Where to Buy Total Wireless Phones and Plans in South Carolina
Total Wireless locations and how to shop there
Total Wireless is a prepaid wireless carrier sold primarily through Walmart stores across South Carolina. You cannot walk into a Total Wireless storefront—the brand operates as a Walmart in-store service, not as its own retail chain. To buy a Total Wireless phone or activate a plan, you visit the Walmart Wireless department, usually located near the electronics section or customer service desk.
Walmart carries Total Wireless phones, SIM cards, and plan activation at most of its South Carolina locations. The specific inventory varies by store size and location. Smaller Walmart stores may stock fewer phone models than larger Supercenters. You can also order Total Wireless phones and SIM cards online through Walmart.com and pick them up in-store or have them shipped to your home.
Total Wireless operates on the Verizon network, which means you get coverage wherever Verizon has service in South Carolina. The carrier does not run its own towers or customer service centers—Walmart handles sales and basic support, while Verizon provides the underlying network.
Key Takeaways
- Total Wireless phones and plans are sold at Walmart stores in South Carolina, not at standalone Total Wireless locations.
- You can buy Total Wireless SIM cards, activate plans, and purchase phones at the Walmart Wireless counter during store hours.
- Total Wireless uses Verizon's network, so coverage in South Carolina depends on Verizon's service map in your area.
- Walmart.com allows you to order Total Wireless products online for in-store pickup or home delivery.
Finding a Walmart with Total Wireless service near you
Most Walmart locations in South Carolina carry Total Wireless, but not every store stocks the same phones or plan options. To find the nearest Walmart and confirm it has Total Wireless service, use Walmart's store locator at walmart.com. Enter your city or ZIP code, and the results will show store addresses, hours, and phone numbers. You can call the store's Wireless department directly to ask whether they have the specific phone model or plan you want in stock.
Larger Walmart Supercenters typically have fuller Total Wireless inventory than smaller Neighborhood Market locations. If you live in a rural area where the nearest Walmart is far away, ordering online for pickup or delivery may be more practical than driving to the store.
What to bring when you visit the Walmart Wireless counter
If you are activating a new Total Wireless plan, bring a valid photo ID and a payment method—Total Wireless accepts credit cards, debit cards, and cash. You will also need to know your Social Security number or the last four digits of it, as carriers use this for identity verification during activation.
If you are switching from another carrier and want to keep your phone number, ask the Walmart Wireless associate whether they can port your number during activation. This process usually takes a few minutes, but it requires your account number and PIN from your previous carrier. If you do not have this information, you can contact your old carrier before visiting Walmart to get it.
If you are buying a phone only and activating the plan later, you just need payment. If you are buying a used or refurbished phone, ask the associate about the return policy—Walmart's standard return window is 15 days for electronics, but policies can vary.
Total Wireless plan types and pricing at Walmart
Total Wireless offers prepaid plans with different amounts of talk, text, and data. Plans are typically sold as monthly subscriptions, and you pay upfront before service begins. The exact plans and prices available at Walmart change periodically, so the associate at the Wireless counter can show you current options.
Prepaid plans mean you are not locked into a contract. If you do not use all your data or minutes in a month, some plans roll unused data to the next month, but this varies by plan. Ask the Walmart associate which plans include rollover and which do not before you buy.
Total Wireless also sells discounted phones—both new and refurbished models—at the Walmart Wireless counter. Prices are often lower than buying the same phone at other carriers' stores because Total Wireless is a budget brand. Refurbished phones come with a warranty, though the length varies by model.
Activating Total Wireless online versus in-store
You can activate a Total Wireless plan either at Walmart or online through the Total Wireless website. Activating in-store means an associate handles the paperwork and can answer questions in real time. Activating online takes longer but gives you time to review plan details before committing.
If you buy a Total Wireless SIM card at Walmart and want to activate it at home, you can go to the Total Wireless website, enter your phone number and payment information, and activate the plan yourself. This route works if you already have a compatible phone and just need a new SIM card and plan.
In-store activation is faster if you are buying a new phone and want to use it the same day. The Walmart associate will insert the SIM card, test the phone, and make sure your number is working before you leave the store.
Paying for Total Wireless plans and adding funds
Total Wireless plans are prepaid, meaning you pay for service before you use it. At Walmart, you can pay with a credit card, debit card, or cash. Online, you can pay with a credit card or debit card.
If you run out of data or minutes before your plan renews, you can add more through the Total Wireless website, the Total Wireless mobile app, or by calling Total Wireless customer service. You can also buy a plan refill card at Walmart and scratch off the code to add funds to your account. These cards come in different denominations and are sold at the Walmart Wireless counter or in the prepaid phone section.
Your plan renews automatically each month on the same date you first activated it, as long as you have a payment method on file. If your payment fails, your service pauses until you add funds.
Customer service and technical support
Total Wireless customer service is available by phone, through the Total Wireless website, and via the Total Wireless mobile app. The phone number is printed on your SIM card and on your Total Wireless account page. Wait times can be long during peak hours, so calling early in the day or using the website may be faster.
The Walmart Wireless counter can help with basic questions about plans and phones, but for account-specific issues—like billing problems or service outages—you will need to contact Total Wireless directly. Walmart associates cannot access your account or process refunds.
If your phone stops working and is still under warranty, you can return it to Walmart within the return window for a replacement or refund. After the return window closes, you will need to contact Total Wireless or the phone manufacturer for warranty service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a Total Wireless phone and activate it later?
Yes. You can purchase a Total Wireless phone at Walmart and activate the plan whenever you are ready, either in-store or online. The phone will not work until you activate a plan and insert an active SIM card, but there is no time limit on when you have to do this.
Does Total Wireless work everywhere in South Carolina?
Total Wireless uses Verizon's network, so coverage depends on Verizon's service in your area. You can check Verizon's coverage map online by entering your address. Coverage is strong in cities and towns but may be weaker in rural areas.
What happens if I do not use my plan before it expires?
Prepaid plans expire if you do not renew them before the expiration date. Once expired, your service stops and you lose any unused data or minutes. You can reactivate service by adding funds to your account, but unused balances do not carry over after expiration.
Can I switch from another carrier and keep my phone number?
Yes, Total Wireless supports number porting. At the Walmart Wireless counter, tell the associate you want to port your number. You will need your account number and PIN from your previous carrier. The process usually takes a few minutes during activation.
Is there a contract with Total Wireless?
No. Total Wireless is prepaid, so there is no contract. You pay for each month of service upfront and can stop using the service anytime by simply not renewing your plan.