As the above title Straight Talk Switch Phones without Contract’ suggests, we will focus our attention on switching over to Straight Talk’s services in this article. By going through all the content, you will learn all the information one needs to make an informed decision whether Straight Talk is the right choice for you and which type of switching option you should explore.
We will start off by explaining several points that you should pay attention to prior to the actual switch to Straight talk. Then we will move on to provide you with actual details on what you shall do before your switch to Straight Talk services.
Furthermore, we will present you with the main advantages of Straight Talk, which will help you determine if Straight Talk is the right wireless provider for you. We will also provide you with detailed instructions on how to actually switch to Straight Talk. Besides, we will take a closer look at a couple of best Straight Talk compatible phones that are currently available at their online store.
Of course, we will also provide you with decent information regarding the Straight Tank Bring Your Own Phone (BYOP) option, which will help you out immensely if you have a phone that functions well and want to use it with Straight Talk.
To further equip you with some useful guidance, we will wrap things up by answering some of the frequently asked questions.
Are you ready to dig in? If so, let’s go.
What Should You Pay Attention To As You Switch To Straight Talk?
As promised, this is the section that you should apply even before you decide whether or not Straight Talk is the right option for you. Go through each point and double-check where you stand on it.
Phone Compatibility and Coverage check at Straight Talk
This is extremely important. The last thing you want is to switch to a network and then get poor reception in areas you spend most of your time. Generally speaking, Straight Talk has great coverage, however, every network has some blind spots. To check coverage in your area, you can visit Straight Talk’s official website or call their support. However, the best tactic is to find a friend or a family member that may already be using Straight Talk and ask them to pay a visit to the exact locations you spend most of your time. As for the workplace reception goes, ask a coworker that might already be using Straight Talk, how is the reception.
If you plan to bring your existing phone or purchase a new one elsewhere and then use it via the Straight Talk Bring Your Own Phone option, you need to make sure your phone is compatible. Generally, most unlocked devices should be good to use, yet, it is always important to double-check. This is done on the Straight Talk website.
To check compatibility, click the ‘SHOP’ > ‘Buy SIM Cards or Bring Your Own Phone’. Once on the next page, scroll down slightly until you see the ‘CHECK COMPATIBILITY’ option. Click the ‘CHECK NOW’ button. On the next page select the option that applies to your phone by clicking the ‘SELECT’ button underneath it. The following steps vary slightly on your previous selection, thus we won’t cover them into details. Simply follow the instructions on the screen.
If your device is compatible, you will be redirected to a page, where you get to enter your Straight Talk’s SIM number (if you already have it) or purchase your SIM kit online.
On the other hand, if you learn that your phone is not compatible, you will either need to get it unlocked and check the compatibility again, buy an unlocked phone elsewhere or select the phones available at the Straight Talk.
Current Carrier Has to Unlock Your SIM Card or Phone
The phone unlock or SIM card unlock (as it was referred to in the past) is an essential part if you want to use Straight Talk bring your own phone option.
Every carrier is obligated (by law) to provide their clients with unlocking services. However, you should know that each carrier also has a specific set of prerequisites set in place that must be met before the unlocking can take place. In most cases, this includes you being a customer of their services for at least 12 months.
Contact your current wireless provider’s support and ask whether you are eligible for the unlocking.
Do You Need to Purchase a New Phone or Not?
To use Straight Talk services you are by no means obligated to purchase a new phone. You can use Straight Talk bring your own phone option instead, as explained above. However, if you are not in possession of a phone that is compatible with Straight Talk (perform compatibility check as explained above), then you will need to purchase a new, refurbished, or used phone either at Straight Talk directly or elsewhere. In the case of the latter, make sure that the phone is unlocked.
Check Out the Phones Available at Straight Talk
If you are switching over to Straight Talk and do not plan to exploit the Straight Talk bring your own phone option, it sure makes sense to first check out the phones available at Straight Talk. To do so, visit their official website.
Once on the homepage, hover over the ‘SHOP’ item in the top menu bar and click on the ‘Phones’. This will take you to their online store, where you will first be asked to enter your phone number (for existing clients; which is most likely not the case in your situation) or your ZIP code. Enter your Zip code and confirm to see all currently available phones in your area.
Use the side filter option and arrangement style that best suits you, which is available at the top. You will find a wide range of smartphones (new and reconditioned) and even a couple of flip phones.
