Lively Jitterbug Phone Costs and Smartphone Pricing 2025

Our Lively Experience

Sign-Up Process

You can buy Lively products over the phone or online. We went with the online process. The Flip2 and Smart4 pages display the product information, reviews from customers, and highlight the plans available.

The Lively pages walked us through every step. We chose our plan, picked a data package, and added everything to the cart. There is also an option to add accessories like glass screen protectors and hard shell cases, but we didn’t need anything else.

If you get stuck, you can call Lively for advice. There’s also an option to shop in-store at Best Buy. It’s a good way to get a feel for each phone and see which one will suit you better.

Installation and Setup

We found the Lively setup process to be straightforward. We paid our $35 activation fee and followed the prompts, like setting up a 4-digit PIN and connecting to our home’s Wi-Fi network. The whole process should only take you about 10 minutes from start to finish.

Then, once your phone setup is complete, you can customize your Lively device. Note that each Lively manual explains advanced setup options such as recording a voicemail greeting or customizing the ringtone.

>> Find Out: How to Turn Your Old Phone Into a Home Security Camera

Ease of Use

Lively phones are designed for easy use by seniors. The technology is fairly simple to understand, even if you didn’t grow up with computers. And if your eyes or ears have seen better days, or if you have shaky hands, we think you’ll like Lively’s user-friendly design.

Thankfully, the Flip2 has extra-large dialing buttons with backlighting, and the Smart4 displays a simplified menu in a large font. Calling for assistance is easy if you subscribe to a phone plan with medical help. Just hit the big red star button and emergency personnel will be on the line in seconds.

As far as size and portability goes, we found that the Smart4 is a bit large for pants pockets, and especially so when a protective case is added. So, if you want a phone that’s handier on the go, we think the foldable Jitterbug Flip2 is best.

24/7 Monitoring

he Urgent Response service is Lively’s one-button connection to agents certified by the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch. It’s available on the Preferred and Premium plans. It’s primarily for help in nonemergency medical situations, such as losing your keys or forgetting your medicine while traveling.

The Premium plan adds access to nurses and doctors who provide medical advice and fill prescriptions. The Preferred and Premium plans also help in emergencies. If you call 911 on the Flip2 or Smart4, Lively agents can join the call to share your location and medical history so you get better assistance.

>> Compare: Best Medical Alert Systems of 2025

Customer Service

We’ve always liked Lively customer service and have just one complaint: their limited hours. However, since we last tried their products, Lively customer service has become more accessible.

You’ll be able to reach out for help by phone from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET on weekends. If you’d rather not call, you can submit an online form instead. In our experience, we received a helpful email response within a couple of hours of submitting a query. Not bad at all.

Contracts and Return Policies

Obviously, it’s important to know the terms when you sign up with a new phone or medical alert system. Fortunately, Lively lets you pay month-to-month without requiring a long-term commitment. This is standard practice in the industry, especially for brands that require an upfront equipment purchase such as Lively.

Here’s a breakdown of the plans with the paperless billing discount included. It’s an extra $5 per month if you want a bill sent out.

If you order and aren’t happy with your Lively phone, you can return it within 30 days for a refund, minus $10 for restocking. The only “catch” is that you might not be refunded for talk, text, or data, depending on usage. We think that’s fair.

Lively Phones

Lively has two phones: the Jitterbug Flip2 and Jitterbug Smart4. The main difference, besides the design, is that the Smart4 connects to the internet. But, both models include access to all of Lively’s services like Urgent Response and on-call nurses.

Jitterbug Flip2

As you can see below, the Flip2 resembles phones you’d see in ’90s movies. The device is best for the seniors who don’t need internet access and just want something they can use to text or call. You’ll also notice that the Flip2 has an extra button for access to Lively’s 24/7 services, like organizing Lyft rides or getting health tips.

We found the Jitterbug Flip2 phone to be more pocket-friendly than the Smart4.

The Flip2 has some other bonus features like a hearing aid-compatible speaker, oversized keypad for easy dialing, and 16 GB of storage. That’s plenty of room for photos, which can be taken from the 8 MP rear camera or 5 MP front camera. Additional features include:

• Large, bright screen
• 3.5 mm headset jack
• Pre-installed brain games to support cognition
• Available in red and graphite
• GPS and Bluetooth support
• Retails for $79.99

>> Find Out: Do Medical Alert Devices Have Bluetooth?

