Having no signal when you need it most makes you wonder why you dish hundreds a year on cell service. Now, thanks to T-Mobile, you can use free cellular Starlink connectivity on your phone as a backup.
Free Cellular Starlink for 90 Days
While free forever would obviously be better, T-Mobile is offering 90 days of Starlink Internet for free to users on T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T, and more. The service, dubbed T-Satellite, launched just for a small portion of T-Mobile users back in January 2025. The offer’s slowly expanded to now include anyone in the US on almost any carrier as long as your phone is compatible.
If you meet the compatibility requirements, your phone will switch back and forth between your normal carrier and T-Satellite as needed. This doesn’t replace your normal cell/data plan. It’s only a backup for areas without cellular connectivity.
You must sign up by July to get the free 90 days. After that, you’ll have to pay a small monthly fee.
Check Your Phone for Compatibility
To qualify, your phone must:
- Be unlocked
- Have eSIM (embedded SIM) capability
- Be satellite optimized
Odds are, if you purchased your phone directly from the manufacturer’s site, it’s unlocked. All this means is your phone can be used on other carrier networks.
The quickest way to check is to use T-Mobile’s free check tool to see if your phone is eligible to use their network. Just enter your IMEI number. For iPhone users, go to Settings -> General -> About. For Android users, go to Settings -> About Phone -> Status.
If it’s listed as a compatible device, it’s unlocked. Another way to check is through your device’s settings.
If you purchased your device directly from the carrier, it may be locked. If your device is locked, contact your carrier to have them unlock it.
Originally, T-Mobile only offered cellular Starlink on a few types of phones. Now, the list has grown. Even if your device is unlocked, you must own one of the following to qualify:
- iPhone – All iPhone 13, 14, 15, and 16 models
- Pixel – Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, and 9 Pro Fold
- Motorola – All moto razr 2024 and 2025 models
- Samsung – All Samsung Galaxy S21, S22, S23, S24, and S25 models; All Galaxy Z Flip3, Flip4, Flip5, and Flip6 models; All Galaxy Z Fold3, Fold4, Fold5, and Fold6 models; Galaxy XCover7 Pro; Galaxy A36 and A36E; and Galaxy A54
More devices are being added in the coming months.
Signing Up for a T-Satellite Invite
The cellular Starlink service is still in beta, so you’ll need to register for an invite. Don’t worry, as long as your device is compatible, you’ll get in. Originally, there were limited spots, but now it’s an open sign up.
Fill out the registration form near the bottom of the T-Satellite with Starlink page.
Wait for an email invite, which should arrive within 24 hours. You’ll then need to provide your billing information. The free offer is a 90-day trial. After that, you’ll be charged $10 per month for the service. The service is included in some T-Mobile plans, including Experience Beyond and Go5G Next.
After that, you’ll receive a confirmation along with your eSIM.
Activating Your eSIM
Your invite email should contain instructions on how to activate your eSIM on your particular device. If your device only allows one eSIM, your current carrier may already be using that slot. If so, you’ll need to contact them for a physical SIM card.
Connect your phone to Wi-Fi, not your mobile network. Wait for a notification that your T-Mobile Cellular Plan is ready. Tap this notification and follow the steps to activate the eSIM on your device.
Initial T-Satellite Limitations
The full launch for cellular Starlink via T-Mobile doesn’t happen until July 2025. Until then, the service is still in beta, so you may still have some glitches.
For now, T-Mobile is sticking to texting only with their satellite service. Voice and data are in the works. Location sharing and texting 911 are supported, though, for emergency use.
Enjoy T-Life Perks
All T-Mobile customers have access to T-Life, which is a perks program offering discounts on various services. You don’t have to use the T-Life app, but it’s an added bonus on joining the T-Mobile network.
The T-Life does record activity on your phone by default, though T-Mobile states it only records while you’re in the app. Either way, there’s zero reason for the app to record any of your activity.
In T-Life, tap Manage -> Settings. Toggle off Screen recording tool. Please note, this option only shows up when you’re logged in. I haven’t created a T-Life account, so it’s not available in my settings.
If you’ve been considering switching carriers, check out the T-Life app for a Network Pass. Try out T-Mobile’s network for three months without switching carriers, changing your number, or switching phones. You can only do this once per phone.
Signing Up After the Beta
Remember, even after the beta period ends, T-Satellite is still available to all users across the US even if you’re not a T-Mobile user. As long as your phone’s compatible, you can enjoy unlimited texting via cellular Starlink, even when your mobile carrier doesn’t have service in that area. Pricing is just $10/month, though it may increase as T-Mobile adds voice and data services.
