How to Switch Phone Carriers
These instructions assume you’re transferring your current phone number to your new carrier and that you’ve already considered the major factors listed at the bottom of this article and taken the necessary steps to unlock your phone if it was previously locked by your current carrier.
What to Consider Before Switching Carriers
Before you start the process of switching mobile phone carriers, there are a few essential things you need to check first.
Online at your carrier’s websiteOn the phone by contacting a sales representativeIn person by visiting your carrier’s nearest store location
Whichever way you choose, the steps are the same. The online route is a self-serve process designed to be easy to follow, but if you’re more comfortable having someone do everything for you, you might want to speak to someone on the phone or in a store.
Your device type and IMEI numberYour name and addressYour phone numberYour payment informationYour account number from your old carrier
Does the new carrier offer coverage in your area? It’s important to check whether the carrier you want to go with offers the appropriate network coverage you need in the areas you spend the most time—places like home, work, the cottage, your parents’ house, your children’s school, the gym, and so on. You can check out the coverage maps online for AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. Will your current phone work with the new carrier? If your phone is an older model that you want to keep using, it might not be supported. To check, you find your phone’s IMEI number, then enter it online to check your device’s compatibility with AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. Is your current phone locked or unlocked? When you switch carriers, your phone can’t be locked by your current carrier. If you currently have or have previously had a contract with your current carrier, there’s a good chance it’s locked, and you’ll need to unlock it before you can make the switch. Find out how to unlock a phone on every major U.S. carrier. What’s the best plan for you? The best plan for you will depend on how you use your phone and your budget. When looking for plans, read everything and avoid getting swept up by the deals and perks without considering any of the restrictions. Check out the best cheap plans, the best prepaid plans, the best family plans and the best senior plans. What are the costs of switching? If you’re not currently locked into a contract with your current carrier, the costs of switching should be minimal. You might have to pay $10 or so for a new SIM card, but if your current phone was initially provided by your carrier, you might have to buy it out. If you’re currently locked into a contract and you want to break it before it’s set to end, you could face early termination fees up to $200.
