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Hello, I'm going to have a T-mobile G2 soon that I'm going to use on T-mobile's prepaid monthly 4g plan. But I do have one question before I do it, and this might be a dumb question but do I technically have to carrier unlock the G2 to use it on prepaid versus contract?
nope...
Not to my knowledge and I used prepaid tmobile for years until last month they stoped doing prepaid and now am running regular contract...but no unlock needed for prepay as its already a tmobile phone..
No, there's no need to unlock for prepaid unless you're going to use a phone sold thru a different carrier. Like the Evo on T-Mobile, for instance.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App
If you mean the simple plan it has a apn option built in. Just watch the data cap. Its like being crippled when it comes to data speed.
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Have you looked at theyre no contract plans? They are much cheaper then the contract plans. If you have been a customer for a while they are even cheaper! I have a family plan but if i were on it myself i think its only around 50 a month. Unlimited data and whatever minutes...i dont talk much
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I couldn't get them to give me a no contract plan (2 weeks ago), but I got unlimited everything for 50 a month. Saving me some big money right now compared to my old no contract plan (cause it only gave me 500 mins a month), and I kept going over talking with someone.
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Karakoram2 said:
I couldn't get them to give me a no contract plan (2 weeks ago), but I got unlimited everything for 50 a month. Saving me some big money right now compared to my old no contract plan (cause it only gave me 500 mins a month), and I kept going over talking with someone.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For me, the main difference between prepaid (no contract) and contract is the discount on devices. I like to upgrade once a year, and with out my contract I wouldn't not qualify for a significant discount on a new device. So while non contract plans are cheaper, you do give up that annual discount on a new device. Basically, in the States, we're being ripped off no matter which way you look at it.
I also agree with the previous user who posted about watching you data consumption on prepay. A friend of mine was throttled to a point where his phone was almost unusable after using only 300 MB! (on a 50 USD Unlimited prepaid plan).
shortlived said:
Have you looked at theyre no contract plans? They are much cheaper then the contract plans. If you have been a customer for a while they are even cheaper! I have a family plan but if i were on it myself i think its only around 50 a month. Unlimited data and whatever minutes...i dont talk much
Sent from my HTC Vision using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I'm doing, the monthly pre paid plans.
What I was asking is if I could take a G2 that's carrier locked to T-mobile to T-mobile prepaid without having to unlock it, basically if there was a difference in the phone seeing it as a supported carrier being locked.
vbetts said:
That's what I'm doing, the monthly pre paid plans.
What I was asking is if I could take a G2 that's carrier locked to T-mobile to T-mobile prepaid without having to unlock it, basically if there was a difference in the phone seeing it as a supported carrier being locked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You know T-Mobile carried the G2, right? There is no reason to carrier-unlock a phone for it to work on it's intended carrier's network -- regardless of whether you're on a contract or prepay. Unless I'm completely misunderstanding you... which is entirely possible as I am sleep-typing...
vbetts said:
That's what I'm doing, the monthly pre paid plans.
What I was asking is if I could take a G2 that's carrier locked to T-mobile to T-mobile prepaid without having to unlock it, basically if there was a difference in the phone seeing it as a supported carrier being locked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to reiterate what others have said, you're good dude. I just did the same thing, bought a used G2 off ebay and got the $30 100min, unlimited text/4G prepaid plan. No problemos. Just make sure you get a prepaid sim card, like this:
http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-phone/T-Mobile-Prepaid-SIM-Activation-Kit
(Tmobile has two separate sites for contract and prepaid, so as long as you go through above site, you're all good.)
P.S. If you buy your sim-card at a Tmobile store, they'll probably try to activate you there, but don't do it if you want that $30 plan mentioned above, which is only available online.
voltaic said:
Just to reiterate what others have said, you're good dude. I just did the same thing, bought a used G2 off ebay and got the $30 100min, unlimited text/4G prepaid plan. No problemos. Just make sure you get a prepaid sim card, like this:
http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-phone/T-Mobile-Prepaid-SIM-Activation-Kit
(Tmobile has two separate sites for contract and prepaid, so as long as you go through above site, you're all good.)
