A free 5G government phone pairs a 5G-capable device — Apple or Samsung — with a 5G-enabled Lifeline plan from a participating carrier. Here's how 5G eligibility works and which devices on this site currently support it.
Not every phone supports 5G — generally, iPhone 12 and later, and most Samsung Galaxy S21-and-later models (plus select Galaxy A Series devices) include 5G hardware. Older models like the iPhone 11, iPhone XR, or Galaxy S20 and earlier are 4G LTE only.
The device alone isn't enough — your Lifeline-supported plan and the participating carrier's network both need to support 5G in your area. Our Lifeline 5G plan tier is built for this; confirm current 5G coverage for your ZIP code during application.
Eligibility for a 5G device works the same as any other Lifeline-supported phone — there's no separate or additional qualification step for 5G specifically. You qualify by:
Household income at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Active enrollment in SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance, or Veterans/Survivors Pension.
Whether you're matched with a 5G device specifically then depends on which participating carrier serves your ZIP code and their current stock — see the devices below for what we currently track.
Confirm you qualify by income or program participation using our free eligibility checker.
Not every area has 5G network coverage yet — check availability during application.
Choose the Lifeline 5G plan tier rather than the standard tier when prompted.
Once approved, your carrier ships a 5G-capable device or activates 5G on your chosen model.
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