A Checklist for Switching Cell Phone Carriers

Switching carriers can be a great way to save money, improve your coverage, or take advantage of a better deal. And contrary to popular belief, it’s not that hard to do. 

Before you make the jump, though, there are a handful of things you should make sure you take care of—in addition to the stuff you need to do during and after you switch. 

From unlocking your phone to gathering the right account information, a little preparation can help you avoid delays or other complications. 

This checklist is designed to walk you through everything you should do before, during, and after switching carriers.

{{takeaways}}

{{trustus}}

Before You Switch

Before making the leap to your new carrier, it’s a good idea to take care of the following. 

Phone Tasks

If you plan on taking your current device along with you to your new carrier, you’ll want to make sure of the following first—otherwise it may not immediately work. 

Specifically, you should confirm the following:

• Your phone is unlocked
• Your device isn’t blacklisted or reported lost
• Your software is up to date
• Your phone supports eSIM if you plan to activate digitally

If your phone is still financed through your current carrier, you may need to pay it off before it can be unlocked—unless, that is, your new carrier is willing to pony up some cash towards paying it off as a means of incentivizing you to join their network. You will typically receive this credit in the form of a prepaid card, which you can then use to pay down your phone. 

Account Information

If you want to keep your number, your new carrier will need information from your current provider to complete the transfer. Hence, you should have these on hand with you:

• Account number
• Account PIN or transfer PIN (some carriers advise you to request this once the switch has been started)
• Billing ZIP code
• The phone number you’re transferring

Keeping Your Current Service Active

One of the biggest hiccups when switching from one carrier to another is canceling your old service too early. Your number has to remain active during the porting process, or you risk losing it permanently. 

Backing Up Your Phone

It’s a good idea to back up your phone when switching carriers, lest anything gets lost in the network transition. 

These may include photos, contacts, text messages, app data, and passwords. Backing this stuff up is especially important if you’re trading in your device for a new one. 

Disabling Port Protection Features

Many carriers now include anti-fraud protections that block unauthorized number transfers. While they’re helpful for security, forgetting to disable them can stall your switch for hours or even days.

During the Switch

Here are some things to do once you’ve begun the process of switching from one carrier to another. 

Number Porting

Most of us decide to keep our numbers when switching carriers. This is easily done via a process called porting. It can usually be handled online via your new carrier’s dashboard, or over the phone with an agent. You’ll want to monitor this to stay up-to-date on the porting status—typically, it can be switched over in a few minutes, but in rare cases may take up to 24 hours. 

Activate Your SIM or eSIM

When switching carriers, you’ll either get a physical SIM or an eSIM activation code. Once you activate it, try surfing the web on your phone or making a call. This will tell you whether the installation was successful. 

Also, note that you may also need to update carrier settings on your device to get your phone working on the new network. The carrier will likely provide instructions on how to do this. 

Prepare Your Trade-In Device

If you’re trading in an old device and getting a new one from your new carrier, the provider will likely require you to disable Find My iPhone or Android activation locks before you hand it in. 

Make sure to back up your data before you trade it in. Otherwise, you may risk losing precious photos, contacts, or app settings when you make the transition to your new device. 

After the Switch

Review Your First Bill Carefully

Getting your first bill can result in some shock, thanks to upfront activation fees, device repayment fees (typically, any credits you get via a phone deal won’t kick in for a cycle or two), or taxes and surcharges. It’s a good idea to read through these to understand each charge. If anything looks off, make sure to contact support quickly.

Watch for Charges From Your Old Carrier

Even after your line closes, you may still receive a final bill from your previous carrier for anything from a remaining phone balance to a partial-month service charge. Review the bill carefully to ensure everything looks accurate.

Test Your Service Thoroughly

Spend the first few days testing your new service in the places you use your phone most. If the service isn’t working well for you, many carriers offer return periods or satisfaction guarantees.

Final Thoughts

Switching cell phone carriers is usually straightforward, but the little details matter. Keeping your line active, gathering the correct transfer information, backing up your data, and understanding your device obligations can save you a lot of headaches.

A little preparation before the switch can help ensure the process is quick, painless, and free of unpleasant surprises.