Free government phone providers

Every carrier below ships a working phone with $0 monthly service through the federal Lifeline program. They differ on network, data, devices — and whether an iPhone is on the table. Every fact is dated and linked to its source.

• Assurance Wireless

  Assurance Wireless is T-Mobile's Lifeline brand and one of the largest free government phone providers. It ships a free Android smartphone (not an iPhone) with unlimited talk and text in most states it serves.

  T-Mobile network · 40 states · verified 2026-08-29

• AirTalk Wirelessships iPhones

  AirTalk Wireless is the provider most associated with free government iPhones: refurbished models under Lifeline, with the exact model depending on inventory and ZIP, and co-pays on newer devices.

  AT&T network · 38 states · verified 2026-08-29

• SafeLink Wireless

  SafeLink (TracFone/Verizon) is the only major Lifeline brand available in all 50 states, shipping a free Android smartphone or free SIM for your own phone with monthly data.

  Verizon network · all 50 states · verified 2026-08-29

• TAG Mobile

  TAG Mobile is a mid-size Lifeline carrier with heavy search demand for its application-status and free-phone offers; device lineup rotates, so every claim on this page is dated.

  Multi-carrier (verify) network · 23 states · verified 2026-08-29

• TruConnect

  TruConnect is a T-Mobile-network Lifeline carrier strongest in California (its own LifeLine program) with free smartphone plus hotspot data.

  T-Mobile network · 23 states · verified 2026-08-29

• StandUp Wireless

  StandUp Wireless is the lowest-competition major target in our keyword data (KD ~17): meaningful search demand for login, application and free-phone terms with thin competing coverage.

  T-Mobile (verify) network · 32 states · verified 2026-08-29

• Q Link Wireless

  Q Link Wireless is a large T-Mobile-network Lifeline carrier known for unlimited plans and its discounted tablet offer (a co-pay applies — tablets are never fully free under Lifeline).

  T-Mobile network · 34 states · verified 2026-08-29

• Gen Mobile

  Gen Mobile is a growing Lifeline brand with rising brand search; device lineup and state list rotate, so treat every figure here as dated.

  T-Mobile / Dish (verify) network · 24 states · verified 2026-08-29

Gov-Grants.org is an independent guide — not a carrier and not a government agency. We never charge fees, and every fact above links to its source with the date we checked it. Program details change; confirm on the official site before applying.