Getting a US cell phone plan is one of the first jobs you'll need to do when you move to America. It's also one of the surprisingly tricky ones if you're trying to do it before you arrive. Here's the full guide. Which carriers actually work for new arrivals without an SSN. How to get a real US phone number while you're still in Australia. And what to do with your old Aussie number once you're settled.
A note before we start: I'm not affiliated with any carrier and I don't earn commissions on the big networks. Some of the links below — Mint Mobile and Hushed — are referral links. They earn America Josh a small credit if you sign up. These are services I either use myself or have used in specific situations.
Quick US cell phone plan vocabulary for Australians
A few words to swap before you make any calls:
- “Mobile” in Australia → “cell” or “cell phone” in the US
- “SIM card” → still SIM card, but you'll hear about “eSIM” much more here
- “Telco” or “carrier” → “carrier” or “wireless provider”
- “Pre-paid” → “prepaid” (one word) — and it's the most common option for new arrivals
- “Post-paid” → “postpaid” — billed monthly after you've used the service, like a traditional Australian phone contract
When someone says “wireless plan” in America, they mean a mobile phone plan. Not Wi-Fi.
The US cell phone plan decision tree: which stage are you at?
The right phone solution depends entirely on where you are in the moving process. Three scenarios:
Stage 1 — You're still in Australia, but you need a US phone number now
This is the chicken-and-egg problem nobody warns you about. American banks, landlords, employers, and US government forms (including ESTAs and visa applications) all want a US phone number. But you can't typically get one from a US carrier until you're physically in the US with an address.
Solution: Use Hushed to get a real US number from anywhere. More on this in the next section.
Stage 2 — You've just arrived (or are about to arrive)
You need a working US cell plan. No Social Security Number yet. No US credit history. And you don't want to lock into a long contract before you know which area you'll settle in.
Solution: Mint Mobile prepaid. Best price, no SSN required, easy to set up, runs on T-Mobile's network.
Stage 3 — You've been here a year or two
You've got an SSN. Credit is built. You might want to consolidate onto a family plan or finance a new phone.
Solution: One of the big three (Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T) on a postpaid plan. Pricier. But you get phone financing and family plan economics.
The rest of this article walks through each option in detail.
Stage 1: A US cell phone plan before you arrive (Hushed)
This is where most expat guides fall down. The traditional advice — “wait until you arrive and then sign up” — doesn't work in 2026. So many of the things you need to do BEFORE you arrive require a US phone number. That includes applying for US bank accounts, signing apartment leases remotely, completing visa paperwork, applying for jobs, and setting up a US Point of Contact for an ESTA.
The cleanest solution I've found is Hushed.
What Hushed actually is
Hushed is a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service that gives you a real US phone number. It works through an app on your existing phone over Wi-Fi or data. It's not a SIM card. Your existing Australian SIM stays in your phone and works as normal. Hushed runs as an app alongside it.
You sign up, pick your area code (yes, you can look like a New Yorker before you've ever set foot in Manhattan), pay for a plan, and you have a US number within minutes. Calls and texts route through the internet. So you can use it from anywhere — Sydney, Bali, the airport in LAX, or your new apartment in Brooklyn.
What Hushed is good for
- Banking applications — when SoFi or Capital One asks for your US phone number on an online application
- Apartment hunting from abroad — when you're emailing brokers and want a US number for callbacks
- Visa and immigration paperwork — when forms request a US contact number, including ESTA point-of-contact requirements
- Job applications — when you don't want to put an Australian number on your resume for US-based roles
- Receiving SMS from US-based services — most (but not all — see below) services accept Hushed numbers for verification codes
- A second number for life admin — long-term as a “junk drawer” number for online forms, retailers, and account verification, separate from your real personal number
What Hushed is NOT good for
I'm going to be straight with you on this because the worst thing I could do is over-promise:
- It's not a replacement for emergency 911 service. VoIP can't reliably reach emergency services. Once you're in the US, you need a real cell plan for that.
- Some services reject VoIP numbers for SMS verification. Most US banks accept it, but a handful of services (some government portals, some financial institutions) detect VoIP numbers and refuse to send verification codes to them. If a verification fails, that's why.