Network Coverage in Your Area
Straight Talk offers very impressive coverage of 99.6%, however, it is best to check that out for your area. They have a designated page for just that (https://www.straighttalk.com/wps/portal/home/h/coverage/servicearea). Once on the page, simply enter your ZIP code and click the ‘CONTINUE’ button.
Comparing Other Carriers’ Plans Before Switching
Before switching to any other wireless carrier it is very important to have a look at the competition. You need to know why you are switching in the first place. Is it for better coverage, lower price, more air time, or any other reason?
Plan prices are usually one of the main factors, thus it makes sense to ensure that you will get the best plan with Straight Talk. Compare their plans with other carriers that are available to you and make an informed decision.
To help you out even further, you will find current Straight Talk plans presented in one of the following sections.
What Should You Do Before You Switch To Straight Talk?
Herein we will cover the actual steps that you should consider taking before switching to Straight Talk. First make sure to consider and check all of the above guidelines since many of the action steps below complement them.
Back-Up Your Phone’s Data
Since our photos, videos, contacts, and other types of data are normally extremely important to us, it makes sense to do all we can to ensure that nothing is lost.
If you have a relatively new smartphone, you are most likely using one of the automated backup options already. This means that your data is either copied to your cloud storage or on your external microSD card.
However, it makes sense to back-up your phone’s data before switching over to Straight Talk (or any other carrier).
These days there are many options to back up your phone’s data; you can connect it to your laptop/computer and transfer it, you can use cloud services, or copy it to your microSD card. The exact backup procedure varies from phone brand and even model. It is normally accessed via the setting menu and then storage option.
If you are not able to locate the option, use your phone’s manual, Google search, or call your phone’s carrier support.
You Need to be Off-Contract
There is nothing stopping you from getting Straight Talk services at any time. However, if you want to use the Straight Talk bring your own phone option, you will need to be off-contract with your previous provider (connected to that device) in order to get it unlocked.
If you are not off-contract, there are ways to break the contract by paying typically quite a large fee. Thus it makes sense to stick with your current provider, until you are free to move on.
Leaving Your Current Plan
Even if you have no obligation towards your existing carriers, make sure to call their support or visit their local representative to let them now that you are leaving their services. Ask them to make sure that your current plans are discontinued and that no future cost is inflicted upon you.
Your Phone Needs to be Unlocked
We’ve covered the Straight Talk bring your own phone option above in detail. If you have done the compatibility check and learned that your phone is locked, you will need to get it unlocked in you were to use it with Straight Talk.
To do so, you will need to contact your current provider’s support and request unlocking. This will typically be done for free and rather fast that is if you meet all the unlocking prerequisites.
If you don’t meet the unlocking criteria, you can explore alternative unlocking options. Best of which is to use third-party unlocking services that can be found online. You will need to provide your phones IMEI number and pay between $5 – 50 for their service.
Why Switch to Straight Talk?
Straight Talk is one of the highly popular and reputable no-contract based wireless providers. They market themselves as America’s largest and most dependable network, which is definitely true, and they use the exact same signal towers as all the major carriers. As such they are able to provide extremely high coverage of 99.6%.
Before is the list of main advantages why Straight Talk deserves your attention.
- EVERYTHING FOR LESS: Affordable prices of phones and plans
- NO CONTRACTS FREEDOM: No contract, no credit checks, and no activation fees. Straight Talk promises no mystery fees or surprise bills.
- BEST COVERAGE: Straight Talk offers nationwide coverage on America’s largest and most dependable 4G LTE and 5G networks.
- BEST PLANS: Straight Talk offers unlimited talk & text, plus the high-speed data at affordable prices.
- BEST PHONES: Straight Talk offers a wide selection of the latest phones but also some older refurbished models, which gives you a wide range of choices.
- KEEP YOUR OWN PHONE: They are highly compatible with a wide range of phones and most unlocked devices, which lets you keep your existing phone.
Straight Talk Plans
Whether you buy a Straight Talk phone or decide to go with the Straight Talk bring your own phone option, you get to choose among the same affordable unlimited plans. Currently available Straight Talk plans are presented below.
