See if Your iPhone is Compatible with Tello
❕ Fact: iPhone fans don’t have it easy when it comes to their personal finances. It’s part of the deal.
While there’s no getting around that fact, there are some things you can do to lighten the cost burden and add some savings to the list. A little goes a long way when it comes to your phone bill.
If you think you might be overpaying for wireless, you probably are. Switching carriers and choosing an MVNO is your best bet.
Do your research first. A lot of alternative phone service providers offer primarily VoIP service, and several may not be compatible with iOS devices.
That is not the case with Tello Mobile, which besides real savings on a monthly basis, provides actual cell phone service on the Sprint network so you don’t have to worry about constant Wifi access to ensure the quality of our calls.
Plans range from $5 to $39/month, no contracts, no credit checks, no extra fees. Customer satisfaction & more value for money are our main concerns.
? How to know if your iPhone is compatible with Tello?
❕ Fact: Most iPhones work on Tello, and most iPhone owners could use the savings.
However, there are a few things that you need to check to make sure your iPhone is compatible with Tello.
The best way to this is to go to the Bring Your Device Page on Tello and enter the phone’s IMEI/ESN/MEID. Just dial *#06# and you’ll receive a text with your phone’s IMEI. This unique ESN is also available in your phone’s settings: go to Settings > General > About.
- Look for your device’s serial number, IMEI/MEID, and ICCID.
- Want to paste this information into Apple registration or support forms? Touch and hold the number to copy.
#1 – GSM Compatible
Tello runs on a nation-wide 4G LTE network, meaning it uses GSM technology, that is not compatible with CDMA.
As long as your device is unlocked, supports LTE Technology and VoLTE when used for calling and is compatible with the LTE Bands 2, 4 and 12, you’re good to go. For a more indepth view on the unlocked iPhone carrier compatibility, check out this super useful Guide by Swappa.
iPhone models 6, 6+, 6s, 6s+, SE were designed to support all major network bands and are compatible with all major network providers. This means the iPhone models listed above will work on any carrier. Simply make sure the devices have their software up to date (iOS 13 or above), plus they need to be paid in full and SIM unlocked.
#2 – Unlocked
In order to bring your iPhone to Tello & unlock the savings, you must have an unlocked device as well.
That means you need to pay off any remaining balances or finance on the device. When this condition is met, your carrier cannot refuse to give you the unlock code if there are no outstanding payments due. If you have paid for your device in full, then it is ready to be unlocked and ready to switch.
#3 – Made for USA
Another thing you should take into consideration is that while most iPhones work on Tello, they have to be built for the US. That being said, any iPhones purchased without a contract through Apple stores, big box stores or carrier retail channels will work just fine.
You can buy a phone directly from Tello and hit all these musts in one.
Tello Mobile has a selection of iPhones from which you can take your pick. To keep the savings going, you can always choose a refurbished device and have the best of both worlds: the phone you love at a bargain price. Learn more about refurbished phones here.
If I were to buy an iphone from the online apple store and get a unlocked and no SIM phone would I be able to immediately use tello on it or would I have to run it on a sprint plan first?
Thank You.
-Kaili
Hello Kaili,
No need to go to Sprint to get to us :). You just need a Tello SIM and that’s it! Thanks a lot for the great question1
I have a iPhone 6s but when I put my IMEI it says not compatible even though the phone is paid off and unlocked.
Hey John,
Sorry about this, Maybe you could try contacting our team and fill them in on the matter. Hope it works out, thanks!
My phone is unlocked but it keeps saying not compatible
Hi there,
Please contact our 24/7 live Customer Support and ask about the issue, fingers crossed!
I have an iPhone 7 on t-mobile, is there a way to get it to work with tello?
This is the place to check if your device can join Tello: https://tello.com/bring_your_own_phone, fingers crossed!
iPhone is pd off and getting the following ” due to an unresolved account issue with your previous provider.” What does this mean and is way to have phone work w tello? Emei # 35 671708 044286 5. Please advise.
Michelle,
Please address this issue with our Customer Support Team and they’ll help you with further steps, thanks!
I have an iPhone 8 Plus that is locked with sprint but is fully paid off. Will that work Tello?
We’re so sorry if your phone is locked, it’s not good news. You can check it here: https://tello.com/bring_your_own_phone, by entering the ESN, thanks!
Do AT&T iPhone 5C phones not work on Tello?
Please check the phone ESN here: https://tello.com/bring_your_own_phone, fingers crossed!
I have an unlocked iPhone 7 not connected to any plan, but when I check if it’s compatible it says it isn’t. Is it compatible?
Hello,
Please keep in mind that only devices that are Sprint-ready & CDMA can join Tello, so whether the phone is compatible or not is tied to the technology it uses. If after entering the phone’s ESN/IMEI/MEID code our compatibility checker our system says we’re not a match, there’s not much more we can do, sorry. You can try calling our Customer Support Team for another check and more details, thanks!
