Transfer phone from verizon to t mobile

If you’ve been loyal to the same cellular carrier for a long time, you might think that switching is a complicated endeavor. For many years, most industry providers operated with strict 2-year contracts (with incentives to re-sign before the end of the contract period), and many customers felt almost permanently locked in. Today, however, most carriers operate on a month-to-month basis, and it’s easier than ever to switch from one to another. 

Whether you're looking for wider network availability, better plan options, or just want to bring your own device (BYOD), here's how you can switch without the hassle:

The basics of switching carriers.

First, check the Verizon Wireless service map and make sure your home and surrounding area are covered. (It’s very likely they are, since the Verizon Wireless network covers more than 2.5 million square miles and includes more than 98% of the U.S. population.)

Then, you’ll want to consider a variety of plans to find a good fit. In general, this depends on 2 factors: how you currently use your smartphone and how you plan to use it in the future.

If you’re constantly streaming HD video, using your phone as a mobile hotspot and backing up large amounts of data, then the Get More Unlimited plan might be for you. But if you mostly use your smartphone for calling, texting and more basic tasks, a plan like Start Unlimited might be the better (and more affordable) choice. 

Verizon also offers a Just Kids plan (which comes with parental controls and a safety mode to avoid data overages) as well as shared Family Plans.      

Keep your number (and bring your own device, too).

Some people put off switching because they’re worried about getting a new phone number. Others might want to switch providers and BYOD — especially if it was a recent purchase. 

Good news: if you’re hoping to keep your current number or bring your own device, you may be able to do both. 

Keeping your phone number when switching to Verizon Wireless is usually quite easy. Local number portability is a government mandate that requires wireless and landline service providers to let customers keep eligible phone numbers when changing providers. Find out if your phone number is eligible.

If you want to keep your number, make sure not to cancel your service with your current provider until you’ve ported your phone number to Verizon. (Once the port is complete, your service with your old carrier will automatically be cancelled.) There’s no charge from Verizon to transfer your number, and your old phone will continue to work during the transfer process. 

If you want to switch to Verizon and bring your own device, make sure it’s compatible with the Verizon Wireless network. If so, you may be eligible for a $250 rebate. Find out if your device is eligible. 

Making the switch.

If you’re planning a switch to Verizon, it’s best not to cancel your current service so you can keep your phone number and maintain cellular service. Wireless numbers usually take between 4 and 24 hours to transfer, while landline numbers can take between 2 to 10 business days. If you can, arrange an alternate contact number for emergencies in case the process takes longer than expected. 

With a few simple steps, you can be up and running on Verizon’s network in no time.  Click here to check out Verizon’s current deals.

Related Pages

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Verizon Deals

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This content is provided for information purposes only. All information included herein is subject to change without notice. Verizon is not responsible for any direct or indirect damages, arising from or related to use or reliance of the above content.

If you’re tired of Verizon, you might be thinking of switching to another carrier, such as T-Mobile, but do you know how to switch from Verizon to T-Mobile?

Well, I’m going to tell you the steps you need to take to switch and answer all of your questions about the process below, so read on to learn the simple process!

It’s simple to switch from Verizon to T-Mobile since you can keep your device and phone number if they are eligible, but make sure your Verizon phone is unlocked before you begin. You will need to purchase a T-Mobile SIM card and pick a plan, and then once that arrives, activate your SIM and complete the switch!

Do you want to know more about switching from Verizon to T-Mobile, including is it worth switching? If so, keep reading to find out that answer plus so much more!

1. Find Out What Your Early Termination Fee Will Be

Before you begin your switch, you want to check to see if you’ll be charged an Early Termination Fee from Verizon, which happens if you’re locked into a contract.

However, the closer you are to the end of your contract, the cheaper the fee will be, but it could be as high as $350 if you cancel at the beginning of the contract.

