If you are using a phone promo on the free line that requires a port in, you MUST complete the port in by end of day TODAY, March 23rd.
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T-Mobile has updated the SOC list again to revert it back to an earlier version. It now includes more SOCs. The SOC image in the main post has been updated. -- Jman100
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To find your SOC code for your rate plan, you can call CS 611 and ask, or figure it out yourself:
- Install the Chrome extension: https://chrome.google.c
om/webstor...ldjho cmmpl - Add the Firefox extension: https://addons.mozilla.
org/en-US/...mo-helper/ - Go old school and sift through the web code: https://www.reddit.com/r/tmobile/...soc_codes/
SCFUTTBD: 10 lines
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|
For anyone looking to buy a iPhone 8 for the trade-in requirement for Tmobile's iPhone 12, the following are the different sources ranked from best to worst. Keep in mind the phone carrier doesn't matter for the trade-in, so it can be unlocked, AT&T, Verizon, T-mobile, anything. Phone must not have water damage, cracked screen, anything that could be perceived as a cracked screen, password lock, or icloud lock. Small dents, scratches, screen burn, and weak batteries are okay.
Trademore - iPhone 8 starting at $159 [trademore.com] Folks in the Cricket iPhone SE thread been trading their iPhone SE's for $200 Paypal from Trademore, so we know they are legit. They are also the trade-in inspector one of the cell carriers (Verizon or AT&T), so doubt they will sell anything that doesn't pass inspection. They will probably be your safest bet to acquire a good quality trade-in. Shipping is included in the price. Swappa - iPhone 8 starting at $158 [swappa.com] Swappa's policy is no junk, so you are covered if you receive something you can't trade in. That said, since everyone is a third party, you get a wide variety of prices and conditions. I have received cracked screens before, but the seller took it back immediately. Still, this may cause you to lose this Tmobile promotion. Shipping is included in the price. Local (Craigslist, Offerup, etc) Your experience will vary, and the onus is on you to validate the phone is ready for trade-in. You might score with a great deal, or you might get ripped off. Only go this route if you know how to inspect phones or you need the phone the same day. eBay [ebay.com] You will have to read each listing very carefully, since there are listings for cracked, water damaged, icloud locked, or otherwise untradeable phones. Returns policies also vary by seller. Unless you score an amazing deal on ebay, Trademore or Swappa are safer options. |


Top Comments
TMO doesn't want people doing what you're wanting to do.
To accomplish it, you would need to:
1. Add free line.
2. Wait a year + one day.
3. Port out paid line to another carrier.
4. Keep paid line active on another carrier for 90 days (to preserve number).
5. Port old number back in on free line.
This whole process has taken you 1.25 years.
I have 2 of my free lines in a iPad and a Samsung S4 tablet, with UNLIMITED data.
You have to call them and tell them you want to use the line (promo line) in a tablet but don't want to lose the promotion and you don't want to open a new line for this.
What they did for me, was block the phone service on the line and kept the messaging and data. That way I am able to use it in my tablet.
Every summer my daughter comes and visit from Germany. I take one of the sim card out of my tablet and put it in her phone..
I call T-Mobile and have them unblock the phone service. That way, my daughter has a phone while she is here in country.
When she leaves I call them back and get it blocked again. I have been doing this for close to 5 years. So I know for a fact it works.
Tomorrow I will be calling to try and get another free line.. (Fingers Crossed)
Hope this helps
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I first paid off my entire $425 balance on my A71 5g that is on 24-month EIP agreement that makes it free after monthly bill credits.
I then purchased iPhone 12 on EIP for 24 months on a new free line. The iPhone 12 will be free after 24 monthly bill credits. In the meantime, my account will continue receiving monthly bill credits for the a71 5g until that agreement is done, despite the fact I paid it off and traded it in.
I will give it 24/48hours and do some breathing exercises before getting a heart attack... ;-) And a drink. Puh, if this works this all be the last one, too much time involved with this.
Called yesterday as I was nervous and I guess the first agent mixed things up a bit but the new one tried to see what's happening there.
Account went from FRLTULF2 to FRLTULFM9. Agent said they were doing some "system updates" (yeah right, in the middle of a promotion) and could not do certain changes but will help get things right within 72h.
The promos resurfaced this morning and the new promo line appeared on the account. Feeling a bit better now. Lesson learned though: if this works out it was likely the last change I did to this account. Keeping fingers crossed and we will see 1-2 billing cycles forward what happened.
Doing a trade in with a phone or adding a simple line if you have enough lines left is one thing, but anything changing account settings/SOC codes is a gamble.
Or know where to get the least expensive phones from besides eBay Craigslist
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I first paid off my entire $425 balance on my A71 5g that is on 24-month EIP agreement that makes it free after monthly bill credits.
I then purchased iPhone 12 on EIP for 24 months on a new free line. The iPhone 12 will be free after 24 monthly bill credits. In the meantime, my account will continue receiving monthly bill credits for the a71 5g until that agreement is done, despite the fact I paid it off and traded it in.
Or know where to get the least expensive phones from besides eBay Craigslist
Sometimes I wonder how many times these phones get circulated because when you trade it in with TMO / Assurion etc. they resell it to some 3rd party vendor and it likely ends up back on ebay etc. but I have not heard anyone being rejected unless you trade in a broken phone not matching the requirements.
Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank ouloat
Or know where to get the least expensive phones from besides eBay Craigslist
Trademore - iPhone 8 starting at $159 [trademore.com]
Folks in the Cricket iPhone SE thread been trading their iPhone SE's for $200 Paypal from Trademore, so we know they are legit. They are also the trade-in inspector one of the cell carriers (Verizon or AT&T), so doubt they will sell anything that doesn't pass inspection. They will probably be your safest bet to acquire a good quality trade-in. Shipping is included in the price.
Swappa - iPhone 8 starting at $158 [swappa.com]
Swappa's policy is no junk, so you are covered if you receive something you can't trade in. That said, since everyone is a third party, you get a wide variety of prices and conditions. I have received cracked screens before, but the seller took it back immediately. Still, this may cause you to lose this Tmobile promotion. Shipping is included in the price.
Local (Craigslist, Offerup, etc)
Your experience will vary, and the onus is on you to validate the phone is ready for trade-in. You might score with a great deal, or you might get ripped off. Only go this route if you know how to inspect phones or you need the phone the same day.
eBay [ebay.com]
You will have to read each listing very carefully, since there are listings for cracked, water damaged, icloud locked, or otherwise untradeable phones. Returns policies also vary by seller. Unless you score an amazing deal on ebay, Trademore or Swappa are safer options.
I wouldn't take risk so I rather bought the Visible porting# from someone for 5 Amazon GC and went ahead.
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