- UNLIMITED NATIONWIDE $35:
- 30 Days
- No Contract
- Unlimited Nationwide Talk and Text
- Unlimited Data with the first 5GB at high speeds, then at 2G
- UNLIMITED NATIONWIDE $45:
- 30 Days
- No Contract
- Unlimited Nationwide Talk and Text
- Unlimited Data with the first 25GB at high speeds, then at 2G
- UNLIMITED NATIONWIDE $55:
- 30 Days
- No Contract
- Unlimited Nationwide Talk and Text
- Unlimited Data
- 10GB Hotspot data (not authorized with AT&T compatible SIMs). Text HOTSPOT to 611611 to check compatibility
- Video typically streams at DVD quality
- At 60 GB, we reserve the right to review your account for usage in violation of Straight Talk’s terms and conditions
- UNLIMITED INTERNATIONAL $60:
- 30 Days
- No Contract
- Unlimited Nationwide Talk and Text
- Unlimited Data with the first 25GB at high speeds, then at 2G
- Unlimited Talk, Text, and Picture Messages† plus Unlimited International Calling
- Unlimited Mobile-to-Mobile to Mexico, China, Canada, and India phone numbers
- Call up to 15 unique destination numbers per service month
- 400 bonus minutes to call Claro Guatemala phone numbers
- Basic $30:
- 30 Days
- No Contract
- Unlimited Nationwide Text
- 1500 Minutes for Nationwide calls
- 100MB of data for data-capable phones
- UNLIMITED NATIONWIDE EXTENDED PLANS – These are the same plans as above-presented ‘UNLIMITED NATIONWIDE $45’, however, you commit to extended periods to save extra;
- 1-year extended plan for $495 – you save $45
- 6-month extended plan for $255 – you save $15
- 3-month extended plan for $130 – you save $5
- 2 LINES UNLIMITED NATIONWIDE $90:
- 30 Days
- No Contract
- Hotspot data not included with discounted 2-Line Plan
- Unlimited Nationwide Talk and Text
- Unlimited Data
- Video typically streams at DVD quality
- At 60 GB, we reserve the right to review your account for usage in violation of Straight Talk’s terms and conditions
- IMPORTANT:
- Each PIN on this card must be added to a different phone.
- The second-line PIN must be redeemed within 7 days from when the first-line PIN was added. If not, the second-line PIN will become void.
- Upon purchasing this plan, you will receive your second-line PIN at the end of your transaction. Keep this PIN on hand for when you add your second line.
Straight Talk Add-Ons
- ADD-ON $10:
- CALL THOUSANDS OF DESTINATIONS AROUND THE WORD INCLUDING MOBILES, RATES AS LOW AS 1¢ PER MINUTE.
- Competitive rates.
- Combine with any service Plans
- Balance carries over
- Add up to 3 cards per transaction
- For calls originated from the US only
- DATA ADD ON $5:
- 1 GB extra Data
- Does not Expire with Active Service
- Usage starts after all your active plan data is consumed
- Unused data rolls over month-to-month with Active Service
- Purchase as many as you need
- DATA ADD ON $10:
- 2 GB extra Data
- Does not Expire with Active Service
- Usage starts after all your active plan data is consumed
- Unused data rolls over month-to-month with Active Service
- Purchase as many as you need
How to Switch to Straight talk?
Below are the exact step-by-step instructions on how to switch over to Straight Talk. There are two main options for you to choose from.
Straight Talk Switch Phones without contract:
- Visit Straight Talk official website.
- Hover over the ‘SHOP’ item in the main menu and click the ‘Phones’ option.
- Select the phone you want (account for your needs and budget) by clicking on it.
- Once you have read the phone’s details, choose the payment option by click on it (normally there is just one option). Once selected the square and a circle should be colored.
- Click the ‘ADD TO CART’ option.
- Select the contract-free plan by clicking on the one that meets your needs. Once selected the square and a circle should be colored.
- Click the ‘CONTINUE’ button.
- Overview your selection and click the ‘CHECK OUT’ button if all is in order.
- Complete the checkout process by selecting the shipping method, shipping address, and payment method.
Straight Talk Bring Your Own Phone:
- Visit Straight Talk official website.
- Hover over the ‘SHOP’ item in the main menu and click the ‘Buy SIM Cards or Bring Your Own Phone’ option.
- Once on the next page, click the ‘CHECK NOW’ button under the ‘CHECK COMPATIBILITY’. Follow the instruction on the screen and select the options that apply for your phone. If your phone is compatible, you will be redirected to the page where you can enter SIM card (which you most likely don’t have yet) or buy the SIM card (we will assume that this is the case for you).