P.S. If you buy your sim-card at a Tmobile store, they'll probably try to activate you there, but don't do it if you want that $30 plan mentioned above, which is only available online.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wasn't aware of this... I have a friend (who I gave a store bought prepaid SIM card to) who is paying 50 USD a month and they keep throttling him at like 300 MB. I'm wondering if this plan you're talking about would have the same issue... also, if he wanted to switch to this plan, he'd have to purchase a new SIM card from the link you posted above, right? But then would he have to change his number, or could he transfer it to the new SIM? I've always been under contract, so I only know the basics when it comes to prepay...
Ditamae said:
I wasn't aware of this... I have a friend (who I gave a store bought prepaid SIM card to) who is paying 50 USD a month and they keep throttling him at like 300 MB. I'm wondering if this plan you're talking about would have the same issue... also, if he wanted to switch to this plan, he'd have to purchase a new SIM card from the link you posted above, right? But then would he have to change his number, or could he transfer it to the new SIM? I've always been under contract, so I only know the basics when it comes to prepay...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The prepaid plan I'm talking about is $30 a month for 100 minutes talk (.10 cents a minute if you go over, which is reasonable), unlimited texts, unlimited 4g web (speed is throttled when you pass 5gb in a month, but there are ways* around that, but still, that's MUCH better than 300mb) and it's only available online. So it does sound much better than what your friend has, specially if you get the GrooveIP app and use that to make calls through Google Voice over wifi/4g for free without using your minutes.
It's my understanding that they only let new accounts get this plan, so your friend would most likely need to get a new sim card AND either get a new number or port in a non-Tmobile number. (I ported in a landline number) You *might* be able to pull a fast one, and port the existing Tmobile number to Google Voice, then port it back to Tmobile under the new account, but I have no idea how doable that is.
As for porting in a number, since there was no option for it when activating the sim-card online, I completed the registration up to the point where they tell you your new number, but before I put any money in the account, I called Tmobile support line, and had them initiate the port. Once that was in motion, I funded the account.
* - Check out this thread for the unthrottle solution:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1318460&page=2
voltaic said:
The prepaid plan I'm talking about is $30 a month for 100 minutes talk (.10 cents a minute if you go over, which is reasonable), unlimited texts, unlimited 4g web (speed is throttled when you pass 5gb in a month, but there are ways* around that, but still, that's MUCH better than 300mb) and it's only available online. So it does sound much better than what your friend has, specially if you get the GrooveIP app and use that to make calls through Google Voice over wifi/4g for free without using your minutes.
It's my understanding that they only let new accounts get this plan, so your friend would most likely need to get a new sim card AND either get a new number or port in a non-Tmobile number. (I ported in a landline number) You *might* be able to pull a fast one, and port the existing Tmobile number to Google Voice, then port it back to Tmobile under the new account, but I have no idea how doable that is.
As for porting in a number, since there was no option for it when activating the sim-card online, I completed the registration up to the point where they tell you your new number, but before I put any money in the account, I called Tmobile support line, and had them initiate the port. Once that was in motion, I funded the account.
* - Check out this thread for the unthrottle solution:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1318460&page=2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks so much for all the info. I'll defintely pass this along to my friend.
As for the "unthrottle" method, I did read that thread a while back and explained the procedure to my friend, but he never got back to me about it... he was actually out of town at the time. And unfortunately that method doesn't work for everyone (or so I've read). He does use wifi at home, so this shouldn't be a problem too often. But, the plan you've described sounds 100% better than what he's working with... he's not a big talker either, so 100 minutes would likely suit him, especially with all the different ways to make voice calls these days. He could also probably port his landline number and get rid of it once and for all.
Thanks so much.
I just wanted to add that you can get no contract plans that are not prepaid. You do not get deals on phones but they do have an interest free loan option depending on vyour credit. I payed cash for my phone but the contract plan was a solid 50 dollars more a month and they would have approved me for an interest free phoneloan that would have cost 40 a month for what 10 months or so.... So either way it was cheaper monthly even if i got a new phone every year. However maybe my circumstances and unique? Either way i avoid term contracts at all costs! There is nothing like being able to call a company up and saying "hey fix X or i will cancel" you would be amazed at the deals you can get.
