Looking for a cheaper plan or better coverage? Boost Mobile might be just the ticket. The MVNO offers great coverage on T-Mobile's network, plus a variety of budget-friendly plans to meet your needs.
Let's look at how to switch to Boost's network (without going into a Boost Mobile store), what plans you can find there, and some phone options if you're in the market for a new device.
How to switch to Boost Mobile
Before you switch to Boost Mobile, you’ll want to do a bit of prep work to make the transition as painless as possible.
- First, make sure Boost’s network coverage works in your favor. Boost Mobile piggybacks on the T-Mobile network, so you'll want to make sure you have strong Boost coverage in your area. You can check your home address and any areas that you frequent using our easy coverage availability tool.
- Next, decide whether you want to bring your own phone to Boost's network or purchase a new one. If you're planning on buying a new phone, switching to Boost is as simple as adding the phone and a Boost plan to your cart and *voila,* you're done. But bringing your phone and number with you requires a few more steps, which are outlined below.
- If you do plan on bringing your phone to Boost, make sure that it's both compatible with Boost’s network and unlocked from your current carrier network before you switch. We'll walk you through both of those processes in a moment.
- Gather all of your current account information, including your account number and billing info.
- Do not cancel your current phone plan yet! You'll want to keep it until you've fully activated your Boost plan on your phone (or received your new device).
- Purchase your preferred Boost plan and choose whether to port your old number or get a new one.
- When your SIM arrives, follow the prompts to activate your new Boost plan.
Now that we've gone through the high-level steps of how to switch to Boost, let's dive into the details of each of these processes.
Boost Mobile online vs. Boost Mobile stores
Boost Mobile is both an online carrier and owns over 1,500 physical stores. Once you've picked a plan and device, check for potential deals both online and in the brick-and-mortar stores. Sometimes Boost Mobile offers deals that are exclusively online or in-person.
Where is the Boost Mobile store near me? Check out the Boost Mobile store locator for every location across the nation.
How to bring your own phone to Boost Mobile
Bringing your own cell phone to Boost Mobile is a pretty straightforward process.
To bring your phone to Boost Mobile:
- Check your phone's compatibility with Boost Mobile using an IMEI/ESN check.
- Unlock your phone from your current carrier.
- Buy a phone plan from Boost Mobile.
- Install the Boost SIM card or connect with your device's eSIM.
- Activate the phone on the Boost Mobile network.
Checking your ESN/IMEI number
It's important to first make sure your phone make and model are compatible with Boost Mobile’s network. Otherwise, you'll need to be ready to buy a shiny new device when you switch.
Checking your phone's compatibility is both quick and easy. All you need to do is:
- Locate your device’s IMEI or ESN number by dialing *#06#.
- Visit Boost Mobile’s Bring Your Own Phone page.
- Input your IMEI/device ID number.
Boost will send a message stating whether you can use your phone on their network. If it can, you're set to bring your phone to Boost.
Unlocking your current phone
In the case of bringing your own phone, you’ll want to make sure your current device is unlocked before switching to Boost Mobile. Unlocking your phone is a pretty easy process—all you need to do is make sure you meet your current carrier’s unlock requirements. Each carrier has its own unique criteria, but they usually consist of some variation of the following:
- Specific tenure requirements with current device and carrier
- Account status in good standing and not delinquent
- Phone already paid in full (although, this is not always the case)
Your best bet for finding out carrier requirements is by visiting their website directly or contacting them through customer service. We’ve included a handful of unlocking guides below to help get you started:
Unlock requirements by carrier
Activating your phone with Boost
Once you've unlocked your phone, it's time to get a Boost SIM and activate it your device on Boost's network. Head to the carrier's Activation page and:
- Select “New Customer” from the dropdown menu at the top of the page.
- Pick “Use My Own Device with Boost Mobile SIM.”
- Choose whether you want to get a new number or port your old number.
- If you want to keep your phone number, you’ll need your old account information, such as your account number, PIN, and personal ID info.
- Add any additional lines, if you’re looking to purchase or transfer a family plan.
- Follow the remaining prompts, including picking your plan and any add-ons.
Remember that you’ll need a Boost Mobile SIM card before you can access the network. But this is taken care of during the activation process unless you already have a SIM kit on hand.
Once you've completed the steps above, Boost will send you an activation number, which you can use to check your activation status. You can also check by re-entering your ESN/IMEI in the status portal.
If you need help at any time, you can contact a live customer service rep to help walk you through the process.
Boost Mobile phones
While Boost Mobile’s phone selection caters to more affordable models, such as the Samsung Galaxy A03s and budget-friendly Galaxy S22 FE 5G, you can often find newer iPhone releases as well, like iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 series. Boost also often runs several in-store phone deals that can save you a pretty penny on some of the most sought-after devices.
Take a look at even more devices available from Boost below:
Moto G 5G (2026) 128GB
- 6.7 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 50MP, 2MP
- Front Camera: 32MP
Pixel 10a 128GB
- 6.3 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 48MP, 13MP
- Front Camera: 13MP
iPhone 17e 256GB
- 6.1 inch display
- Rear Camera: 48MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
iPhone 16 128GB
- 6.1 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 48MP, 12MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
Boost Mobile plans
Boost Mobile has a number of different plans to choose from, depending on your specific needs and preferences. On a strict budget? Their bite-sized 2GB plan is just /month, offering unlimited talk and text and just enough data to check emails and scroll the occasional social profile. Their brand new—and seriously affordable—$10 unlimited plan. Open to brand new customers only, you'll enjoy all the talk, text, and data you need, with 30GB of premium high-speed before any chance of deprioritization. For all of the bells and whistles, opt for Boost's $40 unlimited plan, which has 35GB of premium data and throws in a hefty 12GB mobile hotspot allowance.
