Qlink and SafeLink are some of the most talked about providers of Free cell phone service from the government. In my short guide today, though, I’d like to share with you some tips on how to switch from Q Link to SafeLink without losing your number or even phone.
Of course, SafeLink is one of the providers with free touch screen government phones on even a Lifeline-only plan, something many ETCs don’t do nowadays. But you may have a nicer phone you were using on Qlink (perhaps a high-end brand) you’d like to bring to SafeLink.
Verdict: How to Switch from Q Link to SafeLink with your number
- Apply and qualify for the free phone with SafeLink Wireless
- Wait for your SafeLink free phone order to arrive
- Gather everything you need to transfer your number
- Next, call or chat with the SafeLink customer support team
- Remain patient for the number transfer to complete successfully
- After the number transfer completes, finish setting up your phone.
- Finally, enjoy your free phone service with SafeLink to the fullest!
Why You May Want to Switch from Qlink to SafeLink?
Don’t get me wrong, Qlink Wireless is a decent eligible telecommunication carrier (ETC)- a phone provider with the license to offer a lifeline program. It offers up to 4.5GB of high-speed data on the Lifeline-only plan like most carriers participating in the program. Then the Lifeline + ACP combo plan has up to 28GB of high-speed data (30GB in some states), something not many ETCs have.
Nevertheless, SafeLink has bested Qlink Wireless in a couple of ways. And this could make you want to switch from Qlink to SafeLink.
The various reasons to make the switch include if looking for:
- A good, stable signal that works best in your location. Safelink uses Verizon towers for native coverage, which you should know still cover more areas in the country. It has service in many remote areas, such as Paulina, Prineville, Oregon, and others where Qlink (on T-Mobile) has zero coverage.
- Better free phone service plan. Safelink is currently offering truly unlimited data, with up to 2.1TB of high-speed data on LTE and 5G. The data allowance is way more than what Qlink offers (up to 30GB for those lucky lads).
- A more decent free smartphone. YES, the devices catalog available isn’t like the AirTalk free phone, where you can get high-end brands like iPhone and Samsung. But Safelink has recently been sending out Motorola Moto G Pure or TCL A3/ A30. And either of these phones has slightly better specs than the Qlink smartphone (HP Serrano 3).
- Relatively faster mobile data speeds. If you have a good 5G phone compatible with Safelink, you can enjoy up to 400Mbps consistent data speed. And this is relatively better than Qlink, where the speeds are not consistent- they may start on high before dropping to the standard 25Mbps and 5Mbps.
- Take advantage of the free mobile/ personal hotspot. Qlink still doesn’t have the data-sharing feature on its program.
- Free international calls with your phone. Safelink only offers free international calls to Canada and Mexico. But it still beat Qlink, which currently charges $0.01 to $0.07 per minute through the add-on international plans.
- Transfer your free cell phone plan to eSIM. Of course, Safelink is yet to officially support eSIM activation. However, some customers have been able to activate eSIM on Safelink through Tracfone Wireless. (Safelink is one of the many trademarks of TracFone Wireless, a Verizon company).
Can I Switch From Qlink To Safelink On My Own?
In prepaid and postpaid services, it’s usually possible to switch between phone carriers on your own. But can I switch from Qlink to SafeLink all by myself?
YES, you can switch from Qlink to SafeLink all by yourself. However, the process is only applicable when you want to switch the free government phone service with a new cellular number, not the existing Qlink one.
The process is more like applying for the Safelink free phone like a new customer. And this is something you can easily do on your own online, at any time of the day.
