Mint Mobile runs on T-Mobile's network and is owned by T-Mobile, but a T-Mobile-locked phone still won't work on Mint. So the order matters: pay off your phone, get it unlocked, then transfer your number to Mint with your T-Mobile account number and Number Transfer PIN. Mint Unlimited is $30 a month on a 12-month plan, plus taxes.
Before you start
- Unlock your phone. T-Mobile unlocks postpaid phones that are paid off and have been active for 40 days or more. You have to request it.
- Check your T-Mobile balance. Any phone you're paying off usually comes due when the line leaves.
- Check your phone works with Mint's compatibility checker.
- Don't cancel T-Mobile. Transferring your number closes the line for you.
Which Mint plan should you pick?
| Mint plan | 12 months | 6 months | 3 months | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6GB | $15/mo | $20/mo | $25/mo | Mostly Wi-Fi users |
| 17GB | $20/mo | $25/mo | $35/mo | Light data |
| 23GB | $25/mo | $35/mo | $45/mo | Moderate data |
| Unlimited | $30/mo | $35/mo | $40/mo | Most former T-Mobile unlimited users |
Not sure how much data you use? Check the last three months in the T-Life app before you pick. Mint's renewal prices are in our guide to what Mint costs after the promo.
How to switch, step by step
- In the T-Life app, find your account number and create a Number Transfer PIN.
- Buy a Mint plan and choose to keep your number. Mint plans are paid upfront for 3, 6 or 12 months.
- Enter your T-Mobile account number and PIN.
- Activate your eSIM in the Mint app, or put in the SIM card.
- Once the transfer finishes, your T-Mobile line closes. Check your final bill.
T-Mobile vs Mint: what changes
| T-Mobile | Mint Mobile | |
|---|---|---|
| Network | T-Mobile | T-Mobile |
| Unlimited for 1 line | From $50/mo (Essentials Saver), plus taxes | $30/mo on 12 months, $40 on 3 months, plus taxes |
| How you pay | Monthly | Upfront for 3, 6 or 12 months |
| Perks | Streaming and travel perks on higher plans | Few perks |
| Stores | Yes | Online only |
What you'd save
| T-Mobile Essentials Saver | Mint Unlimited (12 months) | |
|---|---|---|
| Per month | $50 + tax | $30 + tax |
| Per year | $600 + tax | $360 + tax |
| Savings | About $240 a year |
T-Mobile's network for a fraction of T-Mobile's price. Paid upfront, taxes and fees extra. Bring your own unlocked phone.
See Mint plans →Prices checked October 31, 2026. We may earn a commission if you sign up through this link, at no extra cost to you.
Try Mint before you move your number
Mint's free trial lets you test coverage on a temporary number. Because Mint uses T-Mobile's towers, your coverage should match, but data can slow down before T-Mobile's own customers when a tower is busy.
If you still owe T-Mobile for your phone
A financed phone stays locked until it's paid off, and the remaining balance usually comes due when the line leaves. Pay it off, wait for 40 days of service if the line is new, request the unlock, then switch. See switching while you still owe, and Mint's own unlock rules if you buy a phone from Mint.
What you give up
- T-Mobile's perks: streaming, T-Satellite on top plans, in-flight Wi-Fi.
- Stores: Mint is online only.
- Data priority when towers are busy.
- Monthly billing: Mint is paid upfront, so you'll pay 3, 6 or 12 months at once.
Common problems
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Mint says the phone is locked | Request the unlock from T-Mobile once it's paid off and active 40+ days. |
| Transfer rejected | Re-check the T-Mobile account number, Number Transfer PIN and billing ZIP. |
| No data after activation | Restart, check the Mint eSIM is on, and update the APN settings if Mint's app asks you to. |
| Leaving a T-Mobile family plan | Ask the account holder for the account number and a PIN. See [leaving a family plan](BlogPost%20News%201a.dc.html?post=leave-family-plan-keep-number). |
Frequently asked questions
Will my T-Mobile phone work on Mint? +
Can I keep my number when I switch from T-Mobile to Mint? +
Is Mint Mobile the same coverage as T-Mobile? +
Do I have to pay Mint for a year upfront? +
Which Mint plan is best if I had T-Mobile unlimited? +
Does Mint have T-Mobile's perks? +
How long does switching from T-Mobile to Mint take? +
Can I switch back to T-Mobile later? +
Keep reading
All guides
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.