Sent from my HTC Vision using Tapatalk
Evening folks,
I've got an unlocked HOX on 3's network and will be travelling to the USA next month on holiday. Rather than pay the horrific roaming charges they want, I'd like to just insert a US prepay micro SIM and use it while I'm there. I'm not so much interested in the amount of talk time or texts I get, but I'd like to be able to use some data while I'm there (perhaps 100Mb?).
Have any of you had experience with taking your unlocked HOX to the US and using data on a prepaid SIM? If so, what would you recommend?
TIA,
10x...
10xOXR said:
Evening folks,
I've got an unlocked HOX on 3's network and will be travelling to the USA next month on holiday. Rather than pay the horrific roaming charges they want, I'd like to just insert a US prepay micro SIM and use it while I'm there. I'm not so much interested in the amount of talk time or texts I get, but I'd like to be able to use some data while I'm there (perhaps 100Mb?).
Have any of you had experience with taking your unlocked HOX to the US and using data on a prepaid SIM? If so, what would you recommend?
TIA,
10x...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In us you have 1 choice for a pre paid micro sim. 2 depending on where your gonna be. If you headed south you might me able to get cricket. they are a prepaid company that just started to sell the 4S. You also might be able to use H20 but I'm not sure if they support micro SD or not. But AT&T will not give you a pre paid micro SD card. I tried they will give you a prepaid standard size sim card you can use a sim cutter the put it in your HOX. assuming the one x will accept in. They us the same 1900mhz band so i don't see why not. Yor last hope will be t-mobile they will sell you a prepaid micro SD card and you can use them just about anywhere in use. Only down side is T-mobile use the 1700mhz band for 4G. So your gonna be stuck on slow 2G(Edge) data speeds because thats the network that use the 1900mhz band. they have only a hand full of cites that use the 1900mhz band for 4G so depending on where you are you might get lucky. Hope this helped you.
VIIRU§ said:
In us you have 1 choice for a pre paid micro sim. 2 depending on where your gonna be. If you headed south you might me able to get cricket. they are a prepaid company that just started to sell the 4S. You also might be able to use H20 but I'm not sure if they support micro SD or not. But AT&T will not give you a pre paid micro SD card. I tried thy will wive you a prepaid standard size sim card you can use a sim cutter the but is your HOX. assuming the one x will accept in. They us the same 1900mhz band so i don't see why not. Yor last hope will be t-mobile they will sell you a prepaid micro SD card and you can use them just about anywhere in use. Only down side is T-mobile use the 1700mhz band for 4G. So your gonna be stuck on slow 2G(Edge) data speeds because thats the network that use the 1900mhz band. they have only a hand full of cites that use the 1900mhz band for 4G so depending on where you are you might get lucky. Hope this helped you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Should I just be able to pick up an AT&T SIM here in the UK, activate it just before I go, then add credit when I'm there? Would I have to buy some sort of expensive data plan?
10xOXR said:
Should I just be able to pick up an AT&T SIM here in the UK, activate it just before I go, then add credit when I'm there? Would I have to buy some sort of expensive data plan?
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Click to collapse
I wouldn't recommend it cause the S/N # will still be from the UK
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium
Resolved! I spoke at length with an AT&T advisor and was told that all I had to do was go to any of their stores, ask for a $50 Unlimited Plan prepaid micro-SIM, and use that. Unlimited calls, texts, and data for the month that I'll be in the US. I made absolutely certain that she understood I'd be using my unlocked HOX bought in the UK and she stated that'd be fine. Most excellent!
