How to leave an AT&T family plan & switch to a new carrier

If you’re reading this, you’re probably interested in ditching an AT&T family plan. Maybe you feel more financially secure, maybe you’ve started a family of your own or maybe you’re just ready to fly the wireless nest. Whatever the reason is, this blog will show you how to leave an AT&T family plan and move on to a new carrier. And who knows? Maybe the whole fam will end up joining you.

Before leaving an AT&T family plan

Before we dive fully into leaving your old AT&T family plan, here are a few things you’ll need to consider:

• Determine what you need (and don’t need) in your new phone plan 

Are you always on the go and need a mobile hotspot? You’ll want a plan that offers one. Or maybe you work from home and are constantly on Wi-Fi? You probably need a plan with less data then.

There are also things you probably don’t need in a wireless plan, like random streaming services and other “extras” that just cost you more in the long run. Wireless isn’t one-size-fits-all, so you need to figure out what kind of plan you need before you find your new wireless home. 

• Find your new carrier and make sure you’re compatible

Based on your wireless plan needs, research what wireless plans offer your must-haves. And when you find the right fit, make sure your phone is unlocked and compatible.

• Tell the primary account holder you’re leaving (or assign a new primary)

Make sure you hit up the family plan head honcho before you leave, whether it’s in the group chat or IRL. This gives them time to plan for any changes to the family plan that might occur.

NOTE: For most carriers, If you are the designated primary account holder on your family plan, you’ll need to appoint a new primary before you switch. Otherwise, all other accounts on the family plan will be automatically canceled when you leave. Just make sure to review the family plan terms and rules before canceling to avoid any unintended consequences.

How to get off an AT&T family plan

Alright, you’ve found new wireless pastures and you’re ready to leave your AT&T family plan. Here’s what to do:

Clear up any outstanding charges

A Lannister person that wants to switch carriers always pays their debts. If you bought a phone through AT&T or have any other kind of outstanding bills with them, you need to take care of those before you leave. There may also be an early termination fee, but usually the savings you’ll get by switching to a new carrier will outweigh those.

Contact AT&T to let them know you’ll be leaving

This can be done by you or your primary account holder (as long as you told them about it first, natch). 

Get all the info needed to switch

That would be your account number and number transfer PIN, as well as your billing ZIP code. 

• To find your account number: Log in to your myAT&T profile and scroll to “My Linked Accounts.” Select the account from which you’d like to transfer the number.
  
• To request your Number Transfer PIN: Dial *7678 from your AT&T phone and enter your passcode when prompted. You’ll receive a temporary four-digit Number Transfer PIN in your messages.
  
  Note: Make sure you don’t disconnect your AT&T service before requesting your Number Transfer PIN or you’ll have to reactivate your phone number with AT&T.

• Make sure Wireless Number Lock is disabled 

Most AT&T accounts are locked by default, and their “Wireless Account Lock” feature needs to be disabled before they’ll let your number be transferred. To disable it:

1. Log in to your myAT&T profile
2. Select “Services” at the bottom
3. Select “Mobile Security,” scroll down to and select “Wireless Account Lock”
4. Scroll down to and select “Continue”
5. Find the account you want to transfer and swipe to unlock

Reasons for leaving an AT&T family plan

Maybe you’ve read all the how-tos, but you’re not fully convinced you need to leave your AT&T family plan. Here are just a few: 

• Independence: Leaving the family plan can be a great step toward independence. You’ll get a little more privacy when it comes to how you use your phone and you won’t have to deal with all those pesky group chat texts once the monthly wireless bill rolls around.
  
• Flexibility: You also get more of a say when it comes to choosing the right plan and carrier for you instead of being lumped into whatever plan that works best for the rest of the fam. And with flexible data options, you can switch as often as you need to depending on your changing needs, or choose how many months at a time you buy for those buy in bulk wireless savings.
  
• Bragging rights: If you’re a savvy wireless shopper (and you wouldn’t be reading the Mint blog if you weren’t one), you’ll probably end up saving way more than your family that stuck around on the old plan. You can even use our savings calculator to see just how much you’ll be saving. Or, as real-life Mint Mobile customer Michael G. puts it: “My favorite thing about being on Mint is I pay way less than all my family and friends, and I have the same quality of service.”

Adios, AT&T family plan

Now you know everything there is to know on how to get off your AT&T family plan. If you’re still looking for a wireless plan that fits all of your needs, with flexible data options and buy in bulk pricing, well…your search is over. Tap the button below and find your wireless plan soulmate.