T-Mobile Test Drive: Try Before You Buy

Tyler Abbott Contributing Writer

Updated 03 October 2024

In this Guide

T-Mobile Test Drive details
T-Mobile Test Drive for older devices
Test Drive duration
Test Drive limitations
T-Mobile cell phone plans

T-Mobile's Test Drive feature allows you to try out T-Mobile's network for free. It works with T-Mobile's mobile plans and its mobile hotspot feature. The trial can be used with both eSIM technology and regular SIM cards. If you have a new phone with eSIM capabilities, you can simply download an app and start using T-Mobile for free.

Test Drive allows users to try out a cell phone plan or mobile hotspot for 30 days before committing to a long-term plan. Customers can use T-Mobile for a month and discover firsthand how the service performs and whether it's an improvement over their current carrier.

Here are all the details you need to know about T-Mobile's new Test Drive program.

T-Mobile Test Drive Details

To try out T-Mobile's network for free, you'll need an iPhone or Android that offers eSIM compatibility. Every iPhone since the iPhone XS supports eSIM technology, which allows you to access a network without having to physically insert a SIM card in your phone.

If you have a compatible device, all you need to do is download the T-Mobile Network Test Drive iOS app to get started. This is what the Test Drive app will look like when you search in the app store:

Finding T-Mobile Test Drive on iOS App Store

Once you download the app, it will automatically check for phone compatibility and begin walking you through the setup process. You'll need a T-Mobile account and you'll be asked whether you access your current wireless network via an eSIM or a physical SIM card. You can only use the T-Mobile Test Drive app if you're not already using an eSIM connection for your current wireless network. So, if you have a physical SIM card inserted into your phone, you shouldn't have a problem using your eSIM to connect to T-Mobile's Test Drive network.

After that hurdle, everything gets easier as you enter basic information, like your name, email, and phone number. When you finish that process, your phone will be connected to T-Mobile's network.

You can access 5G speeds while using the free trial

If you have a 5G-compatible phone, then you can also try out T-Mobile's 5G speeds. Since 5G is still early in its rollout, it's nice that you confirm whether or not you get 5G speeds in your neighborhood before committing to T-Mobile. If you find that your data speeds feel way quicker while using T-Mobile's Test Drive program, that's an easy indication that it's probably worth switching to a T-Mobile 5G plan.

T-Mobile Test Drive for Older Devices

If you have an older device that isn't compatible with eSIM technology, or your phone is already using your eSIM port, you can still take advantage of the Test Drive program. Instead of using an app to facilitate the free trial, T-Mobile will send you a Test Drive device that allows you to make a hotspot connection from your home. You'll connect to the hotspot like it's a Wi-Fi signal, and then you can test out your T-Mobile service from home. The downside, of course, is that you'll need to bring the device with you to stay connected to the network.

Here's the steps to set up T-Mobile Test Drive for older devices:

Register online at T-Mobile's website.
Fill out the form at the bottom of the page that asks for basic info.
Watch for an email when your Test Drive device and SIM ship.
Follow the included guide to insert the T-Mobile SIM card and set up the Test Drive device.
When the free trial ends, you can either return the device to a T-Mobile store or give it to a friend to try out.

T-Mobile Test Drive Duration

Your T-Mobile hotspot free trial period will either last 30 days or 30GB of data usage, whichever comes first. During your test drive, you are encouraged to stream, game, and browse online from a variety of locations to properly test out the service. If you end up using 30GB worth of data before the 30-day period ends, your Test Drive will automatically end.

For mobile phones, T-Mobile is currently offering a 3-month free trial of its 5G network. You'll have 50GB of priority data during the trial period. If you exceed that allotment, you'll have reduced data speeds till the end of the trial.

T-Mobile Test Drive Limitations

There are a couple of rules to know about the Test Drive program before you sign up.

T-Mobile, Sprint, Metro by T-Mobile, and other customers who currently use MVNOs on T-Mobile's network will not be eligible for the Test Drive program.
Test Drive can only be used once and are limited to one customer per household.
Test Drive devices can't be sent to PO boxes or FPO/APO addresses.
Your phone needs to be unlocked to participate in the program.

T-Mobile Cell Phone Plans

If the free trial is a success and you've found that T-Mobile's network performs better than whatever you were using previously, you've got a couple of different cell phone plans to choose from. Here are the most popular T-Mobile cell phone plans:

#1	T-Mobile	T-Mobile Essentials Saver Unlimited Unlimited 5G & 4G LTE with 50GB of Premium Data T-Mobile 5G Network in select areas with compatible devices Unlimited mobile hotspot data Deal: Get up to $800 via virtual prepaid MasterCard when you bring an eligible phone, activate a new line on select plans and port-in your number and switch from select carriers $50.00/mo with Auto-Pay - Taxes & Fees NOT included View Plan	$50.00/mo with Auto-Pay - Taxes & Fees NOT included	View Plan
#2	T-Mobile	T-Mobile Experience More Unlimited Unlimited 5G & 4G LTE with Unlimited Premium Data T-Mobile 5G Network in select areas with compatible devices Unlimited mobile hotspot data $85.00/mo with Auto-Pay + Taxes and fees View Plan	$85.00/mo with Auto-Pay + Taxes and fees	View Plan
#3	T-Mobile	T-Mobile Experience Beyond Unlimited Unlimited 5G & 4G LTE with Unlimited Premium Data T-Mobile 5G Network in select areas with compatible devices Unlimited mobile hotspot data $100.00/mo with Auto-Pay + Taxes and fees View Plan	$100.00/mo with Auto-Pay + Taxes and fees	View Plan
#4	T-Mobile	T-Mobile Essentials Unlimited Unlimited 5G & 4G LTE with 50GB of Premium Data T-Mobile 5G Network in select areas with compatible devices 3GB mobile hotspot data Deal: Get up to $800 via virtual prepaid MasterCard when you bring an eligible phone, activate a new line on select plans and port-in your number and switch from select carriers $60.00/mo with Auto-Pay - Taxes & Fees NOT included View Plan	$60.00/mo with Auto-Pay - Taxes & Fees NOT included	View Plan
#5	T-Mobile	T-Mobile Go5G Plus Unlimited Unlimited 5G & 4G LTE with Unlimited Premium Data T-Mobile 5G Network in select areas with compatible devices Unlimited mobile hotspot data Deal: Get up to $800 via virtual prepaid MasterCard when you bring an eligible phone, activate a new line on select plans and port-in your number and switch from select carriers $90.00/mo with Auto-Pay - Taxes & Fees included View Plan	$90.00/mo with Auto-Pay - Taxes & Fees included	View Plan

T-Mobile alternatives

If you discover you like T-Mobile's network, you don't have to buy an expensive plan from T-Mobile to get access to it. Smaller carriers called MVNOs offer access to larger carrier networks at a fraction of the cost. MVNOs with access to T-Mobile's network include Mint Mobile and Red Pocket.

Mint Mobile offers four data plans on T-Mobile's network. One of the most popular is the Mint Unlimited plan. Starting at $30/month, it includes 40GB of priority data and a 10GB mobile hotspot. If you exceed that allotment, you'll have lower speeds for the remainder of the month.

Carrier	Mint Mobile
Data	Unlimited Data
Type	No Contract
Current Deal	Get this plan for just $25/mo. when you switch to Mint Mobile using promo code 15OFF at checkout. Upfront payment required
Total Price	$25 per month $75.00 upfront payment for 3 months (equals to $25.00/month). Intro pricing for new customers only.
	View Plan

17 Phones Available

Red Pocket offers several plans and has service on the T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T networks. You can snag an Unlimited Monthly Plan for $40/month. It includes unlimited data with 30GB of premium data and mobile hotspot capability.

Tyler Abbott

Contributing Writer

Tyler is a Contributing Writer who's always on the lookout for the best wireless tech so he can watch all the sports and still have enough time to hang out with his baby. He has written about streaming, wireless, and TV for over three years.

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