Jitterbug Smart4

The most advanced Lively phone, the Smart4, is an Android smartphone. The 6.75-inch touch screen is perfect for texting, gaming, and watching videos. On the other hand, due to its larger size, this phone isn’t as portable as the Jitterbug Flip2. So we had to dock some points for on-the-go portability.

The Jitterbug Smart4 screen size is perfect for tech-savvy seniors.

Like Jitterbug Flip2, Smart4 is hearing aid-compatible and allows dialing and texting by voice. It’s also preloaded with brain games, and you can download more apps from Google Play. We also like that it has a 13 MP camera and 32 GB of storage.

However, the phone costs $119.99, and it requires a data plan on top of the Lively package. They range from a free 1-GB option to $30 per month for unlimited data. Some other features include:

• Long-lasting battery and fast charging
• Call captioning for real-time speech-to-text
• Video chat
• Google Assistant
• 4-GB microSD slot for expandable storage

Phone Accessories

Like other cell phone companies, Lively sells chargers, screen protectors, and other accessories. It’s nice to have options for customizations and personalizing your phone. So, we appreciate the lineup of add-ons and accessories that Lively offers. Here are upgrade options for Jitterbug Flip2 and Jitterbug Smart4.

Senior-Friendly Services

The big red button on the Flip2 and Smart4 packs a lot of power. Here are some of the valuable services for seniors included in Lively’s plans:

• Tech Support: Getting a new phone is tough for everyone, regardless of your age, but Lively agents can talk you through how to send a text message, share photos, and update your contacts.
• Personal Operators: Lively agents can look up phone numbers, offer directions, and explain what your grandchild means when they say “rizz.”
• Urgent Response: IAED-certified agents are available 24/7 to connect you with emergency services or support you during stressful situations, like becoming lost or feeling short of breath.
• Emergency Profiles: Lively has an emergency profile available for medical professionals, so you get fast, personalized assistance.
• Care Advocates: Lively care advocates support you with setting goals, organizing day-to-day needs, and connecting you with health and wellness experts in your area.

>> Check Out: Best Mobile Medical Alert Systems in 2025

Lively Vs. The Competition

While Lively specializes in mobile phones, they also offer a wearable pendant, the Mobile2. It’s a solid alternative if you already have a phone you like. But how does it compare to other top brands, like Bay Alarm Medical and Medical Guardian?

Lively Vs. Bay Alarm Medical

Bay Alarm Medical offers more device options than Lively. In addition to the pendant, Bay Alarm Medical also offers a wristband and smartwatch. For most devices, you’ll pay a monthly equipment fee and a monthly monitoring fee. So depending on the product, it might be more cost-effective over time.

>> Learn More: Bay Alarm Medical Review 2025

Lively Vs. Medical Guardian

When we reviewed Medical Guardian, we noticed it offers similar equipment to Bay Alarm Medical. However, it is more expensive. Medical Guardian’s pricing is similar to Lively. Monthly service fees range from $19.99 to $44.99 per month and fall detection is an extra $10 a month. The good news is there’s no activation fee, whereas Lively charges a one-time fee of $35.

Our Review Methodology

How We Test

We believe the best way to recommend medical alert systems is by trying them out ourselves. Our team spent weeks or even months at a time rigorously assessing devices on criteria like design, cell service, and compatibility with other medical alert equipment.

What We Test

Our team looked at multiple factors when assessing medical alert systems. Some of the additional criteria we looked at include:

• Affordability: We compared the prices of newer and older Apple and Samsung models against the upfront costs of a medical alert system.
• Emergency response time: We timed how long it took for the monitoring center to respond to our SOS request.
• Flexibility: We read the terms and conditions to make sure we weren’t locked into any contracts and could switch plans as our needs changed.

Why You Should Trust Us

Our team of senior care experts conducted all tests on the medical alert systems. They have over 50 years of combined experience in the industry and know exactly what to look for when testing this equipment. We also spoke to experts in the field and real customers to gather insights on how they use their products.

Summary and Recommendations

All in all, we think Lively is a budget-friendly brand with great solutions for seniors. The Flip2 is perfect for seniors who avoid technology, and the Smart4 is ideal for grandparents who love being online. During testing, our biggest gripe was the slow data processing speed. But, otherwise, we found the devices to offer great value for what they’re meant to be: reliable phones designed specifically for seniors.

Frequently Asked Questions