How to Get a Free Phone by Switching Carriers

Carriers like T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T give away free phones worth up to $1,300 when you switch. Here's exactly how to claim one.

The Short Version

1. Pick a deal from our deals page. 2. Get a port number for $14 (delivered to your email in minutes). 3. Take it to the carrier store. 4. Walk out with a free phone.

Total time: under 1 hour. Total cost: $14 + carrier fees at the store.

How Long Does the Entire Process Take?

Order a port number online 2 minutes
Receive number via email 5-15 minutes
Drive to carrier store Varies
Complete the port-in at the store 20-40 minutes

Step by Step

Here's the full process, broken down.

01
🔍

Pick a Deal

Browse live carrier promotions and choose which deal you want.

02
🔢

Get a Number

Buy a verified port number for $14 — delivered to your email in minutes.

Get Your Port Number →
03
🏪

Visit the Store

Go to the carrier store with your port details. The rep handles everything from there.

04
🎉

Get Your Phone

The carrier applies the switch deal — walk out with a free phone. That simple.

The One Rule You Need to Know

Your port number must come from a different carrier family. Carriers that share the same parent company are in the same family — and you can't port within a family.

For example: T-Mobile owns Metro and Boost. So a Metro number won't work for a T-Mobile deal. You'd need a number from Verizon, AT&T, or Cricket instead.

T-Mobile Family
T-Mobile
MetroPCS
Boost
AT&T Family
AT&T
Cricket
Verizon Family
Verizon
Visible

Quick reference: Which number do I need?

Switching to T-Mobile, Metro, or Boost? Get a Verizon, AT&T, or Cricket number.

Switching to AT&T or Cricket? Get a Verizon, T-Mobile, Metro, or Boost number.

Switching to Verizon? Get a T-Mobile, AT&T, Cricket, Metro, or Boost number.

What to Say at the Carrier Store

Here's what to expect when you visit the store:

1

Tell the rep you want to open a new line and port in a number. The rep will see which carrier the number is coming from when they process the port request.

2

Hand over your porting details. The rep needs the phone number, account number, and PIN. Have them ready on your phone.

3

Pick your phone and plan. Make sure the plan qualifies for the promo. Ask the rep if you're unsure.

4

Confirm the promo is applied before you leave. Ask the rep to show you the credits on the account. Don't leave until you see them.

The whole visit takes 20-40 minutes. You walk out with your new phone and the deal applied.

What You Need to Bring

Every port-in requires three things. You'll get all three when you order a port number:

Phone number
An active number from a different carrier family
Account number
The account tied to that phone line
PIN / transfer PIN
A security code that authorizes the transfer

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using a number from the same carrier family

Double-check the carrier family chart above. A MetroPCS number won't work for a T-Mobile deal — they're the same family.

Waiting too long to use the number

Port numbers are valid for up to 5 days. Visit the carrier store within that window to ensure the number is still active.

Not verifying the promo before leaving the store

Always ask the rep to confirm the promotional credits are applied before you leave. It's much harder to get credits applied after the fact.

Choosing a plan that doesn't qualify

Some deals require specific plans (like T-Mobile's Experience Beyond). Ask the rep which plans qualify for the promotion before signing up.

Canceling the line too early

Bill credits are spread over 24-36 months. If you cancel the line before the credits are fully applied, you lose the remaining balance. Keep the line active for the full credit period.

What is Number Porting?

Number porting is the process of moving a phone number from one carrier to another. When you "port in" a number to T-Mobile, Verizon, or AT&T, you're bringing an existing number from a different carrier — and that triggers their best switch deals.

Carriers offer free phones, bill credits, and trade-in bonuses worth $200 to $1,300+ to win customers from competitors. The FCC guarantees your right to port any active phone number between carriers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this legal?
Yes. Number porting is protected by FCC regulations (47 CFR Part 52). Carriers are required to allow number transfers between providers, and port-in promotions are standard industry offers available to any new customer who ports in a qualifying number.
How fast is delivery?
If using a port number provider, most deliver the details to your email in 5-15 minutes. If porting your own number, you can get your account number and PIN from your current carrier immediately by calling or checking online.
How long is the number valid?
Numbers are valid for up to 5 days after delivery. Use it at a carrier store within that window.
What do I do at the carrier store?
Tell the store rep you want to "port in a number" to activate your new line. Give them the phone number, account number, and PIN. They'll process the switch and apply the promotional credits.
Do I lose my current phone number?
No. The port number you purchase is a separate number used to activate a new promotional line. Your personal number stays on your existing account, or you can transfer it separately.
What if the carrier rejects the port?
Port rejections are rare but can happen if the number has already been used or if the carrier has a temporary system issue. If you purchased from a port number provider, most offer free replacements. If porting your own number, contact your current carrier to verify your account number and PIN are correct.
Can I use this for an existing line or only new lines?
Most carrier promotions require adding a new line with a port-in number. Some carriers offer upgrade deals for existing customers, but the biggest discounts are almost always for new lines activated with a ported number.
How do bill credits work?
Most free phone deals are applied as monthly bill credits over 24-36 months. You may pay for the phone upfront or in installments, but the carrier reimburses you each month. If you cancel the line early, remaining credits stop.

Learn More

Free Phones When You Switch

See which phones carriers are giving away right now and exactly how to qualify.
What is a Port Number?

A deeper look at what port numbers are, how they work, and why carriers require them.
Carriers That Pay You to Switch

Compare which carriers offer the best incentives for new customers who port in.
Today's Active Deals

Browse all current switch carrier deals across T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T, and more.

Ready to Save?

Check today's deals and get your port number in minutes.

Get a Port Number See Active Deals

Or jump directly to a carrier:

Verizon T-Mobile AT&T Cricket Metro Boost