ACP Free Phone
The Affordable Connectivity Program was a real federal broadband program, but it is no longer active. ACP ended in 2024 after its funding ran out. It also did not create a federal benefit that guaranteed every eligible household a free smartphone or iPhone.
No new ACP benefit is available in 2026 under the former program.
Can you apply for an ACP free phone now?
No current ACP enrollment is available. The Affordable Connectivity Program ended effective June 1, 2024. Households should not submit a new application to a website claiming that the former federal ACP benefit is still open.
Some websites continue to use phrases such as “ACP free phone,” “ACP free iPhone,” “ACP phone program” or “Affordable Connectivity Program free phone.” Those phrases can describe old information, a provider promotion or misleading advertising. They do not mean that the federal ACP has reopened.
ACP was built around broadband affordability.
Understanding the original purpose makes the “free phone” question much easier to evaluate.
Monthly broadband discount
ACP helped eligible households reduce the cost of qualifying broadband internet service through participating providers.
ACP did not provide a federal smartphone purchase benefit.
The program’s connected-device discount covered certain laptops, desktop computers and tablets purchased through participating providers.
Smartphones were not part of that federal connected-device purchase benefit.
A participating wireless company could have its own device promotion while also providing ACP-supported broadband service. That provider promotion was separate from the federal ACP connected-device discount.
For a broader explanation of how government benefits and provider smartphone promotions can overlap, read our free government iPhone guide .
One advertisement could combine three separate things.
ACP eligibility
The household first had to meet the Affordable Connectivity Program’s eligibility rules.
ACP service discount
The federal benefit reduced qualifying broadband service costs through an ACP provider.
Phone offer
A wireless company’s separate promotion could involve a smartphone, discount, upgrade or other device terms.
Computers and tablets were treated differently from phones.
Laptop
Desktop computer
Tablet
Smartphone
This was a one-time former ACP benefit offered through participating providers. It is not available for new purchases under ACP today. Our free government tablet guide explains how old ACP tablet claims should be interpreted now.
The program did not disappear overnight.
Understanding the wind-down helps explain why old application pages and advertisements are still visible online.
ACP replaced the Emergency Broadband Benefit.
The Affordable Connectivity Program became the longer-term federal broadband affordability program.
New applications and enrollments stopped.
The program entered its wind-down as available funding was nearing exhaustion.
April was the last fully funded benefit month.
Providers and enrolled households were preparing for the final phase of the program.
ACP benefits ended effective June 1.
The monthly federal ACP discount was no longer available to enrolled households.
ACP remains ended.
Consumers should not treat an old ACP signup page as a current federal application.
ACP had broader eligibility rules than Lifeline.
These criteria explain old ACP articles and advertisements. They should not be used as instructions for a new 2026 ACP application because enrollment is closed.
Federal Poverty Guidelines
Household income at or below 200% of the applicable federal guideline was one former ACP route.
Assistance program
SNAP participation was one of the former program-based eligibility routes.
Assistance program
Medicaid participation could establish ACP eligibility.
Former qualifying program
WIC was included among the ACP program eligibility pathways.
Federal Pell Grant
Receiving a Federal Pell Grant during the applicable award year could establish ACP eligibility.
Existing participant
Lifeline participation was another former path into ACP.
One ended. One continues.
Check the verbs.
An older article may accurately explain what ACP once offered, but a few words can turn historical information into misleading current advice.
A closed federal program should not need a new application from you.
The FCC has warned consumers about websites that continue to advertise ACP enrollment or collect personal information after the program ended.
The former federal ACP is not currently accepting new enrollments.
ACP never created a federal connected-device discount for smartphones.
Identify who operates the site and what active program is involved before sharing sensitive information.
A free-phone claim is not a reason to provide unrelated account credentials.
A legitimate offer should make clear which company is providing the service or device.
Verify shipping, activation, taxes and upgrade charges before paying.
ACP ending did not automatically end every household’s internet service.
The federal discount ended, but broadband providers could continue serving customers under their normal plans or other available affordability options.
Former ACP households therefore needed to review what their provider would charge without the federal discount and decide whether to keep the plan, change plans or explore another affordability program.
Similar keywords can hide very different questions.
Usually asks whether ACP provided smartphone hardware. The federal connected-device discount did not cover phones.
No federal ACP rule guaranteed an iPhone model. Any Apple device promotion was provider-specific.
Tablets were included in the former connected-device discount, subject to the program’s provider and contribution rules.
SNAP participation was a former ACP eligibility route. An EBT card itself did not create a guaranteed phone benefit.
Medicaid was a former qualifying program, but ACP eligibility did not guarantee smartphone hardware.
There is no current federal ACP enrollment process because the program remains ended.
ACP was real. An ACP free phone was never a federal phone guarantee.
The Affordable Connectivity Program helped millions of eligible households afford broadband service and included a separate connected-device discount for certain laptops, desktops and tablets.
ACP ended in 2024 and is not accepting new applications in 2026. Consumers looking for current phone assistance should evaluate active programs such as Lifeline and verify any provider device promotion independently.
ACP Free Phone FAQs
Is the ACP free phone program still available in 2026?
No. The Affordable Connectivity Program ended effective June 1, 2024 after available federal funding was exhausted. New ACP enrollment is not currently available.
Did ACP actually give people free phones?
ACP itself did not create a federal smartphone purchase benefit. Its connected-device discount covered qualifying laptops, desktop computers and tablets. A wireless company could separately promote a phone under its own terms.
Could ACP provide a free iPhone?
ACP did not guarantee an iPhone or any other smartphone model. Any Apple device offered alongside ACP service was controlled by the provider rather than guaranteed by the federal program.
How much was the ACP internet discount?
When active, ACP generally provided eligible households with up to $30 per month toward broadband service. Eligible households on qualifying Tribal lands could receive up to $75 per month.
Did ACP offer a computer or tablet discount?
Yes. When the program was active, eligible households could receive a one-time discount of up to $100 toward an eligible laptop, desktop computer or tablet purchased through a participating provider. The household had to contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase.
Could SNAP or EBT qualify someone for ACP?
When ACP was active, SNAP participation was one of its qualifying program routes. That historical eligibility no longer provides access to a new ACP benefit because the program has ended.
Could Medicaid qualify someone for ACP?
Medicaid was one of the former ACP qualifying programs. ACP enrollment is now closed, so Medicaid participation does not create a new ACP benefit in 2026.
Did Pell Grant recipients qualify for ACP?
Receiving a Federal Pell Grant during the applicable award year was one of the former ACP eligibility routes. That rule belongs to the historical ACP and should not be presented as a current ACP application option.
What government phone program is still active?
Lifeline remains an active federal communications program for qualifying consumers. Lifeline can reduce eligible phone, internet or bundled service costs, but it does not federally guarantee a specific free smartphone.
Should I enter my information on a website offering ACP in 2026?
Be cautious. The federal ACP is not currently accepting new applications. Verify what active program or private promotion the website is actually offering before submitting identity, benefit or financial information.
Independent information notice
We are not a government agency, FCC, USAC, ACP administrator, Lifeline administrator, wireless provider or Apple affiliate. We do not accept ACP applications, determine eligibility, issue government benefits, provide wireless service or guarantee any phone model.
The Affordable Connectivity Program ended in 2024. Information about former ACP benefits on this page is provided for historical explanation and to help readers understand outdated ACP phone, internet and device claims.
