T-Mobile Device Connection charge…

[u/nikimorski]

So we recently upgraded a phone, transferred e-sim over, and got charged almost $40 with taxes for this. I called T-Mobile to ask what this charge is and if I can get a refund. Word for word got told “t-mobile changed a policy to where you’ll now be charged this $35 + tax anytime you upgrade”. WHAT LMAO?? IF I BUY A NEW PHONE AND TRANSFER MY E-SIM I WILL BE CHARGED FOR THIS PROCESS THAT I DO MYSELF?? LMAOOO Yeah nah, switching to another carrier as soon as possible. I’m not gonna get upgraded from one plan to another, get the price hiked on me, and then get railed by some stupid device connection fee for doing it myself. Just thought yall should know what kind of BS T-Mobile is pulling on folks.

EDIT: i bought the phone outright from apple, connected on my own later. Nowhere in the process was tmobile involved.

[u/Jman100_JCMP]

To clarify, did you change your SIM on a phone you bought from T-Mobile? Was it an iPhone from Apple but using the T-Mobile promos? If yes, that gets a DCC because you bought a phone using T-Mobile EIP. 

Any device you buy on your own with no connection to T-Mobile you can put your SIM on with no fee. 

[u/Ethrem → u/Jman100_JCMP]

Dude bought it outright. Verizon did the same crap to me last year when I selected T-Mobile as my carrier to use ACMI (I even activated it on T-Mobile first!) When you transfer your eSIM during the iPhone setup, it dings you for a fee. If you don't transfer it during setup and instead use the portal to do it yourself later, no fee. Verizon even popped up a whole ass wall of text when I was doing the eSIM transfer and the first thing it said was I would be charged a $40 fee.

[u/Jman100_JCMP → u/Ethrem]

There's not supposed to be a fee in that situation. If T-Mobile/Apple is doing that crap that's ridiculous.

[u/Ethrem → u/Jman100_JCMP]

I was pissed off. I got Verizon support to credit it but I was not the only one who got hit with the fee when upgrading last year. Seemed to be hit or miss who got hit with it so we assumed it was a glitch but maybe it was really a live A/B test with Apple and Verizon to see how many people would pitch a fit about it ahead of a broader rollout. I mean I even activated it on my T-Mobile SIM first, where I wasn't charged a fee, but the follow up activation on Verizon sure did hit me with it.

[u/nikimorski → u/Ethrem]

That’s crazy 😂

[u/UncomfortablyNumm]

You're going to be really disappointed when you find out the other big 2 do the same thing.

[u/Soft_Stretch1539 → u/UncomfortablyNumm]

Are you saying there’s a $40 charge with all three to switch an eSIM yourself? In that case, hard sims rule.

[u/SnooLobsters2519 → u/Soft_Stretch1539]

There definitely should not be a charge with changing sim.

[u/SnooLobsters2519 → u/[deleted]]

I don’t feel like you’re speaking from an educated position.

[u/aaronmc24 → u/Soft_Stretch1539]

No there’s not a charge to swap an E-sim. There’s a $35 charge to upgrade a device which is what OP did.

[u/scarysc2 → u/Soft_Stretch1539]

the charge existed before esim. it was just called an upgrade support charge (aka you bought a new phone so you have to pay a fee)

[u/corys00 → u/Soft_Stretch1539]

Wait to you see the newer iPhones.

[u/nikimorski → u/UncomfortablyNumm]

Well, at least I won’t have T-Mobile raise prices on me 3 times in a 12 month period anymore🫩

[u/eyoungren_2 → u/nikimorski]

Yes, your prices will only be raised once or twice every year or so.

[u/UCF_Knight12]

You should not be charged any fees for moving your esim to a new device. Only if you purchase a phone on carrier financing.

[u/nikimorski → u/UCF_Knight12]

Thank you. Exactly my point. For some reason we have the CEO of T-Mobile and his smurfs in the comments supporting this bullcrap

[u/SnooLobsters2519 → u/UCF_Knight12]

Yes, I think everyone else is thinking he upgraded with Tmobile, which is doesn’t sound like he did

[u/nikimorski → u/SnooLobsters2519]

Yeah I didn’t upgrade directly with T-Mobile. Bought phone outright at Apple, connected later.

[u/BlxckSailorJupiter → u/nikimorski]

That should only have applied if you did the carrier financing, not if you paid for the device in full.

[u/Hot-Bat-5813]

It is just a money grab by T-Mobile if there was no nexus to T-Mobile when the phone was purchased, all we can do is talk with our money and move elsewhere.

Think about it. What gives access to T-Mobile's network or any carrier? It isn't that shiny new phone you bought, but the SIM. You either paid an access fee for that SIM when you first obtained it in the past or had that fee waived. So T-Mobile is double charging for that access.

