The policy reversal is live. | Image by The Mobile Report
The first backtrack concerns a limit on device promos. T-Mobile had slashed the number of times an account could use a specific device promo from four down to two. The four per-account limit has officially been reinstated, perThe Mobile Report.
The change not only frustrated potential switchers, but also employees who depend on such transactions for commissions. Those apprehensions reportedly played a major role in T-Mobile's decision to revoke the change.
Free lines get breathing room
The second reversal involves device financing on free lines. T-Mobile barred most free lines from taking advantage of device discounts, with a few exceptions like Yearly Upgrades, "Third line free" promos, and Buy One Get One (BOGO) at the time of activation.
While the situation remains mostly the same, long-time subscribers who got "Line On Us" free lines years ago are now eligible for device promos again. The promo has been renamed "3rd Line Service Promo with New Line."
Recommended For You
BOGO lines remain restricted even for veteran customers.
Why did T-Mobile revert the changes?
Complaining works
In this rare instance, it seems as though complaining loudly pays off.
That said, T-Mobile is unlikely to be cornered into making concessions or to let sentiments get the better of it. We suppose that the restrictions were affecting switching activity. Of course, with T-Mobile hiding subscriber counts due to possible slower growth, we'd never know.
The times are changing
With a rough 2025 springing Verizon into action and MVNOs nibbling at the edges, T-Mobile can't afford to mess around. The reversal of a policy just a month after announcing it proves that T-Mobile is not immune to the consequences of a bad decision.
Get Visible as low as $20/mo for 1 year. Limited time offer with code: FRESHSTART
$20
/mo
$25
$5 off (20%)
Offer Ends 6.1.2026 at 11.59pm ET. New members get $5/mo off the $25/mg Visible plan, $35/mo Visible+ plan, or $45/mo Visible+ Pro plan for the first 12 months. Promo code FRESHSTART required at checkout.
Anam Hamid is a computer scientist turned tech journalist who has a keen interest in the tech world, with a particular focus on smartphones and tablets. She has previously written for Android Headlines and has also been a ghostwriter for several tech and car publications. Anam is not a tech hoarder and believes in using her gadgets for as long as possible. She is concerned about smartphone addiction and its impact on future generations, but she also appreciates the convenience that phones have brought into our lives. Anam is excited about technological advancements like folding screens and under-display sensors, and she often wonders about the future of technology. She values the overall experience of a device more than its individual specs and admires companies that deliver durable, high-quality products. In her free time, Anam enjoys reading, scrolling through Reddit and Instagram, and occasionally refreshing her programming skills through tutorials.
A discussion is a place, where people can voice their opinion, no matter if it
is positive, neutral or negative. However, when posting, one must stay true to the topic, and not just share some
random thoughts, which are not directly related to the matter.
Things that are NOT allowed:
Off-topic talk - you must stick to the subject of discussion
Offensive, hate speech - if you want to say something, say it politely
Spam/Advertisements - these posts are deleted
Multiple accounts - one person can have only one account
Impersonations and offensive nicknames - these accounts get banned
To help keep our community safe and free from spam, we apply temporary limits to newly created accounts:
New accounts created within the last 24 hours may experience restrictions on how frequently they can
post or comment.
These limits are in place as a precaution and will automatically lift.
Moderation is done by humans. We try to be as objective as possible and moderate with zero bias. If you think a
post should be moderated - please, report it.
Have a question about the rules or why you have been moderated/limited/banned? Please,
contact us.
Things that are NOT allowed:
To help keep our community safe and free from spam, we apply temporary limits to newly created accounts: