topic Re: Tracfone and internet question in Electronics

Tracfone and internet question

bargainsgirl — Thu, 29 Jun 2023 17:41:49 GMT

I have a Motorola tracfone. Works great for the most part. On occasion, I cannot connect to internet when I am in my car or in a store, or other places with public WIFI. It seems to "just happen". I check my settings and they are all good. Can someone help with this? Very frustrating!

Re: Tracfone and internet question

Zhills — Thu, 29 Jun 2023 17:46:15 GMT

Everybody I know has this problem!

Too big to explain!

Re: Tracfone and internet question

Venezia — Thu, 29 Jun 2023 17:51:24 GMT

@bargainsgirl @Zhills - I started a thread about this a while back in this forum. I had the exact same problem with my new Moto G Stylus 5 G phone and this was the solution.

Here's a link to the other thread, where I explained how to solve it. Mine has worked perfectly ever since.

https://community.qvc.com/t5/Electronics/Tracfone-Moto-G-Stylus-5G-quot-No-internet-quot-Solution/m-p/8019821#M70354

Re: Tracfone and internet question

bargainsgirl — Thu, 29 Jun 2023 18:06:36 GMT

Thank you!!! That was sooo easy! I will test it out later!!

Re: Tracfone and internet question

Venezia — Thu, 29 Jun 2023 18:08:20 GMT

@bargainsgirl - You're very welcome. I know how frustrating it was for me, until I solved it.

Re: Tracfone and internet question

grandma r — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 01:32:27 GMT

@bargainsgirl. Mine is a Samsung and I have the same problem. In fact, when I was in hospital for nearly 2 wks, I could only make or receive calls; nothing else worked on my phone. Several nurses tried to get service for me and one finally called the hospital's tech support. The tech said it's a problem with all Tracphones. Even when I go back for testing and appts the service only works for calls. I hate this phone!!! Unfortunately, the fancy cell phones and services are just too darn expensive.

Re: Tracfone and internet question

Venezia — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 01:48:40 GMT

@grandma r - It's not a problem with all Tracfones. We've had nothing but Tracfones for over 20 years and this has only occurred with our newest one (since Verizon bought Tracfone), which can be unlocked.

If you take a minute to click on the link I provided, you can fix the issue.

Re: Tracfone and internet question

gadgetgal613 — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 10:24:43 GMT

@bargainsgirl wrote:
I have a Motorola tracfone. Works great for the most part. On occasion, I cannot connect to internet when I am in my car or in a store, or other places with public WIFI. It seems to "just happen". I check my settings and they are all good. Can someone help with this? Very frustrating!

It's an easy answer. Coverage is not equal in all areas. Signals can be too weak for your phone to connect. One way to improve your access when out and about is to turn off WiFi. The phone will stop searching for a WiFi signal and auto connect to cellular data. I'm not sre why you would want to connect to an unsecure public WiFi anyway. Hackers are everywhere.

Re: Tracfone and internet question

Venezia — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 15:36:50 GMT

@gadgetgal613 - In this instance, turning off the wi-fi (which is what had been suggested many times) did not work. It didn't make the phone revert to cellular data. The message was simply "No Internet Service" and the suggested fixes (including switching wi-fi off) made no difference.

As I tried to explain before: the new phones can often be unlocked (since the Verizon takeover). So you need to "select" the assigned Tracfone Internet service (APN).

That seems to have been set to off on many new phones. My previous Moto G Stylus phone (couldn't be unlocked) had this setting permanently "on". The new Moto G Stylus 5G (can be unlocked) allows this to be "on" or "off".

Yes, it is an easy answer. But only if you know what the problem is!

Re: Tracfone and internet question

gadgetgal613 — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 21:25:11 GMT

@Venezia wrote:
@gadgetgal613 - In this instance, turning off the wi-fi (which is what had been suggested many times) did not work. It didn't make the phone revert to cellular data. The message was simply "No Internet Service" and the suggested fixes (including switching wi-fi off) made no difference.

As I tried to explain before: the new phones can often be unlocked (since the Verizon takeover). So you need to "select" the assigned Tracfone Internet service (APN).

That seems to have been set to off on many new phones. My previous Moto G Stylus phone (couldn't be unlocked) had this setting permanently "on". The new Moto G Stylus 5G (can be unlocked) allows this to be "on" or "off".

Yes, it is an easy answer. But only if you know what the problem is!

I have an iPhone and no problems. If I want it to not search for a nearby Wifi signal, I turn it off. If your phone doesn't work that way, maybe you need a better phone.

Re: Tracfone and internet question

bargainsgirl — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 23:23:19 GMT

@Venezia wrote:
@bargainsgirl @Zhills - I started a thread about this a while back in this forum. I had the exact same problem with my new Moto G Stylus 5 G phone and this was the solution.

Here's a link to the other thread, where I explained how to solve it. Mine has worked perfectly ever since.

https://community.qvc.com/t5/Electronics/Tracfone-Moto-G-Stylus-5G-quot-No-internet-quot-Solution/m-p/8019821#M70354

THANK YOU VENEZIA! I tried your solution and today my phone worked just fine outside of my home. I wrote down the instructions just in case it happens again!!

Re: Tracfone and internet question

Venezia — Sat, 01 Jul 2023 04:19:11 GMT

@gadgetgal613 - You're missing the issue for the phones we're discussing, but I won't try to explain it any further.