2. Make Sure Your Verizon Phone is Unlocked

If you want to keep your device during the switch, you should ensure that your device is unlocked by Verizon, or else you won’t be able to use it on another network.

Thankfully, Verizon unlocks all devices after the first 60 days of activation as long as you’ve paid your bill automatically.

3. Pick The Right Time to Switch to T-Mobile

Look at your Verizon billing cycle and pick the right time to switch, which would be around 5 days before the end of your billing cycle.

Furthermore, knowing the best time to switch keeps you from being charged another month of service.

4. Use the IMEI Compatibility Checker to Check Device Compatibility

You’ll need to use the T-Mobile IMEI Number Compatibility Checker if you’re bringing your own device to ensure that it will work on the T-Mobile network.

5. See If You’re Eligible for Switch Rebate

T-Mobile offers you a rebate of up to $800 on eligible devices if you bring your own device and switch to T-Mobile, so check eligibility to see if you can get the rebate to save even more money!

6. Begin Picking Out a Plan

Go through all of the T-Mobile Phone Plans and pick the plan you want to purchase, and then purchase your T-Mobile SIM card so that your device will work on the T-Mobile network.

7. Check Eligibility on a Number Port

If you want to keep your number, you need to use the Transfer Cell Phone Number Eligibility Tool to make sure that your number can be ported over before you make the switch.

Furthermore, once your number is determined to be eligible, just begin to follow the prompts when you’ve chosen your plan and purchased your SIM card.

You’ll see the option to port your mobile number during the checkout process, but if your number isn’t eligible, T-Mobile will give you a new number during this time.

Additionally, you can either choose to begin the port process through the website or you can just wait until your new SIM card arrives and then call T-Mobile to begin the port.

However, if you plan on using your device, it’s best to wait until you get the new SIM card because once you initiate the number port, your Verizon phone may end up not working.

8. Activate Your SIM & Begin the Set-Up Process

After you receive your SIM card in the mail, you can begin the process of switching from Verizon to T-Mobile, which starts with activating the SIM card.

In addition, you can do this quickly by yourself by turning off your phone, inserting the SIM card, and then turning your phone back on and following all of the prompts.

Also, you’ll need to port your number by either going online and finishing the steps or you can call T-Mobile to complete the number port.

Is It Worth Switching To T-Mobile From Verizon?

For quite a few people, it’s worth switching from Verizon to T-Mobile because of the cost since T-Mobile is cheaper than Verizon, especially with the selection of Unlimited plans offered.

Additionally, T-Mobile has the best 5G coverage out of all of the big carriers, including Verizon, so if you want to utilize 5G, then T-Mobile is a better option!

The 4G LTE coverage that T-Mobile offers is also great, so you don’t have to worry about losing service with T-Mobile, although it’s a little less reliable in rural areas compared to Verizon.

However, T-Mobile offers a lot of perks and benefits with their plans, such as Netflix, concert benefits for LiveNation, and more, so it’s worth the switch from Verizon for these benefits!

How Long Does It Take to Switch From Verizon To T-Mobile?

Switching your phone number often will take less than 24 hours for one line, and you shouldn’t have to wait but a day or two to receive your new T-Mobile SIM card.

Therefore, you can easily complete the switch from Verizon to T-Mobile within a few days, which is why we suggest near the end of your Verizon billing cycle to begin the process.

To learn more, you can also read our posts on how to switch AT&T to Verizon, how to switch Cricket to Verizon, and how to switch from T-Mobile to Verizon.

Conclusion

It’s easy to switch from Verizon to T-Mobile as T-Mobile offers you the chance to bring your own device and phone number, but you need to purchase a T-Mobile SIM to get started.

Furthermore, T-Mobile offers a lot of deals where you can get up to $800 if you’re bringing over an eligible device so always check out the offers to see what deals they are offering!

Additionally, you’ll need to pick your plan and wait until the SIM card arrives to complete the switch, so give yourself four or five days before the end of your Verizon billing cycle.

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