Full guides, not teasers — every card below opens the complete article, with the plan prices from our own finder. These guides are our opinion, not financial or contractual advice — verify prices and terms with the carrier before you switch.
AT&T postpaid runs $50–$110 for one line. The same AT&T towers start at $25. Unlock checks, the *PORT transfer PIN, the best AT&T-network alternatives, timing and traps — start to finish.
Read the AT&T guide →Mint, Metro, US Mobile and Fi all run on T-Mobile towers for $25–$50. Unlock rules, Transfer PIN, the Port Out Protection trap, and which cheaper plan fits you.
Read the T-Mobile guide →Verizon postpaid runs $65–$95 a line. Visible, Total Wireless and US Mobile sell the same Verizon towers from $25. The 60-day automatic unlock, #PORT PIN, Number Lock trap, timing and pitfalls.
Read the Verizon guide →Already prepaid but on the wrong plan or the wrong network? The Port-Out Blocker, generating your account number & transfer PIN, why prepaid timing matters, and cheaper picks by network.
Read the Red Pocket guide →Cricket charges $55 for unlimited on AT&T towers — the same towers start at $25. The 6-month unlock rule, the *PORT transfer PIN, and the best AT&T-network alternatives.
Read the Cricket guide →The account number is your IMEI, not your phone number — that's why these ports stall. Texting NTP to 611611, the 24–48-hour PIN window, ZIP traps, and online-first plans that cost less.
Read the Tracfone guide →The exact order: unlock, port PIN, eSIM activation, and why you should never cancel first. Includes Verizon, AT&T & T-Mobile PIN locations.
Read guide →Data priority, perks and support explained honestly — and the 3 types of users who should NOT switch to the cheapest plan.
Read guide →We ran the 36-month totals for iPhone and Galaxy switch deals vs. BYOD. The winner depends on one number most people miss.
Read guide →MMS not sending, hotspot greyed out, 5G missing — step-by-step APN settings and the restart trick that fixes most of them.
Get the APN settings →Port the least-used line first as a test, stagger eSIMs, and keep kids' 2FA / school apps working through the move.
Read guide →Switching is the perfect moment to add the protections legacy carriers never prompted you for.
Read guide →Visible+, US Mobile, Mint and more — the yearly price, what it works out to per month, what you save, and what happens at renewal.
Read guide →What a VPN protects on public Wi-Fi and while traveling, what it can't do, and what to check before you pay.
Read guide →Unique passwords, phishing-resistant autofill, breach alerts and family sharing — plus a 15-minute way to start.
Read guide →No — if you port it. Give your new carrier your account number and transfer PIN, and they move the number for you. Your old account closes automatically when the port finishes. Don't cancel before porting.
Yes, but your old carrier will bill the remaining device balance when you leave. Some switch promos (T-Mobile Keep & Switch, AT&T's switcher payoff) reimburse up to $800 per line — submit your final bill within the promo window.
It can be deprioritized in very crowded places on the cheapest tiers. If you attend stadiums, commute at peak, or work from your hotspot, pick a premium-data switch plan (Visible+, US Mobile Premium, Fi) — still far cheaper than legacy postpaid.
eSIM ports between major carriers: 10–30 minutes typically. Landline / VoIP numbers and Tracfone-family ports can take 24 hours. You'll have dual service briefly — keep both SIMs on until the port confirms.
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