- Notification reliability can be patchy. It's an app — if your phone goes to sleep, you can miss calls. Some users report missed notifications in app store reviews.
- It's not free. Plans start around $4.99/month for one number with limited usage, going up to $15/month for unlimited.
The honest bottom line on Hushed
Use Hushed for the pre-arrival period and the first few weeks after you land. Keep it as a long-term “second number” for online forms and account verifications. Don't rely on it as your only US phone once you're here.
Stage 2: The best US cell phone plan for new arrivals — Mint Mobile
For your actual day-to-day cell plan once you're on the ground, Mint Mobile is what I recommend to nearly every Australian arriving in the US in 2026.
Why Mint Mobile
Three reasons it works specifically for new arrivals:
- No SSN, no credit check, no contract. You can sign up the day you land with just a passport, a payment method, and a US delivery address (a hotel works, or you can pick the SIM up at a Best Buy).
- It runs on T-Mobile's network. Same coverage, same 5G, same speeds. Mint is owned by T-Mobile but priced like a discount carrier.
- The pricing is transparent and bulk-discounted. You pay 3, 6, or 12 months upfront for big savings. No surprise bills, no hidden fees added to a monthly direct debit.
Mint Mobile current plans (2026)
Pricing as of 2026, with the introductory new-customer offer in the first column:
| Plan | First 3 months | Renewal (3-month) | Renewal (12-month) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 GB | $15/mo ($45 upfront) | $25/mo | $15/mo |
| 15 GB | $20/mo ($60 upfront) | $35/mo | $20/mo |
| 20 GB | $25/mo ($75 upfront) | $45/mo | $25/mo |
| Unlimited | $30/mo ($90 upfront) | $40/mo | $30/mo |
All plans include unlimited talk and text, 5G coverage, mobile hotspot, and free calling to Mexico, Canada, and the UK. (Note: not Australia — most expats use WhatsApp/FaceTime for that.)
How to set up Mint Mobile (the actual process)
Julie at America Josh signed up recently, and her account is the cleanest summary I've seen:
“I visited Mint Mobile's website and entered my zipcode and phone type to check coverage. You need to pay for 3 months in advance to get their range of deals and after the initial three months is up you can renew with a 3, 6 or 12-month plan to keep the savings going or just go back to the normal monthly plan. You can get a new sim, or use your existing sim if you have an e-sim compatible phone. I ported my existing number from T-mobile but you can easily get a new number if required. It was very quick and simple. I chose it because of the price but then found one of the best added bonuses is it allows wi-fi calling so I can call regular numbers in Australia! It also allows for hotspotting which my t-mobile prepaid did not.”
Julie @ America Josh
The key steps:
- Go to Mint Mobile via this link (gets you 50% off your first 3 months)
- Enter your US ZIP code and phone make/model to check coverage and compatibility
- Choose your plan — 5GB is fine for most light users, 15GB if you stream
- Choose between a physical SIM (mailed to you) or eSIM (instant, if your phone supports it)
- Pay the 3-month upfront amount
- Activate when ready
Get started with Mint Mobile →
For more detail on Mint Mobile specifically, including the comparison to other prepaid options, I've written a dedicated piece here.
Stage 3: Switching to a big-three US cell phone plan after 1-2 years
Once you have an SSN, US credit history, and a stable address, the big three (Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T) start to make economic sense in some scenarios. Here's the honest comparison:
Verizon
Best coverage in rural and suburban areas. Premium pricing — think Telstra of the US. Plans range from about $35/month (single line, basic) to $80+/month (single line, unlimited premium). Family plans are where Verizon gets competitive.
Worth it if: You travel a lot in rural America, you're on a family plan, or you want phone financing with the latest iPhone.
T-Mobile
The coverage has improved dramatically in the last few years. Prices are aggressive on family plans. Includes some international perks (free data in many countries, including Australia, on Magenta and higher tiers).
Worth it if: you travel internationally a lot — the included international roaming is genuinely useful for trips back to Australia.
AT&T
Solid network, comparable to Verizon in most cities. Their website is famously bad to navigate. Pricing is similar to Verizon.
