As seen on
The New York Times The Wall Street Journal CNN NBC News CBS News ABC News USA Today Yahoo Finance CNBC

How to Cancel Cell Phone Service With Fewer Surprises

Calculate device balances, lost credits, remaining services, and final-bill timing before ending an account.

The short answer

Calculate device balances, lost credits, remaining services, and final-bill timing before ending an account.

Step by step

  1. Ask the carrier for a written account-close estimate that separates service charges, device payoff, and promotional credits.

  2. Decide which numbers must be transferred and initiate those ports while the account remains active.

  3. Move or cancel watches, tablets, home internet, insurance, and other connected services individually.

  4. Return leased or carrier-owned equipment using a tracked method and keep the receipt.

  5. Review the final bill and the following bank statement to confirm autopay stopped and no line remained active.

Before you finish

Keep screenshots, receipts, chat transcripts, confirmation numbers, and the first bill after a change. Carrier terms and account eligibility can change, so verify the final price and conditions directly before submitting an order.

Continue with the related SaveOnPhone guide