How the trial works

1. Sign up in the Mint app or site — a credit card verifies you but is never charged unless you buy a plan.
2. Activate by eSIM (instant, iPhone XS+/Pixel 3+/recent Galaxy) or a shipped 3-in-1 SIM kit (1–2 days). You get 45 days to activate after receiving it.
3. Test for 7 days on a temporary number — your current carrier stays live. The trial ends automatically at day 7 or when any limit runs out. Nothing to cancel.

Is 250MB enough?

For coverage testing, yes: dozens of speed tests, hours of music streaming, navigation on short trips, days of light browsing. For replacing your daily line, no — one Netflix episode burns it in half an hour. Use the trial line specifically when testing a location; keep your real SIM for everything else.

A 7-day testing plan

• Days 1–2: signal at home (every room), work (parking garage included), and your full commute; 3–5 minute test calls at each.
• Days 3–4: speed tests at each key location across morning, midday, evening rush (where MVNO deprioritization shows), and late night — compared against your current carrier.
• Days 5–6: real use — navigation drive, 30–45 minutes of music, brief social apps, one 10–15 minute call.
• Day 7: decide. Coverage, call quality, peak-hour speeds, and the prepaid trade-offs all acceptable? Commit before expiry. Unsure? Let it lapse free.

Pitfalls to avoid

• Burning the 250MB on day one — it's a testing budget, not a data plan.
• Testing only off-peak — you'll miss deprioritization; test at evening rush.
• Confusing the free trial with Mint's separate 7-day money-back guarantee on paid plans (full service, refundable).
• Porting confusion — your real number ports at paid signup, not during the trial; have your account number and Transfer PIN ready.
• One trial per person — don't waste it on a half-hearted week.

After day 7

Do nothing: service stops, no charge, the temporary number is released, your current carrier continues. Commit: pick a tier (5GB $15/mo annual up to Unlimited $30/mo), a bulk duration (12-month is always cheapest), and either keep the trial number or port your real one. Remember renewals default to standard rates after the initial promo period.