Can I use Verizon iphone on T-Mobile?
By
HuutiMoney
This blog post will answer the question ” Can I use Verizon iphone on T-Mobile?. It covers the topics like eligibility criteria to unlock the Verizon iPhone and compatibility checking. It will also provide you with the most commonly used T-Mobile phone plans.
Can I use Verizon iphone on T-Mobile?
Yes, it is possible to bring your Verizon iphone to T-Mobile. The device should be unlocked and compatible with T-Mobile. 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.
A Brief introduction of 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.
A brief introduction of 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, many users share the same carrier frequency. 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.
Steps to bring the Verizon iphone to T-Mobile
Use the following steps to bring your phone from Verizon to T-Mobile.
- Unlock your phone.
- Check the compatibility of your phone using the IMEI number.
- Purchase a new T-Mobile SIM card.
- Select a T-Mobile phone plan.
- Insert the SIM card into your phone.
Eligibility criteria to unlock Verizon iphone
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.
Unlocking Verizon phones is absolutely free. The Verizon carrier automatically unlocks your device after 60 days of service provided that you have satisfied all eligibility criteria.
Why are cell phones locked?
The primary reason cell phones are locked is to keep users under contract. For example, if you are a T-Mobile user, you will contract with a T-Mobile wireless carrier. Under the contract, if you purchase a new i-phone, the cost of the i-phone will be broken up, and it will be added into a two or three-year contract.
This cost will be divided into EMIs, and it will be adjusted into the monthly bill. It will be in addition to service charges. Under such circumstances, the phone will be locked with T-Mobile wireless carrier.
If you wish to change the carrier, you should request unlocking your cell phone. You are generally unlocking the phone means you will have to pay extra to remain out of the contract.
Meaning of locked phone
A locked phone is a mobile device tied up with a particular mobile carrier network. If you purchase a new cell phone under some contract, it is locked.
Are all cell phones locked?
All cell phones are not locked. The cell phone purchased from a carrier under contract is locked. However, if you purchase a phone directly from the manufacturers, it is unlocked. In this case, you can easily switch from one carrier to another.
Benefits of an unlocked phone
● The significant prime benefit is that you will not be stuck with the same wireless carrier.
● If you have an unlocked phone, insert another carrier’s SIM card and then proceed to sign up with new services. However, you need to check the carrier compatibility.
● Usually, unlocked cell phones do not have unnecessary apps.
● You do not have to buy a new cell phone for a new wireless operator.
● So, you can think of getting the cheapest services using the unlocked phone.
Drawbacks of an unlocked phone
● An essential drawback of purchasing an unlocked phone is that you will have to pay in full.
● Some unlocked phones do not support some specific wireless service providers. It is dependent on GSM and CDMA technology. It always creates confusion if you buy a cell phone from other countries.
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.
- Make a request for “carrier unlock”.
- Wait for unlocking confirmation.
Unlocking iPhone using iTunes
Even after satisfying all eligibility criteria, it may happen that your iPhone is still not unlocked. In this case, use the following steps to unlock the iPhone using iTunes.
- First, complete the iTunes backup.
- Reset your iPhone.
- Once the welcome screen gets opened, reinstall the backup files by connecting the iPhone to iTunes.
- Try this using Unlock features.
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.
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.
You can find the number in your iPhone’s settings.
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.
Once you have the IMEI number you can directly go here to enter your IMEI number there and click on check.
How does IMEI help service providers?
GSM uses subscriber identity module cards to store subscribers’ information. Customers can easily switch the SIM card from one device to another and start making calls without any problem. It helps operators identify valid customers and disable the devices from their end if reported lost or stolen.
IMEI is hardcoded by the manufacturer; it helps the carrier understand the capabilities of the device; it helps the provider to get the device to a nearby tower for connection.
If you lose your phone or if it gets stolen, IMEI will help you make sure the person who stole it won’t be able to use your device. The device can be denied service to any cellular network even if the SIM is changed.
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.
What’s an unlimited plan?
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. Comparing unlimited plans of both the network providers, T- mobile has an edge, some unlimited plans from T mobile are cheap, and you get more premium data.
What do you mean by premium data?
It is internet data that runs over 4G LTE and 5G networks. It provides data speed from 30 to 100 Mbps.
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:
Can Verizon phones work on T-mobile?
Will a Verizon sim card work in a T-mobile phone?
Are Verizon phones compatible with T-mobile?
Conclusion:
This blog explains to you all the ways by which you use Verizon iphone on T-Mobile. This blog gives you details about unlocking the 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 use Verizon iphone on 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.
You can find the number in your phone’s settings. 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,
These are the best iPhone X models to buy if you want the flexibility to switch to any carrier
Antonio Villas-Boas Dec 5, 2017,
How to unlock your iPhone on Verizon
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LUKE FILIPOWICZ and CHUCK WEST
30 Oct 2019
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