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Tips for Porting out of T-Mobile (mid-May 2025)

T-Mobile raised prices on their "uncarrier” plans that, in plain language, originally claimed prices would never increase. So as T-Mobile is now like any other carrier, I transferred our lines to US Mobile.

Rather than tediously explain my decision, I’ll offer some tips to port your lines to US Mobile, and probably any other carrier. The instructions below may seem daunting, but it really is easy provided you can convince T-Mobile’s account website to give you a port out PIN.

I apologize that I can’t give specific page names as T-Mobile disables your account soon as the primary line is ported over. This is why you must first start with a non-primary line (if you have one).

As of 5/17/2025, using eSims:

  1. Update your phones to the latest operating system
  2. Log-in to your primary T-Mobile account however you like
  3. Disable all SIM Protection features for all lines under Line Settings or Security (I forget where exactly). You should be able to toggle both lines off on the same page
  4. ALSO Remove SIM Protection from your line feature add-ons. This is the page where you can buy new add-ons, but instead you’re just removing the add-on. You must do this line by line
  5. Confirm your phones are unlocked. If T-Mobile does not have a status, they are likely unlocked. Call if you’re unsure but don’t let them send you to customer retention. If they ask, just say you’re thinking of selling your phone
  6. Log-out of the T-Mobile account
  7. To request a temporary port out PIN using your Primary account phone:
    1. Turn off wifi. Using Cellular data on your primary account phone, log-in to your T-Mobile account
    2. Using the upper right search box, type in Port Out
    3. Tap on the first result for Port Out PIN. The website should attempt to authenticate that you’re using your primary account device. If it fails authentication, log-out, toggle Airplane mode on and off, turn off wifi, and try logging in again and repeat the above. This was the most frustrating part: their help is out of date or they purposefully removed port out PIN from line settings. Last resort, to save frustration from boiling over, you may need to call them. Just tell them you’re moving to another country and that should prevent customer retention maneuvers. While you’re on the phone, check your device lock statuses
    4. Write down your Port Out PIN. This PIN is for all lines on your account
    5. Write down your T-Mobile account number
  8. Transfer your non-primary line first, then lastly your primary account line:
    1. At US Mobile or your new carrier, check-out and begin activating/porting the secondary or non-primary line. Take note if you’re signing up for Dark Star (AT&T), Warp (Verizon) or Lightspeed (T-Mobile)
      1. If you text with Android people, you’ll want RCS. So choose Dark Star
    2. You’ll need to enter your T-Mobile account number and the port out PIN
    3. Eventually your new carrier will issue an eSim QR code to your email and/or account line settings
    4. Your secondary line must be on Wifi
    5. You should wait until your phone goes into SOS mode or no longer has a signal. That will indicate that T-Mobile as disabled your eSim
    6. Your secondary line will be removed from the T-Mobile account
    7. From the secondary phone line, scan the eSim QR code or, if you have it on your phone, long-press and tap Install eSim
    8. Follow the prompts
    9. It’ll take a minute or two
    10. If your T-Mobile eSim was disabled before you installed the new eSim, then you should be good to go. Now port your primary line as you did the secondary
    11. If your T-Mobile eSim was not disabled before you installed the new eSim, you may need to go into your phone’s Cellular settings and swap your eSim to the new one
    12. If you’re using US Mobile, I suggest that you install their Cellular profile for a better experience. You’ll need to know if you’re using Dark Star, Warp, or Light Speed
    13. Once your primary line is ported from T-Mobile, you’ll no longer be able to log-in to T-Mobile
    14. You can then delete the disabled old eSim under Cellular settings
    15. Be sure to call your own phone number from your phone to set up your voicemail
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Bruce Lee Memorial in Chinatown, San Francisco A black and white photo: a group of people stand in front of a mural depicting Bruce Lee’s face and a dragon showing its tongue on a brick wall behind a Chinatown bakery. The mural is partially obscured by the crowd listening to a tour guide. A sign for Commercial Street is visible behind the crowd. The photo is soft.

#BruceLee #StreetArt #ChinaTown #SanFrancisco #StreetPhotography #BlackAndWhite #Fujifilm #SOoC

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The Northern Mockingbird pair are mostly absent from their nest. I guess the ambient temperature is warm enough that they don’t feel the need to lay on the eggs?

Three Northern Mockingbird eggs with a rust red speckle on a green shell rests in a cozy nest. The nest is in a grapevine. It is shaded by grape leaves, and sunlight is trying stream through.

#NestWatch #Nest #NorthernMockingbird #Birds #Fujifilm #SOoC

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First year our milkweed has bloomed!

#Milkweed #BloomScrolling #Yarden #Fujifilm #SOoCA close-up of pale pink and white Milkweed flowers with green leaves in the background. The flowers have a star-like shape and clustered arrangement.

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These compound eyes! Close-up of a western black horsefly with detailed compound eyes and a hairy body, resting on a surface.

#WesternBlackHorsefly #Insect #InsectPhotography #Fujifilm #SOoC

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This Western Black Horsefly rested in our front yard this morning #WesternBlackHorsefly #Insect #InsectPhotography #Fujifilm #SOoCA large western black horsefly is sunning on a light-colored surface. It has a dark brown fuzzy body with lighter color outlining its head.