10xOXR said:
Resolved! I spoke at length with an AT&T advisor and was told that all I had to do was go to any of their stores, ask for a $50 Unlimited Plan prepaid micro-SIM, and use that. Unlimited calls, texts, and data for the month that I'll be in the US. I made absolutely certain that she understood I'd be using my unlocked HOX bought in the UK and she stated that'd be fine. Most excellent!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice. Good luck with everything bro.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium
10xOXR said:
Resolved! I spoke at length with an AT&T advisor and was told that all I had to do was go to any of their stores, ask for a $50 Unlimited Plan prepaid micro-SIM, and use that. Unlimited calls, texts, and data for the month that I'll be in the US. I made absolutely certain that she understood I'd be using my unlocked HOX bought in the UK and she stated that'd be fine. Most excellent!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With one possible exception. The $50 plan isn't for smartphones. People trying to use the i9300 in the U.S. on that plan have been consistanly flagged and told via text message that they need to buy a smartphone data add-on.
Here's the info from AT&T's website...
Data Packages
Access the Web, email, Facebook, social networks, and more! Data packages are available with the $50 Unlimited Monthly Plan and the $25 Monthly Plan. Smartphone users must purchase a data package with an eligible plan to use data/Web services.
$25 for 1 GB
$15 for 200 MB
$5 for 50 MB
http://www.att.com/shop/wireless/plans/prepaidplans.html
BarryH_GEG said:
With one possible exception. The $50 plan isn't for smartphones. People trying to use the i9300 in the U.S. on that plan have been consistanly flagged and told via text message that they need to buy a smartphone data add-on.
Here's the info from AT&T's website...
Data Packages
Access the Web, email, Facebook, social networks, and more! Data packages are available with the $50 Unlimited Monthly Plan and the $25 Monthly Plan. Smartphone users must purchase a data package with an eligible plan to use data/Web services.
$25 for 1 GB
$15 for 200 MB
$5 for 50 MB
http://www.att.com/shop/wireless/plans/prepaidplans.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See bro AT&T is sneaky go with the t-mobile. Att customer care will tell u one thing but not all store go by those rules trust me I know
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium
When you buy the Note 2 without contract for $700 dollars (including tax, etc) and as a Non-T-Mobile customer, is a micro-SIM card still included?
yes
Thanks, the reason I ask is that I may activate T-Mobile service in the very near future; Am I able to do so with the existing micro-SIM card that is included in the box?
If you're using postpaid, yes. If you're going to use prepaid, you will need an activation kit which includes a sim for $0.99.
thanks
This plan includes 100 anytime minutes, unlimited texts and 5gb of data before you get throttled.
I was on this plan on the Nexus 4 and worked like a champ. Once I payoff the GS4 phone next month I will switch back from postpaid plan to the $30 prepaid plan. I have a few questions:
1- Will $30 prepaid plan let me use tmobile LTE network if available in my area/city?
2-Do I need to get another SIM card or can Tmobile switch my SIM card to that plan if I call customer service?
3- Will the wifi calling feature continue on prepaid plan or will I lose it? I use Skype for wifi calls along w $30 plan to compensate for only 100 minutes for call making.
Tia,
Ian B
Mr Ian B said:
I was on this plan on the Nexus 4 and worked like a champ. Once I payoff the GS4 phone next month I will switch back from postpaid plan to the $30 prepaid plan. I have a few questions:
1- Will $30 prepaid plan let me use tmobile LTE network if available in my area/city?
2-Do I need to get another SIM card or can Tmobile switch my SIM card to that plan if I call customer service?
3- Will the wifi calling feature continue on prepaid plan or will I lose it? I use Skype for wifi calls along w $30 plan to compensate for only 100 minutes for call making.
Tia,
Ian B
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The 30 a month plan has limited everything i think. So yeah as long as you arent in a contract you should be perfectly fine, everything should work as it does now. However, read fine print of the 30 dollar a month plan. Just to be safe
Mr Ian B said:
I was on this plan on the Nexus 4 and worked like a champ. Once I payoff the GS4 phone next month I will switch back from postpaid plan to the $30 prepaid plan. I have a few questions:
1- Will $30 prepaid plan let me use tmobile LTE network if available in my area/city?
2-Do I need to get another SIM card or can Tmobile switch my SIM card to that plan if I call customer service?
3- Will the wifi calling feature continue on prepaid plan or will I lose it? I use Skype for wifi calls along w $30 plan to compensate for only 100 minutes for call making.
