Two easy solutions to ensure your mobile data roam as it should.
The main solution is to update the phone’s software manually. (Not updating the mobile apps won’t do anything for the mobile data.) I had to update it four times before being able to use my mobile data with no issue. Tap buttons within the yellow boxes, as shown in the photos. – Step 1: Go to phone settings (cog wheel) – Step 2: Scroll all the way down and tap on “Software update” – Step 3: Tap on “Download and install” – Step 4: Near the bottom of the screen should be a button to install an update; you’ll repeat this at least four times, causing the phone to restart a few times, which is normal. Possibly have more major updates as time passes whenever one receives this phone model. Afterward, this should solve the mobile data issue. (Initially, I downloaded all the app updates, but the mobile data still didn’t work. Later updating the phone’s software four times did the mobile data work.)
The second solution is turning off Tracfone’s Network Optimizer. It may affect the phone’s ability to data roam, but to be safe, I turn it off to have less interference with the data roaming. Tap buttons within the yellow boxes, as shown in the photos. – Step 1: Download the Tracfone app(I know, “Why isn’t it preinstalled since it’s called and locked to Tracfone?” I don’t know, but yes, that is the first step) – Step 2: Connect and log into your Tracfone account. – Step 3: Go to settings in the blue upper left corner with three horizontal lines; it will show you the side menu. – Step 4: Tap “Network Settings” – Step 5: Tap the checkbox for “Disable Network Optimizer” That should stop Tracfone from interfering with the phone’s mobile data roaming.
Bonus, if not obvious, if your old Tracfone had data and service and you successfully transferred your leftover data, that should be enough to allow you to data roaming. BUT if you are a brand new person to Tracfone, you must buy service days that should come with data. When the data runs out, you will not be able to use mobile data roaming unless you buy more data, which you can do through the Tracfone mobile app, website, or purchase physical cards at your local store and redeem the code on your phone or website connected to your Tracfone account. ALSO, if you still have data but your service days run out, you won’t be able to use mobile data then as well. I can confirm that this has happened to me before, so the more you know. So you have to buy service days again via phone, website, or in-store cards.
But if all else fails, it might just be a problem with the phone, and have to be returned to receive a new one within 30 days.
I upgraded from the 2020 Tracfone LG Rebel 4 4G.
I was nervous about getting this phone since some reviewers said they had trouble getting data to roam. Thankfully I am a bit tech-savvy and have the common sense to troubleshoot every possible problem until I get it to work. I’m so glad this was easy to fix by updating the phone’s software and turning off the network optimizer. The phone is not the problem; the old software that needs many updates is the problem (not updating apps, that’s separate and not the same for those who might accidentally not know that.)
So far impressed with the larger screen, fast response time, detailed pictures, longer battery life, ample internal storage, and micro sd card installation was easy (I have small, steady hands).
I hope this was helpful to anyone else who was worried about the mobile data roaming issue. If those reviewers held on the phone long enough to auto-update the phone, they would have eventually had their problem fixed; it would have just taken longer, is all.
Mobile data roaming is essential to me since I use UberEats to make money.
Rated 5 out of 5
Kathy G. –
Great phone
Rated 1 out of 5
Kittymom –
I think the phone is wonderful. TracFone who I use as a provider so far has been unable to fix the issue with roaming Data outside of WiFi coverage.
Rated 4 out of 5
Rogue Gryfon –
Not sure if the 5G is compatible with 3G &4G other than that so far its working fine except that I can’t pair it up to the WiFi in my car.
Rated 1 out of 5
william –
No matter what we try the phone won’t Rome.
Rated 5 out of 5
Madeline risi –
Works as expected. Purchased because previous phone running out of memory. Battery life is pretty good. Face recognition and fingerprint are not great but in defense I have not had great luck with other phones.
Rated 5 out of 5
steve –
Love it, but too many installed apps.
Rated 1 out of 5
Janet O. –
Poor quality control, and Tracfone help is terrible!
