POLICY CHANGE UPDATE (Effective April 1, 2025): DEVICES NOW REQUIRE 60 DAYS OF PAID SERVICE, MEANING ANY PLAN MUST EXTEND INTO THE SECOND MONTH. THIS RESULTS IN ( CHEAPEST OPTION ) A $35 PLAN FOR THE SECOND MONTH WITH AUTO-PAY, RAISING THE TOTAL COST FROM $50 TO $85.
I strongly encourage everyone to file a complaint at this link if you want the company to uphold its previous policy:
https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us/articles/360001201223-Phone-Form-Descriptions-of-Complaint-Issues
Get a free device with a Total 5G plan or higher. Port in a number from another carrier and verify your ID. Offer's only online or at Total Wireless stores. Max two devices per account. No contract—unlocks after 60 days with one month of service. ( EDIT - REQUIRES 60 DAYS OF SERVICE FROM 1 APRIL 2025 DUE TO POLICY SHIFT)
https://www.totalwireless.com/sma..._25_152198
Step-by-Step Guide to Get a Free Device:
1. Go to the deal page or visit a Total Wireless store, as this offer is available exclusively online and in-store.
2. Choose the payment option labeled "Free device when you select Total 5G or Total 5G Plus plan."
Requirement: The device requires activation on a Total 5G plan or higher.
3. Scroll down to the section where you can input a phone number to port in with Total.
• Important: The number must be an external port-in (from another carrier) and requires OTP verification.
• You'll receive an OTP (one-time password) to verify the number. Not all inactive numbers from providers will receive an OTP, so choose a number that can actively receive one.
Tip for Getting a Free Number
• Search Google for "free SIM trials" and select a provider (other than Verizon network ) offering a trial with a new number. You can Use this free trial number to receive the OTP and complete the port-in process.
4. Verify your ID with Document & Face Recognition.
5. Plan Pricing Details ( Only one required )
• Total 5G Unlimited Plan: With AutoPay: $50/month Without AutoPay: $55/month
• Total 5G Plus Unlimited Plan: With AutoPay: $60/month Without AutoPay: $65/month
• Pro Tip: You can select the $50 AutoPay option during ordering and cancel AutoPay later after receiving the device— no issues reported.
Terms
• Limited to two devices per account.
No contract required; the device unlocks in 60 days after only one month of plan activation. Keep number active in device till 60 days.
86 Comments
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I need a T-Mobile device and a 60-day unlock wait is a lot more reasonable than Metro's one year unlock period.
edit: Total shows the phone as free with a port in and qualifying plan. Is the cheapest plan $55? OP, I'd recommend clarifying the actual cost breakdown in your post.
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Secondly even if we assume that total and veriff are the most ethical organizations and take their word for deleting the information an/or protecting it from leak, still it should be used wisely as they can still share the data across mnvos and restrict purchases of devices and plans, or potentially share it with the govt or other authorities, hypothetically.
Having said that I would still do a deal (once in a while) with total for a potentially better deal like an iPhone 16e for $360+tax (a couple of weeks back) rather than waste the chance on cheaper phones.
Again that's just me, others may disagree.
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Secondly even if we assume that total and veriff are the most ethical organizations and take their word for deleting the information an/or protecting it from leak, still it should be used wisely as they can still share the data across mnvos and restrict purchases of devices and plans, or potentially share it with the govt or other authorities, hypothetically.
Having said that I would still do a deal (once in a while) with total for a potentially better deal like an iPhone 16e for $360+tax (a couple of weeks back) rather than waste the chance on cheaper phones.
Again that's just me, others may disagree.
Straight Talk often has similar discounted price deals without the id verification requirement (they also had the iPhone 16e deal).
Straight Talk often has similar discounted price deals without the id verification requirement (they also had the iPhone 16e deal).
Yes agreed ... And that's what I do exclusively and as a first preference, always straight talk but sometimes total has better deals.
Examples:
1. Moto edge 2024 it needed only a month of $55 or $60 plan compared to ST where a 3 months service was required to get the phone for free.
2. Similarly iPhone 14 plus 128gb was recently available for $199+plan on Total exclusively.
3. Another example, iPhone se3 64 new is available for $75 with total whereas ST charged the same amount for a reconditioned/used iPhone se3.
Of course there could be counter examples as well which I missed but mostly total deals have been better value overall but with (shady) id verification
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I need a T-Mobile device and a 60-day unlock wait is a lot more reasonable than Metro's one year unlock period.
edit: Total shows the phone as free with a port in and qualifying plan. Is the cheapest plan $55? OP, I'd recommend clarifying the actual cost breakdown in your post.
The cheapest required plan is $55 without autopay, but you can get it for $50 with autopay.
Yes , third party ID verification is required.
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If it's not working, sign up for the Google Fi 7-day trial and select that number to port in. Once the Fi trial is activated, disable auto-pay before completing the porting process.
But man it's big. I looked at trade in value because I really prefer something smaller, and it is valued at $18 at ecoATM, which is the only service I have found that will even take this on trade in. Just something to consider if you like to trade phones in or prefer a smaller phone. Otherwise, no real complaints.
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Secondly even if we assume that total and veriff are the most ethical organizations and take their word for deleting the information an/or protecting it from leak, still it should be used wisely as they can still share the data across mnvos and restrict purchases of devices and plans, or potentially share it with the govt or other authorities, hypothetically.
Having said that I would still do a deal (once in a while) with total for a potentially better deal like an iPhone 16e for $360+tax (a couple of weeks back) rather than waste the chance on cheaper phones.
Again that's just me, others may disagree.