Network, Coverage, & Compatibility
Network, Coverage, & Compatibility
Yes! Most unlocked phones are compatible with PureTalk’s network. To confirm your phone is compatible, use the Compatibility Checker on our Plans page.
The Compatibility Checker cannot verify if your phone is unlocked. You may be able to check its lock status in your device settings.
iPhone: Go to Settings > General > About, then look for Carrier Lock. If you see “No SIM Restrictions,” your iPhone is unlocked.
Android: Menu options vary by device. Go to Settings and select Connections or Network & Internet. Then, select Mobile Networks or More Connection Settings and look for Network Lock Status. If you see “Unlocked,” your device is unlocked.
If you cannot find this information or are still unsure, please contact your current carrier to confirm.
PureTalk operates on the nation's most dependable 5G network covering 99% of Americans. Actual 5G availability, coverage, and speed may vary. 5G is not available in all areas and a 5G capable device is required. Visit our Coverage Map to check coverage in your area.
To find your IMEI number, dial *#06# on your phone and it will display on your screen. Alternatively, you can find it in your device's Settings:
On iPhones, go to Setting> General > About
On Android phones, go to About Phone and look under Device Details
PureTalk offers up to 5G data speeds on our nationwide network. Speeds during your high-speed data allotment are determined by network availability and your device — we do not artificially cap speeds during your allotment, and we do not throttle based on network congestion.
Once you reach your plan’s high-speed data allotment, speeds are reduced for the remainder of your billing cycle.
To access 5G speeds, you need a 5G-capable device in a 5G coverage area.
PureTalk does not practice congestion-based data de-prioritization. This means your speeds will not be reduced simply because the network is busy—you are never queued behind other customers during peak usage periods.
Please note, this is separate from our usage-based speed management policy. Once you use all the high-speed data included with your plan, your speeds will be reduced for the remainder of your billing cycle, regardless of network conditions.
All phones purchased from PureTalk are unlocked. Compatibility with other networks is not guaranteed, so please contact the service provider to confirm the phone will work on its network.
No. PureTalk does not lock devices to our network, so your unlocked phone will remain unlocked after activation.
You may be able to check your phone's lock status in your device settings.
iPhone: Go to Settings > General > About, then look for Carrier Lock. If you see “No SIM Restrictions,” your iPhone is unlocked.
Android: Menu options vary by device. Go to Settings and select Connections or Network & Internet. Then, select Mobile Networks or More Connection Settings and look for Network Lock Status. If you see “Unlocked,” your device is unlocked.
If you cannot find this information or are still unsure, please contact your current carrier to confirm.
Yes. You can use an unlocked phone with PureTalk if it is compatible with our network. Use our Compatibility Checker to check your phone.
The Compatibility Checker cannot verify your phone’s unlock status. If you are unsure, contact your current carrier for confirmation.
If you find you are suddenly experiencing signal issues on your device, there could be a number of influencing factors. First, check our coverage map to ensure there is coverage in your current location. If coverage is available and you’re still having issues, contact Technical Support at (877) 820-7873 from another device for troubleshooting assistance.
If your house does not have strong coverage, you can always turn on Wi-Fi Calling. As long as you have a good internet connection at your house, you should be able to make calls. This may be something you want to consider, especially if you have good cellular coverage at work or other areas where you travel. If you still wish to try our service, we offer a Money Back Guarantee.
There are many factors which could influence your connectivity. If you experience a sudden drop in reception in a previously covered area, contact our Technical Support department at (877) 820-7873 from another device for troubleshooting assistance.
Contact our Technical Support department at (877) 820-7873 or dial 611 from your PureTalk phone for assistance in determining if there are any coverage issues in the area.
An International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number is a unique 15-digit identifier for each mobile phone. It provides information such as the phone’s country of origin, manufacturer, and model. The IMEI number is also used to check compatibility and is essential for blocking a phone if it is reported lost or stolen.
Use our Compatibility Checker to confirm your phone is compatible with PureTalk’s network. Your phone must also be unlocked.
The Compatibility Checker cannot confirm your phone’s unlock status. You may be able to check it through your phone’s settings:
For iPhone:
Open Settings.
Select General.
Select About.
Find Carrier Lock. An unlocked iPhone will display No SIM Restrictions.
For Android:
Open Settings.
Select Connections or Network & Internet.
Select Mobile Networks or More Connection Settings.
Find Network Lock Status. An unlocked phone should display Unlocked.
Android menu options vary by manufacturer and model. If you cannot find the unlock status or are unsure, contact your current carrier for confirmation. Phones with remaining device payments may remain locked depending on the carrier’s policy.
All devices sold by PureTalk are unlocked. Unfortunately, we do not have the ability to unlock devices locked by other carriers. If your device is locked, please contact your previous carrier to request the device be unlocked.
Your SIM can become blocked if you enter the wrong PIN too many times. A PUK code (Personal Unblocking Key) is used to unblock your SIM if it becomes blocked. To obtain your PUK code, contact Customer Support by dialing 611 from your PureTalk phone or by calling (877) 820-7873.
Yes. To use PureTalk service, you will need either a physical SIM or an eSIM, depending on the type of device you have.
Absolutely! PureTalk operates on the nation's most dependable 5G network. You can check service availability in your area by viewing our coverage map. Actual 5G availability, coverage, and speed may vary. 5G is not available in all areas, and a 5G capable device is required.
All PureTalk plans include access to 5G. To access 5G coverage, your device must be 5G-capable and be in an area with 5G coverage.
To access 5G coverage, your device must be 5G-capable, and you need to be in an area with 5G coverage.