How to switch back to $30 4G plan after switching out

**bymotion** · 05-03-2012, 05:06 PM

The $30 4G plan with unlimited data/text and 100 minutes is for new activations only. Is it possible to activate it with a new number and then porting my number to that account? If so, would the porting process be weird since it'll be t-mobile to t-mobile?

**QE2** · 05-03-2012, 06:40 PM

You cannot port your number internally. You can port prepaid to post and vice versa, but not prepaid to prepaid.

The only way to get the $30/5GB plan back without losing your number is to port out to a different carrier and then port back in.

**bymotion** · 05-04-2012, 12:04 AM

Originally Posted by QE2

You cannot port your number internally. You can port prepaid to post and vice versa, but not prepaid to prepaid.

The only way to get the $30/5GB plan back without losing your number is to port out to a different carrier and then port back in.

Darn, what a hassle. Thanks for the info!

**23mj** · 05-04-2012, 09:38 AM

this is how I switched from the PAYG to the $30/5GB plan recently. It took me several calls to TMO support (in india) to finally get it done. The whole purpose is that I want to keep the same #.

You will need to get/buy a activation kit (with a SIM). $6 or the recent $.99 kit on TMO online is that one you could get. Or if you have an activation kit from a prepaid phone package, that will do it too. (I have used both).

Once you have the activation kit, DO NOT activate it online by yourself (otherwise, you will get a new #, and then you will have to start to port-out and port in process, which I am not even sure would work). IMPORTANT: do not activate. (I activated one this way, and got wasted one of the SIM I bought). (this was told by the TMO rep. in India)

Instead, call TMO rep. (chat with TMO would not help as chat rep. are not authorized to activate). tell her that you want switch to the $30/5G/100min/Unlimited text plan and you have the activation kit (not activated yet). They will then ask the number on the kit and switch you.

I made several calls to them and I know majority of them know how to do this. But if you are talking to a rep. who has no clue, try to call again or ask them if you could speak to another rep or have them check with another.

Once you're switched, you will be able to see the $30/5G plan listed as one of the plans that are available in your online account.

**The_Sweeper** · 05-04-2012, 10:04 AM

Originally Posted by 23mj

this is how I switched from the PAYG to the $30/5GB plan recently. It took me several calls to TMO support (in india) to finally get it done. The whole purpose is that I want to keep the same #.

You will need to get/buy a activation kit (with a SIM). $6 or the recent $.99 kit on TMO online is that one you could get. Or if you have an activation kit from a prepaid phone package, that will do it too. (I have used both).

Once you have the activation kit, DO NOT activate it online by yourself (otherwise, you will get a new #, and then you will have to start to port-out and port in process, which I am not even sure would work). IMPORTANT: do not activate. (I activated one this way, and got wasted one of the SIM I bought). (this was told by the TMO rep. in India)

Instead, call TMO rep. (chat with TMO would not help as chat rep. are not authorized to activate). tell her that you want switch to the $30/5G/100min/Unlimited text plan and you have the activation kit (not activated yet). They will then ask the number on the kit and switch you.

I made several calls to them and I know majority of them know how to do this. But if you are talking to a rep. who has no clue, try to call again or ask them if you could speak to another rep or have them check with another.

Once you're switched, you will be able to see the $30/5G plan listed as one of the plans that are available in your online account.

I've tried to do it a million times through their on line chat and through their e-mail support and it's like pulling teeth. Worst part is that they are the ones who screwed up my account and they won't fix it. They claim I need to go back to the Wal Mart that activated the plan and have them 're-add' the code, even though it was never activated at a Wal Mart.

**mapson** · 05-04-2012, 10:36 AM

mj23, your experience in porting a TMobile pay as you go # to the new $30 5G 100min plan is to call Tmobile at 611, and just tell the rep you want to switch to the $30 5G plan and have activation code in hand? They won't activate your kit #, creating a new #? Sounds too good to be true. Did you have any funds in your other #, did those transfer over? I have ~$40 in my current account, I'm afraid I'd lose it while trying this method. Would like to hear if anyone else gave this a shot.

**PL1** · 05-04-2012, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by mapson

mj23, your experience in porting a TMobile pay as you go # to the new $30 5G 100min plan is to call Tmobile at 611, and just tell the rep you want to switch to the $30 5G plan and have activation code in hand? They won't activate your kit #, creating a new #? Sounds too good to be true. Did you have any funds in your other #, did those transfer over? I have ~$40 in my current account, I'm afraid I'd lose it while trying this method. Would like to hear if anyone else gave this a shot.

From what I understand, it is for NEW activations only, On-Line or at Walmart, only. So, you would have to get a new SIM kit, activate it, then try to get things moved over if you are lucky. That's all I've read before this post.

