Originally Posted by
Spld cyclist
So did you figure out how to use the Android as a phone without having a data plan, or do you just use it as a minicomputer and carry a separate phone? I did a little online research and found it hard to identify a way to use a smart phone with just cell service and no data plan. I think you can do it with Tracphone if you just buy the minutes and don't buy any data cards. Is there another/better way?
I don't know how the Tracfones work as I switched before they had smartphones available. I've heard it both ways where now the cards include minutes and data or you need a seperate data card. I switched to AT&T GoPhone a few years ago.
With GoPhone you have to purchase a call, text, and data plan. You can pick just $0.10/minute which I do since I only need to make calls in emergency situations. We only use text and you can only have data if you purchase at least the $25 calling plan (250 minutes) thus, I don't have data.
You have to upload money (or buy a card like with Tracfone) to keep the phone active for the month. The smallest amount is $10. From your account balance, you buy the call, text, and data package. The $0.10/minute would deduct from my balance when I make a call. I buy texts on my phone and my daughter's $5 each month and my wife uses more texts than the rest of us so it cost $10 from her account. every thing unused rolls over as long as I upload money to keep the phones active.
Any of the prepaid phones you can just purchase at Walmart and not activate on the network and use them as like an iPod. It would be the same as if you bought a used phone or got a new phone and gave your old phone to the kids to play games on without it being on a cell network.