TracFone Wireless review: Phone

I purchased a Blue View 5 Pro for 29.99 with $30 Unlimited Talk and Text 10GB Data/HS Capable 30-day plan from the Tracfone website on 9/11/26 and activated it on 9/15/26. Almost immediately, the device exhibited severe hardware and software malfunctions: it intermittently powered off during calls, and independently enabled Bluetooth, the hotspot, and airplane mode. Problems escalated over the following weeks:

September 24: The phone lost the ability to place calls despite no local service outages, requiring remote reprogramming.

October 6: Outbound calls were blocked and my service was abruptly shut off. The automated system demanded I purchase more minutes and data, even though my account balance showed active balances. After speaking with an agent—who bafflingly asked if I had activated the device I was currently using—service was eventually restored after multiple attempts.

October 14: The phone completely failed, displaying a "dm-verity corruption" error warning that the device was untrusted and shutting down. Two separate customer service agents attempted unsuccessful hard resets, leaving the phone trapped in an endless reboot loop. I requested a return but because I no longer had the original packaging and lacked the funds to purchase shipping materials, I asked customer support to send a return box. Tracfone refused and because I was experiencing more issues with my service and the device I decided I wanted a replacement. Earlier today without warning, Tracfone transferred my active service to a replacement device that had not even been delivered yet leaving me without a working phone. They claimed they tried to contact me but how could they when they prematurely disconnected my service? When I finally received the device I was told that my number would be attached to the new phone and that everything including my data would be transferred. However when I tried activating the new phone the customer agent told me I needed to purchase a service plan. They hung up me and I made another attempt to activate device but it said my phone number no longer existed. I am still without service and I have essential upcoming medical appointments and I need my phone back on.