How to Get Your Own Phone Plan

If you’re venturing out on your own for the first time and want to start a phone plan to support that, there are plenty of options available. All that choice can feel like a lot — but it means you'll be able to find the exact phone plan that will fit all your needs. The guide on how to get your own phone plan will differ slightly if you’re starting out fresh or if you’re trying to leave your parents’ phone plan and get your own, so follow the steps that match your intention: 

1. How to get your own phone plan for the first time
2. How to get your own phone plan after leaving a parent’s phone plan

How to get your own phone plan for the first time

Starting a phone plan for the first time is an exciting venture with a simple process (note that you need to be 18 or older to sign up):  

1. Find a phone 

Chances are, you don’t already have your own phone if you’re looking for a phone service plan for the first time. If there isn’t a readily available one in the family or among your friends – like if someone you know recently upgraded and will let you use their old phone – then you first need to figure out which phone to buy, and where.

Many phone service providers offer new customer promotions where you can get a new phone for free or deeply discounted. But those also tend to lock you into a contract, or you may need to qualify for device financing, which will be hard to do if you don’t already have credit built. Also, many device financing/promotional situations require you to choose a more expensive service plan.

In the long run it can be cheaper to buy a phone outright and choose a cheaper phone plan. If you want to know for sure, you can use a phone bill calculator to compare a carrier offer against buying a phone, especially if you get a good phone deal.

2. Select your phone plan 

Sounds easy enough, but this step does require a little research:

• Determine which network has the best coverage in your area. Chances are, all “Big 3” networks (AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon) will work, but you may find yourself in an area where one has significantly better coverage. In that case you’ll want to narrow down your choices to that Big 3 provider itself or an MVNO that uses its cell towers.  
• Figure out how much data you need. Even if you’ve never had a data plan before, you can still figure out how much data you're likely to use. That helps you decide between a limited data plan, an unlimited data plan, or even a no data plan (talk & text only). 
• Know the difference between a postpaid (or contract) plan and a prepaid phone plan. Postpaid plans are offered by the Big 3 and offer perks like prioritized data access, data roaming and mobile hotspots (which you can also find in select prepaid plans), and complimentary subscriptions to streaming or retail services. But they also lock you into a contract and charge you significantly more per month. If you’re on a tight budget, or need a plan that doesn't require a credit check, then a prepaid plan will be your best choice. They let you pay for the service up front (rather than charging you after and adding late fees if you’re unable to make that payment). They’re generally cheaper, too, with plenty of options for different needs: unlimited data, mobile hotspot, data roaming, etc. 

>> Read more: How to select a phone plan

Once you know which network you want to be on, how much data you’re looking for, and whether you’re looking for a prepaid or a postpaid plan, you can narrow down your search to find the right phone plan for you. Keep in mind, you might be able to cut per-line costs if you pair up with a roommate or friend and seek out a cheap unlimited data plan for two lines.  

3. Choose your phone number  

When selecting your new phone plan, you will be asked whether you’re bringing your own phone number or getting a new one. In this case, you’ll be picking a new one, with a local area code.

4. Activate your phone  

Once you find a phone plan, you will go through the process of activating your phone with your chosen provider. If you bought the phone from it directly, it can be activated right in-store; if it was purchased online, it will need to be activated once you receive it. This will require a SIM card, whether physical or an eSIM, from the provider. Follow the instructions to activate the SIM card for service.

If you’re bringing your own phone, the same activation steps apply – just make sure that you confirm your phone is compatible with that provider and their SIM card before you purchase the plan.  

Once you’re activated, you can start using your phone plan to call, text, browse, stream, scroll and more straight from your new phone. 

How to get your own phone plan after leaving a parent's phone plan

If you’re planning on leaving your parents’ phone plan to assert your independence, gain some privacy, or alleviate the financial burden on your parents now that you’re on your own, here is how you can get your own phone plan:  

1. Find out if you can take your phone with you 

Since you already have a phone, the (generally) cheaper option is to take that phone with you to a new provider. However, if the phone is locked to the carrier your family plan is with or is part of a device financing plan that still has an outstanding balance, you may need to take some extra steps or pay a lump sum to take it with you. Or, if you’re planning to upgrade or find a new phone, you can follow the same steps as above to find the right phone deal for your budget.  

2. Find out if you can take your phone number with you 

Generally, every provider is required to let its customers keep their phone number when switching to a new provider. However, that requires you to know specific account information to give to the new provider so they can complete the port. If you’re on a family plan, usually only the account owner has access to that information and would need to provide permission to initiate the transfer and release your line. If that’s not possible, or you’re not in good standing with the account owner, be prepared to pick a new number when switching providers. (And check out tips on what to do before you change your phone number.) 

3. Select your new phone plan 

You may be tempted to stay with the same provider you used with your family plan – just on your own personal line – if you had a great experience with the coverage and plan benefits. But plenty of other options can satisfy the same needs despite being inexpensive phone plans. The majority of family plans in the U.S. are provided by the “Big 3” (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon), which all provide bundling discounts for multiple lines but otherwise can start at $50/month for a single-line plan and go as high as $100. If your budget calls for something more affordable, many prepaid phone plans start around $15/month – just make sure they fit your data needs, your coverage needs, and include any other benefits (like mobile hotspot) you may require.  

4. Activate your phone  

If you’re bringing your own phone, make sure it’s compatible to be used with your new provider (is carrier-unlocked) before completing the plan activation. You will be sent a SIM card — most carriers will let you choose either a physical one or an eSIM (if your phone supports it) — with instructions on how to activate the SIM to connect to their network. If you’re buying a new phone directly from the provider, you will still need to activate their SIM card to start using it over their network.  

Getting your own phone plan is an exciting process that allows you to customize your phone to your needs. There is an abundance of choices for every type of budget and data need. Don’t be afraid to search widely, as you may just find the perfect plan where you weren’t even thinking of looking.