Can you get a cell phone without a plan?
Matthew Harrington
Updated on January 22, 2026
Most carriers now sell a no-contract option, either with our without a payment plan. While most unlocked phones are also no-contract, it’s common enough that one carrier will sell the phone exclusively (not other carrier store stocks it), but you’re often able to buy the phone from the manufacturer as well.
Can I just buy a phone from T Mobile without a plan?
Yes, you can buy phones from T-Mobile without a plan.
Is it better to buy a phone without a plan?
‘You’ll essentially pay more to use your phone over that period. While buying your phone outright does mean you’d incur a higher upfront cost, Attrill points out you’d have the freedom to shop around between telco providers for SIM-only plans that give you better value for money.
Can you buy a phone without a carrier?
On the other hand, unlocked phones are devices you buy without a carrier involved in any way. This could be buying directly from the manufacturer or through a third-party retailer (such as Amazon). Unlocked phones usually come with no SIM card and no prerequisite to sign up with service for any particular carrier.
Can I just buy a phone and put my SIM card in it?
In general yes. In most cases, you can take a SIM card out of one phone and put it into another, and the new phone will work for calls and texts like the original one had. However, this can depend on the exact model of the phones, the way your phone company authenticates devices, and if the phones are locked.
How can I get a phone with no money?
8 Places to Get a Free Cell Phone
- SNAP (formerly known as food stamps)
- Medicaid.
- Supplemental Security Income.
- Federal Public Housing Assistance.
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit.
- Tribal Programs (for residents of federally-recognized Tribal lands)
What carrier is giving free iPhones?
Verizon Is Finally Giving Away iPhones to Win Over 5G Customers.
Can you get a basic phone with no Internet?
Most basic phones have no internet access and no camera. It’s your money, so you shouldn’t have to buy services or plan add-ons you don’t want or use. Switching from a smartphone to a basic phone can reduce your cell phone bill by 25% if not more.
What kind of cell phone can I get for free from the government?
If you don’t quite qualify for a free government cell phone, you can always think about purchasing a cheap smartphone instead. There are actually quite a few inexpensive smartphones out there, and these are our favorites. One of the cheapest smartphones on the market is the Samsung Galaxy J3 (3rd Gen).
Where can I get a cell phone plan without a credit check?
Fortunately, only the main account holder needs to pass a credit check, so your credit score won’t matter. Choose someone with strong credit to open the account. You can check your credit score by using a free service such as Credit.com. You can also buy your FICO score from myfico.com. [2] Compare providers.
What can I do with my cell phone without a phone number?
Go the Facebook way! You can continue Tweeting without a phone number. You can create a Twitter account and verify it via email as long as you are using Wi-Fi. Google’s Allo can send texts and picture messages, and for voice calls there is Google Voice. It allows users to make calls over the Internet.
