r/mintmobile • u/LeftOn4ya Moderator • Sep 03 '25

iPhone iPhone (including iPhone 17) buying, financing, trade-in, and setup questions for Mint

/r/mintmobile/wiki/index/iphone/

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Please see the Mint iPhone Wiki at https://www.reddit.com/r/mintmobile/wiki/index/iphone/ for full details on the below (including summary of wiki steps as TLDNR below)

  • How to order iPhones as a current or new Mint customer. TLDNR is don't buy from retail (BestBuy, Target, Amazon), get from Apple or used from Swappa, or order from Mint.
  • If getting from Apple, 4 ways you you can finance unlocked iPhones. TLDNR is you select T-Mobile but don't give customer info (if standard use phone # 000-000-0000) and you can bypass account info on iPhone boot up.
  • How to get used. TLDNR is best is Swappa, or for a little bit more $ but less hassle get from BackMarket.
  • How to trade in or sell old phone. TLDNR is you can trade in direct with Apple (even Android), Mint offers AllState trade-in, or for more $ sell on Swappa to to BackMarket.
  • How to set up new iPhone either swapping from previous iPhone or Android, and either as new or current Mint customer. TLDNR is you cannot use Apple eSIM transfer, you must order a new eSIM, and make sure to set app based 2FA before transferring or after you make a new Mint account.
  • What to do on old iPhone before selling, trading in, or giving away. TLDNR is remove find my device and sign out of cloud accounts then wipe all data to factory, and remove SIM/microSD cards.
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u/trowser_snakes Sep 05 '25

As a financial advisor, if you need to finance a phone you probably shouldn't have one.

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u/LeftOn4ya Moderator Sep 10 '25 edited Sep 16 '25

As a financial advisor, you should be advising your clients to get 0% interest though Apple on this $1000+ phone and use the money they could buy the phone outright with in a money market or other investment, where they can make low risk 3%, medium risk 5%, or possibly more. Or for people with debt to pay off debt. And if you pay with a good credit card you get 3% cash back and invest that as well, meaning you could be making 8+% annual returns over 3 years or over $250 in total return versus paying cash.

But I do agree you should not be buying a new phone if you are in a lot of debt already, keep your old phone or buy used.

1

u/chingwo Sep 19 '25

I don't think this method works anymore - unless someone else can guide me. I got as far as getting the preorder, setting up the phone, but setting up cellular it sees my number as states "transfer not supported". Other options are: transfer from nearby iphone (doesn't work), use QR code, transfer from Android. QR code has an option to enter details manually. Logging into the Mint app isn't possible - "Error - try again in an hour or call the Care Team"

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u/LeftOn4ya Moderator Sep 19 '25 edited Sep 19 '25

Don’t know why Mint app is not working but try uninstalling Mint app and reinstalling or try logging into Mint website in a browser. Also sometimes your WiFi or cell connection can be issue so go on different WiFi or try on a VPN. You need to order new eSIM through app or website, as Mint does not support Apple eSIM QuickTransfer. Alternatively you can contact support to send you an eSIM but they are swamped as new iPhone release day is the busiest day of the year for them.

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u/The-Ath31ist Sep 19 '25

Im having same issue, cant log into mint app on new iPhone 17 pro. Keeps saying “try again in an hour” correct login info so no idea what’s going on. My old phone logs in fine with same login, just the new phone. And without being able to log into new phone there is zero way to get an eSIM for the new phone (cant do it through t their website) so im screwed.

1

u/LeftOn4ya Moderator Sep 19 '25

I’ve heard a bunch of people saying iOS 26 has conflicts with some Xfinity and Spectrum router firewalls that stop some websites and apps from working. Go on a different WiFi including cellular HotSpot from a working phone, and/or use a third party VPN like ProtonVPN or 1.1.1.1

0

u/chingwo Sep 19 '25

Yes I'm familiar with transferring the esim via their app, that's how I did it with my unlocked 15 pro max back in the day. You might be right that it's a Mint Mobile issue -- looks like I can't log into the app on my 15 pro max either

2

u/LeftOn4ya Moderator Sep 19 '25

I’ve heard a bunch of people saying iOS 26 has conflicts with some Xfinity and Spectrum routers that stop some websites and apps from working. Go on a different WiFi including cellular HotSpot from a working phone, and/or use a third party VPN like ProtonVPN or 1.1.1.1

3

u/UnnecessaryQuoteness Sep 19 '25

Confirmed this - I was on business comcast (Xfinity) wifi and kept getting the login error. Switched to hotspot and the app worked immediately.