?
No
950 XL Lumia doesn’t work on straight talk.hope so in the near future!!!
I have a galaxy prevail G 360 through boost mobile can I get it unlocked and it will work through straight talk mobile?
No, it won’t work, sorry. Sell it and get another phone.
Hi, I have an iPhone 5c whose carrier is AT&T. My contract is up and I’m looking to switch to straighttalk. Is my phone compatible for the switch? All of this is slightly confusing, haha.
Yes, go to Straight Talk SIM or Net 10 SIM to order today!
I currently have a phone with Virgin mobile. Can I move my phone number from a different phone I no longer want to a pre-owned AT&T locked iphone 5s with a straight talk plan?
Yes, go to Straight Talk SIM or Net 10 SIM to order today!
I have an unlocked Moto x that i use with US Cellular pre-paid. Would it be possible to switch to Straight Talk and use my phone without having to buy a straight talk phone?
Yes, go to Straight Talk SIM or Net 10 SIM to order today!
I have a lg g3 currently on contract with Verizon. Can I bring my phone and phone number to straight talk?
Yes, go to Straight Talk SIM or Net 10 SIM to order today!
Keep in mind that you will need to pay early termination fees on your contract, which may or may not be worth it.
I have an AT&T iPhone 6splus still under contract, can I switch to straight talk and port my number?
Yes, go to Straight Talk SIM or Net 10 SIM to order today!
Keep in mind that you will need to pay early termination fees on your contract, which may or may not be worth it.
If I buy a phone of EBay and it’s unlocked will it work with straight talk
Yes, go to Straight Talk SIM or Net 10 SIM to order today!
If I have a phone with bad esn can it be flashed to straight talk
No
Bought an iPhone 4s ,its virgin mobile carrier will it work with straight talk?
No. If you get it unlocked, it might.
can i use my iphone6 plus on boost mobile its us cellular carrier and will it work
Yes, if it is unlocked.
I currently have a Att galaxy s3 on a straight talk plan. I bought a new phone but it was originally a T Mobil phone. I have a t mobile compatible sim card for straight talk. Can I use this new sim and keep my same number if I add the new device to my online account?
I think so
i bought an iphone 5s from straightalk in december.i have tried to unlock it but thou unlocking tells me successful tmobile sim does not work in it.when i go to my phone setting with the straightalk sim inserted the carriers says TFW.
can my phone be unlocked?
if yes how?
You would need to check with one of the unlocking services online. It may be able to be done, but in general, Straight Talk phones are not portable.
I have a samsung gs2 with tmobile prepaid. I will buy a iphone 6s. will I be able to use a at&t sim card in stead of tmobile sim and keep my number when I switch to straight talk.
Yes, go to Straight Talk SIM or Net 10 SIM to order today!
I have a HTC desire from metro pcs however it rides off the T-Mobile network. Would that mean it’s essentially like T-Mobile and I’d compatible with straight talk
No
A friend of mine gave me a iPhone 4s that was on us cellular if I get it flashed/unlocked can I transfer my straighttalk service to it
Yes, go to Straight Talk SIM or Net 10 SIM to order today!
I have a locked samsung note 3 with tmobile can i switch to straight talk?
Yes, go to Straight Talk SIM or Net 10 SIM to order today!
I bought a note 3 and it had a bad esn/ime it comes factory unlocked can I go to walmart and buy the straight talk sim kit and use the AT&T sim in it
No
Can I use a original Verizon Galaxy S with my net10 sim card on net10? It’s the very first Galaxy S.
Yes, go to Straight Talk SIM or Net 10 SIM to order today!
Can I use the Original Verizon Galaxy S on net10 with my net10 sim card? It’s the first Galaxy S.
Yes, go to Straight Talk SIM or Net 10 SIM to order today!
I have a verizon phone that i still owe money on but hasnt been connected since june of 2015. If i buy a sim card can i use it? The phone is compatible I checked online.
No, pay your bill. It’s not right to steal from Verizon.
I’m sure this comment will be deleted, but just because you owe money to verizon doesn’t necessarily mean it wont be able to be switched to straight talk. The main question is do you owe money on the actual phone, as in, was it “leased to own” on a payment plan? If the phone itself is paid off, there is nothing stopping you from using it.
