15 Essential Things to Know Before Getting Walmart Family Mobile in 2024
As a consumer tech specialist, I get asked a lot these days about whether Walmart Family Mobile is a smart choice for a cell phone plan. With so many options out there, it can be tough to decide!
After doing extensive research on Walmart Family Mobile and even testing out their service myself in 2022, I‘m here to give you the inside scoop on 15 key things to know before you take the plunge in 2024.
1. Coverage
First and foremost, it‘s critical your cell provider has strong, reliable coverage in your area. The good news? Walmart Family Mobile runs on the powerful T-Mobile network, which now covers over 320 million people nationwide.
In 2022 tests, RootMetrics found T-Mobile offered:
- 99.7% 4G LTE coverage in the 125 most populated metro areas
- 5G download speeds averaging 114.2 Mbps
So unless you live in a very rural location, you‘re likely covered with 4G LTE speeds or faster.
2. Phone Selection
Walmart Family Mobile supports most unlocked GSM devices. So you can likely bring your current phone!
But if buying new, Walmart offers:
- Top brands like Apple, Samsung, Motorola
- Range from basic phones to flagship smartphones
- Prices starting around $30-$50 for older models
There should be plenty of options for any budget.
3. Plan Flexibility
A major perk of Walmart Family Mobile is flexibility. You aren‘t locked into lengthy contracts. Plans range from limited options focusing only on talk & text to unlimited plans with up to 60GB full-speed data.
Walmart Family Mobile Plan Options
| Plan | Monthly Cost | High-Speed Data | Hotspot | Extras |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic 500 | $25 | None | No | 500 min & unlimited text |
| Simply Data | $30 | 5GB | Yes | Unlimited talk & text |
| Unlimited | $50 | 60GB | 30GB | Fastest speeds, best features |
And you can mix and match what each family member needs.
4. Cost Savings
Part of what makes Walmart Family Mobile so appealing is the cost savings. Plans start at just $25 per month – often hundreds less per year than major carriers!
The key is that Walmart Family Mobile passes those savings onto you since they don‘t have expensive store locations.
Over 10 million people now use these budget MVNO networks. And Consumer Reports surveys show 97% satisfaction with the cost.
5. 5G Access
A new upgrade for 2024 is that Walmart Family Mobile now provides affordable access to super-fast 5G connectivity on T-Mobile‘s network. This allows you to unlock the full potential of the latest smartphones!
Tests show T-Mobile 5G capable of 2-3x the speeds of 4G LTE. That means:
- HD movie downloads in seconds
- Video chatting and conferencing without lag
- Console-quality mobile gaming
The Unlimited Plan includes 5G at no extra charge if your device supports it.
6. Activation & Switching Process
Here are the simple steps to get started:
- Order a compatible SIM card from WalmartFamilyMobile.com for $1
- Select a plan
- Activate the SIM card online or by phone
- Insert activated SIM into your phone
The whole process only takes a few minutes, and you can port your old number over during activation.
7. Ongoing Account Management
Managing your account over time is straightforward too:
- Easy payments. Add a credit/debit card or PayPal. Auto-pay each month.
- Account dashboard. Review usage, change plans, add lines for family.
- Top off data. For limited plans, you can add high-speed data anytime.
- Rollover data. Unused data carries over on the Simply Data plan or higher.
It‘s simple to monitor your data consumption and adjust on the fly.
8. Limitations to Note
Walmart Family Mobile keeps costs low by cutting some corners compared to major carriers. Things to note:
- Video typically streams in SD quality (DVD-level) unless you have a premium plan
- Mobile hotspot speeds capped around 5-10 Mbps
- Customer service has limited hours
These factors help reduce overhead costs that eventually get passed onto you. But good to set proper expectations.
9. International Options
New for 2024 is an international calling bundle for $10/month providing:
- Discounted calls to over 140 countries
- Calls to Mexico & Canada at no extra charge
- Texting to 200+ destinations included
There are also new international roaming packages providing talk, text & data in Mexico, Canada and 100+ other countries starting at $5/day.
10. Other Perks
A few other nice perks of Walmart Family Mobile:
- Get a free 90-day Pandora Plus trial
- Discounts on new phones when upgrading
- Bring your number from an existing carrier for free
- Refer friends and earn up to $50 annually
So you can save in more ways than just your cell bill.
11. Customer Satisfaction
According to 2021 consumer surveys by Strategy Analytics, Walmart Family Mobile achieves strong satisfaction ratings, including:
- 86% overall satisfaction score
- 85% likelihood to recommend
Key positives noted around customer service, data speeds and coverage compared to other budget providers.
12. Environmental Impact
Walmart has committed to shift towards more sustainable practices across their business. When you choose Walmart Family Mobile over major carriers, you support a company actively reducing emissions, energy usage and waste.
Small choices matter when it comes to environmental impact!
13. How to Check Compatibility
Wondering if your current phone works with Walmart Family Mobile? Just text BYOP to 611611 and instantly get notified whether your device is compatible once you provide the IMEI number or MEID.
If compatible, then you only need a SIM card instead of getting a full new device. Saving you money!
Most unlocked GSM phones should work fine though.
14. Where to Buy a SIM Card
If you do need a new SIM, Walmart Family Mobile SIM kit cards are readily available at over 3,000 Walmart stores nationwide for under $10. No shipping wait required!
Or order one for $1 on their website if you prefer home delivery.
Either way, the activation process only takes a few minutes once your SIM arrives.
15. Try Risk-Free
One final perk I love about Walmart Family Mobile is that you can give it a try completely risk-free.
All plans are contract-free with no early termination fees.
So if you aren‘t fully satisfied for any reason after testing it out, you can simply cancel penalty-free!
Hope this detailed guide gives you all the essential facts to determine if budget-friendly Walmart Family Mobile is the right fit for your 2023 cell service needs!
Let me know if any other questions come up. Happy to help explain anything related to getting started!
