Apply · The iPhone, US Lifeline Wireless Provider

Apply for a Free Government iPhone

We are The iPhone, an approved US Lifeline wireless provider. Complete the short application below to apply for a free iPhone with discounted monthly service through the Lifeline program. If you have not checked yet, first see the eligibility rules and 2026 income limits, it takes one minute.

✓ No application fee ✓ Takes about 5 minutes ✓ Verified through the National Verifier ✓ Free refurbished iPhone 7 and SE
Woman applying for a free government iPhone on her phone at home with The iPhone
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Free iPhone Application

Start Your Application

Four short steps: your details, how you qualify, your iPhone choice, and a final review. At the end, one tap sends your application to our team from your own email app, so you keep a copy too.

1 · Your Details2 · How You Qualify3 · Choose iPhone4 · Review & Send

Your Details

Use your full legal name, exactly as it appears on your ID.

The National Verifier uses this to confirm your identity. Never share your full Social Security number by email.

Please complete the marked fields with valid details, then continue.

How You Qualify

Pick the program you receive, or choose “None of these” and we will go by your household income.

Please choose your program and household size. If you qualify by income, add your yearly income too.

Choose Your iPhone

Free models are quality-checked refurbished iPhones while stock lasts. Prefer something newer? See every model on our phones page.

Looking for a 5G model? iPhone 12 and 13 are available as paid upgrades after approval. We never advertise them as free. Read about free 5G government phones.

Review & Send

Check everything once. If something is wrong, go back and fix it, nothing is sent until you tap the send button.

Please tick the confirmation box, then send your application.

Tapping send opens your email app with your application ready to go. Press send in your email app to complete it, and keep the sent copy for your records.

✓

Your Application Is Ready to Send

Your email app should now open with your application filled in. Press send there to complete your application to The iPhone.

Our team reviews every application and confirms eligibility through the National Verifier. If a document is needed, we will email you and tell you exactly which one. Questions meanwhile? Visit our Support page.

How It Works

From Application to Your Free iPhone

1

Apply Above

Complete the 4-step application on this page. It is free, takes about 5 minutes, and you keep a copy in your own email.

2

Eligibility Check

Your details are confirmed through the National Verifier, the official Lifeline system. If a document is needed, we email you simple instructions.

3

Your iPhone Is Prepared

Once approved, your chosen iPhone is prepared with your Lifeline service and sent to you. Activation steps come in the box and from our support team.

After You Apply

What to Expect Next

No silence and no surprises. Here is what happens after your application reaches us.

  • A copy stays with you: your application is sent from your own email, so you always have proof of what you sent and when.
  • We review and verify: we check your details and confirm eligibility through the National Verifier.
  • If a document is needed, we ask once: a benefit letter, ID, or income proof, with plain instructions on how to send it.
  • Approval and your iPhone: once approved, your iPhone is prepared and sent, and we email you the details.
  • Students welcome too: there is no separate student program, but students who qualify through a program or income can apply the same way. See our student iPhone guide.
Parcel with an iPhone on a table at home after a free government iPhone application is approved
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Questions

Application FAQs

Is it free to apply for a free government iPhone?

Yes. Applying costs nothing, and there is no fee if you are approved for a free refurbished iPhone 7 or iPhone SE. Discounted and paid upgrade models are only charged after your approval, and the price is confirmed with you first.

How long does approval take?

Many applications are confirmed quickly through the National Verifier. If a document is requested, approval takes longer, usually until the document is received and reviewed. We email you at each step so you always know where your application stands.

Why do you ask for the last 4 digits of my Social Security number?

The National Verifier uses your name, date of birth, and the last 4 digits of your Social Security number (or a Tribal ID number) to confirm your identity and check that you do not already receive a Lifeline benefit. Never send your full Social Security number by email.

Which iPhone will I receive?

Approved customers can choose a free refurbished iPhone 7 or iPhone SE while stock lasts. iPhone 11 is a discounted upgrade, and iPhone 12 and 13 are paid 5G upgrades. We confirm your exact model before anything is final.

I already have Lifeline with another provider. Can I apply?

Lifeline allows one benefit per household, so you cannot hold two at once. You can usually transfer your benefit to The iPhone instead. Contact our support team first and we will explain the transfer so your service does not break.

What if my application is not approved?

We will tell you the reason given and what could change it, for example a missing document or an existing Lifeline benefit at your address. You can fix the issue and apply again. Checking your eligibility first on our eligibility page reduces surprises.

Ready? Your Free iPhone Application Takes 5 Minutes

Scroll up, complete the four steps, and send your application today. If you qualify, your free iPhone and Lifeline service can be on their way.

Start My Application ↑

The iPhone is a private wireless service provider participating in the FCC Lifeline program. We are not Apple Inc. and not a government agency. Lifeline is a federal benefit program administered by USAC; eligibility is confirmed through the National Verifier, benefit is limited to one per household, and offers depend on eligibility and stock. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) ended on June 1, 2024.