Boost Mobile Unlimited Plan
| Carrier | Boost Mobile |
|---|---|
| Data | Unlimited Data |
| Type | No Contract |
| Current Deal | Get this Unlimited plan for only $10/mo. for the first 3 months of service with Boost Mobile! |
| Total Price |
$10 per month
with AutoPay
|
| View Details |
If you're switching the entire family to Boost, the carrier lets you mix and match any of its plans to create the perfect Boost family plan for you. Here's a round-up of the best Boost Mobile plans available right now:
|
#1
|
Boost Mobile
Unlimited Plan
$10.00/mo
with AutoPay
|
|
#2
|
Boost Mobile
Infinite Access for iPhone Plan
$65.00/mo
|
|
#3
|
Boost Mobile
Unlimited Premium Plan
$60.00/mo
with AutoPay
|
|
#4
|
Boost Mobile
Infinite Access for Galaxy Plan
$65.00/mo
|
|
#5
|
Boost Mobile
Unlimited+ Plan
$50.00/mo
with AutoPay
|
Why choose Boost Mobile?
Boost Mobile is a great alternative to some of the more expensive options from major carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. It offers enough plan versatility to cover most users, from heavy gamers to the occasional web browser. Formerly a Sprint MVNO, Boost also got a "boost" itself after moving to T-Mobile's network. The Un-carrier has historically beat Sprint in-network shootouts. Thanks to the T-Mobile/Sprint merger, you’ll be able to take advantage of Boost’s “Expanded Network” plans, giving you access to the the T-Mobile 4G LTE network and T-Mobile's 5G network, which is the largest in the nation. This means faster speeds, a stronger signal, and better coverage. You can also now make calls and use data at the same time.
That said, other MVNOs do offer competitive plans to Boost's, particularly in the unlimited data category. Both Visible (on Verizon’s network) and Mint Mobile (another T-Mobile MVNO) offer unlimited plans for cheaper. But where Boost Mobile really shines is its high-speed hotspot allotments—as much as 12GB/month on its top-tier unlimited plan, a major plus if you plan to use your hotspot for travel and work. Mint's top hotspot is 20GB/month and Visible's is unlimited, but speeds are capped at 5Mbps, 10Mbps, and 15Mbps depending on which plan you opt for.
If hotspot data isn't hugely important for you, though, a cheaper unlimited plan from another carrier might make more sense for you. Take a peek at some of the most popular offerings from other MVNOs find one that fits the bill.
|
#1
|
 100%
|
Plans from $25/mo
|
|
#2
|
 100%
|
Plans from $10/mo
|
|
#3
|
 65%
|
Plans from $10/mo
|
|
#4
|
 57%
|
Plans from $0/mo
|
|
#5
|
 23%
|
Plans from $15/mo+ $9.99 Upfront
|
|
#6
|
 23%
|
Plans from $8/mo
|
|
#7
|
 22%
|
Plans from $20/mo+ $20 Upfront
|
|
#8
|
 20%
|
Plans from $5/mo
|
|
#9
|
 18%
|
Plans from $20/mo
|
|
#10
|
 16%
|
Plans from $10/mo+ $4.99 Upfront
|
Switching to Boost Mobile: FAQs
Have more concerns about switching to Boost Mobile? Check out some of these frequently asked questions to help clear up any confusion.
What network does Boost Mobile operate on?
Boost Mobile operates on T-Mobile’s network.
What is an IMEI, ESN, or MEID number?
An IMEI, ESN, or MEID number is your phone's unique identification number. Just like your car has a VIN, your phone also has a number created by its manufacturer that helps carriers identify it and see its history. Whether your phone has an ESN, IMEI, or MEID usually depends on whether you originally purchased it through a carrier or directly from the manufacturer.
- IMEI: International Mobile Equipment Identity—often assigned to GSM carriers
- ESN: Electronic Serial Number—often found on unlocked phones purchased through the manufacturer
- MEID: Mobile Equipment ID—often assigned to CDMA carriers
Is my phone compatible with Boost?
Your phone might be compatible with Boost's network. The make, model, and year of your phone will determine if you can use it on Boost’s network. Most new devices have the functionality to allow for use with most SIM cards, but if you have an older, incompatible device, you may need to look into upgrading.
Boost Mobile’s IMEI checker on its website is your best bet for checking compatibility. The quickest way to find your phone’s IMEI number is to dial *#06# on your device.
How do I know if my phone is unlocked?
You can check whether your phone is unlocked via your account portal, or account app, depending on the carrier you’re with. This is usually done by logging in and navigating to the appropriate tab, although this process varies depending on your carrier. Alternatively, if you have a SIM card that is different from your phone’s original network/carrier, give that SIM card a whirl and check for coverage.
Do I have to change my phone number when I switch to Boost Mobile?
You don't have to change your phone number when you switch to Boost Mobile. So long as you have the right information (account number, SSN, etc.), you should be able to bring your number to Boost without issues. Of course, you can always request a new number from Boost Mobile when you switch, if you prefer.
Can I bring more than one phone when I switch?
You can bring more than one phone when you switch to Boost. Boost Mobile offers family plan alternatives if you’re looking to bring more than one line. You’ll also be saving a good amount of money in the long run.
Does Boost offer 5G coverage?
Yes, Boost Mobile offers 5G coverage through T-Mobile's best-in-class 5G network.
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