T-Mobile Will Pay Off Your Current Phone Up to $1,000 If You Switch

T-Mobile today announced that, starting October 22, it will pay off a qualifying customer's remaining eligible smartphone payments up to $1,000 via virtual prepaid MasterCard when they switch to the carrier in the United States.

iphone se black
The limited time offer is designed to allow customers to switch from their current carrier to T-Mobile and continue using their existing smartphone without cost. T-Mobile has more details available on its website, including instructions for customers looking to switch from Verizon, AT&T, U.S. Cellular, and select other carriers.

The steps on T-Mobile's website include verifying your smartphone is an eligible device, submitting screenshot proof of your current device payment plan balance, ordering a T-Mobile SIM card and choosing a plan, and submitting a rebate claim. The prepaid MasterCard can then be used to pay off the remaining device balance at your previous carrier.

Fine print indicates that a credit check and an eligible T-Mobile plan is required. The smartphone must be unlocked before being ported in to T-Mobile.

Popular Stories

Apple Announces Special Event in New York Feature

Apple Announces Special Event in New York, London, and Shanghai on March 4

Monday February 16, 2026 6:05 am PST by
Apple today announced a "special Apple Experience" in New York, London, and Shanghai, taking place on March 4, 2026 at 9:00am ET. Apple invited select members of the media to the event in three major cities around the world. It is simply described as a "special Apple Experience," and there is no further information about what it may entail. The invitation features a 3D Apple logo design...
M3 iPad Air

Apple's Next Two Products Are Coming Soon

Thursday February 12, 2026 11:17 am PST by
Apple plans to release an iPhone 17e and an iPad Air with an M4 chip "in the coming weeks," according to the latest word from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "Apple retail employees say that inventory of the iPhone 16e has basically dried out and the iPad Air is seeing shortages as well," said Gurman. "I've been expecting new versions of both (iPhone 17e and M4 iPad Air) in the coming weeks."...
Apple Announces Special Event in New York Feature 1

Apple Event on March 4: Here's What to Expect

Tuesday February 17, 2026 8:08 am PST by
Apple on Monday invited selected journalists and content creators to a "special Apple Experience" on Wednesday, March 4 in New York, London, and Shanghai. At an Apple Experience, attendees are typically given the opportunity to try out Apple's latest hardware or software. Following the launch of Apple Creator Studio last month, for example, some content creators attended an Apple Experience...
iphone 17 pro dark blue 1

Gurman: iPhone 18 Pro Could Be Underwhelming

Monday February 16, 2026 4:24 am PST by
Apple's upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models "won't be a big update," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said that the iPhone 18 Pro models will "represent minor tweaks from last year's iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max." He compared the upgrade to Apple's past practice of appending the letter "S" to its more minor...
Coffee Burgundy and Purple iPhone 18 Pro Mock

Five iPhone 18 Pro Features Revealed in New Report

Friday February 13, 2026 8:43 am PST by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are still seven months away, an analyst has revealed five new features the devices will allegedly have. Rumored color options for the iPhone 18 Pro models In a research note with investment firm GF Securities on Thursday, analyst Jeff Pu outlined the following upgrades for the iPhone 18 Pro models: Smaller Dynamic Island: It has been rumored...

Top Rated Comments

noone Avatar
57 months ago
And they'll give you free identity theft protection when they get hacked! Again.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
roncron Avatar
57 months ago
Doesn’t help people who bought their phones outright. I guess T-Mobile just wants customers who like financing things.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
57 months ago

Doesn’t help people who bought their phones outright. I guess T-Mobile just wants customers who like financing things.
So they offer up to $1000 and there is still something to moan about?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
57 months ago

If you bought your phone outright, you have no outstanding balance for them to pay, so I don't get your complaint. The point is they are trying to remove a potential barrier from people switching ("I'd like to switch, but then I'd have to pay off my phone balance, and I can't afford to right now").
The point they are making is that if I were to pay $1000 upfront for my phone vs someone who chose to pay over time gets rewarded by having the remaining phone paid for by T-Mobile. By not putting myself in debt, or saving up before making purchases I don't get the same reward. This is the complaint.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
VolceOntra Avatar
57 months ago
Been with TMO for almost a decade now, it's been great in MD, CA, GA, SC, and MO. The worst was in parts of CA along the coast though.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
57 months ago

So, if you pay for your phone in full when you purchase it you are not rewarded.
Beware of a deal like this. It almost certainly means they're trying to switch you over from a vastly superior network and experience.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)