Public Mobile on an old cellphone

[lapdeb77]

Hello,

I want to subsbribe to a Public Mobile cellphone plan.

I have an old unlocked cellphone.
The Public Mobile app can't be installed on my old cellphone because my Android version is too old.

This being said, I tried to put into my old cellphone the physical Sim Card of a friend who has an active subscription with Public Mobile, and it worked : I was able to make phone calls.

So my question is:
Can I make activate a new mobile plan on my old cellphone, even if I can't have the Public Mobile app on that old cellphone?

I hope my question is clear. English is my second language.
Thank you in advance for your help!

[BKNS27]

@lapdeb77 

You might want to read this about VoLTE. Older phone will have issues so enter the IMEI of your phone to see if it is compatible due to the recent decommissioning of the 850MHz 3G frequency.

https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/on/get-help/articles/volte?_gl=1*1qks5fo*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3MzA4MTg5ODgu... 

[hairbag1 · Accepted solution]

@lapdeb77 

it looks like data and talk will work, but no VoLTE. For temp use, it's probably ok, but you should upgrade asap. Just remove sim from ZTE and install in new cell when you get it...should work just fine.

added...

These are the bands on your phone, BOLD are the compatible one with PM.

3G bands HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 17

(thanks to @Softech)

[lapdeb77]

The phone is about 8 or 9 years old. 
It's a ZTE Grand X2 Z850.

It's just temporary for 1 or 2 months, before I purchase a new phone. 

Thank you for the advice of asking a friend to activate the sim card. 

[hairbag1]

@lapdeb77 

might be better to wait and activate your new plan after you get a newer cellphone. What make and model is the cell you're wanting to use now ...maybe we can tell if it'll work before you spend money on a plan.

[hTideGnow]

hi @lapdeb77 

how old is your phone? what model is that?  

for PM subscription, if your phone cannot download the app, usually we ask people to ask a friend to help to activate the physical sim card.  After activation, you don't need the app anymore

or if you like, you can also activate using the app but it will stop after the payment step.  You will then need to open a ticket with PM support agent for them to complete the rest of the step (eg. phone number and finalize subscription)