How To Get a Free Cell Phone When Switching Service Providers

Picking the right cell phone service for your family can be a real headache, but getting a free cell phone in the process can be a nice benefit.

Free cell phones are a moving target. We have lots of good information below, but it’s always best to check with carriers for their latest offers.

Best Free Cell Phone Deals From the ‘Big 3’ Providers

If you’re in the market for a cell phone, you’re likely keenly aware of the presence of the industry’s “Big 3”: AT&T, Verizon Wireless, and T-Mobile own a major portion of the market share in this space.

That includes an infrastructure of cell phone towers throughout the United States, but it also means these companies have a good deal of influence on the pricing for some of the most popular phones available.

These companies run promotional deals frequently, which makes it both easy to find a deal that seems appealing and confusing to determine which deal is best. Let’s sort through some of the offerings from each provider. These offers are active as of April 2023.

AT&T

If you’re hoping to grab one of the latest devices for free, AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless are going to be your best bets for finding a deal. 

For example, AT&T is currently offering several phones from the latest iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, and Google Pixel series for free after 36 months’ worth of billing credit. 

Here’s the current selection of free phones available from AT&T: 

• Apple iPhone 14, 14 Plus or 14 Pro
• Samsung Galaxy S23 or S23+
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4
• Google Pixel 7 Pro

Each of these devices requires an eligible unlimited plan and trade-in. 

Here’s what you’ll have to do to get a free phone from AT&T:

• Purchase an eligible smartphone on a 36-month installment agreement including taxes on full retail price up front and a $35 activation/upgrade fee
• Activate or keep your eligible unlimited plan
• Trade in an eligible smartphone in good working condition within 30 days of activation

To get any of the iPhones, the eligible device you trade in has to be worth at least $130 to qualify for the full discount. Other deals require a device worth at least $35. You can learn which smartphones are eligible to be traded in for these offers by clicking “See offer details” on the device you’re interested in purchasing.

According to AT&T’s website, credits will start within three bills after the trade-in is completed. Credits will be applied in equal amounts over the term of the installment agreement.

You can check out all of AT&T’s cell phone deals on the company’s website.

Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless is offering a selection of over 20 free smartphones with the activation of a new line on one of Verizon’s select Unlimited plans.

Eligible Unlimited plans begin at $70 per month for one line. You can choose from 5G Do More, 5G Play More, 5G Get More or Verizon’s One Unlimited for iPhone plan, and you’ll get credit on each bill for 36 months to cover the cost of your new device.

As of April 2023, Verizon offered more than 100 different smartphones, and many of them are eligible for discounts. However, these deals require a 36-month commitment to an unlimited plan on a new phone line. You can check out the full details of any of these offers by visiting Verizon’s website and clicking on the phone you’re interested in.

Here are the phones currently eligible for this deal at Verizon Wireless:

• Motorola edge 5G UW
• Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G
• Apple iPhone 12
• Google Pixel 6a
• Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
• Samsung Galaxy A03s
• Google Pixel 7
• Apple iPhone 13 or 13 mini

There are a few other free phones available that are certified pre-owned:

• Apple iPhone SE 2020
• Apple iPhone X, XR, XS or XS Max
• Apple iPhone 12, 12 mini, Pro or Pro Max
• Apple iPhone 11, 11 Pro or 11 Pro Max
• Apple iPhone 13
• Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G
• Apple iPhone 8 Plus

The fine print explains how this works, though. You’re actually paying for a phone and then getting credit back on your bill each month: “Purchase on device payment or at retail price required. New line required. Promo credit applied to account over 36 mos; promo credit ends if eligibility requirements are no longer met; 0% APR. Unlimited plan required. Taxes & fees may apply.”

You can check out the full details of each Verizon Wireless deal here. Simply select the phone you’re interested in and click on “See Details” under “Ways to Save.”

T-Mobile

If a 36-month commitment is too long, T-Mobile offers free phones with a 24-month agreement. To get these deals, you’ll either have to activate a new line or trade in an eligible device. If you have T-Mobile’s new Go5G Plus plan, you may also be eligible for these deals.

T-Mobile offers up to $300 in credit (applied over 24 months) on select devices when you trade in any phone that’s in good working condition. If you’re not interested in trading in a device, you can still get a free phone from T-Mobile when you activate a new line with a 24-month commitment. Either of these deals makes the following devices free: 

• Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
• OnePlus Nord N300 5G
• T-Mobile Revvl 6 Pro 5G (new line required to get the device free; $50 with trade-in of any condition)
• T-Mobile Revvl 6 5G
• Motorola moto g stylus 5G
• TCL Stylus 5G
• Motorola moto g 5G 
• OnePlus Nord N20 5G
• TCL 30 XE 5G

Some of these phones are eligible for the offer with a trade-in of any phone including broken devices. So even if you just have an old, broken device lying around the house, you may be able to trade it in for a new free smartphone. The TCL 30 XE 5G and Motorola moto g 5G and Revvl 6 5G are available for free with the trade-in of devices in any condition.

