T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T all offer up to $800 per line to pay off the phone you still owe on when you switch to them. T-Mobile is the easiest: you can keep your current phone, on any eligible plan. Verizon's offer needs a new phone and a trade-in. Prepaid carriers like Visible and Mint don't pay off phones, but they can still come out cheaper within a year.
Key takeaways
T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T each offer up to $800 per line toward your old phone.
T-Mobile lets you keep your phone; Verizon needs a new phone and a trade-in.
You usually pay off the phone first and get reimbursed by prepaid card.
A cheaper prepaid carrier can win within a year even without a payoff.
Carriers that pay off your phone
| Carrier | Up to | Keep your phone? | How you get paid | Main catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile (Keep and Switch) | $800 per line, up to 4 lines | Yes | Virtual prepaid Mastercard, usually about 15 days | You pay off your old phone first, then get reimbursed |
| Verizon | $800 per line | No: new phone and trade-in | Prepaid Mastercard | Buying a new phone on a payment plan |
| AT&T | $800 per line | Yes, per recent reports | Varies by offer | Postpaid line and number transfer required |
| Spectrum Mobile | $500 per line | Varies | Varies | Needs Spectrum Internet |
Switch offers change often. Checked October 31, 2026; confirm the terms on the carrier's site before you switch.
What they'll pay off
- The remaining balance on a phone payment plan with your old carrier.
- Some offers also cover an early termination fee, if you're on an old-style contract.
- Not your last bill, unpaid service charges or accessories.
- Up to the cap per line, usually $800. If you owe more, you pay the difference.
How T-Mobile's Keep and Switch works
- Check your phone is eligible and unlocked, or can be unlocked once paid off.
- Switch to T-Mobile on an eligible plan (Essentials counts) and bring your number.
- Upload your final bill from the old carrier. It has to show your number, the phone's brand and model, and the payoff amount.
- Get a virtual prepaid Mastercard for the payoff, up to $800 per line.
T-Mobile reimburses you even if your old carrier makes you pay the phone off before it will unlock it, which AT&T and, since January 2026, Verizon both do. You need the cash for a couple of weeks.
The fine print to check
- Eligible plans: some offers need a premium unlimited plan.
- Porting: you must bring your number from an eligible carrier.
- Proof: a final bill showing the phone, number and payoff amount.
- Timing: claims usually have a deadline after you switch.
- Staying: canceling the new line early can cancel any remaining credits on offers paid as bill credits.
A worked example
| You owe $650 on a phone | What happens |
|---|---|
| Switch to T-Mobile with Keep and Switch | Pay the $650, get up to $650 back on a virtual prepaid card about 2 weeks later; you're on a T-Mobile plan |
| Pay it off and move to Visible at $25/mo | Pay $650 yourself; leaving a $90 plan saves $65 a month, so you're ahead after about 10 months, with no new commitment |
When a carrier that doesn't pay you is cheaper
A payoff deal moves you onto a big-carrier plan. If you'd pay much less on prepaid, the savings can beat the payoff within a year.
| You owe on your phone | Months to break even on Visible ($25/mo) vs a $90 plan | On Mint ($30/mo) vs a $90 plan |
|---|---|---|
| $200 | 4 | 4 |
| $400 | 7 | 7 |
| $800 | 13 | 14 |
Rounded up. Visible includes taxes; Mint is plus taxes. Your current plan price will differ.
Our pick on Verizon's network
Visible, from $25/mo with taxes included
Unlimited data on Verizon's network, no contract. Switching your number? Code 5OFF5 takes $5/mo off Visible+ or Visible+ Pro for 5 years.
See Visible plans →Prices checked October 31, 2026. We may earn a commission if you sign up through this link, at no extra cost to you.
Common problems
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| You owe more than $800 | You pay the difference; check whether trading the phone in gets you more. |
| Your phone is still locked | Pay it off, then request the unlock (AT&T, T-Mobile) or wait for it (Verizon). |
| Reimbursement hasn't arrived | Check the claim status in the carrier's app; cards usually take a couple of weeks. |
| Your final bill doesn't show the payoff | Ask the old carrier for a payoff statement showing the phone, number and amount. |
Before you switch
- Find your exact payoff amount in your carrier's app.
- Check the unlock rules below. A locked phone won't work anywhere else.
- Get your account number and transfer PIN, and don't cancel your old service first: the port does that for you.
- Read our guide to switching and keeping your number.
Unlock rules by carrier
| Carrier | Postpaid phone unlocks when | Prepaid phone |
|---|---|---|
| Verizon | It's paid off (35 days later if paid with a Verizon Gift Card). Phones bought before late January 2026: 60 days after purchase. | 365 days of paid service |
| AT&T | It's paid off and was bought 60+ days ago. You have to request it. | 6 months of service |
| T-Mobile | It's paid off and has been active 40+ days. You have to request it. | 365 days, or $100+ in refills |
Unlock rules as of October 2026. A locked phone won't work on another carrier, even one using the same network.
Frequently asked questions
Will T-Mobile pay off my phone if I switch? +
Yes. Keep and Switch reimburses up to $800 per line, for up to 4 lines, by virtual prepaid Mastercard when you bring your phone and number from an eligible carrier.
Does Verizon pay off your phone to switch? +
Verizon offers up to $800 toward your old phone's balance or early termination fee, but you need to buy a new phone and trade one in.
Does Visible pay off your phone? +
No. Visible doesn't pay off phones, but at $25 a month with taxes included it can save more than a payoff deal within a year.
Do I have to pay off my phone before switching? +
Often, yes, because AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon only unlock phones once they're paid off. T-Mobile's Keep and Switch reimburses you afterwards.
Does AT&T pay off your phone to switch? +
AT&T offers up to $800 toward your old phone's balance when you switch and transfer your number; terms vary by offer.
How long does T-Mobile take to pay off my phone? +
The virtual prepaid card usually arrives about 2 weeks after you submit your final bill.
What if I owe more than $800? +
The carrier pays up to its cap and you cover the rest.
Do prepaid carriers pay off your phone? +
Generally no. Visible, Mint and most prepaid carriers don't, but their lower prices can make up for it.
Filed under:Switching carriersGuides
Sources
- T-Mobile: Keep your phone and switch
- T-Mobile: How to switch from Verizon or AT&T
- Saveonwireless: Which carriers pay you to switch? (Jul 29, 2026)
- Droid Life: T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon unlock policies (Feb 2026)
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About our expert
Jean Gilles
Founder & Editor, ShopCellPlans
Jean has tested carrier plans independently since 2019, running SIMs on all three networks and paying for every line himself. He ranks carriers on the bill you actually get, taxes and fees included, not the price on the ad.
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