Worth it if: you're getting a good corporate or family discount, or you specifically want their fiber bundle.
What about prepaid US cell phone plans from the big three?
T-Mobile prepaid, AT&T PrePaid, and Verizon Prepaid all exist and don't require credit checks. They're decent fallbacks if Mint Mobile coverage doesn't work in your area. Personally, I used to recommend T-Mobile prepaid to every new arrival, but after having all my accounts cancelled without notice (and having to send physical letters through the post to dispute it), I don't anymore. Mint runs on the same T-Mobile network without the customer service nightmare.
Keeping your Australian phone number alive
Most expats want to keep their Australian phone number working for at least the first 6 to 12 months. Reasons:
- Australian banks, super funds, and the ATO send verification codes via SMS to your Australian number
- Your Medicare and other government services may need to reach you
- Family and friends in Australia will keep calling and texting that number for years
- You might need it for travel back home
Three options to keep your Australian number alive:
- Cheap prepaid Australian SIM in a spare phone or eSIM slot. Cheapest option. Aldi Mobile, Catch Connect, Boost — about $10-20 AUD per month for the cheapest plans. You'll need a phone that supports dual-SIM (most modern iPhones and Pixels do).
- Australian eSIM as a secondary line on your US phone. If your phone supports two eSIMs (or one physical SIM and one eSIM), you can have your Mint Mobile US line active and your Australian number active simultaneously. Switch between them in your phone's settings.
- Number parking service. Several Australian carriers offer a low-cost “park your number” service that keeps your number reserved for when you need to use it. Telstra and Optus both offer this; rates vary.
For more detail on the eSIM approach specifically, I've written about how dual-eSIM works for Australians overseas here.
Will my Australian phone work on US networks?
Three things to check before assuming your Australian phone will work on a US carrier:
- Is the phone unlocked? Phones bought outright work fine. Phones bought on a 24- or 36-month plan from Telstra, Optus, or Vodafone are often locked to that carrier until paid off. Call your Australian carrier and request an unlock before you fly.
- Does it support the US frequency bands? Most modern iPhones (XS and newer) and Pixels (3 and newer) are world phones that support all major US bands. Older Samsung Galaxy and other Android models from before 2020 sometimes don't. Check your phone's model number against the carrier's compatibility checker before signing up.
- Does it support eSIM? If yes, you can activate Mint or another carrier without waiting for a physical SIM in the mail.
Mint Mobile has a BYOD compatibility check tool that confirms your specific phone will work on their network. Run your IMEI through it before you sign up.
International calling back to Australia from your US phone
Don't pay your US carrier for international calls to Australia. There are better options:
- WhatsApp — free, works over Wi-Fi or data, the universal Australian-family communication app
- FaceTime — free between Apple devices, excellent quality
- Wi-Fi calling — most carriers (including Mint) support this. If your home Wi-Fi is connected, calls to Australia can be dialled directly from your phone with no international charges
- Google Voice — if you specifically want to call Australian landlines from a US number, Google Voice rates are reasonable
If you want to give people in Australia a free way to call YOU on your US number, Hushed offers cheap international plans that include calls to Australia (for an extra fee on top of your standard plan).
Special US phone considerations (kids, Apple Watch, business)
A few situations that come up often:
- Moving with kids. Mint Mobile's family plan starts at $15/line for 5GB once you have at least two lines. Each line gets its own number. Set up family-sharing with parental controls in the iPhone or Android settings — that's separate from the carrier.
- Moving frequently between states. Doesn't matter for the plan. Your number stays the same regardless of which state you're in. Coverage will vary slightly between rural and urban areas — Verizon is best for rural, T-Mobile/Mint for urban.
- Apple Watch with cellular. This requires a postpaid plan from a major carrier. Mint Mobile doesn't support cellular Apple Watches as of 2026. If your watch matters, build the carrier choice around that requirement.
- Contractor needing a separate business number. Use Hushed long-term for this. Two numbers on one phone, both real, both fully separate billing. Cheaper than a second cell plan.