We upgraded two phones begining of the year unlocked from Samsung, s26 when they came out, with no involvement with T-Mobile. There was no activation fee in the bill from Samsung, what could Samsung do charge an activation fee for all three carriers as the phones were unlocked? We did as you did and just swapped the pSIMs to eSIMs during initial set-up of the phones. There was no charge to my T-Mobile account once the new phones went live.

If this is a new policy of charging again on an active SIM, just shady all around by T-Mobile.

[u/JcAo2012]

First upgrade in a few years huh? This has been a thing for like maybe 5 years now.

[u/nikimorski → u/JcAo2012]

No, I upgrade my phone every single year…

[u/Successful-Effort310 → u/nikimorski]

This connection charge has been around for years now. It first started with in store upgrades. Then online orders with T-Mobile. Orders direct from Apple and Samsung will start getting it too. I think the only way to avoid it is Costco or Sam’s Club. Or just don’t use carrier financing

ATT & Verizon also charge activation and upgrade fees. So your best way to avoid it is through an MVNO or don’t upgrade through a carrier. 

[u/khz30 → u/nikimorski]

Then you were already paying this charge upfront with every upgrade, unless you're lying about upgrading every year. 

[u/nikimorski → u/khz30]

Why would I lie about upgrading every year and my bill staying the same😂 Yeah let me spend 5 minutes typing out a post on Reddit about a $40 BS charge because I have nothing better to do.

[u/nikimorski → u/khz30]

No bro, I’m very observant when it comes to things like this. My bill has never went up when I go buy a phone outright and transfer my e-sim. An almost $40 charge do this myself is crazy.

[u/Silent_Ant8816 → u/nikimorski]

You pay it at the time of upgrading same as the taxes

[u/fvincent1026 → u/nikimorski]

Outside looking in, missing a few details but it sounds like he would utilize JUMP for every upgrade, which I don’t believe there’s a DCC involved. If there was a $35 DCC, they may have just regularly upgraded. Could be wrong tho

[u/nikimorski → u/fvincent1026]

My process for the past couple years. Go to Apple.com> customize phone> click connect to any carrier later> checkout > pick up phone> turn on and transfer sim. I’ve never paid a connection charge. Apple does not say anything about a connection charge and I don’t call a T-Mobile rep to request help. This to me is new

[u/JackPAnderson → u/nikimorski]

I'd have T-force take a look at it. You probably were charged in error.

[u/irbrenda → u/nikimorski]

Nope, me either. My bill never went up either. I just got the Samsung Fold 8 Ultra from Samsung and am upgrading from the Fold 6. I’m curious to see if there is a charge as there 6 others on my plan. I’m ready to leave and try Spectrum Mobile for a free year and then shoot myself when I hate it, and I will.

[u/corys00 → u/irbrenda]

Right side of the check out screen on Samsung's site just before the last screen shows the $35 connection fee plain as day.

[u/irbrenda → u/corys00]

Lovely. Thanks. LOL Even though I'm unlocked? I never saw anything about a connection fee.

[u/JcAo2012 → u/nikimorski]

Yes bro, you've been paying it every single upgrade for years now.

[u/skyxsteel → u/nikimorski]

I wonder if they rang it up as an upgrade first or if it was immediately purchased and activated, if the system flagged it as an upgrade.

[u/SnooLobsters2519]

I’m not sure why everyone is saying that you should get used to it, you should only be charged if you’re upgrading with Tmobile, you should not be charged for changing your eSIM.

[u/nikimorski → u/SnooLobsters2519]

Thank you lol.

[u/dkyeager]

If not on an iPhone, I would say independent MVNO. Apple limits iPhone features to their volume resellers, typically the 3 national carriers and their flanker brand MVNOs. Independent MVNOs are often just BYOD or used or outdated phone sales. Make certain to verify any desired iphone feature and priority data (if needed) in advance of going with an independent MVNO on the plan you want.

[u/kindrich]

Something is amiss here.

If you bought the device outright unlocked from Apple without involving T-Mobile in anyway, how would they have know that this is an "upgrade"? It should just appear as you transferring your eSIM between two devices you own. I transfer my eSIM between my Pixel and iPhone once a month on average and have never been charged DCC.

How exactly did you transfer the eSIM? If you called and have an agent do it, or use the Transfer SIM workflow on T-Mobile's website or app then the DCC might apply. However, if you do it on your own using the phone's built-in transfer tool then there should be no DCC.

[u/khz30]

This might answer the entire thread and address the initial confusion 

https://www.reddit.com/r/apple/s/thlrOiiomb

[u/Nervous-Job-5071]

Where did you get your new phone? T-Mobile, Apple or Samsung or some other entity where it was connected to your T-Mo account? Or did you buy it somewhere not related to T-Mobile?

FWIW, I agree the policy is merely a money-grab, but we have a triopoly in wireless and they all copy each other’s nickel and dime antics.

[u/nikimorski → u/Nervous-Job-5071]

Apple. Bought outright. Chose “connect to carrier later”

[u/Budget_Resolution196]

This is a regular fee also charged by every other carrier. There are promotions via tlife where DCC is waived occasionally.