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This morning in California after the rain #CaWx #California A serene landscape featuring a field of tall, golden grass under a clear blue sky. The sun is rising on the horizon, casting a warm glow across the scene. Distant towering clouds can be seen at the horizon. Tree branches frame the image from the top.

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There are at least two Northern Mockingbird eggs in the nest! The momma bird went off for a snack & I carefully took a brief look. #NestWatch

#NorthernMockingbird #Birds #Nest #Fujifilm #SOoC A Northern Mockingbird's nest with a few rust red speckled eggs inside, surrounded by green grape leaves and branches. The sun shines brightly through the wide leaves.

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#PrairieCreekRedwoodsSP #California #SilentSunday Sunlight filters through towering conifer trees in a lush, green coastal rain forest.

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June 2022: Narrow-gauge steam train from Kurort Oybin to Teufelsmühle (south of Zittau) A vintage black steam locomotive on narrow gage railway tracks at a station in Kurort Oybin. A person in uniform walks along the platform. Surrounding landscape includes lush green trees and hills under a cloudy sky.

A group of people rides on an open-air vintage steam train through a lush, green forest. The train is producing smoke, and passengers are seated on wooden benches. Sunlight filters through the trees, creating a serene and picturesque scene.

A vintage black steam locomotive with a visible headlight and exhaust pipes, photographed from a low angle against a backdrop of trees and blue sky. The station is Olbersdorf.

#NationalTrainDay #NarrowGaugeTrain #Fujifilm #SOoC

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Our (male?) Northern Mockingbird is still actively inspecting and improving the nest in our grapes just outside our glass slider door. I think they’ve partnered up so perhaps the nest will be fully occupied soon! #NestWatch #NorthernMockingbird #Birds #BirdPhotography #FujifilmA Northern Mockingbird is sitting in a nest surrounded by green leaves and branches. It has an outstretched neck to peak out while its tail is almost straight up. It is surrounded by grape leaves and vines.

A Northern Mockingbird stands on a nest, tail at a 45° angle, surrounded by lush green grape leaves and vines. It is clearly getting ready to fly off

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Double-crested Cormorant flying very low over the San Francisco Bay at Anza Fisherman’s Park #DoubleCrestedCormorant #Birds #BirdPhotography #SanFrancisco #Fujifilm #SOoC A double crested cormorant flying low over the San Francisco Bay, with its wings spread and reflections visible on the surface. It has a lower beak that is orange, grey wings, and a black head and back.

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A foraging Bewick’s Wren A small Wren, poking its beak about a piece of dead wood, is well camouflaged among dense tree branches. #Wrensday #Birds #BirdPhotography #SacramentoWildlifeRefuge #Fujifilm

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A claw machine house on Grant Avenue in San Francisco #BlackAndWhite #SanFrancisco #Photography #Fujifilm #SOoCIn black and white, a person stands alone in a nearly empty room with walls on both sides covered in claw games. They’re gazing at the LED bedazzled claw machines under harsh fluorescent lights on a reflective faux wood floor. There’s an odd mural and a closed door on the bare far wall. A security camera fixed to the ceiling is sentinel.

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A Northern Mockingbird has decided to build a nest on the grape vines growing under the outer edge of our patio cover. We’ll try to accommodate A mockingbird bird is nestled among dense green grape leaves and a thick grape vine, building a nest. It even has a twig in its beak. Sunlight filters through the foliage, creating a warm and natural setting.

A grey bird perched on an under construction nest, surrounded by green grape leaves and a thick grape vine. Its dark grey tail is pointing straight up and it’s looking side-eye toward the camera. #NorthernMockingbird #Birds #BirdPhotography #Yarden #Fujifilm #SOoC

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#SilentSunday #FujifilmA black and white photo of a San Francisco city intersection with the front end of a bus, traffic lights, and overhead wires. In the background, the Transamerica Pyramid and the Catholic church Saint Francis of Assisi with pointed spires are visible. Pedestrians walk along a sidewalk.

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Hawaiian A330-243 (N391HA) HNL-SFO on May 3rd, 2025, south of arrival runways #N391HA #A332 #AvGeek #CloudyPlaneSpotting #PlaneSpotting #AviationPhotography #Aviation #Fujifilm

On a day with low clouds, a Hawaiian A330-243 (N391HA) HNL-SFO makes its approach with eagle-clawed landing gear out, landing lights visible through the nose struts, and with a vapor trail streaming off the wing.

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Me getting Dim Sum for breakfast in San FranciscoA man wearing a hat, KN95 mask, and camera stands in a small takeout Dim Sum restaurant. The floor has a checkered tile pattern with WATCH YOUR STEP tape on the threshold. There's a digital ordering kiosk, a TV on the wall.

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Whimbrels! From near San Francisco Intl. Airport #Whimbrel #Birds #BirdPhotography #Fujifilm A group of Wimbrels wading in shallow water. The brown birds have long, thick bills and are standing or preening on a Bay low tide muddy area

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Bayfront Park. 📍

A bumblebee enjoying a carpet of asters (probably invasive capeweed 😕) at Bayfront Park, Millbrae A close up of several bright yellow daisies in a field with a bumblebee hovering in the upper left corner of the photo. #BloomScrolling #Bumblebee #Insects #Fujifilm #SOoC