Your 30-day US cell phone plan setup checklist
The order I'd do this in if I was moving back tomorrow:
- ✅ Before you fly: sign up for Hushed and pick a US area code that matches where you're moving (NYC = 212/646/917, LA = 213/310, SF = 415, Chicago = 312)
- ✅ Before you fly: confirm your existing phone is unlocked
- ✅ Before you fly: check Mint Mobile compatibility for your phone using their IMEI tool
- ✅ Use Hushed for any US forms, applications, and contacts during the pre-arrival period
- ✅ Day 1-7 in the US: sign up for Mint Mobile, choose 5GB or 15GB depending on your usage, get an eSIM
- ✅ Update your contact details with US bank, employer, and apartment to use your new Mint number (keep Hushed as a backup/secondary)
- ✅ Set up Wi-Fi calling on Mint for Australian calls
- ✅ Park or downgrade your Australian SIM to the cheapest plan you can find
- ✅ After 1-2 years: revisit whether a big-three carrier or family plan makes sense
US cell phone plan FAQs for expats
Yes. Apps like Hushed give you a real US phone number that works from anywhere in the world over the internet. You can sign up while you're still in Australia and use the number for banking applications, apartment searches, job applications, and visa paperwork that asks for a US contact number. It runs over Wi-Fi or data on your existing phone — no SIM card required.
No. Prepaid carriers like Mint Mobile, T-Mobile prepaid, AT&T prepaid, and Verizon prepaid don't require an SSN or credit check. You just need a valid form of ID, an address, and a payment method. Postpaid plans (where you're billed monthly after using service) usually do require either an SSN or a hefty deposit.
Mint Mobile's introductory deal is the cheapest credible option — $15/month for the first 3 months on the 5GB plan, on T-Mobile's 5G network. After the intro period, you pay between $15 and $30/month depending on your plan. Plans are prepaid, so you pay 3, 6, or 12 months upfront for the lowest rates.
You can keep your Australian SIM and number active by paying for a basic Australian plan, or by using an eSIM secondary line on a compatible phone. Most expats keep an Australian number going for at least the first 6 to 12 months in case they need to receive Australian SMS verification codes for banking, super, and tax accounts.
If your phone is unlocked and supports the US bands (most modern iPhones and Pixels do), it'll work. Phones bought on contract from an Australian carrier may be locked to that carrier and need to be unlocked first. Check your phone's IMEI compatibility on the carrier's website before you commit to a plan.
It's possible but not recommended. Hushed is a VoIP service, which means some US services (banks, government, some retailers) won't accept it for SMS verification, and it can't be used for 911 emergency calls. It's an excellent stopgap for the pre-arrival period and a useful second number, but a real prepaid carrier is what you want once you're on the ground.
Once you have a US number with any carrier, it can be ported (transferred) to a different US carrier later. You'll need your account number, account PIN, and full name as it appears on the account. The new carrier handles the port — usually takes 1 to 3 days. Don't cancel your old plan first; the port automatically closes the old account once it's complete.
Not for new arrivals. The big three carriers technically have the same network coverage you'd get on prepaid, but they require credit checks, charge significantly more, and lock you into postpaid contracts. Most expats only switch to a big-three plan after 1 to 2 years of US credit history when the pricing for family plans, device financing, and international roaming starts to make sense.
Practically, no — Americans don't really notice or judge area codes the way the system was originally designed for. But if you want to look ‘local' for a specific city (NYC = 212/646/917, LA = 213/310/424, San Francisco = 415, Chicago = 312), Hushed and most prepaid carriers let you choose your area code at signup. Once you have a number, you keep it forever — it'll travel with you across states.
Some plans include it, some don't. Mint Mobile includes free calling to Mexico, Canada, and the UK on all plans, but Australia requires international add-ons. Most expats use WhatsApp, FaceTime, or Wi-Fi calling apps to talk to family in Australia for free instead of relying on the carrier.
Disclaimer: I'm not a telecoms expert, and pricing changes frequently. Plan details are accurate as of 2026 — check the carrier's official site for current pricing before signing up. Some links in this article are referral or affiliate links that earn America Josh a small credit if you sign up.
