Unlocked Nokia 5.3 on T-Mobile. Replacing with Pixel 6 Pro. How to best do this?

**mitchxy** · 06-18-2022, 02:10 PM

I have a Nokia on T-Mobile that I switched to in February because I was on ATT. I just bought a Pixel 6 Pro to replace the Nokia and I plan to stay on T-Mobile. What is the best way to do this? I'm currently on the EBB plan and have not paid for any services in months, so I would love to keep the plan, even though trying to see my plan usage and status has not worked for months now. But anyway, do I do a sim swap and ignore the website procedure and/or using chat? What is the safest way? Or do I just leave TF because of all the horror stories I have been reading about Verizon bullying?
Thanks!

**hpham** · 06-18-2022, 02:44 PM

You can SIM swap because AT&T and T-Mobile BYOP SIMs aren't tied to an IMEI. However, if you're in an area with Verizon coverage, TF with coerce or force you to switch to Verizon.

**mitchxy** · 06-18-2022, 02:55 PM

So it's as simple as taking the sim out and putting it in the Pixel? And nothing else in terms of notifying TF?

How will they coerce me? Can they actually force any changes on me? Probably going to Mint Mobile this year anyway. The future at TF doesn't look good.

**hpham** · 06-18-2022, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by mitchxy

1. So it's as simple as taking the sim out and putting it in the Pixel? And nothing else in terms of notifying TF?

2. How will they coerce me? Can they actually force any changes on me?

1. Just swap the SIM into the Pixel. No needs to inform TF.
2. You mentioned reading the horror stories about Verizon bullying. If you're the target of their bullying, they claim they will interrupt your outgoing calls with a message informing you that you have the "opportunity" to switch to TF/Verizon with a FREE SIM and perhaps a month of free service. If you decide not to take them up on it, they can suddenly shut down your line. That's what I've read.

**mitchxy** · 06-18-2022, 05:13 PM

1. Thanks!
2. Wow!

**Tracfancier** · 06-19-2022, 08:48 AM

Verizon will allow about 2 more years with AT&T or T-Mobile service before they shut them off completely.
I personally would be surprised if they can stand to buy airtime from AT&T and T-Mobile for that long.
Now is the time to work toward having an unlocked phone for use elsewhere.

**PL1** · 06-19-2022, 09:02 AM

Originally Posted by Tracfancier

Verizon will allow about 2 more years with AT&T or T-Mobile service before they shut them off completely.
I personally would be surprised if they can stand to buy airtime from AT&T and T-Mobile for that long.
Now is the time to work toward having an unlocked phone for use elsewhere.

I was surprised to see that they are still selling all three carriers again on Ebay!

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**Tracfancier** · 06-19-2022, 09:23 AM

Originally Posted by PL1

I was surprised to see that they are still selling all three carriers again on Ebay!

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Once they get/trick your paid for business, they can force you to Verizon service.

**PL1** · 06-19-2022, 09:42 AM

Originally Posted by Tracfancier

Once they get/trick your paid for business, they can force you to Verizon service.

Sure, I realize that, but what is interesting is, for a time there, they were all out of AT&T sims and all TMO sims were refurbished. So something has changed. I guess we'll see during the holidays if they start lowering the price to $29 or $39 again as they have in the past.

**SlowLoris** · 06-19-2022, 09:47 AM

Originally Posted by hpham

You can SIM swap because AT&T and T-Mobile BYOP SIMs aren't tied to an IMEI. However, if you're in an area with Verizon coverage, TF with coerce or force you to switch to Verizon.

I'm wondering if this is also true for our situation. My daughter's line is on a T-mobile SIM in a SE2022 purchased unlocked from the Apple Store. I want to switch her to an iPhone 11 that was purchased from Tracfone with points, activated and unlocked, but is not currently being used. Can I just move the T-mobile SIM over? That would be ideal.

And she would prefer to be on Verizon so we are hoping for an offer to switch for a free month, but that hasn't happened so far.

**hpham** · 06-19-2022, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by SlowLoris

My daughter's line is on a T-mobile SIM in a SE2022 purchased unlocked from the Apple Store. I want to switch her to an iPhone 11 that was purchased from Tracfone with points, activated and unlocked, but is not currently being used. Can I just move the T-mobile SIM over?

Yes, you can move the T-mo SIM over. The iPhone 11 is still paired to its original TF/VZ SIM. Take the original SIM out and store it in a safe place. If later on you want to use the iPhone 11 with TF/VZ, TF will want to reactivate the phone with that SIM.

**SlowLoris** · 06-19-2022, 11:13 AM

Originally Posted by hpham

Yes, you can move the T-mo SIM over. The iPhone 11 is still paired to its original TF/VZ SIM. Take the original SIM out and store it in a safe place. If later on you want to use the iPhone 11 with TF/VZ, TF will want to reactivate the phone with that SIM.

Great advice! Thanks so much for your help!

**zapjb** · 06-19-2022, 12:08 PM

Originally Posted by PL1

...and all TMO sims were refurbished...

Am I reading this right? Can't ever recall refurbished SIMs.

**PL1** · 06-19-2022, 02:05 PM

Originally Posted by zapjb

Am I reading this right? Can't ever recall refurbished SIMs.

I might have the terminology wrong. I think that's what it said. I just assumed they were reselling returns.

**robbyrobby** · 06-19-2022, 03:24 PM

Originally Posted by PL1

I might have the terminology wrong. I think that's what it said. I just assumed they were reselling returns.

i would think refurbished to mean something along the lines of sanding down and polishing the electrical contacts on the SIM cards and perhaps bleaching out re-printing the the SIM card number