How to Switch from Verizon to T-Mobile in 2024 (Full Guide)
If you‘re a Verizon customer but are tired of high monthly bills, switching carriers could save you upwards of $300 per year. Here‘s an in-depth, step-by-step guide on how to switch to T-Mobile in 2024.
Is Switching to T-Mobile This Year Worth Considering?
Switching from Verizon to T-Mobile can make financial sense this year. On average, consumers switching reported monthly savings of $13 per line according to analyst reports.
Over the course of a year, that can lead to over $150 in savings per line – nothing to scoff at! Plus T-Mobile plans often include nice perks like:
- Netflix subscription
- Free WiFi on flights
- Discounts at tons of partner brands
You do trade off a bit in rural coverage though. Verizon still edges out T-Mobile slightly when it comes to remote areas according to network performance research firm RootMetrics.
But T-Mobile‘s 5G network is expanding rapidly, now covering 310 million people nationwide. So unless you live in a rural area, you’re now likely to get similar or better speeds after switching.
To help decide if switching carriers could benefit you, first use T-Mobile‘s savings calculator. It only takes 2 minutes to complete. This gives you a personalized estimate of how much you could potentially save each month and year.
If the numbers look good, then read on to learn how to switch properly.
Know What Early Termination Fees You May Owe
Before switching, you first need to check if you have any remaining device payment plan bills or will owe an Early Termination Fee (ETF) to Verizon. This avoids any surprise charges appearing later.
Verizon‘s ETF amount depends on when in your contract period that you switch. If right at the beginning, it can be as high as $350 per device switched. Closer to your contract end date will be much lower though.
To check your specific ETF amount, Verizon makes it easy to view in your account dashboard. Just log in online and navigate to your account settings. You‘ll see any ETF clearly listed if still applicable.
As a rule of thumb, if considering switching carriers do it closer to your Verizon contract end date when ETF penalties will be lower.
Step 1: Confirm Your Phone is Unlocked
In order to bring your current iPhone or Android device with you to T-Mobile’s network, it will need to be unlocked.
The good news is that Verizon automatically unlocks devices 60 days after activation, as long as your account is in good standing.
To confirm your device‘s unlocked status, you can contact Verizon support directly either through live chat or over the phone. Make sure to have your account info ready like your basic account details & device ID.
Once confirmed as unlocked, you can use that same smartphone when you switch over to T-Mobile with no issues. This saves you from having to purchase a brand new device.
If for some reason your device did not get automatically unlocked or you owe remaining payments, here are some options to get it unlocked. But this does complicate the switching process slightly.
Step 2: Run a T-Mobile Network Compatibility Check
Just because your phone is unlocked does not automatically make it compatible with T-Mobile‘s network bands and technology. So the next step is running a quick compatibility check.
You‘ll want to lookup your device‘s IMEI number, then head to T-Mobile‘s website and use their IMEI checker tool. Input your IMEI number and it will confirm if your device will get good coverage after switching.
If you need help finding your IMEI number:
- iPhone – Open settings > General > About and you‘ll see the IMEI number listed there
- Android – Typically found under Settings > About phone > IMEI information
As long as your device is relatively modern and supports LTE networks, you should be fine. But it‘s still worth taking a minute to verify.
Step 3: Compare T-Mobile Plans to Pick the Right One
With your device confirmed as ready to make the switch, now comes the fun part – picking a T-Mobile plan!
Here is an overview of T-Mobile‘s core unlimited data plan options as of January 2023 with pricing after discounts:
| Plan | Monthly Price/line | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Essentials | $45 | 1-2 lines basic use |
| Magenta | $47 | Families needing 100GB high-speed |
| Magenta Max | $65 | Heavy data users |
Based on value for money, I would recommend the Magenta plan highlighted above for most users.
The Magenta plan gives you:
- 100GB high-speed 5G data
- Unlimited talk & text
- Up to 5 lines
- Netflix included
- International roaming options
Unless you really need unlimited full-speed data, the Magenta plan hits a nice balance of high speeds and affordability.
Use T-Mobile‘s cost and data calculator to confirm how much data you typically use to make sure to pick the right plan tier.
Step 4: Sign Up Online & Purchase Your SIM Card
Once decided on a new T-Mobile plan for your needs, you can sign up online in just a few minutes.
When checking out, you‘ll add a new T-Mobile SIM card to your cart ($10 one-time purchase). This SIM card ships quickly and lets your device operate on the T-Mobile network.
Make sure to also take advantage of any new customer promotions or switch bonuses offered. As of January 2023, T-Mobile is offering up to $200 in rebates or bill credits when you switch carriers and trade-in select devices.
I recommend signing up 5-7 days before your next Verizon billing cycle. This lets you port your number (covered next) and test T-Mobile‘s network while still getting a final month of Verizon service in case needed as a backup.
Step 5: Transfer Your Phone Number from Verizon
Once signed up with your new T-Mobile account, it‘s time to port your number over from Verizon. This lets you keep the same cell phone number when changing carriers.
The number transfer process is quick, usually complete in under 2 hours for a single line. You can submit the number port request either:
- Online – Follow the prompts after checkout requesting your Verizon account # and transfer PIN
- Phone – Call T-Mobile support after activating your SIM and they guide you through
I prefer initiating the port online so I have control to do it at the exact right time.
During the short porting process make sure to have WiFi Calling enabled on your phone, as you may lose cell connectivity for a short period as your line switches carriers.
Step 6: Activate Your T-Mobile SIM Card
Once your new T-Mobile SIM card arrives in the mail, you are ready to complete the switch!
The activation process only takes a few minutes:
- Turn your device fully off
- Insert the T-Mobile SIM card into your phone
- Turn your device back on and follow the prompts to activate
If you run into any issues activating, T-Mobile‘s support is very responsive and can help troubleshoot.
Enjoy exploring your new T-Mobile service and benefits! Just monitor speeds and coverage closely during the first couple weeks to make sure it will be reliable enough before fully switching from Verizon.
I hope this full, step-by-step guide better equips you on how to smoothly transition from Verizon to T-Mobile this year. Please let me know if you have any other questions!
