Are the tracfone phones good if I just want a mobile number for certain website authentications

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Naer

Naer

Diamond Member
Nov 28, 2013
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Like the steam mobile authenticator to trade on the steam market more easily. Would a tracfone number be sufficient?

Also for other websites to confirm it's my account(ie gmail, etc)

I haven't been subscribed to phone service in over 8 years btw. It's a hassle when they ask me for my mobile number to retrieve a code on various websites
 
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dlerious

Platinum Member
Mar 4, 2004
2,034
851
136
I still use tracfone. It costs $125 /yr and I never use all the txt/talk/data, so it carries over. Verizon bought them so I'm not sure if things will change in the future. I get steam notifications on it, but I'm going to be moving to Yubikey for 2FA on sites that allow it.
 
lxskllr

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
59,090
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I use a walmart(tracfone) for my home internet. I've never had a postpaid plan of my own. I use one for work, but if I were to get my own, it would be prepaid. Never had problems with the various servives. I've used Virgin, Boost, and Walmart so far.
 
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thedarkwolf

Diamond Member
Oct 13, 1999
9,025
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Couldn't you just use a google voice number and not pay anything. You don't even need a phone.
I'm using a google voice number for all that stuff routed too my tracfone.
 
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Naer

Naer

Diamond Member
Nov 28, 2013
3,392
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thedarkwolf said:
Couldn't you just use a google voice number and not pay anything. You don't even need a phone.
I'm using a google voice number for all that stuff routed too my tracfone.
Click to expand...
I will look into this
 
Captante

Captante

Lifer
Oct 20, 2003
30,337
10,854
136
I used the "Straight-talk" version of Trac phone for several years and it was pretty good because the model phone I went with used Verizon. Be sure to do your homework on the actual service provider if you go that route.

You should also look into Ting and Mint Mobile.

Google voice works well although you will need a legit phone number to activate it and it would be exclusively wifi unless used on a smart-phone with an active line.
 
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Lost_in_the_HTTP

Lost_in_the_HTTP

Lifer
Nov 17, 2019
13,157
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You can use a phone supplied by TF, but you don't have to. Theirs tend to be loaded with bloatware. I use a Motorola Stylus I bought from JeffaZon. Pay around $10/mo or so for more time, data and messages than I'll ever use. Works for all for the annoying code to phone crap I've encountered so far.

For anyone that uses TF, get into their Rewards program. Doing stupid things like playing a simple game or monthly surveys earns points that can be redeemed for airtime. I've had about six free months so far and am close to enough points for three more.

Referral code mention edited out.
Perknose
Forum Director
 
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balloonshark

balloonshark

Diamond Member
Jun 5, 2008
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You can get a tracfone phone loaded with 1 year airtime, 1500 minutes talk, 1500 texts and 1.5GB data for under $100. A recent deal was $30. Keep an eye on slickdeals and use their search for tracfone deals if you go that way.

I normally keep my mobile data turned off on my tracfone. If you run out of airtime, talk, text or data the phone doesn't work until you load it back up.
 
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dlerious

Platinum Member
Mar 4, 2004
2,034
851
136
balloonshark said:
You can get a tracfone phone loaded with 1 year airtime, 1500 minutes talk, 1500 texts and 1.5GB data for under $100. A recent deal was $30. Keep an eye on slickdeals and use their search for tracfone deals if go that way.
Click to expand...
It's up to $125 and 1.46GB for that plan now (not on sale). Last I refilled, you could add extra time, talk, text, and/or data after choosing a plan - I added an extra year since I run out of time, but not the others. There was a time when they were doing double and triple minutes, but I don't recall the requirements (I think it was certain phones before they let you add your own).
 
balloonshark

balloonshark

Diamond Member
Jun 5, 2008
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dlerious said:
It's up to $125 and 1.46GB for that plan now (not on sale). Last I refilled, you could add extra time, talk, text, and/or data after choosing a plan - I added an extra year since I run out of time, but not the others. There was a time when they were doing double and triple minutes, but I don't recall the requirements (I think it was certain phones before they let you add your own).
Click to expand...
I used to have one of their old triple minute phones but I think I lost the triple minutes because i use their BYOP sim on a phone I bought. Like you I also have the issue of running out of time since I rarely use the talk or texts.
 
Naer

Naer

Diamond Member
Nov 28, 2013
3,392
174
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Update: going to hook up the phone I have right now to cricket wireless(family plan) Same number that I had 8 years ago

Doesn't make sense to get a new phone.(a "tracfone" or whatever) I always fantasize about getting cooler stuff but that's not the way imo. The phone I currently have is a LG fortune. It's me mums old phone. Honestly going to see where this phone takes me. It has awesome battery life, plays videos and music and I can efficiently post on internet forums(and browse web). The only con I can think about for using this phone is I won't be able to take acceptable pics to share with it(very inferior camera) But I already own a decent canon cam. Anway If the headphone jack gives out, I can always connect a bluetooth headphone. I practice frugulity. Yeah, I can afford a nicer phone, but like I said, gonna use this phone until it's no longer functional regardless

Apologies for opening a thread when the solution was with me from the beginning

I think it's kind of cool that I keep my old phone. There's history with it
 
Lost_in_the_HTTP

Lost_in_the_HTTP

Lifer
Nov 17, 2019
13,157
7,829
136
Downdetector won't find it and on sitechecker I get this:

Sitechecker can’t check this website, because the home page responds 403 HTTP status code.
This can happen for several reasons.
  • The website is available only in specific countries.
  • No such domain is registered or domain expired.
 
lxskllr

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
59,090
9,508
126
Ignore the garbled page. It's my aggressive content blocking...

EIZ8Pqg.png
 
Captante

Captante

Lifer
Oct 20, 2003
30,337
10,854
136
Lost_in_the_HTTP said:
If I turn WiFi off on the phone itself I can get it (using LTE).

Weird.
Click to expand...

Sounds like the issue might be your ISP.... reboot the modem/router yet? (if not that's step 1)

Could also be as simple as a DNS server problem... could try jumping over to Open DNS and see if that fix's things. (100% safe)

Use Open DNS

Alternatively Google DNS also works well:

Use Google DNS
 
nakedfrog

nakedfrog

No Lifer
Apr 3, 2001
61,111
16,548
136
Yep, I'd guess some kind of DNS quirkiness too. Could do a tracert to tracfone.com if you care that much.
 
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sdifox

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
98,819
17,290
126
You should check what dns you are using, typically you can have a primary and secondary, set the secondary to some other provider so you are covered. Say primary google secondary opendns.

I am thinking yours is set to your isp's dns, and that it sucks.
 
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