Screenshots from today's (1/11) email:
Helium Mobile Zero Plan will end on June 11, 2026
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Quote
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We have some important news to share regarding your Zero Plan.We've made the difficult decision to sunset the Zero Plan on June 11, 2026. The Zero Plan gave thousands of people free wireless service and helped build the fastest-growing, people-powered wireless network in the US. While we were able to offer this plan for a while, it's not sustainable long term. We're incredibly grateful to everyone who joined and gave us a chance. By focusing on our paid plans, we can invest in a better experience and stronger coverage for subscribers. If you take no action, you'll be automatically upgraded to the $15/month Air Plan on June 11. What This Means for You You can upgrade to the Air Plan ($15/mo) or Infinity Plan ($30/mo) on your own through the Helium Mobile App anytime before June 11. If you choose to leave Helium Mobile, you can cancel your plan and transfer your number to another carrier by going through the in-app cancellation flow. |
Top Comments
I bring this up because some of us would be on this plan only for a backup phone not normally used (like me).
So here is my first month of experiencing this new requirement.
The first couple of months on the plan I've had the phone not using it at all with location services on.
Once I started with this new twist I have no idea how but with virtually no use my data usage in the app states I've used 2.3GB out of 3. But I cannot get data to work now. I contacted them and they claim I ran out of data. But the meter has said 2.3GB usage for 2 weeks. It never updated higher and I do not use the phone. Plus I keep wifi on except for the first day, in order to use some data for only a few minutes.
So something is not jiving. They claim the stats may not be up to date, but they def should have been reflected properly by now (I would expect). Since I have no prior data usage, maybe they just have a bad tracking system...
Meanwhile they sent me 2 emails warning me no data was used and I needed to use data or I would lose the plan. When I inquired about these warnings each time, they claimed they were just sent in error the first time and they not only claimed the same thing the second time, but they also said they sent the same warning to everyone on the zero plan in error.
I find that very hard to believe.
So time will tell whether my data works properly or at all in my next cycle (when I should be replenished to 3GB available again). Or if my account gets canceled due to not using data, even though the CSR said I used all of my 3GB.
With the way things went this month, I feel like anything could happen, including losing my account and having to start all over with a new number.
If anyone has had weird stuff happening like this (under the new data usage requirement) please chime in.
From heliummobile.statuspage.io
Update - We are continuing to work on a fix for this issue.
Oct 23, 2025 - 15:29 PDT
Identified - Physical SIM cards are temporarily unavailable to order for Zero Plan activations. eSIMs are still available for all subscribers. Paid plan orders are not affected.
We are working to restock availability as soon as possible.
Oct 23, 2025 - 12:49 PDT
Tuesday Nov. 11 UPDATE: At about 6:00pm ET Helium sent me an email stating, "Incident Resolved...Physical SIM cards are now available again. Thank you for your patience." My wife ordered a SIM and received confirmation number/email.
Community Reviews
Helium Mobile Zero is a free 3GB plan that works best as a backup or secondary line on T-Mobile coverage, with easy eSIM activation on supported phones and a $5 unlimited talk and text add-on. The plan can handle basic use, verification texts, maps, music, and even overseas service for some setups, and the app can usually be removed after activation. The main friction is the signup process, which often asks for government ID or a face scan, and physical SIM stock has been spotty. Recent comments also flag usage tracking quirks, hard data limits, and new taxes and fees that make the plan less straightforward than it first appears.
The Zero plan can work as a primary line on T-Mobile coverage, including receiving verification texts while traveling in Europe.
The signup and eSIM activation flow can be fast on some phones, with instant activation after approval when using eSIM.
The plan can be useful on a spare or secondary phone, where 3GB per month supports streaming music and Google Maps commute traffic.
The Zero plan no longer requires app-based location sharing, so location can be kept off while the service still gets location data via tower triangulation.
Physical SIM availability can be temporarily unavailable, which can block ordering even when an account is created.
Data usage tracking can be inconsistent, including cases where the app shows high usage while data fails to work and support claims the account ran out.
Identity verification requirements can prevent activation, including cases where account creation is blocked or the ID/selfie step fails.
The plan's "free" status has changed, with reports that it will no longer be free as of January 27, 2026 and that taxes and fees may apply.
Common Questions (6)
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340 Comments
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Otherwise, people would start reselling them
Btw, there is an add-on now to have unlimited talk&text for $5/m.
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The Helium paid plans though are severely lacking though compared to other T-Mobile MVNO's.
Also if you want to switch device to device, you have to contact Helium support which can take 5-24 hours for a response.
I understood the pSIM is out of stock, but I can wait.
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If you can think of a better method to prevent individuals from exploiting and creating multiple free accounts / numbers. Feel free to share your insight on a different way to validate the service offered.
Are they just collecting users info and selling it off?
Force users into a monthly fee a year later or a large port out if they don't wanna stay?
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Are they just collecting users info and selling it off?
Force users into a monthly fee a year later or a large port out if they don't wanna stay?
Join The Conversation
Share your experience with the Slickdeals community
Share information with the community. Please follow our Community Guidelines and be kind!