Data works a little differently when connected outside the T-Mobile network in the U.S. T-Mobile continues to invest billions in expanding network coverage and improving its network speed and performance. In locations in the U.S. where we do not yet have network coverage, we partner with other networks.
On this page:
- How it works
- How much domestic roaming data do you get?
- Check and reduce data use
- What happens when your domestic roaming data is used
How it works
When you travel outside of T-Mobile's U.S. network areas, your phone automatically switches to use one of our wireless network partners where available when you have data roaming enabled.
- Check out our map of the network and roaming areas.
- T-Mobile coordinates with these partners to give our customers connectivity outside of our network. T-Mobile does not charge an additional fee for this service, but because we do not own these networks, there are limitations to data use.
- There may be times when your device still attempts to roam on another U.S. wireless network, even when you're within the T-Mobile coverage area. If you’d like to limit this, try the tips to reduce data usage.
How to know if you're roaming domestically
The best way to check your active network is to go into the phone settings and check for the mobile network or phone status options. The process varies by device, and you can find it in your user guide.
- When roaming on these networks, you'll receive free usage alerts via text message to alert you if you approach/reach your available domestic roaming data.
- You can review the T-Mobile coverage map prior to traveling to determine if your destination is within a T-Mobile or partner network area.
How much domestic roaming data do you get?
Recent postpaid plans (On or after 11/15/2015)
If you have one of our more recent postpaid plans from the last few years (all Magenta plans, T-Mobile Essentials, all ONE Plan, or a Simple Choice plan activated on or after November 15, 2015 - both voice and mobile Internet), then you have 200 MB of domestic roaming data per billing cycle.
Preferred roaming partners: T-Mobile has two classifications of domestic roaming networks based on the agreement we have in place with each partner, standard and preferred. In some parts of the US, preferred partners may provide additional courtesy data beyond the amount included in your rate plan while domestically roaming; standard partners do not. If roaming on a preferred partner network, you may continue to receive data at 2G speeds or higher until you return to a T-Mobile coverage area, begin roaming in another area covered by one of our standard network partners, or begin the next bill cycle. This additional amount of data is provided as a courtesy and is determined by the individual partnership, varies across network partners, and may change or even be removed at any time.
Older postpaid plans (Before 11/15/2015)
If you're on a postpaid plan activated before November 15, 2015, your data roaming eligibility depends on the high-speed data included in your plan. To determine your data roaming eligibility:
- Log in to your T-Mobile account.
- Select Account.
- Find the line you want to check.
- Select the > next to ADD ONS.
- Select the > next to PLAN.
- Check the limit of your high-speed data feature in the following table:
| Data feature / plan | Domestic roaming data limit |
|---|---|
| Less than 200 MB | 5 MB |
| 200 MB to 1 GB | 10 MB |
| 2 GB to 4.99 GB | 50 MB |
| 5 GB to 10.99 GB | 100 MB |
| 11 GB to 21 GB | 200 MB |
| Unlimited high-speed data w/ SMHS | 50 MB |
| Limited high-speed w/ SMHS | 50 MB |
| Mobile Web Pay Per Use | 10 MB |
| Tourist Plan | 200 MB |
Prepaid plans
Please contact us if you're unsure how much domestic roaming data you have because this varies between our many plans.
Check and reduce data use
You will receive a free usage alert via text message to notify you when you’re approaching the end of your domestic roaming data for that area and a second alert when you reach it.
Android phones can use apps like My Data Manager to track and control usage. It's not a T-Mobile app and may not show accurate network usage, but it's useful for general reference. The app may use data.
To reduce data usage when roaming:
- Use Wi-Fi whenever possible, especially when streaming or downloading.
- Adjust the settings in your phone to disable data roaming, and then turn it on only when you need it. Head over to the Device tutorials page, select your device, and you'll find steps to change these settings.
- Avoid using apps that use a lot of data when roaming, such as streaming video.
- Turn off background data sync for apps. Set email and other social networking apps that sync data to "manual" mode instead of "automatic" or "push," so you can control when they use data.
What happens when your domestic roaming data is used
T-Mobile does not charge for domestic roaming data. You will receive a free usage alert via text message to notify you when you’re approaching the end of domestic roaming data available for that area, and a second alert when you reach it.
Once you've used all of your domestic roaming data in a bill cycle, your data services may not be available until you return to a T-Mobile coverage area or until your next bill cycle.
- If you have a Wi-Fi-capable device, you can still connect to Wi-Fi to access the Internet while roaming.
- If you'd like to inquire about other solutions, visit our contact us pageto get in touch with us.
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