Tia,
Ian B
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1- As far as i know, yes
2- im pretty sure you need a prepaid sim, the multiple chats ive had with customer support make it seem that way anyway
3-yes wifi calling still works, i use it all the time but it still takes from your minutes (which is stupid, imo) so you should continue to use skype
im interested in skype though. do you have the monthly plan for them? and if so, do they give you a separate number or is it similar to google voice where you get a seperate number
---------- Post added at 10:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:08 PM ----------
elesbb said:
The 30 a month plan has limited everything i think. So yeah as long as you arent in a contract you should be perfectly fine, everything should work as it does now. However, read fine print of the 30 dollar a month plan. Just to be safe
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the $30 dollar plan they are talking about has 100 min, unlimited text, and unlimited data (first 5 gig high speed before being throttled)
TheAtheistOtaku said:
1- As far as i know, yes
2- im pretty sure you need a prepaid sim, the multiple chats ive had with customer support make it seem that way anyway
3-yes wifi calling still works, i use it all the time but it still takes from your minutes (which is stupid, imo) so you should continue to use skype
im interested in skype though. do you have the monthly plan for them? and if so, do they give you a separate number or is it similar to google voice where you get a seperate number
---------- Post added at 10:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:08 PM ----------
Thanks for the info. I still have my prepaid $30 Tmobile SIM card from the nexus 4 that expires in a couple of days. I think I can call Tmobile next month,pay the balance due on phone and have them reactivate that SIM card w the $30 prepaid plan and port the number to it. As far as Skype,they give you a number but I don't use it. I use Skype when on wifi or home to make unlimited U.S. calls for $2.99/month. If someone calls me, I decline the call and call them back on Skype. I only use my 100 Tmobile mins when on road and no wifi available. Total monthly bill is $32.99 for $30 plan and $2.99 for Skype.
If you are not a talker, this is a great plan.
Ian B
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just went through this.
_____________________
Went to a TMo store and bought the Galaxy S4 and paid for it in full up front and got the $50 post-paid plan. Two days later, I called TMo CS to switch to Prepaid. Was sent to prepaid and told the woman on the phone to convert my plan and she asked what plan and the conversion went through and had to wait 24 hours.
After 24 hours, I see online that my plan was set to prepaid but it was the non-WalMart $30 plan. Called back in and they said there's nothing I could do since it was for new WalMart activations. Called back a second time, CS person asked a supervisor to approve the change since the first CS who did my conversion didn't question the prepaid plan I was requesting, and was approved.
Now I'm on the WalMart $30 plan and am using the Google Voice app for texts and Groove IP for incoming/outgoing calls. The 4G service in South Florida is fantastic and no one has even noticed that I've changed providers and that the call I'm currently on is purely over a 4G network.
Bought a couple $30 prepaid cards on eBay at $24/each and am saving a ton of money.
________________________
The main idea about this $30 plan is that it is ONLY accessible with a new SIM card activation unless you get lucky like I did and guilt a CSR into giving it to you.
If outside forums are against the rules, then please remove these links. FatWallet and SlickDeals have some pretty in-depth threads about this specific plan and how to actually get it.
http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/hot-deals/1224172/?start=0
http://slickdeals.net/f/3377172-T-M...t-5GB-Data-100-Voice-Mins-New-Activation-Only
Please read forum rules before posting
Questions and help issues go in Q&A and Help section
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I was under the impression the $30 plan is only for new customers. I have been on it for over a year. When I bought the S4 I signed up for the unlimited postpaid. I'll probably be going back to the $30 prepaid. I talked with [email protected] before the switch. The $30 plan will go for 90 days without putting in money or being active. So you could actually let it sit for a couple months with no money. I have 2 prepaid sims I ordered a few months ago I can activate online or just a use a sim cutter and use the $30 sim from my S2 in my S4.
Mr Ian B said:
This plan includes 100 anytime minutes, unlimited texts and 5gb of data before you get throttled.
