Can I switch my Verizon phone to T-mobile?
By
HuutiMoney
This blog post will answer the question “Can I switch from Verizon to T-mobile?”.It covers the topics like networks used by Verizon wireless, What are the prerequisites before using a Verizon wireless phone with T-mobile? and How to switch to the T- mobile?
Can I switch my Verizon phone to T-mobile?
Yes, you can easily switch from Verizon to T-mobile by using the following steps.
- Verify the eligibility of your phone device.
- Get the screenshot of the payment plan balance related to the current device.
- Select a T-mobile plan
- Order for a T-mobile sim card.
- Signup for your T- mobile id and wait for reimbursement.
What is a T-Mobile?
T-Mobile is the third-largest wireless network provider in the United States. 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.
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.
What is a Verizon?
Verizon Wireless network is the largest service provider in the United States. Its headquarter is in New York (USA) and Verizon Wireless is a subsidiary of Verizon Communications.
The 4G network of Verizon covers 70% of the country. So Verizon is well ahead as far as network coverage is concerned.
Which carrier is used by Verizon?
Verizon makes use of CDMA network carriers. In CDMA, the same carrier frequency is shared by a number of users. In CDMA, a share of bandwidth, as well as time, is achieved.
Many new phones can work with both GSM and CDMA. Even if your unlocked phone works with both carriers, you need to check the compatibility with the T-Mobile network.
Why switch to a 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.
Key features 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 Metro
- pcs 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.
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.
Eligibility of the phone device
Most Verizon phones are unlocked but you need to check whether your phone is unlocked and compatible with T-Mobile. Most of the new Verizon Phones are compatible with the T-Mobile network. But if you have an iPhone 6 or earlier model, it may not be fully functional with T-Mobile.
How to get the rebate?
If your phone device is eligible for switching, you can reimburse the phone payment balance up to $800 per line. It will be paid through a virtual prepaid master card. But this offer is applicable up to a maximum of five lines. This is a keep and switch claim. Use the following steps to avail of this offer.
- Confirm that your phone device is eligible and compatible with the T-mobile network.
- Get the screenshot of the payment plan balance related to the current device.
- Check that your device is unlocked. If it is not, you need to unlock your device first.
- Transfer your phone number to the T-mobile network.
- Pay off the final bill of Verizon carrier.
- Submit the reimbursement request.
Eligibility criteria to unlock Verizon phone
One can unlock Verizon iphone devices, provided that the following criteria are satisfied.
- You must have purchased the cellular phone from Verizon.
- The cell phone should not be reported as blocked or lost.
- An account concerned with the device must be active for a minimum of 60 days.
- Any associated service agreement must be fulfilled. For example installation billing agreement, lease agreement.
- Depending upon prepaid or postpaid plans, the Device should satisfy all necessary unlock requirements.
- The device must have SIM unlock capability.
How to unlock Verizon phones?
If you want to use a Verizon phone on T-mobile then your phone must be unlocked. First check that eligibility criteria for unlocking are satisfied.
Unlocking postpaid phones
Unlocking Verizon phones is free. The Verizon carrier automatically unlocks your device after 60 days of service provided that you have satisfied all eligibility criteria.
Unlocking prepaid phones
- To unlock prepaid phones the following steps are used.
- Insert a new sim card into the cell phone and switch on the phone.
- Enter the code “000000” or “123456”.
- For manual help call customer care support.
Steps to unlock Verizon iphone
- Click on the phone app of your iPhone.
- Tap the keypad to dial *611, It will connect you to Verizon customer care service.
- Request “carrier unlock”.
- Wait for unlocking confirmation.
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.
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.
Can you continue the current phone number and select the T-Mobile phone plan?
Yes, you can keep your old phone number when you transfer to T-Mobile. The next step will be to select a suitable phone plan.
T-Mobile phone plans
Under this category, we will consider the following significant plans
- Unlimited plans
- Family plans
- Prepaid plans
Unlimited plans
It is a plan which gives unlimited text and voice for the entire month. It also includes unlimited data. But after reaching a specific data limit, the data speed is affected, and it is reduced.
