Tips for Porting out of T-Mobile (mid-May 2025)

Sunday, May 18, 2025

T-Mobile raised prices on their "uncarrier” plans that, in plain language, originally claimed prices would never increase. So as T-Mobile is now like any other carrier, I transferred our lines to US Mobile.

Rather than tediously explain my decision, I’ll offer some tips to port your lines to US Mobile, and probably any other carrier. The instructions below may seem daunting, but it really is easy provided you can convince T-Mobile’s account website to give you a port out PIN.

I apologize that I can’t give specific page names as T-Mobile disables your account soon as the primary line is ported over. This is why you must first start with a non-primary line (if you have one).

As of 5/17/2025, using eSims:

  1. Update your phones to the latest operating system
  2. Log-in to your primary T-Mobile account however you like
  3. Disable all SIM Protection features for all lines under Line Settings or Security (I forget where exactly). You should be able to toggle both lines off on the same page
  4. ALSO Remove SIM Protection from your line feature add-ons. This is the page where you can buy new add-ons, but instead you’re just removing the add-on. You must do this line by line
  5. Confirm your phones are unlocked. If T-Mobile does not have a status, they are likely unlocked. Call if you’re unsure but don’t let them send you to customer retention. If they ask, just say you’re thinking of selling your phone
  6. Log-out of the T-Mobile account
  7. To request a temporary port out PIN using your Primary account phone:
    1. Turn off wifi. Using Cellular data on your primary account phone, log-in to your T-Mobile account
    2. Using the upper right search box, type in Port Out
    3. Tap on the first result for Port Out PIN. The website should attempt to authenticate that you’re using your primary account device. If it fails authentication, log-out, toggle Airplane mode on and off, turn off wifi, and try logging in again and repeat the above. This was the most frustrating part: their help is out of date or they purposefully removed port out PIN from line settings. Last resort, to save frustration from boiling over, you may need to call them. Just tell them you’re moving to another country and that should prevent customer retention maneuvers. While you’re on the phone, check your device lock statuses
    4. Write down your Port Out PIN. This PIN is for all lines on your account
    5. Write down your T-Mobile account number
  8. Transfer your non-primary line first, then lastly your primary account line:
    1. At US Mobile or your new carrier, check-out and begin activating/porting the secondary or non-primary line. Take note if you’re signing up for Dark Star (AT&T), Warp (Verizon) or Lightspeed (T-Mobile)
      1. If you text with Android people, you’ll want RCS. So choose Dark Star
    2. You’ll need to enter your T-Mobile account number and the port out PIN
    3. Eventually your new carrier will issue an eSim QR code to your email and/or account line settings
    4. Your secondary line must be on Wifi
    5. You should wait until your phone goes into SOS mode or no longer has a signal. That will indicate that T-Mobile as disabled your eSim
    6. Your secondary line will be removed from the T-Mobile account
    7. From the secondary phone line, scan the eSim QR code or, if you have it on your phone, long-press and tap Install eSim
    8. Follow the prompts
    9. It’ll take a minute or two
    10. If your T-Mobile eSim was disabled before you installed the new eSim, then you should be good to go. Now port your primary line as you did the secondary
    11. If your T-Mobile eSim was not disabled before you installed the new eSim, you may need to go into your phone’s Cellular settings and swap your eSim to the new one
    12. If you’re using US Mobile, I suggest that you install their Cellular profile for a better experience. You’ll need to know if you’re using Dark Star, Warp, or Light Speed
    13. Once your primary line is ported from T-Mobile, you’ll no longer be able to log-in to T-Mobile
    14. You can then delete the disabled old eSim under Cellular settings
    15. Be sure to call your own phone number from your phone to set up your voicemail

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