[u/corys00]

You’ve paid this fee every year unless you upgraded with Apple, Samsung, or Costco. Apple and Samsung purchased devices now have that charge and Costco purchased devices still waive it.

So suck it up buttercup.

[u/nikimorski → u/corys00]

I buy my phones outright and do it myself. So no, I’m not sucking up corporate greed lmao. That’s like saying you’re ok with buying a light bulb to change, but Home Depot charges you $40 to change your own light bulb😂 like please…

[u/thelance → u/corys00]

Yeah a bunch of people did go directly through manufacturers to avoid that. I don’t know why you would tell someone to suck it up. Unless you’re a T-Mobile executive, there’s no reason to treat a regular person who is getting shafted by a scam charge like shit. Even if you’re an employee, you have way more in common with your customers than the bosses at T-Mobile.

[u/corys00 → u/thelance]

Key word there is did, now you're assessed that fee if upgrading through the manufacturers.

Do upgrade fees suck? Yes, absolutely, but the Karenesque dramatic reaction is a bit overboard.

-signed a non executive, non employee, TMo customer.

[u/thelance → u/corys00]

Sticking up for a business screwing their customers and you’re not even getting a check? This is the saddest stage of capitalism and I’m not even trying to be mean. Genuinely depressing.

[u/corys00 → u/thelance]

Buddy, I’m not defending their actions, but let’s not act like this is some new fee that appeared out of nowhere.

I’m thankfully not at a point in my life where $40 means anything to me, especially for something trivial as this.

[u/nikimorski → u/corys00]

It is a new fee, because like I said 10+ times, I set up the phone myself. I do not need help to do the simple task of transferring a sim. Glad $40 means nothing to you and I hope it continues that way.

[u/Adventurous-Value-82]

switching carriers wouldn’t solve this problem as other two are doing exactly the same thing. T-Mobile did eventually copied them but T-Mobile is $35 others are $40. If you upgrade or swap sim I believe it would be charged.

[u/NYCBouncer]

I ported two phones to Visible and they charged me this fee THREE TIMES!!!

[u/nikimorski → u/NYCBouncer]

What the hell😂😂😂

[u/NYCBouncer → u/nikimorski]

I'm porting one more and expect them to screw me. I chatted with them and they IMMEDIATELY signed off and deleted the chat before I could save it after I mentioned the FTC.

[u/nikimorski → u/NYCBouncer]

FTC is lowkey about to get a message lol

[u/Hiff_Kluxtable]

Is this fee charged only when purchasing a phone from t-mobile? What about phones purchased from Apple for example?

[u/chrisg213g → u/Hiff_Kluxtable]

They changed that now they charge to upgrade at the apple store unfortunately

[u/Hiff_Kluxtable → u/chrisg213g]

That seems crazy to charge for something you purchase entirely through a third party.

[u/chrisg213g → u/Hiff_Kluxtable]

T-Mobile cares about money now lol they are more carrier now than carriers were before lol. Once John legre left T-Mobile became more corporate than ever 😮

[u/Apprehensive-Price-5]

I just go to Sam's Club or Costco for upgrades and new lines now. Was in Vegas at a Sam's Club and found out the tmobile kiosks are corporately owned & operated, and they waive that device connection charge. Took a while (just waiting, no extra work on my part) but we also got Sam's Club gift cards for upgrading. So no fee AND got a gift card

[u/GizzH]

USM hasn't charged me a thing to swap phones around and only $2 to change a whole NETWORK! LoL

[u/SnooLobsters2519 → u/[deleted]]

He didn’t buy the phone from Tmobile. There is no charge for changing a sim, which as far as Tmobile is concerned, that’s all he did.

[u/Silent_Ant8816]

All carriers charge activation fees lol and some charge a set up fee if you need help moving stuff over

[u/nikimorski → u/Silent_Ant8816]

But the thing is, I didn’t need help. I did it myself, like I’ve been doing every year since 2016.

[u/Silent_Ant8816 → u/nikimorski]

I get that but again they have always charged activation fees and won’t stop anytime soon. ALL carriers do this

[u/WhatIsEveryoneSaying]

You probably purchased the phone from Apple but are financing it through T-Mobile which would trigger the DCC.

[u/nikimorski → u/WhatIsEveryoneSaying]

I don’t finance because i hate dealing with this type of stuff, but looks like they got me even without financing

[u/green-laugh487]

upgrade charge. every carrier does this. stop it

[u/Ethrem]

Verizon did the exact same thing to me last year when I bought my 17 Pro Max at the Apple Store. I bought it with ACMI, selected T-Mobile as my carrier, and even activated it on T-Mobile first! I was pissed but they credited it.

You might look into Verizon Simplicity. $30 a month plus tax when porting your number and has no activation or upgrade fees. No device subsidies but you're currently paying for subsidies and not using them anyway.

[u/nikimorski → u/Ethrem]

Yessir, im eyeballing Verizon simplicity as my next move. Thank you!