- In the section ‘I NEED A SIM CARD’ enter your ZIP code and click the ‘FIND THE RIGHT SIM’ button below. You might see a prompt message, which you need to confirm.
- Click the ‘SELECT’ button under the ‘I HAVE A PHONE’ option.
- Depending on your ZIP code, you will have one or several SIM kit options. Choose the one that suits you or is available (if only one) by clicking on it.
- Once you have read the SIM kit’s details, choose the payment option by click on it (normally there is just one option). Once selected the square and a circle should be colored. In some browsers, it may already be selected.
- Click the ‘ADD TO CART’ option.
- Select the contract-free plan by clicking on the one that meets your needs. Once selected the square and a circle should be colored.
- Click the ‘CONTINUE’ button.
- Overview your selection and click the ‘CHECK OUT’ button if all is in order.
- Complete the checkout process by selecting the shipping method, shipping address, and payment method.
Straight Talk Compatible Switch Phones
Herein you will find 5 best Straight Talk phones currently available on their online store.
SAMSUNG GALAXY S20 ULTRA 5G
Meet Galaxy S20 Ultra. It comes with revolutionary 8K Video Snap that changes how you capture not just video, but photography (the best cameras ever seen in a smartphone) – and 5G changing the way you share it. It packs Internal Memory of 128 GB and RAM of 12GB, the battery that offers usage time of up to 37 hours, a 6.9-inch Infinity-O Gorilla Glass display, and maximum water and dust resistance.
SAMSUNG GALAXY S20+ 5G
This model is slightly less edgy and slightly smaller than the above one, yet still extremely powerful and amazing. It also comes with a battery that offers impressive capabilities of up to 39 hours of usage time. The Samsung Galaxy S20+ 5G packs 12-megapixel(wide-angle), 64-megapixel(telephoto), 12-megapixel(ultra-wide) camera pack, 128GB of internal storage, 8GB of RAM, a 6.7-inch Infinity-O Gorilla Glass display, and much more.
IPHONE 11 PRO
The first iPhone deserving of ‘PRO’ title comes with a transformative triple-camera system that adds tons of capability without complexity, an unprecedented leap in battery life, and a mind-blowing chip that doubles down on machine learning and pushes the boundaries of what a smartphone can do. It packs a 5.8” (diagonal) all screen OLED-Super Retina XDR OLED capacitive touchscreen with 16M colors, and much more.
IPHONE 11 PRO MAX
The iPhone 11 Pro Max is a larger version of the above-presented model. It packs all the same features under a 6.5” (diagonal) all screen OLED-Super Retina XDR OLED capacitive touchscreen with 16M colors. It is also capable of dealing with water submersions and maximum dust exposure.
SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE10
The Galaxy Note10+ isn’t just a new smartphone. It’s a gaming console. A film studio. It’s a computer with an intelligent pen control-and it’s all in one device. It packs high-speed connectivity options, a lot of storage (256GB), 12GM of RAM, powerful battery that offers a usage time of up to 38 hours, advanced 12MP main camera, and 10MP selfie camera, and a large 6.8” Display Dynamic AMOLED capacitive touchscreen with 16M colors.
Check Out more Are Straight Talk Phones Unlocked and Straight Talk Refurbished Phones and Is My Phone Compatible with Straight Talk
FAQ
Can you switch carriers over the phone without paying?
The necessary arrangement related to switching can be done by calling the Straight Talk support service at 1-877-430-2355, which is a toll-free number.
However, if you are switching, you will need to pay for a new phone or a symbolic price of $1 for the SIM kit and a plan. Check Out How to Switching Phone Carriers With Best Deals
How long does it take to switch phone carriers?
The switch can be done super-fast (less than an hour), if you do it in person and there is no crowd. However, if you order online, you will need to wait a couple of days for the phone/SIM kit to be delivered to you.
Moreover, if you are porting in your existing number, it can take even up to a week (though it is usually done in 48h).
What happens if you switch phone carriers and do not pay the old bills?
Wireless providers can automatically seas your money if it has your payment information, or they initiate legal persecution. Thus it is always best (and only fair) to pay your bills.
Should I change my cell phone number?
Most people find it more practical to keep their existing number and port it into new carriers so that their contacts can reach them without the need of letting everyone know they have a new number.
However, if you are looking for a clean number, that no one knows, then changing to a new one might be the best option for you.
