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Will my phone work with Tello?
To join Tello, your phone needs to check two boxes: Compatible and Unlocked.
1. Is it Compatible?
The easiest way to find out is to use our Bring Your Own Phone tool.
If you have the phone: Just type in your IMEI number (dial *#06# to find it) and we’ll give you an instant "Yes" or "No."
⚠️ Important Note on Our Checker:
Our online tool checks if your phone supports VoLTE (the technology needed for clear calls). However, it does not check for specific signal frequencies. You should manually verify that your phone supports the network bands we use to ensure you get a reliable connection.
If you don’t have the phone yet: Look at the phone’s "Tech Specs" (check the manual or ask the seller).
To work great on our network, the phone needs:
2. Is it Unlocked?
Even if our website says your phone is "Awesome," it must be unlocked to work.
"Compatible" means the tech works with our towers.
"Unlocked" means your old carrier has "released" the phone so it can use other networks.
How to check: Contact your current carrier to confirm it's unlocked. We can't check the lock status for you, so it's always best to ask them directly.
Ready to go?
If your phone is compatible and unlocked, just follow the prompts on our BYOP page to grab your Tello SIM and pick your plan!
Quick Reminders:
1. Is it Compatible?
The easiest way to find out is to use our Bring Your Own Phone tool.
If you have the phone: Just type in your IMEI number (dial *#06# to find it) and we’ll give you an instant "Yes" or "No."
⚠️ Important Note on Our Checker:
Our online tool checks if your phone supports VoLTE (the technology needed for clear calls). However, it does not check for specific signal frequencies. You should manually verify that your phone supports the network bands we use to ensure you get a reliable connection.
If you don’t have the phone yet: Look at the phone’s "Tech Specs" (check the manual or ask the seller).
To work great on our network, the phone needs:
- VoLTE: This ensures your calls are crisp and clear.
- LTE Bands: At a minimum, it needs Bands 2, 4, and 12. For the absolute best service, it's great if it also has Bands 5, 66, or 71.
2. Is it Unlocked?
Even if our website says your phone is "Awesome," it must be unlocked to work.
"Compatible" means the tech works with our towers.
"Unlocked" means your old carrier has "released" the phone so it can use other networks.
How to check: Contact your current carrier to confirm it's unlocked. We can't check the lock status for you, so it's always best to ask them directly.
Ready to go?
If your phone is compatible and unlocked, just follow the prompts on our BYOP page to grab your Tello SIM and pick your plan!
Quick Reminders:
- We don’t support mobile routers (like Netgear or MiFi).
- You must use a Tello SIM; other carrier SIMs won’t work.
- Want a fresh start? You can always buy a phone from us—they all come with a free SIM!
