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Have you ever wondered, is it possible to get a free phone? Well, it’s actually true. Although free phones are not totally free, you can still earn free calls, texts, and data on your cell phone plan. You can get free cell phones in several ways, including government-free cell phones and get deals from service providers. Also, many wireless providers offer good discounts for their customers, including free phones when you switch. But, you’ll have to sign up for a cellphone plan with the new carrier.
The free phones are not only budget options but also a range of the latest cell phones. To find out what phone companies give free phones when you switch in 2025, keep reading! Or check out our quick guide on how to get a free smartphone online first.
Are free cell phones completely free?
As cell phones become important to support daily life, choosing the right cell phone for you and your family might be a difficult task. If you can get a free cell phone, it would be nice. On the other hand, you can purchase a cell phone outright that offers the flexibility to switch providers when necessary.
You’ll find that some cell phone providers offer free phones if you shift from your old carrier to their service. However, you should check for the terms and conditions. Some providers give you free phones in a long-term phone contract. Generally, they will put you in 24 months contract, and there are termination fees or hidden costs. That said, there IS a way to get a free phone without a contract.
Though you’ll have some compromises, you may get the least expensive phone plan service, even free phone plans. You should check with cell phone carriers for their latest offers to get the best option that suits your need.
Free Phones When You Switch in 2025
Out of free government cell phones, many people want to know what phone companies give free phones when you switch. You can also get free phones from several companies when you switch. The three big companies, including AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, offer new customers free phones if they switch from their old providers.
Many providers give unlimited text, talk, and data with their smartphone offers. Also, several mobile virtual network operators (MVNO) provide free cell phones to their customers. These include Boost Mobile, Cricket Wireless, Straight Talk, and many more.
Here are 7 providers that give free cell phones when you switch. Some of them are among the 10 best free government phone providers.

1. T-Mobile
T-Mobile offers free smartphones when you activate a new line on 24 monthly bill credits contract. It’s great if you want to add a line to keep connected with family. The cell phone cost is set off by a credit on your monthly bill for two years. You’ll get the cell phone free if you keep the contract for the duration of the deal. If you happen to cancel your service before 24 months, T-Mobile may cost you the remaining balance on the phone.
T-Mobile allows you to keep your phone, buy a new one, or trade it in when switching to their service. If you want to keep your phone when switching to T-Mobile, make sure to check your phone’s compatibility with their network. Your current device must have an LTE network to get the full benefits of T-Mobile’s 4G LTE network.
If you are still on contract with your old provider, T-Mobile will pay off your current phone and service plan contracts for up to 650 USD per line or 350 USD in early termination fee. Note that terms and conditions apply.
T-Mobile also will pay off your phone up to 650 USD if you trade in your old device.
Many smartphones are available from various brands, including LG, Motorola, and Samsung.
Some free cell phones offered when you switch are:
- Samsung Galaxy A11
- Samsung Galaxy A12
- T-Mobile REVVL 4
- T-Mobile REVVL 4+
- OnePlus Nord N200 5G
- Motorola Moto G Play
- T-Mobile REVVL 5G
- LG Aristo 5
- LG Stylo 6
How to get a free cell phone at T-Mobile
- Activate a new line on a qualifying phone plan to be used with your new device
- Purchase the eligible cell phone for your new T-Mobile 24-month payment plan
- T-Mobile may require you to pay a down payment and applicable sales tax on the pre-credit price at the time of purchase
- After getting your new cell phone, you should remain active for two years
All postpaid voice rate plans are eligible for a free cell phone when you switch to T-Mobile.
These include:
- Magenta
- Magenta MAX
- Essentials
- Unlimited Age 55+
- Military & Veteran
- First Responder
For more information about free phones when you switch to this company, you can visit the T-Mobile website.
2. Verizon
Verizon offers new phones for free when you switch or add a new line. Besides, no trade-in is required. What’s more, you can keep your current number when switching to Verizon. To check if you’re eligible to transfer your number, you can visit Verizon. You can also check your transfer status from this link.
Get various smartphones from several brands, including flagship smartphones from Samsung and Apple.
