If you’re a T-Mobile customer, you may be looking for ways to save on your cell phone bill. Fortunately, T-Mobile Prepaid offers access to the same network for a cheaper price.
In this article, I’ll take a closer look at T-Mobile Prepaid’s plans and pricing, how to get started and what you can expect from their service.
This article was updated in April 2024 and I review it every 12 months. Detailed notes on all updates can be found here.
What To Know Before Signing Up for T-Mobile Prepaid
T-Mobile Prepaid offers cell phone plans beginning as low as $40 per month for one line on T-Mobile’s network. Unlimited plans begin as low as $50.
All of T-Mobile Prepaid’s plans include unlimited talk, text and data; however, each plan has a certain allotment of high-speed data before you start experiencing slower speeds.
Still, you’ll find cheaper prices than T-Mobile’s postpaid plans and a decent amount of high-speed data available with any T-Mobile Prepaid unlimited plan.
I checked out the details of T-Mobile Prepaid’s plans, coverage, phone deals and more. I’ve also compared these prepaid options to other available phone plans and carriers to help you decide whether you should make the switch.
Table of Contents:
1. Plans and Pricing
T-Mobile Prepaid offers three different monthly cell phone plans that include unlimited talk, text and data. Prices range from $40-$60 per month for one line.
In the table below, you can see each of T-Mobile Prepaid’s monthly cell phone plans including the price, high-speed data allotment, mobile hotspot data allotment and multiline discounts.
| Price | Data | Hotspot | Multiline Discounts |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40 | 10GB high-speed | Shared with 10GB handset data | 2 lines for $70 3 lines for $100 4 lines for $130 |
| $50 | 50GB high-speed | Unlimited at 3G speeds | 2 lines for $80 3 lines for $110 4 lines for $140 |
| $60 | 50GB high-speed | 10GB high-speed data, then unlimited at 3G speeds | 2 lines for $90 3 lines for $120 4 lines for $150 |
Each of these plans include unlimited talk, text and data. However, with the $40 plan, you can expect slower download speeds (max 600 kbps) after you’ve used 10GB of high-speed data in one billing cycle including any mobile hotspot data you’ve used.
The two unlimited plans offer 50GB of high-speed data before deprioritization kicks in. At that point, you’ll notice slower download speeds. The only difference between the $50 and $60 unlimited plans is the mobile hotspot data allotment. The top-tier plan includes 10GB of high-speed data before unlimited 3G speeds whereas the $50 plan includes only 3G speeds for mobile hotspot.
In addition to talk, text and data, each of T-Mobile Prepaid’s plans include scam-blocking protection, caller ID, Wi-Fi calling, unlimited music streaming, T-Mobile’s Data Maximizer and eligibility for T-Mobile Tuesday.
International add-ons are available for each plan. For $5, you can add talk, text and up to 5GB of 4G data in Mexico & Canada. For $15, you can add stateside international calling.
To learn more about T-Mobile Prepaid cell phone plans, you can check out the side-by-side comparison on T-Mobile’s Website.
In addition to cell phone plans, T-Mobile Prepaid also offers 5G data plans for tablets and other devices starting at $10 per month for 2GB of 5G data. Plans range up to $50 for 50GB of 5G data. You can check out all of T-Mobile’s prepaid data-only plans online.
Finally, if you don’t need mobile hotspot or unlimited data from your prepaid plan, check out Connect by T-Mobile (Team Clark’s Review). Connect offers plans from as low as $10 per month for 1GB of data plus 1,000 minutes and 1,000 texts. Plans range through $35 per month for 12GB of data plus unlimited talk and text.
2. Network Coverage
As you would expect, T-Mobile Prepaid provides access to T-Mobile’s 5G and 4G/LTE networks. If T-Mobile offers coverage in your area, you’ll likely have reliable access to service with T-Mobile Prepaid.
Below, you can see the T-Mobile Prepaid coverage map:
To see if you’ll have coverage with T-Mobile Prepaid, visit the company’s website and enter your ZIP code on the coverage map.
3. Activation Process
There are two ways to initiate service with T-Mobile Prepaid if you decide to make the switch: You can order a SIM card online or buy one from an authorized retailer. However you choose to activate it, T-Mobile Prepaid doesn’t charge an activation fee. However, a SIM card costs $10.
You can find a nearby T-Mobile store using the online store locator. Then, you can check out the available phone plans in person and activate your service in the store.
You can also make the switch online by visiting T-Mobile Prepaid’s website, choosing a phone plan and adding it to your online shopping cart.
Once you choose a prepaid plan, you can choose whether you’re a new or existing customer. Then, you can choose any add-ons that you want including port protection, international services and call protection services.
In your shopping cart, you’ll see the options to either shop for a new device or bring your own phone. If you choose to bring your own phone, you’ll be redirected to check your device’s compatibility. To do this, you’ll need your phone’s IMEI number and you’ll need to verify that it’s unlocked. If your device is compatible, you’ll be able to add a T-Mobile SIM card to your shopping cart for $10.
Once you have your phone and SIM card in hand, you can visit T-Mobile Prepaid’s website to activate your service. You can also call 1-877-464-8646 with a different phone to activate your service this way.
