Best cheap cell phone plan for iPhone users
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Summary
US Mobile is a prepaid carrier that uses the same cell towers as the big three U.S. carriers at a fraction of the price
You can switch between all three networks, so you're not locked into one
Unlimited plans range from about $25 to $44/month (or $17.50 to $32.50/month when paid annually), compared to $55-$105 at the big carriers
The tradeoff: no physical stores, no phone financing, and no aggressive trade-in deals
If you've looked at your cell phone bill lately and thought, "Why is this so expensive?", you're not alone. Phone plans have quietly crept up in price over the years, often bundled with perks you may not want or use. It's not that cellular service has gotten more expensive exactly; rather, phone providers have been making their plans more and more premium with add-ons most people don't need, and have tricked us into paying for them.
That's exactly why US Mobile has become my recommended mobile provider, especially for people who want to reduce their monthly phone costs without giving up coverage or reliability. Their plans are simple, don't have gimmicks, and cost a fraction of what the big carriers charge. I have been using them myself for about two years now, and I couldn’t be happier.
Here I'll explain what US Mobile is, where it shines, and what concessions it makes to provide you with ultra-cheap wireless.
Who is US Mobile?
US Mobile is what's known as a mobile virtual network operator, or MVNO. That means they don't build their own cell towers. Instead, they buy bulk access to the big three U.S. carriers' networks and then sell at a lower cost. It's a wholesale business model like Costco, but for phone service.
The result is simple: the same coverage you already know, much lower monthly costs, and more flexibility than most traditional carriers.
Why do I recommend US Mobile?
Coverage from all three major carriers
One thing that truly sets US Mobile apart is that it doesn't lock you into a single network. You can choose between all three major U.S. carriers (Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile), depending on what works best where you live or travel.
If one network works better at your house and another works better at your vacation spot, you can use whichever fits. You can switch between networks at any time (more on that below). You can even add on a "Multi-Network" option that allows your iPhone to connect to two networks simultaneously, switching automatically if one has no service. This could be particularly useful in rural areas where one town has great service on one network, but the next town over only has a different one.
How much does US Mobile cost?
This is the main reason most people switch.
US Mobile plans are a fraction of the cost of comparable plans from the three big American networks. Their unlimited plans currently range from about $25 to $44 per month, or $17.50 to $32.50 per month when paid annually. They also frequently run promotions that bring those prices even lower. All US Mobile plans include taxes and fees in the listed price, which is not the case with most traditional carriers, so the savings are even bigger than they appear at first glance.
The big providers usually charge between $55 and $105 per month for unlimited.
How can I test US Mobile before fully switching?
If you'd rather not port your number to try the service, you can pay for one month on a monthly plan and use it as a second line on your iPhone (most recent iPhones support two lines at once via eSIM, which is a digital SIM card built into the phone). Once you're satisfied with the coverage, you can port your original number over.
No credit check
Because US Mobile is a prepaid service, there is no need for a credit check. However, if you are unable to pay your bill, your service will stop, and you have 30 days to pay before you risk losing your number.
Does US Mobile work when traveling internationally?
If you travel occasionally, US Mobile includes basic international roaming on some plans. The Unlimited Starter plan includes 1 GB of international roaming data, which is probably good enough for a few days of light usage. The Unlimited Premium plan includes 20 GB, which is probably good for a week or two. Check their international tool to see what countries are covered. Because each underlying network has different international roaming agreements, your network choice may affect which countries are covered.
For heavier international use, additional roaming options are available, or you can always add a second eSIM. Though US Mobile does offer travel eSIMs for an additional fee, I find their prices are usually higher than Airalo or buying directly from a local phone carrier.
If you are on a monthly US Mobile plan, you may consider switching to the Unlimited Premium plan temporarily, which gives you 20 GB of roaming data per billing cycle. This means that if you are traveling from the 10th to the 24th, but your billing cycle is on the 17th, you will get 20 GB for your first week and 20 GB for your second.
What are the drawbacks of US Mobile?
US Mobile isn't for everyone. There are tradeoffs, and it's important to be upfront about them.
No physical stores
This is the biggest one. There are no retail locations. Everything is handled online.
If you prefer walking into a store to solve problems face-to-face, this may be a downside. Support is handled through chat instead. I've found their service to be quick and excellent, but it does mean troubleshooting via text rather than in person.
