The fastest way depends on whether you want to keep your current number and carrier

Getting a new phone breaks into two separate decisions: whether to stay with your current carrier (the company that provides your service, like Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile) and whether to keep your existing phone number. If you stay with the same carrier and keep your number, the process takes one trip to a store or one phone call. If you switch carriers or want a different number, you'll need to plan a few extra steps to avoid losing service.

The actual phone itself comes from three places: your carrier's store, a big-box retailer like Best Buy or Walmart, or directly from the phone manufacturer. Each route has different timing and different costs, depending on whether you're under contract, whether you're trading in your old phone, and what kind of deal the carrier is running that week.

Key Takeaways

  • Staying with your current carrier and keeping your number is the simplest path and can be done in one store visit or phone call.
  • Switching carriers requires you to request a transfer code for your number before you sign up with the new carrier, or you will lose the number.
  • You can buy a phone from your carrier's store, a retailer like Best Buy, or directly from Apple or Samsung, and the price and available deals differ at each location.
  • Trading in your old phone reduces the upfront cost, but the trade-in value varies widely depending on the phone's age, condition, and which company is doing the trade-in.
  • If you're on a payment plan, you may need to pay off the old phone before the carrier will let you start a new one, or you can roll the remaining balance into the new purchase.

Staying with your current carrier and keeping your number

Walk into any store run by your carrier (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or a regional carrier) with your ID and ask to upgrade your phone. The staff will pull up your account, show you what phones are available, and explain what the upfront cost is and what your monthly payment will be if you choose a payment plan. If you have a trade-in, bring the old phone in working condition. The store will evaluate it on the spot and apply the trade-in credit to your purchase.

You can also call your carrier's customer service number (printed on your bill or on the back of your current phone) and ask to upgrade. They will walk you through the same process over the phone, and the new phone will arrive by mail in three to seven days. Your number transfers automatically — you don't have to do anything. Service on your old phone stops when the new one activates, usually within a few hours of arrival.

If you're in the middle of a payment plan on your current phone, ask the store or representative whether you need to pay off the remaining balance before upgrading. Some carriers let you roll the old balance into the new purchase; others require you to pay it off first. This varies by carrier and by your account history.

Switching to a different carrier

Before you sign up with the new carrier, contact your current carrier and request a transfer code (also called a porting code or authorization code). This is a one-time code that proves you own the number and have permission to move it. Call the customer service number on your bill, or walk into a store and ask for it. They will give it to you immediately — they cannot refuse or delay this. Write it down or take a photo.

Once you have the transfer code, go to the new carrier's store or website and tell them you want to bring your existing number with you. Give them the transfer code when they ask for it. The new carrier will submit the transfer request, which usually takes a few hours to a full business day. During this time, you may lose service for a few minutes while the number switches over. Keep your old phone nearby in case the new carrier needs to contact you.

Do not cancel your old carrier's service yourself. The transfer process cancels it automatically once the number moves. If you cancel early, you may owe an early termination fee, and the transfer may fail. Wait until you confirm that your number is working on the new carrier's network before you do anything else.

Where to buy the phone itself

Your carrier's own store usually has the widest selection and the best current promotions, but the prices are the same whether you buy there or online from the carrier's website. Best Buy, Walmart, and other big-box retailers also sell phones from all carriers, and sometimes run different promotions than the carrier does. If you're switching carriers, you can buy the phone at any of these places, but make sure the phone is compatible with the new carrier's network before you buy it.

Buying directly from Apple, Samsung, or Google (the phone manufacturer) gives you the newest models first, but you won't see carrier-specific deals or discounts. You'll pay full price, though you can still set up a payment plan through the manufacturer. This route is useful if you want a specific color or storage size that your carrier doesn't have in stock, or if you want to avoid carrier bloatware (extra apps the carrier pre-installs).

Online orders from any of these places ship in two to five business days. In-store pickup is usually available the same day or next day if you order before the store closes. Shipping is free from most carriers and retailers if you order online; in-store pickup also has no shipping charge.

Understanding phone prices and payment plans

The upfront cost you see in a store is usually not the full price of the phone. Carriers and retailers often discount phones by $100 to $400 if you sign up for a payment plan (usually 24 or 36 months) or if you trade in an old phone. The discount is built into the monthly payment — you're paying the difference over time instead of upfront.

If you pay the full price upfront, you own the phone outright and can switch carriers whenever you want. If you choose a payment plan, you're locked into that carrier for the length of the plan. Switching carriers before the plan ends means you still owe the remaining balance to the old carrier, even though you're no longer using their service.

Trade-in values vary significantly. The same iPhone model might be worth $200 at one carrier and $150 at another, depending on their current promotions. Check the trade-in value at multiple carriers before you decide where to buy. Bring your old phone in the best condition possible — visible cracks, water damage, or a non-functioning screen will lower the value or disqualify the phone from trade-in entirely.

What happens to your data and apps when you switch phones

Your phone number and carrier service are separate from your data (photos, contacts, messages, apps). When you get a new phone, your data doesn't automatically move over. You need to transfer it yourself using either a cloud backup or a direct transfer from the old phone to the new one.

If you use an iPhone, you can back up to iCloud and restore from that backup on the new iPhone. If you use Android, you can back up to Google Account and restore on the new Android phone. Both processes happen automatically if you sign in with the same account on the new phone. If you're switching from iPhone to Android or vice versa, you'll need to use a third-party app or manually transfer important contacts and photos.

Apps you've purchased or downloaded are tied to your Apple ID or Google Account, not to the phone itself. When you sign in on the new phone, you can re-download any app you've bought before. You won't be charged again for paid apps.

What to do with your old phone

If you didn't trade it in, you have several options. Sell it online through eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or a site like Swappa that specializes in used phones. Local buyers are faster and avoid shipping costs. Price it based on the phone's age, condition, and current market value — a phone that's two years old typically sells for 30 to 50 percent of its original price.

If the phone still works but you don't want to sell it, donate it to a local charity, school, or library. Some organizations refurbish phones and give them to people who need them. Wipe all your data first using the phone's factory reset option (usually found in Settings under System or About Phone). This removes your photos, messages, and personal information.

If the phone is broken or too old to be useful, check whether your carrier or a retailer runs a recycling program. Best Buy and some carriers will take old phones for free and recycle them responsibly. Do not throw a phone in the trash — the battery can be a fire hazard in landfills.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy a phone without a contract or payment plan?

Yes. You can pay the full price upfront at any carrier store, retailer, or manufacturer. This costs more money at the moment but means you're not locked into a payment plan or carrier. You can switch carriers or sell the phone whenever you want without owing anything.

What if my old phone is still under a payment plan?

You can still upgrade, but you'll owe the remaining balance on the old phone. Some carriers let you roll this balance into the new purchase; others require you to pay it off separately. Ask the store or customer service representative before you buy the new phone so you know what the total cost will be.

How long does it take to transfer my phone number to a new carrier?

The transfer usually completes within a few hours to one business day. You may lose service for a few minutes while the number switches over. Keep your old phone nearby until you confirm the number is working on the new carrier's network.

Do I need to buy a new phone from my carrier, or can I buy it anywhere?

You can buy from any retailer, but make sure the phone is compatible with your carrier's network. All major carriers use compatible phones, but some older or international phones may not work. Ask the retailer or your carrier before you buy if you're unsure.

What's the difference between buying a phone online and in a store?

In-store purchases let you see and hold the phone before you buy, and you can walk out with it the same day. Online purchases are convenient and sometimes have different promotions, but you wait for shipping or in-store pickup. Prices are usually the same either way.