Rogue Gryfon –
Review for: TracFone Samsung Galaxy A42 5G, 128GB, Black – Prepaid Smartphone (Locked)
Two easy solutions to ensure your mobile data roam as it should.
The main solution is to update the phone’s software manually. (Not updating the mobile apps won’t do anything for the mobile data.) I had to update it four times before being able to use my mobile data with no issue.
Tap buttons within the yellow boxes, as shown in the photos.
– Step 1: Go to phone settings (cog wheel)
– Step 2: Scroll all the way down and tap on “Software update”
– Step 3: Tap on “Download and install”
– Step 4: Near the bottom of the screen should be a button to install an update; you’ll repeat this at least four times, causing the phone to restart a few times, which is normal. Possibly have more major updates as time passes whenever one receives this phone model.
Afterward, this should solve the mobile data issue.
(Initially, I downloaded all the app updates, but the mobile data still didn’t work. Later updating the phone’s software four times did the mobile data work.)
The second solution is turning off Tracfone’s Network Optimizer. It may affect the phone’s ability to data roam, but to be safe, I turn it off to have less interference with the data roaming.
Tap buttons within the yellow boxes, as shown in the photos.
– Step 1: Download the Tracfone app(I know, “Why isn’t it preinstalled since it’s called and locked to Tracfone?” I don’t know, but yes, that is the first step)
– Step 2: Connect and log into your Tracfone account.
– Step 3: Go to settings in the blue upper left corner with three horizontal lines; it will show you the side menu.
– Step 4: Tap “Network Settings”
– Step 5: Tap the checkbox for “Disable Network Optimizer”
That should stop Tracfone from interfering with the phone’s mobile data roaming.
Bonus, if not obvious, if your old Tracfone had data and service and you successfully transferred your leftover data, that should be enough to allow you to data roaming.
BUT if you are a brand new person to Tracfone, you must buy service days that should come with data. When the data runs out, you will not be able to use mobile data roaming unless you buy more data, which you can do through the Tracfone mobile app, website, or purchase physical cards at your local store and redeem the code on your phone or website connected to your Tracfone account.
ALSO, if you still have data but your service days run out, you won’t be able to use mobile data then as well. I can confirm that this has happened to me before, so the more you know. So you have to buy service days again via phone, website, or in-store cards.
But if all else fails, it might just be a problem with the phone, and have to be returned to receive a new one within 30 days.
I upgraded from the 2020 Tracfone LG Rebel 4 4G.
I was nervous about getting this phone since some reviewers said they had trouble getting data to roam. Thankfully I am a bit tech-savvy and have the common sense to troubleshoot every possible problem until I get it to work. I’m so glad this was easy to fix by updating the phone’s software and turning off the network optimizer. The phone is not the problem; the old software that needs many updates is the problem (not updating apps, that’s separate and not the same for those who might accidentally not know that.)
So far impressed with the larger screen, fast response time, detailed pictures, longer battery life, ample internal storage, and micro sd card installation was easy (I have small, steady hands).
I hope this was helpful to anyone else who was worried about the mobile data roaming issue. If those reviewers held on the phone long enough to auto-update the phone, they would have eventually had their problem fixed; it would have just taken longer, is all.
Mobile data roaming is essential to me since I use UberEats to make money.
Kathy G. –
Great phone
Kittymom –
I think the phone is wonderful. TracFone who I use as a provider so far has been unable to fix the issue with roaming Data outside of WiFi coverage.
Rogue Gryfon –
Not sure if the 5G is compatible with 3G &4G other than that so far its working fine except that I can’t pair it up to the WiFi in my car.
william –
No matter what we try the phone won’t Rome.
Madeline risi –
Works as expected. Purchased because previous phone running out of memory. Battery life is pretty good. Face recognition and fingerprint are not great but in defense I have not had great luck with other phones.
steve –
Love it, but too many installed apps.
Janet O. –
Poor quality control, and Tracfone help is terrible!