No phone financing or aggressive trade-in deals
US Mobile does not offer free phones, installment payment plans, or the aggressive trade-in promotions you see from the big carriers (like "get $800 off a new iPhone when you trade in your old one"). They do have a basic trade-in program where you can sell your old device for cash, but it's closer to selling your phone on eBay than to a carrier subsidy.
Phones must be purchased outright, and they must be unlocked. This often saves money in the long run, but it does mean higher upfront costs if you need a new device. If you have an existing iPhone, you can use that as long as it's unlocked.
They also don't bundle third-party services (one exception: if you have three Unlimited Premium lines on your account, you get one $15 discount toward your choice of Apple Music, HBO Max, Netflix, and more).
New features can arrive later
Because US Mobile relies on the big carriers' networks, some newer features and technologies occasionally arrive later than they do for direct customers of those carriers. For example, it took some time for Visual Voicemail to roll out across all three networks, and US Mobile does not yet offer 5G Standalone or 5G satellite service, both of which are available directly from some of the big carriers. You can still use Apple's own satellite SOS service, however, which is independent of your phone provider.
For most people, this is a non-issue, but it's worth knowing.
No multi-line discounts
US Mobile doesn't do traditional family-plan discounts. Each line is priced individually, which also means that each person can choose the plan and network that works best for them. You can combine all lines under one account for simplified billing.
What is network deprioritization?
With a couple of exceptions (Warp lines on the highest plan, or Dark Star lines with a priority add-on), US Mobile data is deprioritized. What that means is that if you are in a location that is unusually busy (special events, rallies, festivals), your speeds may be reduced to give direct customers of the cell phone companies priority. This doesn't generally affect places that are regularly busy, like stadiums and amusement parks, as the phone networks there are designed to handle crowds.
Limits on credit card phone protection plans
A few high-end credit cards, like American Express Platinum, offer phone insurance. The requirement, though, is that you have your phone service billed monthly to your card. If you choose a US Mobile annual plan to get a lower price, you probably won't be eligible for the insurance. Switching to month-to-month costs a bit more (about $30/year on Starter, and more on Premium), so it could well be worth it compared to the cost of US Mobile's insurance or AppleCare+.
Should I stay with my current carrier instead?
If you're happy with your current carrier's plan and it meets your needs, you can absolutely leave it where it is. Sometimes the best cell phone service is the one you already have. You may especially want to stay on your current plan if you like the ability to visit a cell phone store, if you have a fantastic legacy plan that you don't want to lose, or if you have a really great multi-line discount.
US Mobile isn't about better signal or better service. It's about lower bills, fewer gimmicks, more flexibility to try different networks, and more transparency.
If your current plan feels overpriced for what you use, that's when US Mobile becomes very compelling.
Which US Mobile plan should I choose?
Most people are going to be interested in one of the three unlimited plans. US Mobile also offers some more niche options like pay-by-the-gig data plans and a virtual home phone service; you can explore those on their website if you're curious.
Check their website for the most current prices and promotions, as they change frequently. Here's a general overview of the unlimited tiers:
Because plans are prepaid, there is no option to upgrade or downgrade mid-cycle without forfeiting the remainder of your current plan. If you are unsure of which plan you want, start with a monthly plan. Don't switch to annual billing unless you are sure you have the right plan.
US Mobile unlimited plan comparison
All prices include taxes and fees. US Mobile frequently runs promotions; check their website for current deals.
| Unlimited Flex Budget |
Unlimited Starter Recommended for most |
Unlimited Premium For heavy users |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | N/A | $25/mo | $44/mo |
| Annual price | $210/yr (~$17.50/mo) | $270/yr (~$22.50/mo) | $390/yr (~$32.50/mo) |
| High-speed data | 10 GB, then reduced speeds | 70 GB, then reduced speeds | Unlimited (uncapped) |
| Hotspot | 5 GB | 20 GB | 50 GB |
| Int'l roaming | Add-on only | 1 GB | 20 GB |
| Network transfers | First 2 free, then $2 | First 2 free, then $2 | Free |
| Notes | Annual only; good for light users mostly on WiFi | Best balance of price and features | Free Apple Watch line (Warp only); priority data on some networks |
Which network should I choose?