Here are Verizon free phones offered for their new customers when they switch:
- Apple iPhone 11
- Apple iPhone SE (2020)
- Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G
- Samsung Galaxy A42 5G
- Samsung Galaxy A02s
- Motorola One 5G UW Ace
- Motorola One 5G UW
You can choose one of these free phones for free on 24 months service plan. Verizon also offers 650 USD when you bring your phone and switch with selected Unlimited plans from 35 USD per month.
Here are the Verizon Unlimited plans:
- Start Unlimited for 35 USD/month
- Play More Unlimited for 45 USD/month
- Do More Unlimited for 45 USD/month
- Get More Unlimited for 55 USD/month
All Verizon Unlimited plans include:
- Unlimited text and calls in the US
- Free calls and text to Mexico and Canada, plus data and roaming
- Verizon Up rewards
- You’ll also get free Disney+, Apple Arcade, discovery+, Google Play Pass, and Apple Music which may vary depends on the plan.
Visit Verizon if you want to know more details about the free phone from Verizon when you switch.
3. AT&T
Suppose you’re wondering what phone companies give free phones when you switch that gives iPhone. In that case, you may want to consider choosing AT&T. The company offers free phones when new customers switch on some deals:
- 1. Bring your phone
- You can bring and keep your phone when you switch and get 250 USD in bill credit and a new SIM for your device, tablet, or wearable device. Also, new customers will have no contract and no activation fees on the qualifying plan.
- 2. Shop for a new phone (online and in-store)
- 3. Keep your number if eligible
Plenty of smartphones are available for free when you switch to Verizon, including major brands like Apple and Samsung.
Some of the free phones available are:
- Galaxy S21 5G
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
- iPhone 11
- Moto G Stylus 5G
- Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G
- Pixel a4 5G
- XP5s
- And more
Visit the AT&T website to choose your free phones. You can also get your next free phone for 10USD/month or less. Besides, new and existing customers can get iPhone 12 Pro Max for up to 700 USD off.
What’s more, you can get the best price on unlimited plans starting from 35 USD per month per line when you get 4 lines.
4. Metro by T-Mobile
Metro by T-Mobile, previously known as MetroPCS, offers free phones from top brands like Samsung and OnePlus when you switch or add a line to your existing account. The offers are available in-store only, and you’ll have to pay for sales tax and activation fee.
The company has several offers, including iPhone 12 Mini with 5G when you switch with a qualifying plan and trade in an eligible device. Besides, new customers will receive their rebate after three months of service.
Phones like Samsung Galaxy A02s, Galaxy A12, and OnePlus NordN100 are among the free phones. There are also other great phones to choose from. But, you should note that the offer is available in-store only.
New customers will also get an unlimited plan at the lowest price, only 40 USD per month for one line. What’s more, Metro by T-Mobile allows you to keep your number when switching. But, you should make sure your phone is unlocked and compatible with their network.
Metro by T-Mobile prepaid plans available are:
- 30 USD plan with 2GB high-speed data per month
- 40 USD plan with 10 GB high-speed data per month
- 50 USD Unlimited high-speed data per month
- 60 USD Unlimited high-speed data per month
You’ll pay cheaper if you add a line to your existing account. For more details about Metro by T-Mobile’s free phones and service plans, you can check their website.
5. Cricket Wireless
Cricket Wireless can be the best option for those looking for a provider with affordable plans and popular smartphones, topped with good customer service. Without the annual contract, you’ll get prepaid phone service. You can also change your service if you’d like. Payments for each plan are made upfront for each month’s service (taxes included).
New customers will also get a free cell phone when switching to Cricket Wireless. You can switch to Cricket Wireless in three ways:
- Keep your current phone number, or you can get a new one
- Bring your own phone if it’s compatible with the Cricket network
- Continue to use your existing phone service until you’re ready to activate your Cricket service plan
Some of the free phones that are offered by Cricket Wireless when you switch to their service are:
- iPhone SE 64GB with 3 months of 60 USD plan
- Samsung A02s if you bring your number on 60 USD/month plan
- Moto G Play on a 60 USD/month plan
- C2 Tava on 55 USD/month plan
- Apprise on 30 USD/month plan
Some free phones require an in-store activation fee of 25 USD/line.
Cricket Wireless also has several offers for affordable cell phones for only 99.99 USD if you bring your number on a minimum of 30 USD plan per month.
