SafeLink wireless is one of the Lifeline program phone companies, also known as Obama phones. If you qualify, and you can qualify either through them, or through the universal service administrative company, you can receive a new smartphone or bring your own device. I highly recommend you set up an account and try to qualify through the USAC. If you bring your own device you can change your mind and opt for the free phone at any time as long as you don't do it more than once every 3 years I think. You're also allowed one replacement for damage every 3 years (you have to send the original back in). I had been using my own device for years but once they were purchased by Verizon it took a phone call to them to find out that my SIM card wasn't working. Rather than having to go out and purchase one for a dollar, I opted for them to send me a new phone (weird in a way, right?) And I received a Motorola Moto g power 2022. This program is entirely different than the ACP (affordable connectivity program) which gives you up to I think a $30 discount on internet connectivity, whether it's a phone, internet service through the cable company, or through a 4G LTE hotspot, etc. Since the lifeline program is free there's no reason to apply the ACP to lifeline, and you can have a MetroPCS account for basically $10 or $20 a month (normally 40 or 50). And you can have a regular phone account while having a Lifeline phone there's no limitation. Edit: you qualify for Lifeline either through income level, or being on any number of programs such as medicaid, snap (what used to be called food stamps), etc More on reddit.com

Their own support site suggests it's a manual process : If I keep my own Smartphone, can I keep my existing phone number and transfer it to SafeLink Wireless? If you are qualified for the SafeLink Service you can also port in your existing phone number to SafeLink Wireless. Once you have received your free SIM card via mail please call our SafeLink Technical Support number at 1-800-378-1684 and inform the SafeLink representative you want to port in your phone number. More on reddit.com

I tried TracFone back in 2009. Never again. More on reddit.com

In November 2021 Verizon acquired Tracfone (tracfone, total wireless, straighttalk, simple mobile, net10, SafeLink, and a couple of other brands). SafeLink was a big concern to the FTC before approving the buyout as Verizon had a horrible record of providing access to low income customers. They agreed to keep things as they were for three years but recently (September 2022) started making lots of changes, and executing them poorly. Net10 is no longer accepting new customers, TotalWireless was rebranded as Total by Verizon with prices raised, rewards program damaged, features removed from the site, and people being cut off from autopay renewal disruptions. don’t have anything useful to help solve your issue but it may give you insight on why they have become so difficult to deal with. Keep up with FCC and BBB.ORG complaints. They do respond to them. More on reddit.com