US Mobile has three networks to choose from: Warp, Dark Star, and Light Speed. Each one runs on a different underlying carrier, so coverage and features vary by region and plan.
In general, they are all somewhat similar, so for most people, the most important thing is that you have service in the places you need. US Mobile has a coverage tool on their site to check which network works best at your address. International roaming coverage also varies by network, so check their table for the countries you might visit; you can switch networks before you go and switch back when you return. Apple Watch Cellular is only available on Warp, and heavy hotspot users should consider Dark Star, which gives you about twice the hotspot data. Additional differences can be found on the Plans page; click the "More Details" link below the list of plans.
Can I switch networks on US Mobile?
This is one of the most distinctive things about US Mobile. You are able to switch between any of the big three networks at any time. Most people will settle on one and forget about it, but if you want to switch, here's what you should know.
Though they are improving the process, the switch will sometimes fail, and you'll need to contact customer service to get them to fix it manually. So make sure you have WiFi access so you can get on chat if needed. If there's a deeper problem (which is rare), the underlying carriers whose networks US Mobile uses aren't usually open on weekends or holidays, so it's better to do this on a weekday.
Your first two network switches are free on all plans. After that, it's $2 per switch unless you're on the Unlimited Premium plan, which includes free transfers.
One other thing to know: each network has its own voicemail system, so you will need to set up voicemail again (including a new greeting) after switching. Old voicemail messages do not carry over.
To get started, go to your US Mobile app, choose your line, and tap "Switch Network."
How do I sign up and keep my phone number?
Before you begin the "porting" process (the term for moving your phone number from one carrier to another), you will need to keep several very important things in mind:
Make sure your iPhone is "unlocked." To check, go to the Settings app > General > About. SIM Restrictions should show "None." If it shows "SIM Locked," you have two options: contact your current service provider and ask for a "SIM unlock," or buy a new unlocked iPhone directly from Apple. Apple sells all iPhones unlocked by default, so this is a good time to upgrade if you were already considering it. If you're not sure which model to get, I have an iPhone buying guide that can help.
Do NOT cancel your phone service with your old phone company. That will happen automatically when you port your number. If you close your account, you risk losing your phone number.
If your phone is not yet paid off, porting your number out will generally mean that the full balance is due on your next bill.
If you are receiving monthly bill credits for a phone you traded in, transferring your line to another carrier (like US Mobile) will forfeit the remaining credits. With the money you save, it could very well be worth it, though.
I rarely recommend getting a new number. If you think getting a new phone number sounds less painful than going through the porting process, you're going to have a heck of a time getting back into accounts that send you text message security codes when logging in.
You will need to get a Transfer PIN from your existing provider, and you may need to disable any port-out protection features on your account. You may be able to do this through their app, or you may need to call. Here are official instructions from each carrier:
For Apple users, I recommend using "Sign Up With Apple" on US Mobile's site so that you don't need to create a new password. If your iPhone supports eSIM (iPhone XS or later), you can activate your US Mobile service digitally without waiting for a physical SIM card. If you're setting up a brand new iPhone at the same time, here's the fastest way to do that.
Your old service should stay active until the transfer completes, so you'll be without service for at most a minute or two during the transition. But I do recommend doing this while you are on WiFi in case you run into a problem. When it's all done, your iPhone will still work in exactly the same way. Your apps, wallpaper, photos, and everything else will remain untouched. The main difference is that you will be billed by a different company for much, much less.
One small thing to be aware of: you will need to set up your voicemail again on US Mobile, including recording a new greeting. Your old voicemail messages and greeting do not transfer over. US Mobile has a help page with the exact steps for each network.
Ready to make the switch? Sign up at US Mobile here.
Key takeaways
Check your iPhone's unlock status (Settings > General > About > SIM Restrictions) before doing anything else
Start with a monthly plan, not annual, until you're sure you have the right plan and network
Do not cancel your old carrier; it happens automatically when you port
Get your Transfer PIN from your current carrier's app or website before starting the sign-up process
Further reading
If you're curious about whether US Mobile would be a good fit for your situation, or if you want help with the porting process, I offer one-on-one tech tutoring sessions in San Francisco and Washington DC, as well as via Zoom. I can walk you through the switch step by step. Book a session here.
