Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
TL;DR
- Some users have reported phone service issues with Mint Mobile, US Mobile, and other carriers based on T-Mobile’s network.
- The issue stems from a recent T-Mobile network change. Phones that don’t support LTE Band 71 may no longer work correctly in many cases.
- The problem primarily impacts phones designed for markets outside the US or US-specific models that are around four years old or older.
Earlier this week, we learned T-Mobile is offering free phone replacements for select customers affected by upcoming network changes. While T-Mobile has been notifying its direct customers about the need to switch phones due to this band change, it seems not everyone has received the message. After all, it’s not just T-Mobile customers that use the uncarrier’s network. Reddit threads are popping up across subreddits for Mint Mobile, US Mobile, Tello, and other T-Mobile-based providers asking why some users suddenly have access only to EDGE speeds or SOS mode. If this sounds like your current situation, odds are your phone doesn’t support Band 71 on 4G or N71 on 5G.
So what’s going on exactly? Simply put, T-Mobile has been aggressively rolling out Band 71 for years and now it’s ready to phase out some of its legacy LTE bands. Recently, it reconfigured a large number of its cell towers to shut down Bands B2, B4, B12, B41, and B66. While these older bands may still work in some areas, it’s clear their days are numbered.
The changes primarily impact the following devices:
- Phones not designed for the North American market, including brands like Xiaomi, Nothing, and non-North American models of OnePlus, Motorola, Samsung, Google, and Apple devices.
- Older US-specific phones, particularly those over four years old, as many don’t support Band 71 even if intended for U.S. carriers.
To determine if your phone will be affected, avoid relying on the Mint Mobile or T-Mobile compatibility checkers, as they’re often inaccurate. As LeftOn4ya advises in the Mint Mobile subreddit, FrequencyCheck.com spells out what specific bands you do and don’t have. If you want to ensure proper support for T-Mobile’s network your phone at a minimum you’ll want:
- LTE bands: 2,4, 12,66, and 71
- 5G bands: n71 and n41
For high-band 5G support, you’ll also need bands 25/n258, 26/n60, and n261.
What if my phone doesn’t support the necessary bands?
If your phone lacks these bands, you’ll likely experience poor service — or none at all. If you’ve been satisfied with T-Mobile’s network, your best option is to upgrade to a compatible device. Alternatively, you could switch to a different network. AT&T may present similar compatibility issues, but Verizon and its network partners won’t be a problem. I highly recommend US Mobile or Visible. Both of these support eSIM so you can port out immediately before any problems arise.
Don’t want to leave networks? Now is a great time to buy a new phone with Black Friday promotions going on. You can check out our full list of Black Friday phone deals in our guide, but here are just a few of our recommended picks:
