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.

This article was updated in March 2024 and I review it every two months. Detailed notes on all updates can be found here.

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 March 2024.

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 four phones for free after 36 months’ worth of billing credit: the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5, the Samsung Galaxy S24+, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro and the Google Pixel 8 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 (min. $75.99/mo. for new unlimited customers before discounts)
• Trade in an eligible smartphone in good working condition within 30 days of activation

To get the iPhone 15 Pro for free, the eligible device you trade in has to be worth at least $290 to qualify for the full discount. Other deals require a device worth at least $35-$95 depending on the device.

You can learn which smartphones are eligible to be traded in for these offers by clicking “Available offers” and then “See offer details” on the device you’re interested in purchasing. From there, you may need to click “Additional Details” and “Eligible Devices.”

According to AT&T’s website, credits will start within three bills after completing the trade-in. 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 currently offering a selection of over 30 free smartphones with the activation of a new line on one of Verizon’s select 5G Unlimited plans.

According to the deal details, the Unlimited Plus or Unlimited Ultimate plan is required for some deals. These plans cost $80 and $90 respectively with an autopay and paperless billing discount. Once you activate a new line on an eligible plan, you’ll get credit on each bill for 36 months to cover the cost of your new device.

As of March 2024, Verizon offered 80 different smartphones, and many of them are eligible for discounts. However, these deals also 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 new phones currently available for free at Verizon Wireless:

• Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
• Apple iPhone 13
• Apple iPhone 14
• Apple iPhone 14 Plus
• Apple iPhone 15
• Samsung Galaxy S23
• Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
• Samsung Galaxy S23 5G UW
• Google Pixel 7a
• Google Pixel 8
• Motorola edge
• Motorola edge+ 5G UW
• Motorola one 5G UW ace

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

• Samsung Galaxy S20 5G UW
• Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
• Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G
• Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
• Samsung Galaxy S22
• Samsung Galaxy S22+
• Apple iPhone XS
• Apple iPhone XS Max
• Apple iPhone XR
• Apple iPhone 14
• Apple iPhone 14 Pro

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 and/or trade in an eligible device (and stay on an eligible plan). If you have T-Mobile’s new Go5G Plus plan, you may also be eligible for these deals.

As of March 2024, you can get the following phones for free with eligible plans and deals at T-Mobile. Note that some deals require a trade-in, a new line of activation and/or service on T-Mobile’s Go5G Plus or Go5G Next plans.

• Apple iPhone 15 Pro
• Apple iPhone 15
• Apple iPhone 15 Plus
• Apple iPhone 13
• Apple iPhone 14
• Apple iPhone 14 Plus
• Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
• Samsung Galaxy S24
• Samsung Galaxy S24+
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5
• Samsung Galaxy S23
• Samsung Galaxy S23+
• Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
• Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G
• Google Pixel 8
• Google Pixel 7a
• Google Pixel 7
• Motorola razr 2023
• Motorola razr+ 2023
• Motorola moto g 5G 2023
• Motorola moto g stylus 5G 2023
• Motorola edge 2022
• T-Mobile Revvl 6x Pro 5G
• T-Mobile Revvl 6x 5G
• T-Mobile Revvl 6 5G
• OnePlus Nord N30 5G
• TCL 30 XE 5G
• Nokia G310 5G
• Sonic XP3plus
• Sonic XP3plus Non-Camera Version

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 Cricket Wireless (owned by AT&T) 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
• OnePlus Nord N30 5G
• T-Mobile Revvl 6 5G
• T-Mobile Revvl 6x 5G
• T-Mobile Revvl 6 Pro 5G
• T-Mobile Revvl 6x Pro 5G
• Nokia G310 5G
• TCL 30 XE 5G
• Motorola moto g 5G 2023
• Motorola moto g power 5G 2023
• Motorola moto g stylus 5G 2023
• Samsung Galaxy A15 5G

To get this deal, you’ll have to purchase the phone and activate it on an eligible 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 $40 per month, you can get a free Cricket Debut S2.

If you sign up for a plan that costs at least $55 per month, you can get a free Cricket Outlast, Cricket Icon 5, Motorola moto g play (2023), Cricket Magic 5G or a Samsung Galaxy A03s.

Finally, if you purchase a plan that costs at least $60 per month, you can also choose between the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G, Motorola moto g 5G (2023), Motorola moto g stylus (2023) or a Motorola moto g stylus 5G (2023).

With most of these deals, you’ll pay for the first month of service at the point of sale plus the device taxes. You can check out the full selection of free devices as well as the terms and conditions on Cricket Wireless’ website.

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.