Visible is a provider that is owned by Verizon and running on their network. It offers three simple unlimited plans with all fees and taxes baked into the price.
If your goal is to save money on your cell phone plan while keeping Verizon's coverage, your best bet might be switching to a new Visible plan.
The switching process is easy and you may even snag a new-customer discount. While you can purchase a new phone when you switch to Visible, many customers bring their own phone for even more savings. As long as your device is unlocked, there's a good chance it will work on the Visible network.
Find out all you need to know about switching to Visible and bringing your own phone.
T-Mobile customers: Switch to Visible for $15/month
- Visible is offering its base unlimited plan for $15/month per line, with pricing locked in for five years
- Only customers switching from T-Mobile are eligible for this promotion
- T-Mobile switchers could save up to $85/month, equaling $5,100 over five years
- Browse Visible plans and use code BYEBYETMO to get the discount.
How to switch to Visible
One of the best ways to save when switching carriers is by bringing your own phone to their plan. Visible by Verizon allows you to bring your old phone and number to its services, but you'll need to follow a few simple steps before switching.
How to switch to Visible and bring your own phone
To switch to Visible and bring your own phone follow these steps:
- Check your phone's compatibility on the Visible network.
- Unlock your device from your current carrier.
- Purchase a new Visible plan and select to port your current number.
- Install the Visible SIM card into your device.
- Activate your Visible coverage.
- Cancel your old phone plan.
Don't worry if any of these steps sound complicated! We've gone into greater detail below on checking your device compatibility, unlocking your phone, and picking a new Visible plan. If you have questions about SIM cards or device activations, check out our SIM card guide.
Visible phone compatibility
The first thing you need to do before switching is make sure your device is compatible with the Visible network. The easiest way to do this is by using the Visible compatibility checker and entering your IMEI.
Most newer smartphones will work on Visible's network. That said, you'll need a device with 5G capability if you want access to 5G speeds. Visible offers both physical SIM cards and eSIM.
Bring your Verizon phone to Visible
Pro tip: Remember that Visible's coverage operates on the Verizon network. If you're currently a Verizon customer, your device is probably compatible with Visible.
It's easier to switch from Verizon to Visible than many other carriers. All Verizon devices are automatically unlocked after 60 days of purchase. However, even though Verizon owns Visible, they are not the same carriers. You'll still need to completely pay off your phone with Verizon before you can switch.
You'll also need to get a code from Verizon to port your number over to Visible.
Unlock your phone before switching
The next step for bringing your phone to Visible is getting your phone unlocked. Some carriers like Verizon and T-Mobile will automatically do this for you if you meet certain conditions. Other carriers, like AT&T, will make you do a little work to get your phone unlocked.
In most cases, carriers will unlock your device if you meet the following requirements:
- Your phone must be fully paid off
- You must be current on all bills with your carrier
- Your phone is not reported lost or stolen
- Your phone has been active with the carrier for a certain amount of time
Carriers should have their unlocking policies posted on their website. It's a good idea to check with them to make sure you meet all the necessary requirements to get your phone unlocked.
Once your phone is eligible, you may still need to contact your carrier's customer service and ask them to unlock it. Some carriers allow you to unlock your phone through their app or send in the request online.
Phones compatible with Visible
You don't have to bring your own phone in order to switch to Visible. Visible has its own online store selling compatible devices. You can find Visible deals on certain devices or even pre-owned smartphones for a lower cost. If you're lucky, Visible might even pay you to switch.
Check out some of the most popular compatible devices below:
Financing a phone through Visible
Unlike larger carriers, Visible doesn't finance phones directly through its store. Instead, financing for Visible phones is available through their partnership with Affirm.
Affirm is a third-party financier that offers monthly payment plans for phones. Your individual offer may include interest and is based on your credit history.
Visible cell phone plans
Perhaps the easiest part about switching to Visible is picking a plan. Visible sells three unlimited plans, all of which are pretty darn similar.
You can see how each plan compares in the table below:
Visible unlimited plans
Verizon 5G network| Visible | Visible+ | Visible+ Pro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $25/mo. | $35/mo. | $45/mo. |
| High-speed data | Unlimited (subject to deprioritization) |
Unlimited premium | Unlimited premium |
| Mobile hotspot | Unlimited (5Mbps speed cap) |
Unlimited (10Mbps speed cap) |
Unlimited (15Mbps speed cap) |
| 5G access | Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband | Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband | |
| Canada and Mexico | Unlimited talk & text |
Unlimited talk & text, 2GB/day roaming data |
Unlimited talk & text, 2GB/day roaming data |
| Shop plan | Shop plan | Shop plan |
The Visible+ Pro plan also includes extra international perks like unlimited calling to 30+ countries, unlimited texting to 200+ countries, and one free Global Pass day per month. You get smartwatch service, too.
For most customers, the Visible plan is a great option. It includes unlimited data on Verizon's 5G network that can only slow down during periods of network congestion. Plus, there's an unlimited mobile hotspot with speeds capped at 5Mbps. That's fast enough for most basic web browsing tasks.
If you need priority data (which doesn't slow down) or a faster mobile hotspot, the Visible+ or Visible+ Pro plan is a solid option too. Although it's more expensive than the standard Visible plan, it includes enough priority high-speed data and mobile hotspot speeds to keep heavy data users happy.
Why switch to Visible?
Visible is one of our favorite Verizon MVNOs. It offers Verizon coverage and unlimited plans starting at just $25/month. That's a tough offer to beat. Plus, Verizon's 4G LTE network is the largest in the nation. Its 5G network, while small, is incredibly fast.
Visible also offers incredible options with its plans you won't find from many other smaller carriers, like its unlimited mobile hotspot allotments. While the hotspot speeds are throttled, they're still fast enough for average internet tasks like browsing or standard-definition streaming.
For most average customers, switching to Visible is a great way to get the Verizon service you like at a price you'll love.
Max McCaskill
Sr. Staff Writer