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

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ultimatebob

ultimatebob

Lifer
Jul 1, 2001
25,134
2,450
126
Do you even need a working cell phone plan for something like Google Authenticator? Any cheap Android phone connected to WiFi should work for that.
 
Captante

Captante

Lifer
Oct 20, 2003
30,337
10,855
136
sdifox said:
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.
Click to expand...


Believe it or not lately I get the fastest performance using Com-crap's DNS as my primary. I have Open DNS set as my backup.
 
Captante

Captante

Lifer
Oct 20, 2003
30,337
10,855
136
ultimatebob said:
Do you even need a working cell phone plan for something like Google Authenticator? Any cheap Android phone connected to WiFi should work for that.
Click to expand...

Far as I know you need a "legit" phone line of some kind ... mobile or landline will work but it has to be a "real" account.

I've tried activating a Google Voice number using texting apps over wifi as well as an already established GV number and neither one worked.
 
sdifox

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
98,852
17,321
126
Captante said:
Believe it or not lately I get the fastest performance using Com-crap's DNS as my primary. I have Open DNS set as my backup.
Click to expand...
Lucky you, lost in http however reported several website outages that rest of us did not encounter.
 
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lxskllr

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
59,108
9,541
126
I've been using adguard dns lately. Works pretty well. It's especially well suited to an unrooted android that won't use up your vpn slot to block ads.

adguard-dns.io

AdGuard DNS — ad-blocking DNS server

Create your ad-blocking DNS server that will protect your personal data, prevent tracking and allow you to control access to specific content on the Internet.
adguard-dns.io adguard-dns.io
 
Lost_in_the_HTTP

Lost_in_the_HTTP

Lifer
Nov 17, 2019
13,161
7,833
136
I was getting some interstitial screen from Imperva.


DNS is set to:

DNS Address #1: 9.9.9.9

DNS Address #2: 149.112.112.112
 
lxskllr

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
59,108
9,541
126
Huh... I didn't know that Boomer. I wonder what that means for my walmart service. It currently uses Tmobile. I wonder if that'll continue, or it'll switch to verizon? I'd rather stay on Tmobile. I guess it's time to see what else is out there.
 
BoomerD

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
65,647
14,034
146
lxskllr said:
Huh... I didn't know that Boomer. I wonder what that means for my walmart service. It currently uses Tmobile. I wonder if that'll continue, or it'll switch to verizon? I'd rather stay on Tmobile. I guess it's time to see what else is out there.
Click to expand...

Walmart? Do you have tracfone, straight talk, or Walmart Family Mobile?
 
lxskllr

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
59,108
9,541
126
Walmart family mobile. Serviced by tracfone, and using the Tmobile network.
 
Captante

Captante

Lifer
Oct 20, 2003
30,337
10,855
136
lxskllr said:
Walmart family mobile. Serviced by tracfone, and using the Tmobile network.
Click to expand...

Also NET10 Wireless, Page Plus, Safe-Link, Go-Smart Mobile, Telcel America, Simple Mobile and Clearway.

All are owned by/part of tracPhone.
 
lxskllr

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
59,108
9,541
126
Looks like it might be a good time to switch to Tmobile's home internet. Using a cell hotspot was restrictive as far as data use goes, but it was occasionally useful having a second phone. Their 5G coverage is great at my house, and it would be kinda cool not having to think about how much data I'm using.
 
M

manly

Lifer
Jan 25, 2000
12,880
3,652
136
Captante said:
Also NET10 Wireless, Page Plus, Safe-Link, Go-Smart Mobile, Telcel America, Simple Mobile and Clearway.

All are owned by/part of tracPhone.
Click to expand...
Prior Tracfone owner Carlos Slim Helu is one of the world's richest men. I guess Verizon bought out just his U.S. wireless holdings, but I didn't read into it.

T-Mobile has competitive low-end plans starting at just $10:
www.t-mobile.com

T‑Mobile Launches New Connect by T‑Mobile Plans ‑ T‑Mobile Newsroom

BELLEVUE, Wash. — March 21, 2022 — T‑Mobile (NASDAQ: TMUS) today announced the new Connect by T‑Mobile prepaid plans, including a new $10 plan. Designed
www.t-mobile.com www.t-mobile.com

The new $10 plan is pretty weak IMO (but competes with TracFone), while the existing $15 plan is the one to get. You can occasionally buy prepaid refill cards at 10% off from Target, so your effective monthly cost is $13.50. When paying with prepaid refills, there are no added taxes or fees above the $15. The 3GB cap is pretty modest by modern standards, but it's plenty if you primarily use WiFi and don't stream video over mobile data. Millennials and Gen Z need not apply, but they use their parents' plans anyway. :tearsofjoy:
 
Lost_in_the_HTTP

Lost_in_the_HTTP

Lifer
Nov 17, 2019
13,161
7,833
136
Just got a ping from TF offering a free VZW SimCard.

Wonder what they're up to. There wasn't supposed to be any change I though.
 
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