The Activation Kit is currently free, with free shipping, from the T-Mobile store. Granted, saving 99 cents isn't a big deal, but if you are considering switching might as well order it now. I believe the SIM can be activated up to about 2 years after purchase, so if you order it you are not obligated to activate it right away (or ever). But, if interested, order quickly as it typically doesn't stay free for long.
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For those considering T-mobile prepaid, free SIM card
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Atma
Extreme Android User
You can go online to activate your sim and choose the $30 plan. Then just put the sim in your phone. It needs to have the 1700MHz frequency to get 3g/4g. Most don't unless its a T-Mobile branded phone. I think the Galaxy Nexus you can buy from Google does but not sure about others.
You can use most any GSM phone on T-Mobile with the $30 plan, though as pointed out, they won't get 3G/4G speeds if it doesn't support the 1700mhz frequency. Most AT&T phones do not support the 1700mhz frequency. Despite that, there seem to be a number of iPhone users that have moved their phones to T-Mobile and been very happy, even though they can't use 3G. I've even seen one report of a person doing it with a Sprint iPhone (which apparently has both GSM and CDMA radios) after getting it unlocked; ymmv.
Personally, I use the unlocked Samsung Galaxy Nexus from the Play Store, which supports the frequencies for almost all GSM carriers, including both T-Mobile and AT&T.
I'm not sure what "trick" you are asking about. You shouldn't have any problem signing up on T-Mobile on the $30 plan, there is no trick to it. Try the process online and, if you have any problem, call the activation phone number -- just be sure they know you are trying to sign up for the $30 "Walmart" plan as there is another $30 plan with no data.
So how does it work.. I just buy $30 refill card every month? No papers or credit card to go through?
Buying a refill card each month is one option, you can also pay with a credit card or with your checking account.
Sounds good to me... Att gives too much headache even being out of contract.
I wish i knew about it sooner.. I was kinda disappointed when lady told me in order to get that plan i have to buy a phone from walmart.. Ive never been in to walmart except for one time when was passing by a little town somewhere in Utah a couple of years ago i was kinda shocked
)) it instantly reminded me of this website called peopleofwalmart and i have never seen a walmart store in NYC. But anyway after talking to tmoble representative and finding a disappointed response i went here and found this thread... This is actually a work around? Dont you think?Sounds good to me... Att gives too much headache even being out of contract.
I wish i knew about it sooner.. I was kinda disappointed when lady told me in order to get that plan i have to buy a phone from walmart.. Ive never been in to walmart except for one time when was passing by a little town somewhere in Utah a couple of years ago i was kinda shocked
I suppose you could say that, in that the price plan originally seems to have been designed for Walmart. Likely, the Internet method of activating the phone was so that people could buy the phone at Walmart and give it as a gift, allowing people to activate it after they received it rather than having to do it at Walmart.
In any case, T-Mobile did set up the process to buy the SD card off the Internet and using it to set up the $30 plan. This process has been used basically since the $30 Walmart plan was started and T-Mobile seems to have no interest in ending the plan, or the "work around".
Petrah
Psychotic Female
She's misinformed. You don't need Walmart or their phones to get the web promotional plan.
Where've you been, under a rock?
(hope you took that in the joking manner it was meant!)
Nah, not a work around at all. It's called a web promotion.
We have several physical T-Mobile stores around my area, so I can simply walk right in and make my monthly payments should I be near there on one of my outings. (No, you cannot get the web promotional plan from a T-Mobile store, they cannot sell it from there.)
She's misinformed. You don't need Walmart or their phones to get the web promotional plan.
Where've you been, under a rock?
(hope you took that in the joking manner it was meant!)
Nah, not a work around at all. It's called a web promotion.
We have several physical T-Mobile stores around my area, so I can simply walk right in and make my monthly payments should I be near there on one of my outings. (No, you cannot get the web promotional plan from a T-Mobile store, they cannot sell it from there.)
Yeah my sim has been shipped cant wait to switch!
MacFett
Android Expert
I've been looking to make this switch myself (I'm stalking Petrah). Bummed I missed the free sim card. Don't think I'll be able to afford the Galaxy Nexus anytime soon, but I need to get off Virgin Mobile, so right now I'm just looking for something in the $150 price range to replace my Optimus Elite.
You might look at the Samsung Galaxy Exhibit 4G. T-Mobile currently has the price as $179 but is giving a $50 T-mobile card with purchase, almost making your first two months of service free. They have a couple of less expensive phones as well, but both are strictly 3G (no HSPA+).
Another idea is to look for a used phone to save some money. The only issue there is to make sure that it doesn't have a bad ESN (wasn't reported lost or stolen) and that the phone is in good working condition.
MacFett
Android Expert
I am currently looking at a couple mobiles from craigslist (waiting for emails and some more money), a GII for $200 and an Exhibit 4G for $100.
