Frequently Asked Questions

SpareOne is the world’s only cell phone powered by a single AA battery – the world’s most widely available battery. It works on GSM cellular networks, the world’s most widely available cellular network. These two facts make SpareOne the most widely usable phone in the world.

In short: no need for AC power! SpareOne can hold its charge for up to 10 hours of talk time and up to 15 years of unused storage (with the pre-installed Energizer Ultimate Lithium L91 battery).

Everywhere in the world where a GSM cellular network exists – i.e., most everywhere. SpareOne models exist for both GSM frequencies:

• 850/1900 MHZ for North America and western South America
• 900/1800 MHZ for Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania, and eastern South America

Because the two GSM frequencies are not interchangeable in the same phone, international travelers may wish to keep two SpareOne phones: one for home, and one for when they travel to countries with a different GSM network, where they can buy a local SIM card to avoid expensive roaming charges.

For a map of global GSM networks, click here.

SpareOne works with all standard AA batteries (Alkaline, NiMH or Lithium).

SpareOne comes with a Energizer® Ultimate Lithium AA battery pre-installed, because it is the longest-lasting AA battery designed for high-tech devices.

IMPORTANT: SpareOne may experience short usage time or not work at all on Carbon, expired, or low quality batteries.

No need to! Only replace the AA battery when it becomes depleted. If you prefer to use a rechargeable AA battery (NiMH), recharge it outside the phone and reinsert it in the SpareOne for further use.

Yes, really. SpareOne can hold its charge, unused, for up to 15 years with the pre-installed Energizer Ultimate Lithium L91 battery, or for whatever shelf life of the battery installed. To prevent needless draining of battery power, a “Pull me out” isolator tab prevents any contact between the battery and SpareOne. To ensure maximum performance and battery life, leave the isolator inserted between the battery and SpareOne when you are not using the phone.

A SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card is a portable memory chip used in GSM cellular phones. The SIM holds your phone number and carrier network identity, your programmed cell phone numbers, and other data. SIM cards make it easy to switch phones by simply sliding the SIM card out of one phone and into another. So whenever you need to use your SpareOne, just swap in your SIM chip from your regular cell phone. But SpareOne can do even more because…

Yes. SpareOne is always able to make emergency calls. Just dial the emergency number of your country (i.e: 911, 112 or 999).

NOTE: An emergency number may be pre-programmed onto the SpareOne’s center key. A “long press” of 2 seconds dials emergency services.

NOTE 2: In the United States, the FCC requires networks to route every mobile-phone and payphone [verification needed] 911 call to an emergency service call center, including phones that have never had service, or whose service has lapsed. HOWEVER some GSM networks outside the United States will not accept emergency calls from phones without a SIM card, or even require a SIM card that has credit. For example, Latin American networks typically do not allow emergency calls without a SIM.

No. Instead, simply purchase a GSM SIM card from carriers such as T-Mobile, AT&T or other GSM carriers.

Once the phone is powered on, enter PIN code using keys 0 - 9 and validate with the SEND/GREEN button [On sound beeps.] If you enter the wrong PIN code, re-enter your PIN code. After 3 wrong tries, you must enter a PUK code to unlock the SIM card. [On sound beeps.]

1. The auto text back feature is already enabled.

In the event of a received SMS while using the SpareOne it will automatically respond “I can't receive texts so please call me back”. To de-activate this function press *#12345# This function works only if the SIM card has space to store SMS. Please delete and unused SMS before use.

2. Call-me-back SMS

You can send an “I can't read text so please call me back” SMS with your SpareOne to the numbers stored in the 1-9 speed dial memories. Long press *, then long press the desired recipient on 1-9.

Apple iPhone is the only phone to operate with a Micro SIM card. Due to this, the SpareOne phone is equipped with two tools that allow you to get out your Micro SIM card, and adapt the SIM to the SpareOne phone.

Remove the back door of the SpareOne phone. With in the door is a metal hook to insert on the side of the iPhone to release the micro SIM. Take out Micro SIM from iPhone. Located on the bottom base of the phone is a black Micro SIM adapter. Insert the micro SIM into the adaptor. *note, this make take a piece of tape or the sticker provided to keep SIM in place. Insert SIM adaptor into the SIM slot on the back of the phone. Close back door and power on.

If there's a missed call, a message will alert the user for 2 minutes right after the missed call. Then an alert will repeat every 30 minutes for up to 2 hours. By pressing the "send button" twice, it will automatically call back the latest missed call number.

1) BATTERY STATUS LED LIGHT:

• Battery level from 100% to 40% [Blinks Green]
• Battery level from 40% to 20% [Blinks Red]
• Change your battery [Blinks Red Fast]

2) ANTENNA/ NETWORK LED LIGHT

• Searching for network [Blinks Blue & Red]

• Connected to network [Blinks Blue]

• Network not found [Blinks Red]

The On/Off button is red and is located beneath the Flash Light button at the right side of the big center button.

No. You do not need a cell phone plan. All you need is a working SIM card. Most major carriers offer cell phone plans with their SIM cards, but some carriers also offer prepaid SIM cards that do not come with a plan.

Making a first call:

• Step 1: Remove battery door and Insert SIM card
• Step 2: Power On [ On sound beeps ]
• Step 3: Dial

Verify that the battery used is charged, and that the “Pull me out” isolator tab is not separating the battery from the phone. If the phone still does not work, contact our customer service department.

Make sure that the inserted SIM card has enough credited minutes. Also, verify that your SpareOne’s frequency and SIM card correspond to your country and carrier.

• 850/1900 MHZ for North America and western South America
• 900/1800 MHZ for Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania, and eastern South America

Because the two GSM frequencies are not interchangeable in the same phone, international travelers may wish to keep two SpareOne phones: one for home, and one for when they travel to countries with a different GSM network, where they can buy a local SIM card to avoid expensive roaming charges.

For a map of global GSM networks, click here.

This indicates that the SpareOne is drained of all power and will soon shut down. Replace the battery with a new one.

Prepaid SIM cards may require PUK unlock codes. Please contact/visit your carrier to receive the code and instructions as to how to input the 10-digit code to unlock the card for use in SpareOne.

A. Make sure the SpareOne is off when inserting a SIM card. The SpareOne will not be able to access the SIM card if the SIM card is inserted when the phone is on.

Although the SpareOne may have reception as indicated by the flashing blue lights, the quality of the reception may too low to make or receive calls.

Even after the SpareOne gets reception; please allow the phone 5-10 seconds to make a full connection.

Yes. Warmth just means the electronics and battery are working to provide the power you need.

SAR (specific absorption rate) is an indication of the amount of radiation that is absorbed while using a cellular phone. The higher the SAR rate, the more radiation that is absorbed. Currently, the maximum tolerable by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) is at 1.6 W/Kg in 1g of tissue. SpareOne’s SAR is 0.37 W/kg, making it one of the lowest emitters of radiation in the cell phone industry.