Can I port my number to T-mobile?
By
HuutiMoney
This blog post will answer the question “Can I port my number to T-mobile?”.It covers the topics like, how to get an account number and PIN for porting your number to T-mobile, steps for porting, and activation of T- a mobile sim card.
Can I port my number to T-mobile?
Yes, T mobile allows you to port your number. The number should be compatible with the T-mobile network. Use the following steps to port your number.
- Check eligibility of your phone number.
- Keek handy your wireless account number, PIN, and billing address.
- Purchase a new sim card.
- Choose a T-mobile phone plan.
- Visit the T-mobile store for porting the number, you can also port your number online.
Which carrier is used by T-Mobile?
Mainly, there are two carriers, namely GSM and CDMA. GSM stands for “Global System for mobile”. It is second-generation cellular technology. Another carrier is CDMA, and CDMA stands for “code division multiple access.” T-Mobile is a GSM network carrier, and it is used for mobile voice and data services.
Why port number to the T-mobile network?
T-Mobile is the 3rd-largest wireless network provider in the USA. T-Mobile is a German telecommunication industry and it has some investments in other mobile communication industries in the United States.
T-Mobile USA has a network sharing agreement with Cingular Wireless, an American mobile operator. Due to this, T- mobile has access to some top markets in the USA.
What are the key features of T-mobile?
- Monthly installment plans are offered for T Mobile phones.
- More priority is always given to the T-Mobile subscribers on the network over Metropcs subscribers. This is a prime important factor in case of network congestion.
- T mobile offers some better additional options, for example, international talk and
- data add-ons
- T mobile network providers have an excellent customer service record.
- Some extra perks are offered only for T-Mobile subscribers.
Perks for T- mobile subscribers
T mobile offers the following parks for their subscribers.
- On every Tuesday, Magenta and Magenta Plus subscribers are eligible for freebies. It may include movie tickets at discounted prices or free food.
- For family unlimited plans, if any one of the family members is not using the full data, then T-mobile offers an account credit.
- T mobile offers a “digits program “, where you can use one number on multiple devices, and subscribers with two or more lines will get a free Netflix subscription. T-mobile plans
- T- Mobile provides three unlimited data plans namely Essential plan, Magenta, and Magenta Plus plan.
- You will get some premium data on the Essentials plan. Magenta Max plan is the best plan for those who need huge amounts of data. It is unlimited and there is no slow down problem.
- For the magenta max family plan if you add one line then the cost per line will be reduced by $15. If you go on adding more lines, then you can bring the cost down to $40 per line.
- It’s a really good offer for totally unlimited and high-speed data. Speed up to 30 Mbps or even more can be obtained.
- T-Mobile offers its prepaid plans. The range of prepaid plans is from $45 to $75 per month.
- You can avail 4GB of LTE data for $45 and 10GB of data for $50. At the higher end,
- T-mobile offers unlimited data plans for $75.
Is T-mobile have the best 5G network coverage?
On average, the T-Mobile network provides much faster 5G speeds compared to AT&T. If you have a 5G mobile with a T mobile network, you can expect internet speeds of about 85 Mbps. While having 5G on AT&T network internet speed over just 52 Mbps. So, for 5G mobile phones, the T-Mobile network is much faster than AT&T mobile network.
Things to keep handy before porting
Before applying for porting your number, the following information needs to keep handy.
- The current wireless account number.
- PIN of your account.
- The name on the wireless account.
- Address on current account which should include the zip code.
How to get the account number and PIN?
The following table shows details about getting the account number and PIN of your current wireless network.
| WIRELESS NETWORK | ACCOUNT NUMBER | PIN |
| Verizon | On your phone bill or online account. | Log in to your account.Click on the “number transfer pin” option.Click on “generate PIN” |
| AT&T | On your phone bill or online account. | Last four digits of a phone number. |
| Boost | On your phone bill or online account. | Last four digits of a phone number |
| Cricket | Online account | are created while setting online account |
| MetroPCS | Open the website “MetroPCS.com”Open “My account’Click on the “payment” option to select any month.The account number is in the bill reminder text. | Your date of birth. |
| Sprint | On your phone bill or online account. | Call customer care at 1-888-211-4727 |
| Straight talk | IMEI number of your phone | Log in to your account.Click on “update personal profile.Click on the “current security pin” option. |
Unlock policies of some major network carriers
Some network providers offer cell phones which are already unlocked. But if the cell phone is locked then there are certain policies to unlock the device.
Verizon
4G LTE smartphones of Verizon are already unlocked. So naturally, you don’t need any code to switch the network carrier.
But if you have purchased a 3G World Device cell phone from Verizon, then it is locked.
Unlock code for 3G World Device cell phone is 000000 or 123456.
If you have a 3G prepaid phone then it can be unlocked only after 12 months.
AT&T
Prepaid phones from AT&T can be unlocked even after six months of service.
Using the device unlock portal of AT&T, one can easily unlock the device.
Sprint
The recent cell phone devices are automatically unlocked by Sprint. Along with basic criteria, an important restriction is that your cell phone device must be active for at least 50 days before unlocking.