I've been trying to hold out on my Elite until we get a recovery and custom ROM on it to see if it improves anything. I need to just have them send me my replacement, go back to my Optimus V until I can sell the Elite and fun my T-Mobile device.
That Exhibit 4G is really tempting (And if I had the cash right now I'd just buy it).
I've been trying to hold out on my Elite until we get a recovery and custom ROM on it to see if it improves anything. I need to just have them send me my replacement, go back to my Optimus V until I can sell the Elite and fun my T-Mobile device.
That Exhibit 4G is really tempting (And if I had the cash right now I'd just buy it).
tube517
Android Expert
Exactly what I am doing.
Just bought a used Galaxy Exhibit and should be getting it in 4-7 days. Also, got the Sim card, which burned my wallet at 99 cents
. Got a new microsd card and ready to test this out. I've been on Boost and Sprint but really needed a cheaper plan and the 4G.I've been doing a lot of reading in the T-mobile forum. I didn't want to start a new thread for my questions, so I'm putting it here as it seemed fairly related.
I've had the Exhibit II for about 6 months. I'm on the $30/month 4G no contract plan. I'm happy with the plan, but would like to upgrade my phone. I've been reading here about the S2, S3, and Nexus.
Is it as simple as getting the new phone and taking the sim from my current phone out and putting it in the new phone? If it is the S2 or S3, does it have to be T-mobile branded? Or does it have to be an unlocked GSM? Is there any other activation, or can this be done without even contacting tmo at all?
I'm guessing from what I've read here that the Nexus gsm phone would work fine since it comes unlocked already. Any advice is appreciated, thanks!
I've had the Exhibit II for about 6 months. I'm on the $30/month 4G no contract plan. I'm happy with the plan, but would like to upgrade my phone. I've been reading here about the S2, S3, and Nexus.
Is it as simple as getting the new phone and taking the sim from my current phone out and putting it in the new phone? If it is the S2 or S3, does it have to be T-mobile branded? Or does it have to be an unlocked GSM? Is there any other activation, or can this be done without even contacting tmo at all?
I'm guessing from what I've read here that the Nexus gsm phone would work fine since it comes unlocked already. Any advice is appreciated, thanks!
Crashdamage
Android Expert
You can just swap the SIM and go unless you get the Nexus 4. It uses the new nano SIM so you will need to cut yours down to size or get a new one and activate it.
For 3G/4G you need a phone that has 1700/2100 bands for data *unless* you live in a city where T-Mobile has already 'refarmed' their 2G service for 4G on the 1900 band. 1700/2100 band-capable phones are basically T-Mobile models, with a few exceptions, including the Nexus 4. 1900 is fairly standard band and useable phones include international models and AT&T phones.
If the phone you choose does not come unlocked (as say, an AT&T phone) you will have to unlock it. If it comes unlocked (like the Nexus) or is a T-Mobile phone you're good to go.
For 3G/4G you need a phone that has 1700/2100 bands for data *unless* you live in a city where T-Mobile has already 'refarmed' their 2G service for 4G on the 1900 band. 1700/2100 band-capable phones are basically T-Mobile models, with a few exceptions, including the Nexus 4. 1900 is fairly standard band and useable phones include international models and AT&T phones.
If the phone you choose does not come unlocked (as say, an AT&T phone) you will have to unlock it. If it comes unlocked (like the Nexus) or is a T-Mobile phone you're good to go.
eljefe0000
Android Enthusiast
thats correct just take your sim out and pop into the other phone im on the $30 plan as well with 5gb of data i just got a s3 from someone it is tmobile branded it works fine i use groove ip for calls so i basically get everything for 30 a month cant beat that, if you can get a nexus 4 or a galaxy nexus they will both work fine you will get 3g/hspa theres other pentaband phones out there but are a little more money than the ones mentioned but on the plus side you can use it on any carrier without restriction cause they support a lot of frequencies. if you want to get a s3 just get one for tmobile because even though tmobile is refarming you wont get 3g coverage everywhere you go and thats a hassle but its worth it to upgrade if you want the bigger screen i had the same phone as you for a few weeks sold it and got the s3 happy as a pig in yoou know what you dont need to contact tmo ive used like 8 different phones in the past few weeks just testing stuff no problems gsm isnt like cdma where u need to call and give imei numbers just to switch phones
eljefe0000
Android Enthusiast
well if you plan to stick to tmo i say stick with the s3 for me at least the fact that its only 16 gb is a turn off the phone is great dont get me wrong but no upgradeable memory is a turn off unless you can live with 16gb i cant. look on craigslist you can find some good deals if you look long enough the s3 uses a a micro sim you can get a cutter yourself and do it or you can probably take it to a tmo store and they'll cut it for you