TracFone is the 6th largest mobile network operator in the United States. It allows its customers to purchase airtime usage when they purchase phones that companies like Nokia, LG, and Motorola make.
A TracFone customer has to activate the cell phone before using it. It can be activated via the TracFone website or TracFone customer care. It is also possible to download the programming codes from the website directly to the cell phone. Customers can also utilize the OTA (Over The Air) feature to activate a TracFone. The TracFone’s OTA feature allows the customer to activate his/her phone through the radio waves that the customer’s local tower provides.
TracFone assigns a code number based on the zip code that the customer provides. The activation process may take a few hours or a day. It is also possible to transfer an existing TracFone Number to a new phone. Transferring an existing number to a new phone may take 3 to 10 business days. Transferring a phone number from another company to a TracFone may take 2 weeks.

Prior to activating Tracfone, insert the battery into the handset and charge it for one or two hours. Choose the phone’s main menu and select the “prepaid option.” Now click “My ESN” (it can be My IMEI or Serial Number depending on the phone). Note the number displayed when this option is clicked and also record the SIM serial number.
Open the TracFone website http://www.tracfone.com to activate the phone. Click “Activate/Reactivate” on the website. First time users should enter the personal information that the website requires. Click on the brand of the phone on the available phone list. Now choose the phone model from the list of pictures provided. Enter the serial number previously noted in the designated space. Customers also have to provide their billing information and airtime. Follow the directions on the site to activate and verify the phone number. Once the activation process is over, the customer will receive an SMS confirming the TracFone’s activation.
The TracFone activation process is different for different models. Whatever the phone’s brand, it is important to note the IMEI and SIM card serial numbers that come with the phone. When compared to other phones, activating a Verizon Wireless prepaid phone is simple. It only requires the user to dial *22888 and hit the send button. The customer should then enter his/her zip code in the space provided. The customer will then be asked to choose the code for the language he/she prefers. The customer will then receive a message regarding his/her talk time as an indication of TracFone activation.

Very poor service after buying from HSN, phone returned. Unable to activate phone, no “person”, to talk to. Machine responses do not ask questions pertaining to the problem. Tried to contact both Tracfone and HSN, multiple times, but unable to speak with customer relations of either company. Would not recommend.
My name is Katherine Davis I receive a phone on 12/1/2011. When I talk to someone about my phone I was used my uncle phone when I call and report that my phone was stolen. So they sent me a replacement phone . They ask me for a number so they could get in touch with me and I gave the my uncle number .My phone that they sent is my uncle number. So what do I do about the phone number.
You have to activate the phone…. DUH! It doesnt just come activated… take it to a local retailer or go on the website and do it. If you can read… than you can activate it… ::shake my head::
You need to do something about how long it takes to activate a phone!!!. 24 hours?!!! One phone dont work and the other one dont work till its activated.
need help!!! love my tracfone, I am having a problem, it will not ring when I get an incoming call, have tried everything , not ringing???? Help
have you tryed to press send when you get a call? if you haven`t you should try it but if you have it may be on vibrate or you nedd to turn up the volume. you should also read the tracfone book that came with you tracfone.
how do i active my security code on the tracfoneLG?
I am having a problem with the Tracfone. My Tracfone does not ring when there is an incoming call. I managed to get the Tracfone to vibrate, so it vibrates everytime there is an incoming call.
I turned the volume up to 7, but the Tracfone still does not ring when there is an incoming call. I called Tech Support and they told me to save after I selected a function.
I did that, and the Tracfone still does not ring when there is an incoming call.
I received my new SIM card till now I do not active it
i want to activate my trac fon. you arenot clear on it at all!!!!
I just bought a Tracfone and there isn’t any instructions on the basics as to how to add contacts or delete them. How can I get an instruction brochure?
Requesting activation of new phone.
Activation of new phone.
I have tried to setup the voice mail without success. I can make outgoing calls but am not able to receive calls,the recoeding says that my voice mail has not been activated.
I want to activate my phone for International calls