My phone works just fine, thank you. And I am one of the many who don't want an iPhone.

Thankfully, we all have choices.

Re: Tracfone and internet question

Venezia — Sat, 01 Jul 2023 04:21:13 GMT

@bargainsgirl - So glad I could help and that you understood what I was trying to explain. There is nothing wrong with our phones; just a setting that used to be permanently on.

Re: Tracfone and internet question

gadgetgal613 — Sat, 01 Jul 2023 10:46:32 GMT

@Venezia wrote:
@gadgetgal613 - You're missing the issue for the phones we're discussing, but I won't try to explain it any further.

My phone works just fine, thank you. And I am one of the many who don't want an iPhone.

Thankfully, we all have choices.

There is no reason to get snippy.

Re: Tracfone and internet question

Moonlady — Sat, 01 Jul 2023 17:22:55 GMT

@Venezia What a timely subject and solution from you!

I still have the LG Reflect and, as much as I love it, I know LG is no longer in the cell phone business. I've had just about every brand phone with the TF service, including Motorola, and have never had issues. I'm planning on getting a new phone maybe around Christmas time, and was considering a Motorola, so I appreciate the info, and I've saved it.

Interestingly, as good as I like to think I am lol with phone settings, I had never heard of this APN setting. So just as a matter of interest, I followed your instructions on my LG, and there it was--already set to Tracfone as the default!

Thanks, again, for the info.

Re: Tracfone and internet question

Venezia — Sat, 01 Jul 2023 18:51:36 GMT

@Moonlady - We had LG phones in the past and loved them but, when they got out of the phone business, we switched to Motorola. Our previous Moto phones were the 4G versions of our current 5G.

This was the only "glitch" we ran into and I was determined to solve it, as the Moto G Stylus 5G is a great phone at a bargain price when they put it on sale.

Good luck with whatever phone you go with.

Re: Tracfone and internet question

vabreeze — Fri, 07 Jul 2023 22:28:37 GMT

@Venezia,

Would you be able to tell me what are the differences in the seemingly same three (3) Moto G Stylus 5G tracfones avaiabe here at QVC that one is $99.96 and the other two are $355.78. I think I am in need of a new phone because as of today, it is losing its charge in less than 24 hours. Thank you for any help.

M OTO G STYLUS 5G SEARCH RESULTS - QVC.COM

SALE PRICE $99.96

E315229

Tracfone Moto G Stylus 5G Smartphone with 1500 Talk/Text/Data

E242175

$355.78

Tracfone 6.8" Moto G Stylus 5G Phone w/ 30 Days Unlimited Talk/Text/Data

E242250

$355.78

Tracfone 6.8" Moto G Stylus 5G Phone with 1500 Talk/Text/ Data Plan

Re: Tracfone and internet question

Venezia — Fri, 07 Jul 2023 23:03:19 GMT

@vabreeze - The only difference I can see is that the second one you list is a phone that requires a monthly plan (notice it only gives 30 days unlimited talk/text/data).

As for the other two, I don't see any difference at all in the specifications. Given the item numbers, I'd say the 3rd one you show was listed a long while back, when the phone was new (hence the higher price).

The specifications for the 1st and 3rd phones are identical:

Includes moto g stylus smartphone with built-in stylus and one year of service/1,500 minutes/1,500 texts/1.5GB data; case, car charger, and voucher
Android operating system
Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G octa-core processor
6.8" diagonal Full HD+ Max Vison touchscreen display with 2400x1080 resolution
4GB RAM
128GB memory
802.11a/b/g/n/a/ac dual-band Wi-Fi
Bluetooth 5.0 wireless technology
48-megapixel quad rear camera
16-megapixel front camera
Two built-in microphones
Rechargeable lithium battery
3.5mm audio jack

The only difference is the price and the additional accessories. I have the first one (currently on sale for $99.96, although I paid slightly more for it).

I love the stand they included. In fact, I have it on my desk next to me, so that I can have the phone handy.

I don't see any Q&A for the 3rd phone you list, but just looking at it and the specs, I'd say they're the exact same phone. I'd buy the one that costs under $100. (I do wish QVC would list the model number in the specs, the way HSN does. You might check out their website for more detailed information.)

Re: Tracfone and internet question

vabreeze — Sat, 08 Jul 2023 00:20:26 GMT

@Venezia

So, the accessories for the phone with the 30 days of unimited talk/text//data-- the AC adapter, USB-to-micro-USB cable, clicker grip and stand must be valued at $255 total, less whatever amount is attributed to 30 days of unlimited t/t/d. Wow!

I guess I will try to find out what these additional accessories cost individually. I would want the adapter, grip and stand (yes, it seems very practical).

Thank you so very much for taking the time to assist me. I thought there must have been something I was not understanding with the exorbitant price differences for the same phone. The info you provided in your posts about this particular model led me to choosing it ($99.96) as my replacement tracfone.

Again, thanks for your help!

Re: Tracfone and internet question

Venezia — Sat, 08 Jul 2023 03:30:42 GMT

@vabreeze - You're very welcome. We've had them since March (had the previous 4G model of the same phone before that) and we're very happy with them.

Just remember to switch the APN to "on", if you run into the issue of "No internet service", when you're out and about.

I did buy a different case on Amazon for mine; DH is happy with the one he got from QVC.