To split T-Mobile phone plans, you must complete a legal Change of Responsibility (COR) to transfer a phone line from one account to a new account owned by someone else. This process officially moves the line and its liability to the new owner, allowing you to separate from a family or shared plan.
What splitting a T-Mobile phone plan really means
Splitting a T-Mobile phone plan is not about adding lines to an existing family plan or dividing a bill between users on the same account. It requires a formal Change of Responsibility (COR), which transfers ownership of a specific phone line from the current account to a new, separate account under a different person's name. This is the only official way to remove a line from a shared plan and give the new owner full control.
Before you start: requirements for a T-Mobile line transfer
To qualify for a COR, the line being transferred must have been active on the current account for at least 90 days. The person taking over the line must be at least 18 years old (or 21 in Puerto Rico). Only the current account owner can authorize the transfer process; the person leaving the plan cannot initiate it on their own.
Step 1: The current owner authorizes the Change of Responsibility
- The original account holder contacts T-Mobile to start the COR request.
- The new owner must accept the transfer within 30 days of authorization, or the request expires and the original owner must start over.
The Change of Responsibility request must be completed within 30 days of authorization, or the original owner will need to initiate a new request.
Step 2: The new owner accepts liability and passes a credit check
- The new account owner will likely undergo a credit check and may be required to pay a deposit.
- They must agree to a new service agreement and may need to choose a new rate plan, since existing promotions from the original account generally do not transfer.
Transferring an Equipment Installment Plan (EIP) balance
If the line has an Equipment Installment Plan (EIP) balance for a financed device, it may be transferred to the new account, but only if both accounts are in good standing. The EIP balance transfer can only be done once and must be completed within 60 days after the mobile number ownership transfer. Both parties have 48 hours to accept the EIP transfer, or it will be canceled.
Both parties involved in an EIP balance transfer have 48 hours to accept the transfer, or it will be canceled.
What happens to the original account after the split
If the COR causes the original account to drop below the minimum line requirement for its rate plan, the original account owner may need to change their rate plan to avoid additional costs. If the original account has no active lines remaining after the transfer, the account will be canceled entirely.
If the original account has no active lines after the COR, it will be canceled.
Special cases: business accounts and domestic violence survivors
Business accounts
For business lines with 21 or fewer lines, a Business Change of Responsibility form (PDF) must be printed, signed, and sent to BusinessCare@T-MobileSupport.com or faxed to 1-877-214-5937. For business lines with 22 or more lines, contact Business Customer Service directly for assistance.
For business lines with 22 or more lines, Business Customer Service should be contacted for assistance with transferring ownership.
Domestic violence survivors
Under the Safe Connections Act, survivors of domestic violence or related abuse can separate their line from a shared account without the abuser's consent. Contact T-Mobile Customer Care at 1-877-746-0909 and provide appropriate documentation to initiate this process.
In cases of domestic violence or related abuse, the Safe Connections Act allows survivors to separate their line from a shared account by contacting T-Mobile Customer Care at 1-877-746-0909 and providing appropriate documentation.
After the transfer: voicemail and account access
Voicemail boxes may be deleted during the transfer, so save any important voicemails beforehand. The new account owner may not be able to register the account on My T-Mobile for up to one week after the transfer. If you are considering T-Mobile Home Internet speed limits, note that those are separate from mobile plan transfers and are governed by a different policy.
Voicemail boxes may be deleted during the transfer, so important voicemails should be saved beforehand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I split a T-Mobile prepaid plan the same way?
No. The Change of Responsibility process applies only to postpaid consumer and business accounts. Prepaid lines are managed differently and cannot be transferred via COR.
What if the new owner fails the credit check?
If the new owner does not pass the credit check, T-Mobile will not complete the transfer. The line will remain on the original account, and the original owner must cancel it or try a different arrangement.
Does the line keep its phone number after the split?
Yes. The phone number stays with the line during the Change of Responsibility transfer. The new owner will have the same number on their new account.
Can I split a plan if I still owe money on the device?
Yes, as long as both accounts are in good standing and the EIP balance transfer is completed within 60 days of the COR. If the EIP is not transferred, the original owner remains responsible for the remaining payments.
