transferring subsidized phones and cancellation fees

[sykpa]

We have a family plan with four lines. For this question only two are relevant. We'll call them line A and line B and their owners User A and User B.

Both currently have dumbphones and both lines have phone upgrades available. User A wants to get a new smartphone, User B is happy with his old dumbphone. However, User A will be moving outside the US before the 2-year commitment that would be triggered by using the phone upgrade on her line would be over, and would like to keep the subsidized smartphone.

Would the following scenario work to keep the phone while avoiding getting hit with fees for breaking the 2 year contract?

- User B upgrades his phone to a smartphone, automatically renewing Line B's 2-year commitment.

- User B activates the new smartphone on Line B after the upgrade, then a day or two later deactivates the phone, reactivates his old dumb phone on Line B, and cancels data service on Line B.

- User A activates the new smartphone on Line A and uses it until it is time for her overseas move.

- Before moving, User A deactivates the smartphone and Line A is cancelled from the family plan. User A takes the deactivated phone with her to her new country and uses it there.

Thanks so much for your help and advice!

[rcschnoor · Accepted solution]

That would work, but keep in mind User B would not be eligible for a discounted upgrade for another 2 years.

[Jax_Omen]

This will work fine, make sure User A picks a GSM-capable smartphone, preferably a 4g LTE one so that it's already international-unlocked, and make sure they pick one that allows inputting custom APN settings (sadly, not all of them do!).