I was on this plan on the Nexus 4 and worked like a champ. Once I payoff the GS4 phone next month I will switch back from postpaid plan to the $30 prepaid plan. I have a few questions:
1- Will $30 prepaid plan let me use tmobile LTE network if available in my area/city?
2-Do I need to get another SIM card or can Tmobile switch my SIM card to that plan if I call customer service?
3- Will the wifi calling feature continue on prepaid plan or will I lose it? I use Skype for wifi calls along w $30 plan to compensate for only 100 minutes for call making.
Tia,
Ian B
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have this plan on my Tmo S4.
1. Yes, but to be honest, I turn LTE off most of the time. HSPA+ is fast enough and you don't want to drain battery on LTE and searching for LTE.
2. I don't think you are allowed to switch to that plan, as far as I know, new customers only.
3. Tmo's wifi calling will use the minutes. I am using Groove IP to compensate for the limited 100 minutes, works better than I thought so far.
Yes it is new customers only, but if you cancel your current plan and get a new prepaid sim you will be considered a new customer, so its an easy workaround.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk 2
TheAtheistOtaku said:
Yes it is new customers only, but if you cancel your current plan and get a new prepaid sim you will be considered a new customer, so its an easy workaround.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not easy if you want to keep your number. "Technically" it's only for new accounts but some have had luck "convincing" reps to make the change FROM an existing prepaid plan. More than likely they will end up giving you the wrong $30 plan (the one with ZERO data) unless you start from scratch and do it yourself on the website.
I just did this today, I bought the S4 full price from tmobile. I had the S2 with the $30 a month plan, I called them up and told them I wanted to activate my phone, the CSR cancelled my old sim card and activated the new one. When you call just make sure you have the new sim card number ready so it can be activated. You dont have to be a new customer to use this plan if you already have it. my old prepaid plan works great, and I have full LTE access in my area.
Mr Ian B said:
TheAtheistOtaku said:
1- As far as i know, yes
2- im pretty sure you need a prepaid sim, the multiple chats ive had with customer support make it seem that way anyway
3-yes wifi calling still works, i use it all the time but it still takes from your minutes (which is stupid, imo) so you should continue to use skype
im interested in skype though. do you have the monthly plan for them? and if so, do they give you a separate number or is it similar to google voice where you get a seperate number
---------- Post added at 10:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:08 PM ----------
Thanks for the info. I still have my prepaid $30 Tmobile SIM card from the nexus 4 that expires in a couple of days. I think I can call Tmobile next month,pay the balance due on phone and have them reactivate that SIM card w the $30 prepaid plan and port the number to it. As far as Skype,they give you a number but I don't use it. I use Skype when on wifi or home to make unlimited U.S. calls for $2.99/month. If someone calls me, I decline the call and call them back on Skype. I only use my 100 Tmobile mins when on road and no wifi available. Total monthly bill is $32.99 for $30 plan and $2.99 for Skype.
If you are not a talker, this is a great plan.
Ian B
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One other alternative is to use free Google Voice with Talkatone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Was at Walmart today and they had the tmobile $30 prepaid kit w a $30 card for $39.88. Once I pay the phone off will get one and switch over and keep my Skype account for wifi calling.
Ian B
Quick question about how this $30.00 prepaid plan works: Do you have to keep buying a new $30 sim card every month? Or do they just send you a $30 bill once a month? And will this work if I buy a T-Mobile Galaxy S4 off of Craigslist and activate it with a new sim card?
swerveness said:
Quick question about how this $30.00 prepaid plan works: Do you have to keep buying a new $30 sim card every month? Or do they just send you a $30 bill once a month? And will this work if I buy a T-Mobile Galaxy S4 off of Craigslist and activate it with a new sim card?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can buy the prepaid cards locally or online. I get them from callingmart.com. It does not matter where you bought the phone. Just activate the SIM card online and choose the $30 plan. You can not get this plan at the stores. You have the option through the Tmobile app in the market to set up monthly debits from a bank account when due. Been on it for eight months and it is perfect. I use Skype for all my calls when wifi available and the 100 mins when out and about.
