How to Switch Phone Carriers 2026 — The Complete Guide to Porting Your Number

Updated March 2026 • 10 min read

The average American overpays for phone service by $30-50/month — that's $360-600/year wasted because switching carriers feels complicated. It's not. The entire process takes 15-30 minutes of active work and 1-3 days of waiting. This guide covers everything you need to know.

Step 1: Check Your Current Situation

Device payments remaining? Check your current carrier app — outstanding balance is due when you leave
Phone locked? Most carriers lock phones for 60-365 days. Call your carrier to check unlock eligibility.
Promotional credits? If you're getting "$500 off iPhone over 36 months," canceling forfeits remaining credits
Contract? Rare in 2026, but some business plans still have ETFs. Check your agreement.

💡 The promotional credit trap: Carriers give you "free" phones spread over 24-36 months of bill credits. If you leave after 12 months of a 36-month promo, you owe the remaining 24 months of device payments but lose the remaining 24 months of credits. Calculate the true cost of leaving early vs. staying.

Step 2: Choose Your New Carrier

Best budget carriers (MVNOs):

Mint Mobile: $15-30/month — T-Mobile network, best overall value, owned by T-Mobile
Visible: $25-30/month — Verizon network, truly unlimited, no throttle on base plan
US Mobile: $25-35/month — Verizon or T-Mobile, customizable plans
Cricket Wireless: $30-55/month — AT&T network, reliable and consistent
Google Fi: $20-65/month — T-Mobile/US Cellular, best for international travel

Big three carriers (postpaid):

T-Mobile Go5G: $50-75/month — best 5G coverage expansion, includes Netflix
Verizon myPlan: $50-65/month — best rural coverage, choose your own perks
AT&T Unlimited: $50-65/month — solid coverage, HBO Max included on premium tiers

Step 3: Port Your Number

DO NOT cancel your old service first — porting requires an active account
Get your account number and transfer PIN from your current carrier
Sign up with your new carrier online or in-store
Select "Transfer existing number" and enter your info
Your old service cancels automatically when the port completes
Keep your old phone charged and on until the port finishes (1-3 business days)

🚨 The #1 porting mistake: Canceling your old service before initiating the port. Once your account is closed, your number may be released and unrecoverable. ALWAYS start the port first — the new carrier handles cancellation.

Step 4: Set Up Your New Service

Physical SIM: Your new carrier mails a SIM card (free) or you pick one up in-store
eSIM: Most newer phones support instant digital activation — no physical card needed
Phone compatibility: Unlocked phones work on any carrier. Check your phone's band support at willmyphonework.net
WiFi calling: Enable it in settings for better indoor coverage
Visual voicemail: May need to be re-enabled on your new carrier

How Much Can You Actually Save?

Verizon Unlimited ($75/mo) → Visible ($25/mo): Save $600/year — same Verizon network
AT&T Unlimited ($65/mo) → Cricket ($30/mo): Save $420/year — same AT&T network
T-Mobile Go5G ($50/mo) → Mint ($15/mo annual): Save $420/year — same T-Mobile network
Family plan (4 lines from $200 → $80/mo): Save $1,440/year

✅ The bottom line: Every major carrier has a budget sub-brand using the EXACT same network towers. You're paying $30-50/month extra for the carrier's retail stores, TV commercials, and customer service phone trees. If you can handle online-only support, switching to an MVNO is free money.

Carrier Switching Checklist

☐ Check device payment balance and promo credit status
☐ Request phone unlock from current carrier
☐ Get account number and transfer PIN
☐ Check new carrier coverage at your home/work/travel routes
☐ Sign up with new carrier and request port
☐ Wait for port to complete (keep old phone active)
☐ Test calls, texts, and data on new carrier
☐ Confirm old account is closed and no more charges
☐ Return any leased equipment to old carrier
☐ Update autopay info if carrier change affects bank notifications