Switching Cell Phone Carriers – Follow These Steps

Phone plans have completely changed. Today, we consumers have multiple choices and lots more flexibility . Right now, Xfinity Mobile even makes it possible to get a new phone when we want one, not on someone else’s timetable. Learn why making the switch to Xfinity will help you save and see the simple five steps to make the switch below. 

Learn more about the benefits of switching to Xfinity Mobile 

Looking for prepaid phone deals? NOW Mobile for a flexible, affordable, prepaid mobile service

Xfinity Mobile Contract Buyout 

Looking to switch mobile carriers? Between now and April 15th, 2025, you have an opportunity to save when you switch. Get up to $500 for each line you bring to Xfinity Mobile with qualifying trade-in, up to 5 lines. When you switch to Xfinity Mobile, you could cut your mobile bill in half in your first year over AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. Learn more at https://mobiletimetoswitch.xfinity.com/ 

You don’t have to wait for a new phone 

Just when we’d finally become accustomed to replacing our phones every two years, everything changed. It used to be, when you signed up to a phone carrier you got a new phone for “free” along with a shiny, new 24-month contract. While that “free” phone may have been appealing, it wasn’t actually free. You were paying for it every month as part of that bill. Nowadays, you can get a new phone or a new carrier anytime you choose, without the contract. 

You can pay month-to-month 

Essentially, two-year contracts are a thing of the past. In many cases, when you switch to a new carrier, you are paying month-to-month and are free to get a new phone, or even leave at any time. This means you can also switch your plan each month— choosing the amount of data, minutes or text messages you want to use that month, and you aren’t “extending” your contract each time you do so. 

You can buy a new phone … or not 

With month-to-month billing, came a new way to buy phones. As you no longer buy that “free,” heavily subsidized phone when you sign your contract, carriers needed a new way to offer you a phone that didn’t mean spending hundreds of dollars at once. 

Instead, you can buy the phone outright from your carrier (or in some cases, direct from the manufacturer) and spread the cost over a payment plan that ranges from 12 to 48 months. This feels like a contract, but it’s not. You can still cancel your service with that carrier, anytime—you’ll just have to pay whatever balance remains on the phone’s purchase price when you leave. Plus, there’s often no down payment (although you will have to pay all the taxes upfront). 

What’s more, with Xfinity Mobile you can bring your own device. Learn more about Xfinity Mobile’s BYOD program here.

You can switch anytime (if you’re not in a contract) 

While most carriers no longer offer two-year contracts, you may still be in one. In this case, you will have to wait for your contract to be up or see if your new carrier will cover any of your early termination fees. The only thing that may “tether” you to your old carrier is your old phone. If you own that phone, or can pay it off, you may still need to “unlock it” from your old carrier, so it will work on your new network. 

Getting a phone unlocked is a lot easier than it used to be, especially now that it’s actually legal. But that doesn’t mean it’s simple. To do it you’ll likely need your phone’s IMEI number, your phone number, all the relevant account details, and the phone number of your current carrier. Call them up and they’ll walk you through the process. Some carriers even offer a way to do this online as well, so we recommend you check their website first.

You don’t have to upgrade your phone when you switch

The best thing about this “new way” is that the phone is yours after two years. That’s right, you own it. This means you can sell it, trade it in for a new phone, or keep it and just continue to pay your carrier for your monthly plan. If you are on a budget, this is an excellent option.

Today’s smartphones can easily last four, five, sometimes even six years.

• Step 1- Research all the plans out there and figure out which is best for you. Xfinity Mobile is the only carrier that doesn’t charge you a monthly phone line access fee, plus offers free minutes and texts.
• Step 2- Gather all your current account information (including your IMEI) and make a note of all your phone’s details if you want to take your phone with you (including that 15-digit IMEI number). Call your carrier to find out about any cancellation fees, outstanding balances on your account, and whether your phone is locked to their network. If it's locked, begin the process of unlocking it with your carrier, but do not cancel your service at this stage.
• Step 3;- Back up all the information on your phone—just in case. On an Android, you can use your Google account to sync all your data to the cloud. On an iPhone, use Apple’s built-in iCloud backup service.
• Step 4;- Shop conveniently in a way that works for you – you can call, go to a retail store to try out new phones, or shop online from the comfort of your home. You won’t need to lose your number if you move out of state.
• Step 5- Once your new service is up and running, call your old carrier to cancel and request a final bill.

Looking for a new phone carrier? No problem. Long gone are the days when you got a shiny new phone and then become locked into a carrier for the next 24 months. Welcome to the very flexible future of mobile phones. The Xfinity Mobile Switch Squad will handle every step: swap your SIM, port your number, and break up with your carrier for you; all you have to do is walk out as an Xfinity Mobile customer and start saving up to $600 a year.

We make switching your wireless simple. Talk to the Switch Squad today.

For more information on Xfinity Mobile’s wireless plan offerings, visit xfinity.com/mobile.

Restrictions apply. Not available in all areas. 

Offer Trade-In Offer: Offer ends 4/14/2025. Receive up to $500 via Virtual Prepaid Mastercard® when you take part in qualifying Xfinity device trade-in promotion and activate a new Xfinity Mobile line.  Must submit proof of current carrier bill by 5/14/2025 through xfinity.com/mobiletimetoswitch and maintain new line with account in good standing for 30 days following line activation.  Prepaid Mastercard is issued by Pathward®, N.A., Member FDIC, pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated. Mastercard and the circles design are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated. No cash access or recurring payments. Prepaid Mastercard valid for up to 6 months; unused funds will forfeit after the valid thru date. Terms and conditions apply. Virtual Prepaid Mastercard will be sent to your email address associated with your Xfinity account within 4-6 weeks of completion of all requirements. Virtual card can be used where Debit Mastercard is accepted online, for phone/mail orders or in stores that accept mobile wallet. If there is no email address registered to the account, a physical Prepaid Mastercard will be shipped to Comcast account holder within 6 weeks of activation of all required services. Physical card can be used where Debit Mastercard is accepted. Limit one $2500 prepaid card amount per customer/account. One card issued for total qualifying amount. Not valid with prior activations, purchases, returns or exchanges. See details at xfinity.com/mobiletimetoswitch. © 2025 Comcast. All rights reserved.  

BYOD Offer: Offer ends 4/14/2025. Receive up to $200 via Virtual Prepaid Mastercard® when  you activate a new Xfinity Mobile line, and transfer your phone number from another post-paid mobile carrier within 30 days of line activation date.  Must submit proof of current carrier bill by 5/14/2025 through xfinity.com/mobiletimetoswitch and maintain new line with account in good standing for 30 days following line activation.  Prepaid Mastercard is issued by Pathward®, N.A., Member FDIC, pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated. Mastercard and the circles design are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated. No cash access or recurring payments. Prepaid Mastercard valid for up to 6 months; unused funds will forfeit after the valid thru date. Terms and conditions apply. Virtual Prepaid Mastercard will be sent to your email address associated with your Xfinity account within 4-6 weeks of completion of all requirements. Virtual card can be used where Debit Mastercard is accepted online, for phone/mail orders or in stores that accept mobile wallet. If there is no email address registered to the account, a physical Prepaid Mastercard will be shipped to Comcast account holder within 6 weeks of activation of all required services. Physical card can be used where Debit Mastercard is accepted. Limit one $1000 prepaid card amount per customer/account. One card issued for total qualifying amount. Not valid with prior activations, purchases, returns or exchanges. See details at xfinity.com/mobiletimetoswitch. © 2025 Comcast. All rights reserved.