Wondering how to switch phones on Boost mobile account? Well, it’s very, very easy!
Switching from one device to another on your Boost mobile account is simple, but does require a few mandatory steps.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the entire process and answer most of your questions in regard to switching from an old to a new Boost mobile device.
To swap your Boost mobile phone, verify that your new device is not locked and acquire the IMEI number from the settings. Then from the Boost mobile webpage, select “Phone Swap”, and insert the IMEI number of your new phone.
Let’s continue to unwrap!
Can You Switch Phones on Boost Mobile?
Yes, it’s entirely possible and there are two general ways of doing so. The first possible way is to simply contact Boost Customer Support for a guided switch or simply do a self-activation.
So everything you need to do is verify that your new device is compatible with all the requirements.
How Can I Switch Phones With Boost Mobile?
First, you’re going to need a new unlocked phone, prepared for the insertion of the Boost SIM card from your old device.
However, you would need to set up this new phone before the switch process, because you’ll need to prepare some information that you’ll need later in the process.
What is a “Locked” Device?
You will not be able to switch from an old mobile to a new device if the new phone is locked to a certain operator, different from Boost.
So, an operator-locked phone can only be used only with the operator, for which the device has been locked, hence you need to verify this factor early!
There are two ways to know if your device is locked to a carrier or not:
- Use a secondary non-Boost SIM card to test the phone!
- Go into Settings > Connections > Networks > Operators.
Info: If your phone is unable to list more than one cellular network, it’s probably locked to the only carrier network that appears in the operator's list.
How to Get The IMEI Number?
The second and most important requirement for switching phones on Boost is to have the IMEI number of your new phone.
The IMEI is a unique identifier for absolutely any smartphone and can be easily found within the settings of your new mobile.
- Android – go to Settings > About Phone > IMEI Number.
- iOS – go to Settings > General > About > IMEI Number.
Note: Proceed only if your new mobile is unlocked and you have the IMEI number!
Verify SIM Card Compatibility!
One of the most important factors to check before you begin the phone swap is to verify that the Boost SIM card from your old phone matches the SIM tray in your new phone.
Since SIM cards come in 3 different sizes, it’s crucial to ensure that the SIM will match your new phone!
Info: The sizes of the SIM cards are “Standard”, “Micro” and “Nano”!
How to Switch Phones on Boost Mobile Account?
Note: The steps below describe the “self-activation” swap process!
1. Go to BoostMobile.com
The first step is to hop on a computer or a laptop with an active internet connection and a web browser that you could use.
The next step is to navigate to the official Boost mobile website and sign into your BoostMobile Account.
This will redirect you straight to the Boost mobile homepage.
2. Navigate to “Swap Mobile”
When you’re signed into your Boost mobile account on the official webpage, you need to hover over the “My Boost” section from the menu on the top.
When you move the cursor, a drop-down menu will appear, so you need to select “Swap Device” located under the “Device” section.
3. Insert the New Phone IMEI
When you click on the “Swap Device” option, you’ll be presented with the “Device Info” screen, which would require the IMEI of your new device.
This is the only way for the online system to be able to recognize your device’s hardware and be able to swap your account.
- First, input the IMEI of your new phone under “Serial Number / IMEI”.
- Secondly, confirm the serial number IMEI by typing the code again.
It’s crucial to verify that the IMEI is exactly as shown on your new phone’s settings.
Any, even if minimal mistakes will fail the phone swap process due to the case and number field sensitivity.
Reminder: If you don’t know how to get your device’s IMEI, scroll up in the guide and follow the steps for Android or iOS smartphones.
4. See the Equipment Change!
The following screen will show you the “Old Phone” as well as the model plus the “New phone” and of course, the model.
This on-screen comparison will help you confirm that the phone swap is correct, showing you which machine is the old one and which will be the new one from now.
If everything appears to be correct, just click on the “Next” button!
Note: When you see the “That Was Easy” message, then the online swapping is complete!
5. Swap the Boost SIM Card
The hard part is over. It’s now time to take the Boost SIM card of the old mobile and insert the card into the newly activated phone.
- There could be a delay of up to a “few minutes” as warned on the website!
Here’s exactly what to do to swap the SIM card between the phones:
- First, acquire the SIM card ejector tool or a needle!
- To open the SIM tray, reach inside the tray pinhole.
- Apply pressure within to pop out the SIM card holder.
- Gently eject the Boost SIM card from your old device.
- Repeat, to insert the Boost SIM into your new mobile.
- Insert the 4-digit PIN code of your Boost SIM card.
When you close the SIM tray, your new Boost mobile will take about 10 seconds to prompt you to insert the PIN code.
After a successful transfer, you’ll receive coverage immediately, or if not, then in a couple of minutes and this would be the end of the entire process.
Tip: When ready, make a call to test whether everything works well.
How to Switch Phones on Boost Mobile via Support?
In case the “self-activation” swap process didn’t work out for you, or you’re under pressure by specific circumstances, there is another way.
In case you didn’t know, the Boost Support team can do the phone swap for you, but you’ll have to prepare the needed information beforehand.
So, here’s exactly what to do to swap phones on Boost mobile:
- Note: Use your current Boost mobile smartphone!
- First, call the Boost Mobile hotline (1-833-502-6678).
- After the prompt, press “3” for Account Changes.
- After the next prompt, press “2” for a Phone Swap.
- Follow the voice instructions for swapping accounts.
Tip: You can also choose to speak with a Boost mobile agent if there is anything preventing you from performing a phone swap yourself.
What to Do if Boost Phone-Swap is Not Working?
In case the Boost phone swap didn’t work for you, first remember the primary requirements:
Stay Within Boost Network Coverage
It’s very important to make sure that you’re standing in an area with good cellular reception since your new phone won’t work without a signal.
So, if you’re in the countryside, the mountain, or underground, we recommend attempting the phone swap process later, with better coverage!
Verify that the IMEI Number is Correct
The IMEI number is very sensitive and even a minor mistake won’t allow the phone swap to work so double-check the number.
Watch out for the spaces between the numbers!
Verify that your New Phone is Unlocked
If your phone is locked to a certain operator, you won’t be able to swap to this device. Sadly, a phone that has been locked, cannot be unlocked even with a factory reset.
So, if you’re not sure whether the device is locked or not, test by inserting a different SIM card than Boost mobile SIM.
Call Boost Customer Service for Help!
In case you’re facing issues, simply contact Boost Customer Support for assistance!
Best of luck!
Quick Recap:
In this guide, we’ve learned how to switch phones on Boost mobile account in two ways!
The easiest way would be from the official Boost mobile website, by providing the IMEI number for your new device and swapping the SIM card later when it’s fully activated.
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Finn Wheatley holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from UCL, London. He helped small data science consultancy firms, helping large corporations to grow their data capabilities, deploy advanced machine learning-based analytics and troubleshoot tech-related issues. Check out more about him here.