Ian B
I'm on the $30 prepaid plan. Can I just walk into a Tmobile store, give them my current number, pay cash for the phone, and start using it with the prepaid plan, or do I have to go through the "get a new plan and cancel" routine?
productivity ighlking
I never succeeded in buying the phone outright, not even from their website. Got mine from Newegg, shipped to my door in less than 24 hours.
$695.99 + $9.99 next day shipping, didn't even charge me tax in CA.
Yup, I know from experience.
Ugh, that doesn't sound good. The models listed on Newegg do NOT sound like they support Tmobile 4g.
Maybe I'll get the Google version. Sigh....
RobertR3750 said:
I'm on the $30 prepaid plan. Can I just walk into a Tmobile store, give them my current number, pay cash for the phone, and start using it with the prepaid plan, or do I have to go through the "get a new plan and cancel" routine?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
T-Mobile, as of now, won't sell an S4 unless you get a new plan.
The only way to get an S4 from a T-Mobile store is as follows:
Get the $50 plan and pay for the phone fully up front.
A day or two after, cancel the plan.
Go to a T-Mobile store and buy a new SIM activation kit for $10.
Activate the new SIM card on their website and select the $30 plan.
IMMEDIATELY, call T-Mobile and get them to combine your old account(the one with your phone #, not the one you just canceled) with the new one and make sure they keep your old number, the new plan, and change nothing else.
If you port your # to Google Voice, or don't care about losing your old number, then you don't need to do the last step.
thehelios said:
T-Mobile, as of now, won't sell an S4 unless you get a new plan.
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I'm on prepaid - not even the $30/month prepaid but the 10 cents/minute prepaid. Of course, I don't get data but wifi is avail. most of the places I go - and if I really need data I pony up for the $3/day plan. Then switch back to 10 cents/minute plan before midnight. I really enjoy paying only ~$150/year for service. Anyway.
I Walked into the local T-Mobile store on May 15th, told them I was prepaid and wanted to buy it outright. They first rung it up for $659, but I reminded them they quoted me a price of $629 a few weeks before. They also went over to the display model - and sure enough it says $629 - so they changed it. I bought a D30 screen protector and case. They said I could get any other accessory of equal or or less value for free. They transferred my account to the micro-sim card for free and I was out the door. No hassles.
I had a similar experience buying the S3 last year in another local T-Mobile store. They both seemed happy to take my money and help me with a sim transfer even though I was prepaid.
I don't see why they wouldn't allow you to buy the GS4 full price and put it on prepaid. that is what I am planning on doing
Sent from my DROID RAZR using xda premium
bthurber said:
I'm on prepaid - not even the $30/month prepaid but the 10 cents/minute prepaid. Of course, I don't get data but wifi is avail. most of the places I go - and if I really need data I pony up for the $3/day plan. Then switch back to 10 cents/minute plan before midnight. I really enjoy paying only ~$150/year for service. Anyway.
I Walked into the local T-Mobile store on May 15th, told them I was prepaid and wanted to buy it outright. They first rung it up for $659, but I reminded them they quoted me a price of $629 a few weeks before. They also went over to the display model - and sure enough it says $629 - so they changed it. I bought a D30 screen protector and case. They said I could get any other accessory of equal or or less value for free. They transferred my account to the micro-sim card for free and I was out the door. No hassles.
I had a similar experience buying the S3 last year in another local T-Mobile store. They both seemed happy to take my money and help me with a sim transfer even though I was prepaid.
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Thanks for sharing your experience. It seems the best strategy will be to attempt what you did (perhaps at more than one store) and resort to getting a new line as a backup plan.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using xda app-developers app
RobertR3750 said:
Ugh, that doesn't sound good. The models listed on Newegg do NOT sound like they support Tmobile 4g.
Maybe I'll get the Google version. Sigh....
