How to Switch From AT&T to T-Mobile

Posted: September 30, 2025 7:22 PM

Why to consider switching from ATT to T-Mobile:

You want have $800 or less in payments on your phone
You want unlocked phones
Better coverage
T-Mobile has Unlimited text, 5GB of high-speed data in 215+ countries & destinations in many plans
T-Life promotions
T-Satellite option
Netflix™ Standard with ads ON US
Apple TV+ ON US
Lower Prices

T-Mobile has a page outling how to switch carriers. You can get up to $800 per line when switching, paying off most phones.

Bring your eligible unlocked phone with you and we'll reimburse your remaining phone payment balance when you switch from select carriers (including AT&T, Verizon, Spectrum, Claro, Liberty, Xfinity or UScellular) to T-Mobile – up to $800/line (up to 4 lines) via virtual prepaid card. You need to have at least 90 days on ATT network and they will pay off a max of $800 on each phone

Step-by-step checklist you can follow when switching cell phone carriers:

✅ Before Switching

Check phone compatibility:
- Go to the new carrier’s website → find “Bring Your Own Device” → enter your phone’s IMEI number or see if the device is on their list
Check contract/financing:
- Log into your current carrier account and see if you owe any balance or early termination fees on your phones.
  - Make a screen shot of the device payment plan balance
- Verify they’ll unlock your phone once it’s paid off.
Compare plans:
- Pick the best fit for coverage, data, and price.

✅ Prepare to Switch
4. Gather your account info:

Current carrier account number
Account PIN/password (needed for number transfer)
Billing address on file

Back up your phone:
- Save contacts, photos, and important files to iCloud, Google Drive, or computer.

✅ During the Switch
6. Pay off your device(s)

After your device is paid off, wait 24 hours before requesting an unlock from AT&T
Request an unlock of your phone

7. Sign up with the new carrier:

Choose a plan.
Decide if you’re bringing your number or getting a new one.
Provide your old account info for number transfer.

Activate service:
- Insert the new SIM card (or set up the eSIM).
- Follow the activation steps the carrier provides.

✅ After the Switch
8. Test everything:

Make a call, send a text, and use mobile data.

Confirm old account is closed:
- If you transferred your number, your old service usually cancels automatically.
- Double-check you don’t get billed again.
Pay off any final bill/fees with your old carrier.
Submit for rebate & sign up for your T‑Mobile ID
- Devices previously used for Keep & Switch are not eligible.
- Limit 1 rebate per customer. Usually need to wait 2 years before doing this again

👉 Pro tip: If you’re worried about downtime, do the switch early in the day or on a weekend when you don’t need your phone for work.

Upgrading to a new iPhone by transferring data

Apple has a great built in Quick Start transfer function to move data from an old iPhone to a new iPhone. Backup your phone before doing anything this important. With iOS 26 we still had to do the following manually: