If you’ve browsed the electronics section at your local Walmart, chances are you’ve heard about Walmart Family Mobile.
The low-cost cell phone provider is owned by TracFone Wireless, the company behind Straight Talk, Total Wireless, Simple Mobile and other popular prepaid brands.
Walmart Family Mobile Review
Can you really save money with Walmart Family Mobile? We decided to take a closer look.
In this article, you’ll learn about the service’s plans and pricing, network coverage, phone options and other key features to help you decide if it’s right for you.
Here’s what you need to know before you sign up…
Table of Contents
1. Network Coverage
Walmart Family Mobile is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that doesn’t own any cell phone towers. Instead, the service partners with T-Mobile to provide coverage.
Therefore, the provider is best for people who live and work in areas where T-Mobile’s coverage is strong.
Like other MVNOs, Walmart Family Mobile has a coverage map on its website. Follow this link to enter your city and see if 4G LTE service is available near you.
2. Plans and Pricing
Walmart Family Mobile has four no-contract plans starting at $25 per month before taxes and fees. Each plan features unlimited talk and text, plus either fixed or unlimited data.
This is a prepaid service, so you pay for one of the 30-day plans below in advance:
- $24.88/month: Unlimited talk, text and 2GB of 4G LTE data, then 2G
- $29.88/month: Unlimited talk, text and 4GB of 4G LTE data, then 2G
- $39.88/month: Unlimited talk, text and 14GB of 4G LTE data, then 2G
- $49.88/month: Unlimited talk, text and 4G LTE data, plus 10GB of mobile hotspot
The provider also lets you add additional lines for $24.88 per month each. That means you can get two lines on the Truly Unlimited plan for $74.76 per month before taxes and fees.
For some context, Metro by T-Mobile charges $80 a month for two lines with taxes and fees included.
SafeLink Benefit: SNAP and Medicaid recipients may qualify for a $10/month discount on plans using the SafeLink Benefit. Learn more here.
3. Mobile Hotspot
If mobile hotspot is an important feature to you, the good news is that it’s available with Walmart Family Mobile.
The Truly Unlimited plan now comes with 10GB of mobile hotspot included in the $49.88 monthly price, while plans with a fixed amount of data are “mobile hotspot capable.”
4. Video Streaming
Low-cost wireless providers including Walmart Family Mobile may not be a good fit for people who insist on streaming video in high definition.
For the Truly Unlimited plan, video streams at DVD quality, typically 480p.
You can get around this restriction by connecting to Wi-Fi. Video streaming over a Wi-Fi connection will be delivered at the video’s native resolution, according to the fine print.
To test the difference between HD and SD quality on your phone, check out this video:
5. Phone Options
If you want to switch to Walmart Family Mobile and keep your number, you can bring a compatible device or purchase a new one.
To make sure that your existing phone will work on the service, text BYOP to 611611 or follow this link. You’ll be asked a series of questions to determine if your device is compatible.
You’ll need either a phone that is compatible with T-Mobile or an unlocked GSM device.
If you prefer to purchase a new phone, you can shop online or visit your local Walmart. There were 32 devices for sale when I checked Walmart.com.
They included the latest Apple iPhone and Samsung Galaxy devices, plus a number of options below $100.
6. Customer Service
Unlike T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile, there are no stores that provide in-person support for Walmart Family Mobile customers.
Customer service is handled by chat and phone only. The number is 877-440-9758.
While I was putting together this article, I initiated a chat session with a representative. The wait time exceeded 20 minutes, and I didn’t receive a satisfactory answer to my question.
From my experience, customer support is one of the areas where TracFone providers could improve.
However, Walmart Family Mobile has extensive support documents on its website and the 611611 help line can be useful when you want to check account details like data usage.
Final Thought
Walmart Family Mobile provides prepaid coverage on T-Mobile’s network at a low monthly price. There are no contracts, no commitments and no cancellation fees.
If the following sounds like you, Walmart Family Mobile may be worth looking into:
- T-Mobile coverage is strong in your area
- You want an affordable unlimited data plan
- You have a compatible phone or want to buy a new device
- In-person customer support isn’t important to you
This is just one of many low-cost wireless providers to consider. To learn about some of your other options, see Clark’s guide to the best cell phone plans and deals!
Do you have service with Walmart Family Mobile? Leave your customer review in the comments below!
More Clark.com Cell Phone Plan Reviews:
The post Walmart Family Mobile: 6 Things to Know Before You Sign Up appeared first on Clark Howard.
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