These apps will allow you to try the mobile network before you buy

Finding a a new smartphone used to describe how limited the process was. You were committed to a carrier, usually for two years or more, and the phone you bought was locked to their network until you paid for it. Basically, your mobile network played the show.

Things have gotten a lot better in the last eight years. For one, most phones come unlocked by default. That means you can take them to any carrier you want if you own them. The carrier’s plans are also flexible, and they are very keen to keep you close with additional bundles and benefits. Things still aren’t exactly cheap, but they’ve become a little more hateful. If you’re shopping for a new mobile network, you can try out the carrier without going ahead or dealing with sales at the store by downloading an app. This whole process sounds like a slice of the future, but it’s only possible because of inherent compromises eSIMs.

You can download the new carrier as an app

AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon support it

Currently, my Pixel 9 is unlocked Google Fi Wirelessa Google-owned MVNO that uses T-Mobile’s network to provide service in the United States. I wanted to try another carrier to see if I could get more reliable service in Central California, so I decided to test the Verizon network first to see if it would make a difference. Like T-Mobile and AT&T, when you download the My Verizon app, you can manage your existing account or sign up for a “Verizon Free Trial” to see what it’s all about. The Verizon trial promises a few things:

• No interruption to your outgoing service
• Unlimited speech and text
• Up to 100GB of 4G/5G data
• 480p streaming on 4G/5G, 4K streaming on 5G Ultra Wideband (if your phone supports it
• No commitment or credit check required

You need a phone that supports an eSIM (digital SIM card) and isn’t yet on one of Verizon’s networks, but if not, there seem to be no other strings attached. You don’t have to enter a credit card number, and all you have to provide is your email, current phone number, and name.

Verizon — and other carriers with a similar enrollment process — suggests setting up your eSIM so that the trial network can deliver data to your phone and your calls and texts still come through your current provider. That way there is no confusion with phone numbers. The whole process is incredibly simple and user-friendly to set up on your phone, too.

How to sign up for a free Verizon trial

If you want to try it yourself, make sure your phone is unlocked and not currently restricted to any network you’re currently on. You should also make sure that if you are using a Verizon trial you are not on Visible, Tracfone, or Verizon itself. Then download the My Verizon app from the Google Play Store or the App Store.

1. Open the My Verizon operating system.
2. Agree to Verizon’s terms.
3. Tap Verizon Free Trial.
4. Sign in with your preferred Google Account.
5. Tap Get started.
6. Enter your details.
7. Tap Go ahead and Verizon will set up your new trial number and download your eSIM to your phone.
8. Once downloaded, tap Settings to activate your eSIM.
9. Set your own Phone calls and texts on your current mobile network and yours The data to Verizon by tapping on each category and selecting an eSIM.

The eSIM will be active, and you will receive a notification that your number is live. Your phone should now be connected to the Verizon network.

An eSIM makes everything seamless — and even more difficult

Very few things about owning a smartphone are simple

I noticed an immediate difference between using Verizon for data over Fi. You can chalk that up to the difference between the two network coverage areas (and the second-tier information that MVNO data gets), but what impressed me the most was that I could find the difference by downloading an app.

None of this would be possible without eSIM support. eSIMs were officially introduced by GSMA in 2016 and supported by iOS and Android in 2018 and 2017, respectively. An eSIM is a piece of software that replaces a physical SIM card. Unlike a SIM, which you can move from one device to another without service interruption (there are exceptions that are often required by carriers to unlock), eSIMs are made entirely by the carrier. They decide if you can download it from your phone and if you move it to a new device.

Because they don’t have to be shipped to you or require a store employee to operate, you can have remote and automated carrier information. It streamlines everything and makes new, really useful experiences like these work tests possible. However, the end of portable SIMs has its drawbacks.

While the whole system is a significant win for anyone trying to comparison shop, it also limits how much you can own a smartphone. If you still pay for the service, you should be able to stream it to any device you want. Not so with eSIM. The process is constantly evolving, but the prevalence of digital SIMs means that you may not fully own your phone or have access to the service that runs on it.

Free trials mean you can be a more informed network buyer

Try before you buy

These carrier trials aren’t available everywhere, but they’re a distinct advantage of buying a new cell phone network in the US that’s worth checking out. You can look at a coverage map and get a feel for which cell phone network will work best in your area, but nothing beats being able to try it out first. With the right app downloaded, you can.

If you’re looking for something a little different from the usual carriers, Pocket-lint has in-depth coverage of Mint Mobile and Google Fi Wireless. If you’re looking to try one of these carrier trials for yourself, you can download one of the apps below.

My Verizon

The My Verizon app lets you manage your existing Verizon account, pay your bills, and download an eSIM to try the Verizon network directly from your phone.

myAT&T

The myAT&T app lets you manage your AT&T cell phone and home wireless plans, as well as sample AT&T service directly from your phone.

IT-Life

The T-Life app lets you manage your T-Mobile account, pay bills, buy new devices, and sample the T-Mobile network right from your phone.