I have a iphone 6s with fully unlocked. It has both IEMI and MEID number. So it should work with CDMA and GSM networks. But tello sim didn’t work. Contacted customer support, they told its a GSM phone, how is that possible?
So sad to hear this, but, unfortunately, if that is the case your device can’t join Tello. We’re here if you get another phone, we’ll be so happy to have you! Fingers crossed!
If I purchase an iphone 11 unlocked with no sim would I be able to use it with tello?
Hi, Hannah,
It should be fine, yes, and just remember that you can always get a SIM from us if needed.
Thanks!
Considering purchasing an iPhone SE 2nd Generation at Costco UNLOCKED. This is a relatively new venture with Costco carrying Unlocked Apple iPhones, however there is no information on carrier compatibility. I’d like to think they’re carrying the NEW SE that supports both CDMA & GSM as well as eSIM, but again no specifics are mentioned in that regard. Perhaps you might consider contacting Costco corporate to see if these devices will function with your Sprint MNVO? That would be a wonderful reassurance!
Unfortunately, we can’t help you with that, sorry! The only way we can know for sure if a device is compatible is by checking the ESNon our site. Unlocked iPhones are in most cases compatible with us, but, if you’re a forums’ man, might I suggest researching this issue on Reddit or nthcircle, the people there are a gold mine of possible answers that might help you prior to the purchase. Thanks!
i have a sprint phone which i paid off but havent unlocked to work on other carriers. can i get it to work on tello or i have to request an unlock from sprint first ?
Hi, Subra,
Please request an unlock from Sprint first. This will ensure a smooth start with Tello:)
Thanks!
Hello, when I purchase an iphone 11 pro unlocked with no sim would I be able to use it with tello?
Gfaruk, your phone needs to be Sprint/CDMA compatible and unlocked. To be 100% sure you can use it with Tello, you need the phone IMEI to run a check here.
Thank you!
I have been with tello for some years now I got the phone for my daughter the plan work good for both me and her I got the phone off eBay I made sure I could use it with tell but now my child is older the phone that I got for is out dated I put her on my plan got her a new phone iphone this I didn t want to do but the phone they have on tello are to much this coming from a single mother of three now I was told that after she was the service provider for a yr she could go to any other provider but beforehand I talk to tello and ask them about her iPhone before I bought it they told me I would be work with tello but when I try the phone it told me I would not work with tello I feel like tello should do more for more people to enjoy this great service I know I did so now I having to choose to maybe let tell go only because I can not find a tello phone and the phone on tello are to costly
I got a iPhone 7 Plus for sprint and it is not working
Hi,
I purchased: iPhone 8 Plus unlocked; gsm and cdma compatible. But, it did not work with Tello because it was not “sprint ready”. I wish there was a way to get the imei number before purchasing the phone. What a hassle.
But, My old iPhone 7 (bought through Verizon) worked just fine. Seems like trial and error I guess.
Do y’all have any new phones that have 64GB or 128GB storage ?
Hi, Margaret,
Feel free to take a look at our phones here: https://tello.com/buy/phones, see what brand you fancy, and read the specs for each one to see what best suits you.
For example, the Pixel4 has 64GB: https://tello.com/buy/phones/google-pixel4-new-white-64gb. Also, This month, you can get a $50 OFF discount for a bunch of devices, so please head straight to our site. Thanks!
iphone 7 refurbished amazon for spring and verizon
will it work on tello?
* sprinT and verizon
Hi there,
Currently, we’re inviting all our customers to join our GSM network. So if your phone is CDMA, then it will not work on Tello.com. Also, please remember you can check this for yourself by entering the IMEI here: https://tello.com/bring_your_own_phone. You’ll know right away if the device is compatible with Tello or not.
Hi,
Is the Samsung Galaxy A02s (unlocked) compatible with Tello?
Luke, to know for sure, please check the device here: https://tello.com/bring_your_own_phone. Thanks!
If I purchase iPhone 13, which carrier option of T-Mobile or ‘Connect on your own later’ I should select to work with Tello?
Hi,
If you want to purchase any phone and bring it to Tello, there are no other conditions besides the regular ones: unlocked, GSM & VoLTE compatible, and needed bands. After getting your hands on the Tello SIM, please follow the activation instructions you’ll have there. There are no special options you need to check – on our part. But if this was not what you were asking, please contact our Customer Support Team and provide more details, thanks!
Hi,
Does Iphone 14 pro (Unlocked, GSM) work on Tello? Thanks
Sure Martin! It will work, if you want to be sure please check our device checker: https://tello.com/bring_your_own_phone
Will an iphone 11 from Walmart work with tello?
Hi Owen,
If the iPhone is unlocked and GSM ready, yes it should work.
If you have it you can easily check the compatibility here by entering the phone’s IMEI: https://tello.com/bring_your_own_phone
I have not yet switched my existing mobile to Tello. And want to buy a new iphone 16 from the Apple Store, so do not have an IEMI or any designators. Before I do either, I want to see if the Tello system is compatible with the new iPhone 16. Thanks,
Sure thing!
We can confirm that Apple iPhone 16 is compatible with our service.