**mapson** · 05-04-2012, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by PL1

From what I understand, it is for NEW activations only, On-Line or at Walmart, only. So, you would have to get a new SIM kit, activate it, then try to get things moved over if you are lucky. That's all I've read before this post.

That's the same as how I understand it. I was planning on porting into GV once my funds are low and get a new activation and try porting in from GV or even keep my # in GV and forward everything, but this other post possibly introduces a new wrinkle into things.

**23mj** · 05-04-2012, 11:06 AM

It was not really porting #. I just wanted to switch to the $30/5GB plan just like with other plans.

I called their 1-800 customer support and was told by one of their reps what to do. So, I went to order two activation kits online ($6 each I think). However, I mis-remembered that they wanted me to call back once I have the kit. And, I went to activate it myself online, got a new number etc (bad move). I then called in and the rep. told me that they could not switch my plan, and I was confused. But the rep. said the exact the same thing that I then remembered that I needed to call them with a new kit that has not been activated. They will activate it for me with my then current PAYG account. And, they did. In about two hours, I was switched, and my online account also showed the right plan I am on.

One thing I remember is that I have enough fund (more than $30) when I called in to switch. When it is switched, they just deducted $30 from my account and I still have the rest. nothing else changed.

Originally Posted by mapson

mj23, your experience in porting a TMobile pay as you go # to the new $30 5G 100min plan is to call Tmobile at 611, and just tell the rep you want to switch to the $30 5G plan and have activation code in hand? They won't activate your kit #, creating a new #? Sounds too good to be true. Did you have any funds in your other #, did those transfer over? I have ~$40 in my current account, I'm afraid I'd lose it while trying this method. Would like to hear if anyone else gave this a shot.

**23mj** · 05-04-2012, 11:10 AM

indeed this is for NEW activation only. And, that is the reason we need to buy/get an activation kit (which is inexpensive anyway). the different is that you don't activate it yourself online. otherwise, you got to the "luck" part. Like I mentioned, call them (not chat, or email support) with your SIM kit in hand.

Originally Posted by PL1

From what I understand, it is for NEW activations only, On-Line or at Walmart, only. So, you would have to get a new SIM kit, activate it, then try to get things moved over if you are lucky. That's all I've read before this post.

**23mj** · 05-04-2012, 11:17 AM

now, I now remember that before I had the success switching I actually used chat to ask for switching. It was bad move. several rep. promised me they would be able to switch me correctly (even though I don't have the new sim kit back then). What they really did was to log a request to switching (which either did not happen or switching me to a wrong $30 plan). At one point, I ended with losing money in my account (since they switched me to the wrong plan), but they credited me back and moved me back to my original PAYG plan.

Again, the success I had was going thru those Indian phone support rep. They seems to be more aware of what to do.

Originally Posted by The_Sweeper

I've tried to do it a million times through their on line chat and through their e-mail support and it's like pulling teeth. Worst part is that they are the ones who screwed up my account and they won't fix it. They claim I need to go back to the Wal Mart that activated the plan and have them 're-add' the code, even though it was never activated at a Wal Mart.

**PL1** · 05-04-2012, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by 23mj

now, I now remember that before I had the success switching I actually used chat to ask for switching. It was bad move. several rep. promised me they would be able to switch me correctly (even though I don't have the new sim kit back then). What they really did was to log a request to switching (which either did not happen or switching me to a wrong $30 plan). At one point, I ended with losing money in my account (since they switched me to the wrong plan), but they credited me back and moved me back to my original PAYG plan.

Again, the success I had was going thru those Indian phone support rep. They seems to be more aware of what to do.

All I know is that if you read the TOS on the promo, it says you must activate it at Walmart or activate on-line at TMO.

If it works any other way, that's great. But that's what the advertisement says. I had mine done by calling a CSR since my TMO SIM Activation kit did not work on-line.

**mscdex** · 05-05-2012, 03:31 PM

Originally Posted by 23mj

One thing I remember is that I have enough fund (more than $30) when I called in to switch. When it is switched, they just deducted $30 from my account and I still have the rest. nothing else changed.

So you were able to keep the balance that you had from the previous PAYGO plan? That is the one thing I am concerned about.

**dboydboy** · 05-08-2012, 01:59 PM

Thanks for this info - just got my kits in the mail and am planning to try to activate, keeping my $85 paygo balance to test out tmo before buying a Nexus

I'll post how it goes...

Well, first call failed. Rep said he couldn't activate (activation code from the kit wouldn't go thru) so tried to transfer me to the online customer service to get it replaced. I got disconnected instead. I'll call and try again with the other SIM I got, and later I can deal w/ the bad one (if it really is bad)

**dboydboy** · 05-08-2012, 05:21 PM

Alright, got thru again. Tried the second sim I bought. Same thing, invalid activation code. This time they put me on hold while they fixed both SIM activations. Seemed to be all good, but said it takes 24-48 hours for the new plan to be activated and I'll get a text when it does.