I bought a used Samsung Galaxy S3 from a friend without a SIM card in it and am wondering if i can insert my old phones SIM and SD into this device. My friend says that he already paid for all the phone usage months and such but I would like to stick my SIM card from my Virgin Mobile LG Optimus F3 into this new and better Samsung S3. I would do it in a flash but I am just a little afraid. Every time I turn on the Galaxy phone it says Service of Tracfone wireless so i am more hesitant on trying to switch phones. Please Help, thanks
If the phone is a Tracfone, it probably will not work
If i were to try this, how should i do it?
My friend has 4 ATT phones that are active, she has them on the next plan, her bills are 400+ per month. She wants to pay them off but can’t do it all at once, can she switch those lines to straight talk and keep the numbers and pay the ATT bill off a little at a time ? She would save almost 200 a month . I am trying to get her to switch but I don’t want to misinform her either.
I’m not sure how this would work if the bill is overdue. The only way to really find out is to try it with one phone and see if it works.
Hey I have Metro PCS and I was wondering can I switch to straight talk?
No
I had bought a verizon phone from another person that I want to change to straight talk can I do it if they might have had a owing bill for that phone but I’m not or never had a Verizon contract
If the phone has a blacklisted IMEI due to non-payment, it doesn’t matter if you are the original owner. Generally, he bill must be paid first. Call Verizon to see if they can help you out.
Will a verizon iPhone 4s definitely use verizon towers with Straight Talk?
If it is locked, yes, it should.
I bought a HTC Desire 626 Verizon Prepaid phone from Walmart.com hoping to use it to replace my broken-down Samsung Galaxy S3 StraightTalk phone which is in the middle of a one-year StraightTalk service plan. I also bought the StraightTalk BYOP kit. I tried to activate the new phone with StraightTalk and was informed that the IMEI is not eligible or compatible with StraightTalk in spite of being a CDMA LTE phone. I asked what determines a phone’s eligibility for StraightTalk and was told the “system” determines that. Is there any way I can use my new phone with StraightTalk, or shall I just return it to Walmart?
Verizon Prepaid phones do not work with Straight Talk SIM.
Hi there. I’m so sorry if I’m asking a question that has already been asked, but I currently have a T-Mobile ZTE Concord on the Walmart family mobile plan. Since moving to a new house the signal is terrible… constant dropped calls, missed calls that never came through, and heaven help if you need to use the web. The “expert” at Walmart has said that switching to Straight Talk would solve all of these issues, but since it is a T-Mobile phone, will switching to a straight Talk SIM actually solve this issue, or would i just continue to have it unless I also got a phone put out by a different carrier that is compatible with straight Talk?
Switching to Straight Talk probably won’t help unless you get into a situation where you are using the AT&T, Verizon or Sprint networks.
Can a boost Samsung Galaxy Prevail LTE Prepaid Smartphone be transfered to Straight Talk?
If it is unlocked, yes
I have a $45 monthly plan no contract plan on my samsung galaxy siii. I am wanting to switch to a Iphone 5s. the Iphone 5s is not a straight talk phone. how do I convert my service to the iphone.
iPhone 5s should work fine on Straight Talk. You’ll probably have to get a new SIM Card for the iPhone, since it probably takes a different size than the GS3. Go to Straight Talk SIM or Net 10 SIM to order your SIM today!
I currently use ST on a T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S4.
I am getting an unlocked AT&T Samsung Galaxy S5.
Can I use my current Sim in the new phone even though the phones are from different carriers? Or do I have to purchase The ST AT&T sim? Thanks
Yes, go to Straight Talk SIM or Net 10 SIM to order today!
Can I get a htc desire 626 from boost mobilet and switch it to straight talk?
No
i have a galaxy note 5 but i still owe the verizon bill. will it work with straight talk?
Not sure. I recommend paying your bills first.
Hi,
My husband and I both have an iPhone 6 and are on the “Next” program with AT&T, which allows you to be without a contract but you must pay off your phones over two years. So, if I cancel my AT&T service now, I will have a balance left. Will I be able to cancel and port to straight talk while having a balance to pay off with AT&T?
Call AT&T to get the answer.