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Door staff@engadget.com (Ben Stegner) - 29 Aug 2026
Moving to an MVNO isn't difficult, but as with any switch, it does require a few steps. The sites for most of them have tools to check if where you live is within coverage and whether your phone will work on the network. If you're currently paying for a phone with a carrier like AT&T, you'll have to pay it off when switching. If you plan to use that phone with your new carrier, follow the outgoing company's policy to get the device unlocked; otherwise, you can purchase a phone from the new carrier.
You'll be guided through moving your phone number to your new plan. Most phones today support eSIM (the iPhone 14 and newer lack a physical SIM slot), which makes it easy to get connected without waiting for a physical SIM in the mail. Your MVNO's app will walk you through this process.
I've been using MVNOs since the end of 2015. I used Google Fi (back when it was called Project Fi) until mid-2020, when I switched to Mint Mobile. Aside from rare hiccups, I've never felt like I'm on a second-rate network. The network speeds are plenty fast enough to do everything you need. I only use a few gigabytes of data per month, buy unlocked phones from the manufacturer, and keep my subscription list slim. That's why the "free" devices, "unlimited" data and bundled extras of big carriers aren't worth the high cost for me.
In the time I've been with Mint, the company has upgraded the amount of data on each tier multiple times, at no extra cost. The cheapest plan was 3GB when I joined, which shifted to 4GB in 2021, 5GB in 2023, and then 6GB in 2026. Given how the cost of everything else constantly goes up while simultaneously dropping in quality, I appreciate this.
Chances are, if you use one of the big three carriers, you're overpaying. The devices they offer "on us" come at the cost of paying for a top-tier phone plan. You'll save in the long run by purchasing a phone outright and pairing it with a cheaper mobile plan. Evaluate how much data you actually use and don't worry about "unlimited" if you only need a few gigabytes per month.
You'll be guided through moving your phone number to your new plan. Most phones today support eSIM (the iPhone 14 and newer lack a physical SIM slot), which makes it easy to get connected without waiting for a physical SIM in the mail. Your MVNO's app will walk you through this process.
I've been using MVNOs since the end of 2015. I used Google Fi (back when it was called Project Fi) until mid-2020, when I switched to Mint Mobile. Aside from rare hiccups, I've never felt like I'm on a second-rate network. The network speeds are plenty fast enough to do everything you need. I only use a few gigabytes of data per month, buy unlocked phones from the manufacturer, and keep my subscription list slim. That's why the "free" devices, "unlimited" data and bundled extras of big carriers aren't worth the high cost for me.
In the time I've been with Mint, the company has upgraded the amount of data on each tier multiple times, at no extra cost. The cheapest plan was 3GB when I joined, which shifted to 4GB in 2021, 5GB in 2023, and then 6GB in 2026. Given how the cost of everything else constantly goes up while simultaneously dropping in quality, I appreciate this.
Chances are, if you use one of the big three carriers, you're overpaying. The devices they offer "on us" come at the cost of paying for a top-tier phone plan. You'll save in the long run by purchasing a phone outright and pairing it with a cheaper mobile plan. Evaluate how much data you actually use and don't worry about "unlimited" if you only need a few gigabytes per month.