Need phone advice

[jmbar2]

Upfront: I am completely incompetent using cellphones, so please explain it like I'm five.

My MotoPure G phone has died. I have tried all the things they say online to try
- Charge it
- Press/hold on button, on button and volume buttons
- Tap, shake, massage the phone
- Try over and over

I originally bought the phone through a low-income phone service Republic Wireless. They were taken over by Boost Mobile.

I pay $20/month for low income phone service. No contract, no limits that I've ever noticed. However, I don't use my phone a lot. Need basic phone service, internet connection when I'm away from home and text. Don't play games, watch movies, etc.

Questions:
1. Any other suggestions for getting the phone working again?

2. If I have to replace it, how do I do that without interrupting my no contract, no hassle Boost Mobile $20/month phone service. I don't want to get into the cycle of signing up, then the price goes up after one year.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions! This couldn't come at a worse possible time for me. I really need my phone!

[canetoad]

1. First impression

Is that the battery is old and will not hold a charge.

So the options are (if this is the case):

- Replacing the battery
-replacing the phone

Maybe you can get the battery checked out somewhere to see if it's still good, but that will probably cost money. Do you have anyone local who does cheap battery replacements? Weigh this up vs purchasing a cheap phone that's working.

[jmbar2]

8. Didn't even know there was a battery...

Looking online, it's cheap to replace, but looks tricky to install. Thanks for the idea!

[LearnedHand]

2. You can buy any unlocked phone independent of your Boost Mobile service

Places like Best Buy can help. Getting a new phone does nothing to your number. The tech folks at Best Buy or whatever can help activate your SIM such that you keep your number. Note that you might have to get a new SIM from Boost.

I know this is a lot of gibberish, so just go to an electronics store and get the phone you want in your price range. Be sure to tell the you need it to work on Boost's networks and you want the phone unlocked (I.e., not tied to any carrier).

RE your existing phone: Have you taken it to Boost for help? Their repair folks might can restore it to service.

[jmbar2]

3. Thanks for the response

I live in a small rural town in Oregon without a Best Buy type store. The SIM card thingy is very confusing for me.

Locally, I have these phone stores - AT&T, Cricket, Verizon and T-Mobile, and Walmart.

If you buy through stores like that, are the phones all tied to their plans? Thanks in advance.

[LearnedHand]

6. That's a good question, and you have to watch them like a hawk

The phones you buy from the providers are all locked to their service. I think you can ask them to unlock the phone but only after a period of time. If you purchase through Walmart, be sure to say you want an unlocked phone. They will likely offer both phones locked to carriers and unlocked phones.

If you'd like to see an example of how this request works, go to Apple.com and go through the motions as if you were purchasing a phone. After you choose color and another feature or two, they ask you ...

CONNECTIVITY: Choose a Carrier

If you scroll down the list, the final option is Connect to any carrier later -- THIS is the unlocked phone.

[magicarpet]

4. Try using someone elses charging wire,...

.... and black transformer box you plug into the wall. Either the wire or the transformer box may be faulty.
Make sure the wire that is plugged into the phone is the same style jack.
Borrow someone else's set up and see if your phone will now take a charge. Then test your wire. Then test your transformer box. If either is not working properly the phone will not take a charge. With zero charge the phone will not work.

Hope this helps you narrow it down.
Good Luck.

[jmbar2]

5. Good suggestion

I might run to Walmart and have them check me there. I hope it is that simple.

[magicarpet]

7. Take your phone and your charging wire with you,...

... along with your phone. Do you know they have charging wires avd I think charging transformer boxes for sale at the Dollar Store for $1.25 each - the one called the Dollar Tree.

[jmbar2]

9. Great idea! Worth a quick trip into town.

Trying all the cheap fixes first.

[usonian]

11. OH! and check the plug to the phone. They get filled with dust and dirt.

Blow air or some other gentle means.
This is good practice even with new stuff. (pun unintended ... stuff)

[canetoad]

10. Great response

Those things break with amazing regularity. Well done