How Do I Switch My Cell Phone Service

Switching wireless providers isn't easy. Although in that location are three major networks in the US, the actual number of wireless carriers and plans is significantly college. Sifting through it all of the disruptive mess can overwhelm the best of united states. We want to aid make this procedure a scrap easier. Hither'south a guide to how to choose a cell phone plan in 2022.

Read more: Best Unlimited Telephone Plans in 2022

Which network works all-time for yous?

031verizon-att-t-mobile-big-three-carrier-logos-2021 — Sarah Tew/CNET

In the US there are three major networks: AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon. All iii offer services straight and accept robust nationwide networks that offering 4G LTE and 5G.

The nigh important aspect of choosing a network is finding one that works in your area. This makes information technology very difficult for us to give a blanket recommendation of any one carrier. For case, T-Mobile's service in New York may be first-class, but if you're in rural Iowa, Verizon is more reliable.

While your mileage may vary, the good news is that these networks are growing and improving all the time, particularly every bit the three major players race to blanket the Usa with 5G. Information technology's quite possible that a decade ago you left a network complaining about its sparse service, but now information technology has beefed itself up because of that arms race to acquire customers.

Read more: Best Unlimited Information Plans in 2022

If you know whatever friends or family unit in your area that already apply the carrier you are considering, enquire about their experience. Y'all could also go to a carrier'due south store and run across if it offers whatever free ways to effort out the service earlier switching over, such equallyT-Mobile'southward Exam Drive. Those interested in trialing Verizon's service tin do and then through Visible's similar program (so long as y'all have an unlocked iPhone).

Know the smaller and prepaid players

visible-wireless-google-fi-mint-mobile-mobile-phone-service-2021-cnet-review08 — Visible, Google Fi and Mint Mobile are only a few of the many MVNOs that rely on larger networks.
Sarah Tew/CNET

While AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon operate the major networks, there are a number of smaller wireless providers that offer service on their airwaves. First, there are the prepaid brands each carrier owns. Verizon has Visible, AT&T has Cricket and T-Mobile has Metro. All apply their parent's respective networks for service.

As for smaller players, they as well rely on the larger networks for service. Mint Mobile and Google Fi, for example, use T-Mobile's network, while cable companies Comcast and Spectrum rely on Verizon for their respective Xfinity Mobile and Spectrum Mobile brands.

Boost Mobile, which is at present owned by Dish, uses a combination of T-Mobile and AT&T while Dish builds out its own 5G network.

The benefit of these smaller carriers -- many of which are known equally something called MVNOs (or mobile virtual network operators) -- is that yous can become admission to the larger provider'due south service at a more affordable charge per unit. If you institute that Verizon works all-time where you lot live but its service is too pricey, switching to Visible, Spectrum Mobile or Xfinity Mobile could potentially allow y'all to keep similar coverage but pay a bit less (though you may lose out on some other perks like free streaming services).

We've broken down a few of these providers, including who uses which network and some of the trade-offs you'll want to keep in mind.

Know how much you owe on your installment program

iphone-13-pro-max-cnet-2021-review-30 — Getting a new iPhone at a deep discount from a carrier often requires a big commitment.
Patrick Kingdom of the netherlands/CNET

Two-year contracts have thankfully largely disappeared from the US wireless marketplace. Unfortunately, they now seem set up to be replaced by increasingly longer installment plans.

With the iPhone 13 deals, AT&T required agreeing to a 36-month installment plan as function of its terms to get a complimentary device. T-Mobile has been asking for a commitment of 30 months to get its deals while Verizon experimented with going from 24 months to 30 months.

Verizon has since followed AT&T and only offers 36-month installment options. T-Mobile all the same has options for 24 months, though pricier devices like Samsung'south Galaxy Z Fold 3 would need a 36-month plan should you want to finance information technology monthly.

With these longer timelines yous can get a pricey new phone for significantly less, simply yous need to stay on that carrier (and potentially with a pricier unlimited plan) for two or three years. If you leave before that fourth dimension has passed you risk needing to pay out the balance owed on the phone, which some providers require earlier they "unlock" the device to be used on other networks.

A skillful thing, yet, is that the major carriers often offer several hundred dollars when you switch to subsidize the change. Merely yous will want to cheque your business relationship online or go into your carrier's store to observe out how much you might withal owe on your phone before yous leave.

Decide if you should go along your current phone

The modernization of phones and networks means that your existing phone will probably work just fine on a new carrier and all the major wireless carriers offer a similar assortment of the latest devices, especially when it comes to the iPhone and the Galaxy lines.

To make the almost of any switch yous'll probably want to take this opportunity to upgrade your device, as in that location are frequently good deals on adding a line or opening a new line. If you lot'd rather keep what yous accept, your existing device will probably work just fine so long equally it is unlocked from your prior provider.

Know your discounts

Keep in mind that all of the carriers offer additional savings that you could be eligible for depending on your employer, military condition, pupil status or fifty-fifty historic period. If you're on a family program, maybe a family member qualifies even if you don't.

First responders, armed services members, veterans, nurses and teachers, in item, can get discounts from every major carrier. Verizon offers discounts for students, while T-Mobile'southward Work perk could knock $10 a month off a Magenta Max plan and AT&T offers a similar plan for its Unlimited Elite plan that it calls Signature.

If yous're 55 or older, you may also exist eligible for a discounted program: T-Mobile offers discounted plans nationwide for as low every bit $55 a month for two lines, while Verizon and AT&T offer similar options merely only for Florida residents.

This could save you money if you switch, or potentially lower your current charge per unit a flake and save you the hassle of changing providers.

Empathize the perks

If yous have the right Verizon programme you could get free Disney Plus.

Sarah Tew/CNET

Many of the major carriers bundle in perks for using their college-end unlimited plans, particularly streaming services. Verizon offers the Disney Bundle (Disney Plus, Hulu and ESPN Plus) to those with its Play More and Get More unlimited plans, AT&T offers HBO Max with its Unlimited Elite and T-Mobile offers Netflix, Paramount Plus and Apple Television set Plus with its Magenta and Magenta Max offerings. The Paramount offer is likewise available even to those with older T-Mobile or Dart plans.

Even prepaid and smaller carriers like Cricket (HBO Max with Ads), Metro by T-Mobile (Amazon Prime number Video) and US Mobile (a variety of options) offer perks with their unlimited plans.

Read more: All-time Streaming Service Deals

In add-on, some Verizon plans (similar the top Go More option) include Apple Music, while T-Mobile's Magenta and Magenta Max also offer GoGo in-flying Wi-Fi. T-Mobile'due south Metro offers 100GB of Google Ane storage also as an Amazon Prime membership. AT&T gives six months of gratis gaming with Google'south Stadia Pro and Nvidia's GeForce At present.

If you're already paying for one or more of these subscriptions, switching to the correct provider could be a way to assistance yous save even more.

Nosotros'll keep to update this with more than jail cell telephone plan tips.