Ask AC: Who do I contact when I need help with my phone?

Finding out who to talk to and how to reach them can be tricky. We filled out all the forms and clicked all the buttons to find the phone numbers so you don't have to.

We get a lot of questions about Android and the phones that use it. People can (and should) Tweet us, or email us, or shout to us on Facebook and we will do our best to answer, even if we don't have time to get to all of them. One thing we see a lot of is that people are confused about exactly who they should talk to — and how to contact them — when they need some assistance with their Android.

That's understandable. There are countless combinations of different models from different companies sold through different channels and unlike an iPhone or a BlackBerry (or a Toyota or a Kenmore), there is no one company who takes care of them all. And that can be frustrating — when you need help the last thing you want to hear is someone saying that you need to talk to someone else. Especially after you've filled out web forms, signed up for an account or jumped through other hoops just to find the phone number you called. If you're not really sure about who you need to call or how to get in touch with them when problems arise, or you have a question about how things work, you can always come to us. But talking to the people who are there to help with the phone you have in your hands is always a great idea. Let's tally them up!

Your carrier

If you ever have a problem with the network "stuff" — data cutting in and out, calls dropping, poor signal or anything of the sort, the company you get your phone service from are the first people you should call or email. They would know about any network changes that could be affecting you, and if a problem crops up that affects a lot of their customers, they will be the ones to look into it.

Issues with your phone itself or questions about it can be a bit more complicated. Generally, if you bought your phone from your carrier's store or an authorized third party, the carrier is the company that will need to help you. Most times, a visit in-person is a quick way to resolve issues. If you would rather talk to support another way, here are the various contact details for the major U.S. companies.

AT&T

General customer service: 800 331 0500 (7 am to 10 pm your local time).
To ask about new service or service upgrades: 888 333 6651 (Mon. - Fri. 7 am to 11 pm, weekends 7 am to 10 pm Central time).
To check the status of an order: 877 782 8870 (24-hour service).
Support when you're outside the U.S.: 1 916 843 4685 (24-hour service and this is a free call from your phone).
Support for folks with disabilities: 866 241 6568 (Voice), 866 241 6567 (TTY). These are both 24-hour numbers.
Support via Twitter: @attcares.
Support via Facebook: facebook.com/ATT.

You can also chat with an AT&T representative using the AT&T Wireless support page.

Sprint

General customer service: 888 211 4727 (postpaid) 855 639 4644 (prepaid).
New service or equipment: 866 275 1411.
Support when you're outside the U.S.: 888 226 7212 (Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands), 817 698 4199 (international number).
Support via Twitter: @sprintcare.

Para compatibilidad con el idioma español.

For online chat options visit the Sprint support pages.

T-Mobile

All customer service questions and issues: 611 (from your T-Mobile phone), 877 746 0909 (from another phone).
Support when you're outside the U.S.: 505 998 3793 (free from a T-Mobile phone).
TTY service for support issues: 877 296 1018 (3 am to 10 pm Pacific time)
Support via Twitter: @tmobilehelp.
Support via Facebook: http://.facebook.com/TMobile.
Support via Google+: +T-Mobile

For online chat options visit the T-Mobile support pages.

US Cellular

All customer service questions and issues: 611 (from your US Cellular phone), 888 944 9400 (from another phone), 866 872 4249 (business customers). These numbers are available from 6 am to 11 pm Central time.
Support via Twitter: @uscellularcares.
Support via Facebook: http://ift.tt/2cQDEkL.
Support via Google+: +T-Mobile

To message a support agent online visit the US Cellular support pages.

Verizon

All customer service questions and issues: 611 (from your Verizon phone), 800 922 0204 (from another phone).
Support when you're outside the U.S.: 505 998 3793 (free from a T-Mobile phone). : 877 296 1018 (3 am to 10 pm Pacific time).
Support via Twitter: @vzwsupport.
Support via Facebook: facebook.com/verizon.
Support via Google+: +Verizon.

Para compatibilidad con el idioma español

For support for folks with disabilities, see Verizon's accessibility services portal.

To chat with an online representative visit the Verizon support portal](http://phon.es/3h8hz).

To ask about new service or service upgrades visit the Verizon online help portal.

Who made your phone?

If you're having a problem and didn't buy your phone from a carrier store or third-party store or reseller, you'll need to contact the company who made it for troubleshooting or any warranty issues. Seeing who made your phone is usually obvious, just flip it over and see who's name is on the back. If you're using a Google phone, you should talk to Google instead of the actual company who manufactured it. Talking to support in-person is not going to be an option most of the time, Samsung and their Samsung Experience stores being the exception, so here's how to get in touch if you're in the U.S.

Google

Google does things a little differently for Nexus support calls. Instead of having callers stay on hold, you use an online form to queue up and they will call you. Find that form here. Alternatively, you can call support yourself at 855 836 3987.
For order inquiries from the Google Store: 855 836 3987 (24-hour support).
For support for Google Play purchases: 855 836 3987 (24-hour support).
The Nexus Help Center.

HTC

All customer support inquiries: 866 449 8358.
HTC Store support: 888 216 4736.
Support via Twitter: @htcusa.
Support via Facebook: facebook.com/htcusa/.
Support via Google+: +HTC
Support via online chat: HTC Support.

HTC also has an extensive support website with plenty of options and FAQs for all of their products and apps. You can visit it here.

Huawei

All customer support inquiries: 888 548 2934 (English and Spanish, Mon. - Fri. 8 am to 9 pm, weekends 10 am to 6 pm Central time).
Support via Twitter: @huaweimobile.
Support via Facebook: http://ift.tt/2cio9Nd.
Support via Google+: +HuaweiMobile.

Huawei has a dedicated online support web site complete with a contact form. See it here.

LG

All customer support inquiries: 800 243 0000.
Make an appointment to talk with customer support here.
Support via online chat: LG Support.
Support via Twitter: @lgus.
Support via Facebook: facebook.com/LGUSA.
Support via Google+: +LGUSA.

LG has an extensive online portal filled with support options for phones and their software. See it here.

Motorola

All customer support inquiries: 800 734 5870 (Mon. - Fri. 7 am to 10 pm, weekends 9 am to 6 pm, Central time).
Use the online troubleshooter here.
Support via online chat: Direct link.
Support via Twitter: @Moto_USA.
Support via Facebook: http://ift.tt/18AnJ2s.
Support via Google+: +Motorola.

See Motorola's online support web pages and community here.

Samsung

All customer support inquiries: 800 SAMSUNG.
Samsung remote support: Samsung Smart Tutor.
In-store support information: Samsung Customer Service centers.
Support via Twitter: @SamsungUS.
Support via Facebook: http://ift.tt/2cQDyJG.
Support via Google+: +SamsungUSA.

See Samsung's extensive online support portal with live chat and email options here. Help with an existing order requires a login.

As always, we're here and can try to help with any Android problems you might be having, or answer any questions you may have. Our contact information is below.

Contact us through the website here.
Connect with us through Twitter: @androidcentral.
Connect with us through Facebook: http://ift.tt/VOlZVP.
Connect with us through Google+: +androidcentral.

Another great way to find help for many common problems is through the forums. You'll find the specific forum for your device here or you can ask a general question without signing up here. You'll find plenty of people who know just about everything there is to know about Android and your phone and it's a wonderful resource.

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