The cost of these phones is offset by a credit on your monthly bill for 24 months. If you don’t keep your service for the full two years, T-Mobile will bill you for the remaining balance on the phone. So it’s actually free only if you stay with T-Mobile for the duration of the deal.

You can see all of T-Mobile’s free phone offers online or check out all of T-Mobile’s smartphones and click on the device you’re interested in to see the details of available deals.

Best Free Cell Phone Deals From Select MVNOs

“MVNO” stands for mobile virtual network operator.

These cell phone service providers don’t actually own their own cell towers. Instead, they rely on partnerships with the Big 3 providers (Verizon Wireless, AT&T and T-Mobile) to provide a cell signal to customers. Other small cell phone service providers are owned by one of the Big 3. While these service providers work similarly to MVNOs, they’re technically resellers. Examples include Visible (owned by Verizon Wireless) and Metro by T-Mobile.

Using either type of these lower-cost cell phone service providers can be an opportunity to get a good deal without sacrificing reliability. These providers are also a good place to start if you’re looking for an affordable cell phone plan for two lines. Check the coverage maps for your area closely to ensure the MVNO or reseller you are considering will provide adequate connectivity.

Metro by T-Mobile

If you’re looking for a free cell phone without a 24-month commitment, Metro by T-Mobile (Team Clark’s Review) is one of your best bets right now.

Metro by T-Mobile is offering your choice of one of 12 free 5G phones right now when you switch. The current selection of free devices includes: 

• OnePlus Nord N200 5G
• T-Mobile Revvl V+ 5G, 6 5G or 6 Pro 5G
• TCL 30 XE 5G
• Motorola moto g 5G
• OnePlus Nord N300 5G
• Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
• Nokia G400 5G
• OnePlus Nord N20 5G
• Motorola moto g stylus 5G
• Samsung Galaxy A23 5G

To get this deal, you’ll have to purchase the phone and activate it on the $40 Metro by T-Mobile monthly plan. You’ll also have to port your old number from your current carrier. Some of these offers are available online only while others are in-store only and some can be purchased either way. Selection and availability vary by location, and a $20 per line activation fee may apply in store.

You can check out the full details here.

Cricket Wireless

Cricket Wireless (Team Clark’s Review) is also currently offering a free phone when you switch to the service bring your own phone number.

Right now, if you sign up for a plan that costs at least $30 per month, you can get a free Cricket Debut Smart. If you sign up for a plan that costs at least $55 per month, you can get a free Cricket Ovation 2, Cricket Vision Plus, TCL 30 Z or TCL ION Z. If you choose a plan that costs at least $60 per month, you can also choose between the Cricket Icon 4, Cricket Innovate E 5G, Motorola moto g pure, Motorola moto g stylus 5G, Motorola g 5G, Samsung Galaxy A13 or Motorola moto g stylus.

With most of these deals, you’ll pay for the first month of service at the point of sale plus the device taxes.

Visible

Visible (Team Clark’s Review), owned by Verizon, offers unlimited wireless plans for as low as $25 per month per line right now. When you switch to Visible Wireless, you can get a new phone for free by trading in your old device. 

Right now, Visible offers the Visible Midnight and the TCL 30 LE devices that you can swap to for free.

To get either of these phones for free, create a Visible account and transfer your number to start the process. Choose the Visible Midnight device or the TCL 30 LE to swap to, and Visible will mail it to you along with your SIM card and a pre-paid return label. You can then use the label to send in your old device.

Deals on Phones That Don’t Require Carrier Commitment

You may not like the idea of being committed to one carrier for any length of time. After all, freedom of choice without repercussion is a powerful negotiating leverage. The free cell phone game understandably is not for everyone.

For those who want to avoid cell phone commitments, you’re more likely to find a cheap phone deal rather than a free phone.

If you’re willing to invest in a phone that is not the latest model, there are deals to be had. Much like car dealers looking to clear the way for next year’s models, cell phone carriers and manufacturers have to clear inventory on phones that are to be replaced by the annual upgrades.

An important tip for shopping for a phone independent of a carrier: Make sure that you’re buying an unlocked phone.

If you buy an unlocked phone, you should be able to take it with you from carrier to carrier with only the need for a new SIM card (check on this before purchasing). At this point, you’ll truly be free to shop for the best monthly plan knowing your phone is already paid off.

Be sure to check online retailers like Amazon for deals on unlocked phones. For more tips on how to get a better deal, check out our article on the best places to buy an unlocked phone.

Is Taking the Free Cell Phone Worth It? 

The answer to this question is maybe. It really depends on your personal situation.

If you need the latest technology but don’t have the cash to pay for the phone upfront, committing to one of these cell phone carriers in exchange for the phone is a viable option.

But keep in mind that the latest and greatest models are not necessarily going to be free even if you sign up for a commitment that earns a bill credit. If you’re not careful, you may end up making a sacrifice on both the quality of the phone and the freedom of choice in your service provider.

If you’re happy using a phone that’s a few generations older, you should be able to find a phone at such a low cost that you probably won’t see the need to commit to a particular service provider.