If you choose to activate your service online, you’ll simply need your device’s IMEI and the number on your T-Mobile Prepaid SIM card.
Alternatively, if your phone is eSIM compatible, you may be eligible to activate your service with T-Mobile Prepaid remotely within minutes. For more on how to activate an eSIM with T-Mobile Prepaid, visit the company’s website.
Once your SIM card is activated, you should have instant access to T-Mobile’s network.
4. Phone Selection
Most people who are switching to T-Mobile Prepaid will want to keep their own phones for the most savings. You’ll just need to make sure your phone is unlocked and compatible with T-Mobile’s network before you get started. You can check your phone’s compatibility online.
If you do want to purchase a new phone through T-Mobile Prepaid, you’ll find several devices to choose from.
At the time of writing (April 2025), T-Mobile Prepaid was offering 44 different cell phones including popular smartphones. The cheapest phone I saw was a TCL Flip Go for $96 with any T-Mobile Prepaid plan ($125.99 for the device by itself). The selection included prices up to $1,799.99 for a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 with a prepaid plan ($1,829.99 for the device by itself).
You can check out the full phone selection online. For more options, check out our top picks for the best places to buy an unlocked phone.
Whether you choose to bring your own phone or buy a new phone through T-Mobile Prepaid, you’ll also need a T-Mobile Prepaid SIM card. The SIM card costs $10.
5. Data Speeds
One of the biggest concerns when switching to a prepaid carrier is that your data will be significantly slower. If you’re currently paying for an unlimited data plan from one of the major three cell phone service providers, you may be wondering if T-Mobile Prepaid will be able to meet your data needs.
T-Mobile Prepaid does not offer truly unlimited high-speed data with any phone plan. Instead, its unlimited plans include a set amount of high-speed data before deprioritization kicks in. At that point, data speeds will be slower (max 600 kbps). For the $40 plan, that limit is 10GB. For the $50 and $60 plans, that limit is 50GB.
While actual data speeds vary based on a variety of factors, T-Mobile is very transparent about expected download and upload speeds on various networks:
5G Network (on-device)
- Download Speed: Typically between 80-382 Mbps
- Upload Speed: Typically between 7-32 Mbps
- Latency: Typically between 19-37 ms
5G Network (via mobile hotspot)
- Download Speed: Typically between 70-320 Mbps
- Upload Speed: Typically between 7-32 Mbps
- Latency: Typically between 19-37 ms
4G LTE Network (on-device)
- Download Speed: Typically between 19-76 Mbps
- Upload Speed: Typically between 4-20 Mbps
- Latency: Typically between 24-40 ms
4G LTE Network (via mobile hotspot)
- Download speed: Typically between 4-35 Mbps
- Upload speed: Typically between 3-17 Mbps
- Latency: Typically between 24-40 ms
Note that these speeds are before deprioritized speeds. After that, expect maximum speeds of 600 kbps.
Of course, actual data speeds vary based on a number of factors including your location and coverage in your area, the device you’re using, network traffic and more.
For more information on T-Mobile Prepaid’s data speeds, check out T-Mobile’s Open Internet Policy online.
6. Customer Service
You can reach a customer representative for T-Mobile Prepaid online, over the phone or in person at a T-Mobile store.
To reach customer service over the phone, call 1-877-464-8646.
You can also chat with a live agent online by visiting T-Mobile Prepaid’s website and clicking the chat icon in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
Live representatives are available over the phone and via online chat every day from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. ET.
If you need in-person assistance, you can use the online store locator to find a T-Mobile store nearby. Simply enter your ZIP code or city/state and then browse the list of nearby T-Mobile stores. You’ll see the store’s location on the map as well as its address, distance from the location entered and today’s hours. You can click on any store for additional information including the store’s phone number.
For more information on how to contact T-Mobile Prepaid, visit the company’s website.
Final Thoughts
Compared to T-Mobile’s postpaid plans, you’ll be getting the same service for a cheaper monthly cost with T-Mobile Prepaid. However, compared to other prepaid carriers on T-Mobile’s network, T-Mobile Prepaid doesn’t offer the best overall prices.
For example, Tello Mobile (Review) offers 10GB of high-speed data for $19 per month and an unlimited plan (25GB high-speed data) for $29 per month. Mint Mobile (Review) offers 15GB of high-speed data for $20 per month and an unlimited plan (40GB high-speed data) for $30 per month. Finally, for lower amounts of limited data, check out Connect by T-Mobile (Review) for plans beginning as low as $10 per month.
No matter which service provider you decide to switch to, be sure to check out our guide to help you step-by-step through the process. If you’re still looking for the best fit, you can find more options on the best cell phone plans and deals available now.
Are you thinking about switching to T-Mobile Prepaid? Let us know in our Clark.com Community or check out the latest conversations around cell phones.
Article Updates
- April 2, 2024: T-Mobile prepaid plans now include T-Mobile Tuesday.
- April 2, 2024: Updated the current selection of phones available from T-Mobile Prepaid.
- April 2, 2024: Updated T-Mobile Prepaid’s current network speeds based on the latest information in T-Mobile’s Open Internet Policy.
- April 2, 2024: Tello Mobile now offers 10GB of high-speed data for $19 per month (previously $24).