Technically, these plans are unlimited, but the fact is that speed gets reduced as you go on using premium data.
T-Mobile provides three unlimited data plans:
- Essential unlimited plan
- Magenta unlimited plan
- Magenta plus unlimited plan.
| Plan | Price per line | Unlimited text and talk | Premium data | Mobile hotspot data | Unlimited Video streaming | |
| Essential | $60 | Applicable | 50GB | Unlimited at 3GB speed | Sd streaming | |
| Magenta | $70 | Applicable | 100GB | 5GB high-speed data | Sd streaming | |
| Magenta plus | $85 | Applicable | Unlimited | 40GB high-speed data | Up to 4k UHD streaming |
Family plans.
T-Mobile network providers give reasonable offers for family plans. If you add lines, then the cost per line will get reduced. For the magenta max family plan, if you add one line, the cost per line will be reduced by $15. If you add more lines, you can bring the cost down to $40 per line. It’s a perfect offer for totally unlimited and high-speed data. Speed up to 30 Mbps or even more can be obtained.
Prepaid plans
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.
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.
Below are other Verizon articles you may be interested in:
Is it worth switching from Verizon to T-mobile?
What is better Verizon or T-mobile?
Do unlocked phones work on Verizon
Conclusion:
This blog explains to you all the ways by which you switch from Verizon to T-Mobile. This blog gives you details about unlocking the Verizon phone, checking compatibility with the T-Mobile network, and steps to activate your phone with the T-Mobile network.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs): Can I switch my Verizon phone to T-mobile?
Is it worth switching from Verizon to T-mobile?
Verizon Wireless network is the largest service provider in the United States.
T-Mobile is the third-largest wireless network provider in the United States.
T-mobile offers better plans. It provides a good combination of extras and perks with each plan.
How to check IMEI?
To check the IMEI number of your device following steps are used.
- From the Home screen, select Main Menu.
- Scroll to and select Settings.
- Scroll to and select Phone Settings.
- Scroll to and select Phone info.
- Scroll to and select Version info.
- Scroll to and view the IMEI.
For iPhone use the following steps.
Go to Settings > General, then About.
Or
On the dial pad screen, press *#06#, and you will see the IMEI. Some phones require you to press the send key after the code.
Are all Verizon iPhones compatible with the T-Mobile network?
Most of the new iPhones are compatible with the T-Mobile network. But if you have an iPhone 6 or earlier model, it may not be fully functional with T-Mobile.
How to decide whether your Verizon iphone is eligible for unlocking?
- You must have purchased the cellular phone from Sprint.
- The cell phone should not be reported as blocked or lost.
- An account concerned with the Device must be active for a minimum of 60 days.
- Any associated service agreement must be fulfilled. For example installation billing agreement, lease agreement.
- Depending upon prepaid or postpaid plans, the Device should satisfy all necessary unlock requirements.
- The device must have SIM unlock capability.
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.
Does T-Mobile or Verizon have better 5G coverage?
As far as 5G coverage is concerned T-mobile has an edge compared to Verizon. It covers approximately 40% of the country whereas Verizon covers only 11%. As well as the speed of T- mobile 5G coverage is more than Verizon.
References:
T-Mobile vs Verizon: Which carrier is better for you?
By Ryan Haines November 1, 2021,
How to Switch Your Verizon iPhone to Another Carrier
03 March 2021
By Chris Holmes WhistleOut
Can I Bring My iPhone to Another Carrier?
CRAIG LLOYD @craigelloyd
Updated October 16, 2018,
7 things the Verizon iPhone doesn’t have
The Verizon iPhone may answer some peoples’ smartphone prayers, but it isn’t without its caveats.
Jessica Dolcourt headshot
Jessica Dolcourt
Feb. 2, 2011,
What are Phone Bands (GSM, CDMA) and Why Do They Matter?
Does Verizon Use SIM Cards? (Everything To Know)