By
Lauren Hannula Managing Editor
Updated

Usually, no...sorry!

CDMA and GSM are totally different technologies—they are network technologies linked to each carrier here in the U.S.

T-Mobile and AT&T run on GSM networks. Sprint and Verizon run on CDMA technology.

The main difference is that a GSM phone will usually need a sim-card to be inserted to connect to the network. CDMA cell phones sometimes have the sim-card built in to them, but it all depends on the age and brand on the phone.

The general rule is that a CDMA phone wont work on a GSM network, and vice versa—they run on different frequencies. However, most new iPhones like the 8 and 8 Plus and some Google Nexus phones CAN run on both technologies. Before you switch, make sure you check whether your phone is compatible first. Most carriers will have an online compatibility checker which requires you to input your phone's identification number.

If you want to switch carrier and keep your phone, you can:

Lauren Hannula

Managing Editor

Lauren Hannula
Lauren is WhistleOut's Managing Editor. With over 14 years of digital writing and publishing experience, she's developed a passion for breaking down overly complex topics to offer easy, affordable solutions that help make the most of the tech you already have in your pocket. Her work has appeared in industry stalwarts such as CNET, Yahoo! News, and Forbes.

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