To get the Safelink phone:
- Visit https://www.safelinkwireless.com/
- Under the “New Customer”, enter your area ZIP code and hit the bold “START” button
- The “START” link will take you to the online enrollment form, where you’ll start by filling up your personal information. Personal information includes your name, date of birth, social security number (last 4 digits), et cetera. Then select the bold “CONTINUE” button
- Next, you’ll have to fill out the physical address of your place of residence. But the state and city boxes are pre-filled from the Zip code you entered earlier in Step 2. So, you just need to input your physical address line (not P.O Box) in the appropriate spaces
- Then, select your preferred way of future communication and hit the “Continue” button. (You may get a prompt to verify a reCAPTCHA button before you proceed)
- If your address is eligible for the free phone service, Safelink will redirect you to the next stage to choose your preferred service. The service you can choose at the moment is either Lifeline + ACP combo, ACP-only, or Lifeline-only plan.
- After picking the free phone plan to have on Safelink, the next step is to choose the eligibility requirement. And as you already know, you can apply for the service with either the income-based requirement or an eligible government assistance program. Make sure the eligibility requirement you choose is the right one, as you’ll be needing to prove it.
- Here you’ll now need to prove you qualify for Safelink free phone. You’ll need to upload soft copies of documents of proof of identity, physical address, and eligibility. Make sure the name used to apply is the same one on all the documents you’ve uploaded.
- Finally, confirm your application, then submit it and wait for the verification.
Note:
When you submit your application, Safelink (and other ETCs) usually don’t do the verification. Your application details will go to the National Verifier, the USAC data database that will determine if you’re eligible for the service or not.
Once approved, Safelink will start processing your order, which can come with or without a smartphone. If you applied the option with a free smartphone, the device you get comes programmed to the network. So, you’ll just need to power it on and activate it.
If you chose to switch to Safelink with your own phone, the first thing to do is make sure the device will be compatible. Safelink uses Verizon towers only nowadays (stopped supporting AT&T and T-Mobile). And for that, your BYOP should be either a branded Safelink phone or a fully-unlocked one.
Moreover, the phone you plan to use should support the necessary network technology (frequency bands). Safelink, like Verizon, uses bands 2, 4, 5*, 13*, and 66 for 4G LTE. Then frequency bands N2, N5, N66, N77, N260, and N261 for 5G connectivity.
Once you have a phone compatible with Safelink and the BYOP SIM kit, you’ll just have to insert the SIM card. Then power on the device and complete the activation.
Switch From Qlink To Safelink With Your Old Number
If you’d to switch to Safelink with your existing Qlink number, be ready to get in touch with the customer support team. A Safelink customer rep is the only one who can initiate the number transfer.
Fast forward, the steps on how to switch from Qlink to Safelink with your old number include:
- Apply and qualify for the free phone with Safelink Wireless. So, repeat all the nine steps above
- When you receive the alert with your Lifelin/ ACP verification number, it means Safelink has started to process your order. Wait for your order with the SIM card (and perhaps phone) to arrive
- Once your Safelink order has arrived, put it together with the other needs you’ll need to transfer your Safelink number. The items you’ll need include the credentials from your Qlink service, such as account number and PIN, plus the name and address used to enroll, you’re your Qlink phone subscription should also remain active for the number transfer to work.
- After you’ve got everything needed, contact Safelink to have them initiate the number porting with Qlink. (Safelink with ask for the various items in Step 3). Then Let the two providers handle the process without interfering in any way.
- Next, wait for the number transfer to complete before canceling your Qlink service or starting to use your Safelink phone.
PS. You may not have to cancel your Qlink wireless service since it does that automatically after number porting. But it will be good to confirm.
You can Switch Your Free Phone Service Any Time
In a nutshell, that’s how to switch from Qlink to Safelink on the free phone program. The DIY option with a new cell phone number is the easiest, as you won’t need to worry about waiting to connect with a customer rep to assist.
However, it’s nice to keep a number that your family and friends know for easy connection with you. And as we’ve just seen, switching to SafeLink with your old Qlink phone number is also effortless. The new carrier will do most of the heavy lifting, anyways.
Of course, Qlink may be reluctant to give the number porting authorization code to Safelink for obvious reasons. But the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) clearly states that one can “transfer Lifeline benefit to another company at any time”.