Here are Cricket Wireless phone plans:
- 30 USD 2GB plan
- 40 USD 10GB plan
- 55 USD Unlimited plan
- 60 USD Unlimited+15GB Hotspot Mobile plan
You’ll get a cheaper monthly plan if adding extra lines for up to 4 lines.
If you wonder what phone companies give free phones when you switch, you can switch to Cricket Wireless to get a free phone. Check Cricket Wireless for more details.
6. Boost Mobile
Boost Mobile offers free phones when you switch without changing your number. You will need to buy a 50 USD or higher monthly plan per line to be eligible for the offer. You can also get up to four free phones when you switch and activate the family line.
Boost Mobile deal offers are on a limited time can be varied. So, we recommend you to check their offers regularly.
Free phones from Boost Mobile includes:
- Samsung A10e
- LG Stylo 5
- ZTE Speed
- OneTouch Elevate
- Motorola Moto E
- LG Tribute
You can also get amazing discounts on different smartphones from Apple, Samsung, Motorola, LG, Coolpad, and Wiko.
Service plans on Boost Mobile are:
- 30 USD Unlimited Starter plan/month for one line
- 40 USD Unlimited plan/month for one line
- 50 USD Unlimited plan/month for one line
- 60 USD Unlimited+ 8GB hotspot plan/month for one line
You can visit Boost Mobile for more detailed information.
7. Straight Talk
Straight Talk may not be one of the most popular phone providers in the US, but it offers free phones when you switch to its network. New customers can get free phones when switching to one of its unlimited plans.
Free phones available when you switch includes:
- LG L413
- LG Premier Pro
- LG L61AL
- LG Stylo 3
- Alcatel ZIP A5577VL
There are also brand new smartphones for less price on Motorola, LG, Alcatel, Samsung, and Apple.
Straight Talk’s service plan includes:
- 35 USD/month – 3GB of LTE data
- 45 USD/month – 25GB of LTE data
- 55 USD/month – Unlimited LTE data
- 60 USD/month – 25GB of LTE data, includes international calling
All Straight Talk plans include unlimited talk and data, but taxes and fees are excluded.
FAQs
Can I get a free phone if I switch to Boost?
Yes, new customers can get free phones when switching to Boost Mobile. Also, you can get a free phone without changing your number. To get the free phone, you’ll buy a 50USD or highly monthly plan. But, new customers are eligible for up to free phones when activating the family plan.
Do any cell phone companies offer free phones?
Like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, some leading mobile carriers offer free cell phones to new customers when they switch to their service. Many mobile virtual network operators (MVNO), such as Cricket Wireless, Boost Mobile, and Straight Talk, also give free cell phones when you switch.
When you switch to AT&T do you get a free phone?
The answer is yes. AT&T gives free phones to new customers when they’re switching. The company even gives flagship free phones, such as iPhone 12 Pro Max and Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. Before you make the switch, see how this provider compares to others on T-Mobile vs. Verizon vs. AT&T.
Do I get a free phone if I switch to Verizon?
Like many mobile carriers, Verizon also gives free phones if you switch to use their service. There’s no trade-in, and you can keep your number when switching to Verizon. You can get smartphones from various brands and models, including Apple iPhone SE, Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G, and Motorola One 5G UW Ace. Read the complete list of phones here.
Are free phones really free?
Well, there are rarely free phones, even if you’re switching to other carriers. But, many US mobile providers offer free phones, and you only pay for a monthly service plan. Most plans give you free calls, text, and data.
Conclusion
As internet access is now very vital, having a smartphone becomes necessary. Getting a new cell phone is becoming easier and less expensive than before. Even several mobile companies offer free phones with affordable monthly plans when you switch on an eligible plan. Then, you would want to know what phone companies give free phones when you switch. Leading mobile carriers, such as AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile provide free phones to new customers when they’re switching.
Other providers offer free phones when you switch. Metro by T-Mobile, Cricket Wireless, Boost Mobile, and Straight Talk are amongst them. We recommend you do some research on each mobile provider’s offers if you plan to switch. Hence, you’ll get the best one that really suits your need and budget. Not satisfied? Read how to get free cell phone service for life with unlimited everything.