For older phones, if you are eligible for unlocking then you will get a notification from Sprint. You will get an unlocking code from the sprint to unlock the device.
MetroPCS
There is a unique code word to unlock a Metro mobile phone. Using this codeword, it can unlock the mobile device. Once the phone is unlocked, we can insert a SIM card from other wireless carriers like T-mobile.
The unlocking process depends on whether your device has an unlock app or not.
How to unlock the phone using the unlock app.?
If your Metro device has an inbuilt unlock app. then by using the following steps you can unlock the device
- Open the app list and select a device “unlock app”.
- Then click on “Continue”.
- Select the permanent unlock option.
- Restart the device.
How to unlock the non-app phones?
If your Metro device does not have an inbuilt unlock app, then you need to follow an alternate procedure.
- Gather the details of your account which should include a PIN.
- Make use of an email id that is registered with a network provider.
- Contact customer care support and request unlock code.
- After receiving an unlock code, enter this code to unlock the device.
How to check the compatibility of your phone?
Even if you have an unlocked phone, you need to check the compatibility of your device on the T-Mobile network. Use the IMEI number to check whether your device is compatible with T-Mobile or not.
What is International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI)?
IMEI is a special identifier associated with Global Mobile Communications System (GSM) phones IMEI is used to identify a device on a cellular network. GSM phones are assigned with 15–17-digit identifiers. It is your device’s social security number. It identifies the device uniquely and the network it is being used on.
How to get the IMEI number?
The simplest way is, you will get an IMEI number on the label of the mobile battery. If it is not clear then use the following steps to retrieve the IMEI number of your phone.
- Dial *#06# on your phone device.
- Click on the “settings” and then click on “General”.
- Click on the “change device” link then select your device and enter “find IMEI number”.
- The article will be displayed for your device, follow the instructions.
How to activate SIM with T-Mobile?
To activate your SIM card, use the following steps.
- Log in to your T-Mobile account.
- Provide the security verification details.
- Select the option either SIM or eSIM.
- Enter the EID number of your phone. It is the serial number of your device.
How much time does it take to port the number?
If you are porting a single line then usually it takes 24 hours to complete the porting process. For porting multiple lines, it may take ten working days. But generally, the porting process is completed within six working days.
Below are other T-Mobile articles you may be interested in:
How to activate eSIM T-mobile?
How to change the primary account holder on T-mobile?
How to check the balance on a T-Mobile prepaid phone?
Conclusion
This blog post addressed “Can I port my number to T-mobile?”. We understood that unlocking is required to change the service provider. This article outlined the detailed procedure of unlocking cell phones from the major network providers. It also provided detailed steps for porting the number.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Can I port my number to T-mobile?
What do you mean by SIM network unlock PIN?
It is a security code associated with the SIM card. This code is used to unlock the cellular device from its original carrier so that it can be used on another carrier. It is a unique code containing 8 or 16 digits
What are the eligibility criteria to unlock a cell phone?
One can unlock phone devices, provided that the following criteria are satisfied.
● An account with your original carrier should not have any past dues or any unpaid balance.
● The cell phone should not be reported as blocked or lost.
● An account concerned with the Device must be active.
● Depending upon prepaid or postpaid plans, the Device should satisfy all necessary unlock requirements.
How to check whether the cell phone is already unlocked?
Some network carriers provide cell phones which are already unlocked. To check whether your cell phone is already unlocked or not there are some simple methods.
Call your current network carrier and ask for the information, whether your cell phone is locked or unlocked.
If you have a GSM cell phone then the simplest technique is; to remove the original sim card, insert another SIM card and check whether you can make calls or send a text. if you are in a position to make a call or send a text then your phone is unlocked.
Is Unlocking your phone legal?
Yes, it is legal, but there are some restrictions.
- The cell phone should not be reported as blocked or lost.
- An account concerned with the Device must be active.
- Depending upon prepaid or postpaid plans, the Device should satisfy all necessary unlock requirements.
- Your phone for any contract must be fully paid for any contract you have with the current network.
- If you have a prepaid phone, usually mobile network carriers cannot lock your phone for more than a year.
How to set up your iPhone with T-Mobile?
- Check out the compact ability of your phone.
- Check out whether your phone supports the frequency band of T-Mobile carrier.
- Use “online SIM is checker” to find out which SIM card is suitable for your device.
- Set up and configure your iPhone.
Can you check your carrier with IMEI?
IMEI provides only device-related information and not any personal information of the owner. But it does provide a location and some network-related information.
References:
How to Switch to T-Mobile
06 November 2020
By Lauren Hannula
Switch to T-Mobile
Keep your phone, trade it in, or buy a new one—the choice is yours. Whichever way you switch, we’ll help make it easy, fast, and affordable.
HOW TO SWITCH CARRIERS AND KEEP YOUR PHONE
18 JULY 2018
Transfer your phone number to T-Mobile.
Switch to T-Mobile, and keep your number.
Can I Bring My iPhone to Another Carrier?
CRAIG LLOYD @craigelloyd
Updated October 16, 2018,