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Yea, they do, I just bought one days ago. You select T-Mobile and pick your phone.
jkuczy16 said:
I don't see why they wouldn't allow you to buy the GS4 full price and put it on prepaid. that is what I am planning on doing
Sent from my DROID RAZR using xda premium
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I wish I knew. I called 6 of the nearest T-Mobile stores in my area and called in to customer service and they all said they couldn't sell me an S4 unless I got it with one of their post-paid plans. For y'all who were able to do it w/o getting a post-paid plan, you lucky dogs! It makes the process of getting an S4 so much easier.
thehelios said:
I wish I knew. I called 6 of the nearest T-Mobile stores in my area and called in to customer service and they all said they couldn't sell me an S4 unless I got it with one of their post-paid plans. For y'all who were able to do it w/o getting a post-paid plan, you lucky dogs! It makes the process of getting an S4 so much easier.
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You get one here: http://wireless.newegg.com/eCommerce/SpecialOffer.aspx?cid=35159_80ed17d885e9458f9c935fbee930efc4 and select "replacement device" or buy one on ebay. Then you grab a t-mobile micro sim from their prepaid website for $10 and activate it on the $30 plan boom you got a GS4 on T-Mobile's Prepaid $30.
jrccomputer said:
You get one here: http://wireless.newegg.com/eCommerce/SpecialOffer.aspx?cid=35159_80ed17d885e9458f9c935fbee930efc4 and select "replacement device" or buy one on ebay. Then you grab a t-mobile micro sim from their prepaid website for $10 and activate it on the $30 plan boom you got a GS4 on T-Mobile's Prepaid $30.
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Thanks, that certainly sounds hassle-free. Since I'm already on the $30 plan, can I safely assume I could simply put my current sim in the phone and be good to go?
RobertR3750 said:
Thanks, that certainly sounds hassle-free. Since I'm already on the $30 plan, can I safely assume I could simply put my current sim in the phone and be good to go?
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What phone do you have now? The gs4 uses a micro sim which might be different then your current sim. If you have a micro sim your good to go.
Sent from my SPH-L300 using Tapatalk 2
jrccomputer said:
What phone do you have now? The gs4 uses a micro sim which might be different then your current sim. If you have a micro sim your good to go.
Sent from my SPH-L300 using Tapatalk 2
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I was thinking I could use a micro sim cutter to cut my current sim down to micro size, but maybe it would be easier and safer to just get a new micro sim. Only cumbersome part would be having to call Tmobile to cancel the old sim and transfer my current number to the new sim, presumably.
RobertR3750 said:
I was thinking I could use a micro sim cutter to cut my current sim down to micro size, but maybe it would be easier and safer to just get a new micro sim. Only cumbersome part would be having to call Tmobile to cancel the old sim and transfer my current number to the new sim, presumably.
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Yeah, thats a good idea just pick a sim cutter up off amazon. They are safe and work very well.
Sent from my SPH-L300 using Tapatalk 2
This one looks nice and sturdy.
http://dx.com/p/micro-sim-card-cutter-black-126906
Yes. I would grab that one. Should work just fine.
Sent from my SPH-L300 using Tapatalk 2
ive bought the phone outright the day the order page went up. i even choose one of the new plans on the site. got it next day, threw out the sim card that came with it and put in my prepaid sim. ive been on the prepaid 30$ plan since i go the phone and have had absolutely no problems.
the best way to get it onto the prepaid plan is to do it all online, because the service reps have no clue what they are talking about 90 percent of the time
At one of T-Mo stores in my area they said I could get it for $690 + tax without a postpaid plan. At another store, they didn't have it in stock but told me it would be around $660.00 + tax. So I just went to Walmart and purchased the one they sell for the Family Mobile Plan for $629.99 + tax. Since that Family Mobile Walmart plan is powered by T-Mobile, my prepaid microsim worked right away. I did have to buy the $25.00 starter kit buy I returned it the next day.
pilot_xphile said:
At one of T-Mo stores in my area they said I could get it for $690 + tax without a postpaid plan. At another store, they didn't have it in stock but told me it would be around $660.00 + tax. So I just went to Walmart and purchased the one they sell for the Family Mobile Plan for $629.99 + tax. Since that Family Mobile Walmart plan is powered by T-Mobile, my prepaid microsim worked right away. I did have to buy the $25.00 starter kit buy I returned it the next day.
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Fascinating way to get around the Tmobile nonsense! Thanks! BTW, can you check to see if LTE works?