You don’t have to activate your iPhone on one of the big three carriers to get it through the Apple Upgrade program. We used guidance from YouTuber Stetson Doggett, plus reports from users on Reddit, to put together the guide below: how to get an unlocked iPhone through the Apple Upgrade program, then activate it on US Mobile right away.
The steps below show checkout using Apple’s lease program via Klarna. If you’d rather buy the phone outright or finance it through Apple Card Monthly Installments, the checkout flow is the same, so the steps still apply.
Confirmed by the community: the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and iPhone Duo all work when leased through Klarna, activating by scanning a QR code from the new carrier instead of going through the number-transfer step. See the Reddit threads for the iPhone 18 Pro Max and the iPhone Duo.
The key step: When you set up your leased iPhone, you’ll see a “Transfer Your Phone Number” screen asking for a carrier number and PIN. Leave it blank, tap Continue three times, then tap Not Now to skip the transfer and continue setup.
Before you start
Stuff you’ll need to possibly make this work.
- An Apple Account you can sign in to
- A phone number and email you can receive codes on
Other stuff you might want:
- A Klarna account, which Apple’s leasing program uses for financing. You can set that up or sign in during checkout.
- An Apple Card, if you’d rather purchase through Apple Card Monthly Installments. These phones are always unlocked and able to be used on US Mobile, regardless of the carrier selected at checkout.
Lease an iPhone from Apple
1. Choose an iPhone
Go to apple.com and choose the iPhone you want. This walkthrough uses the iPhone 17 Pro.
2. Pick color and storage
Choose your color and storage capacity, then continue to the payment options.
3. Select Apple Upgrade
Under Payment options, select Lease with Apple Upgrade. Review the lease term, monthly payment, and agreement before continuing. [1]
4. Review the carrier selection
Choose a carrier from the options Apple provides. T-Mobile is selected in this walkthrough. Confirm the connection requirements for your order before proceeding. [1]
5. Choose delivery or pickup
Sign in to your Apple Account when prompted. Choose delivery or store pickup, then confirm your address or pickup location and the available timing.
6. Start the lease application
Next, enter your phone number to receive a verification code. Follow the prompts to sign in to Klarna or create an account and complete the lease application.
7. Confirm your Klarna account
If Klarna finds an existing account, check that the details are yours and follow the prompts to continue.
8. Continue to the order review
Once your application has been submitted, tap Continue to return to checkout. Review the final details and place your order. Submitting the application does not complete the order.
9. Check the confirmation
After checkout, review your order confirmation for the device and delivery details. Keep the confirmation and lease documents for your records.
Get an iPhone 18 Pro from $268 with trade-in from US Mobile.
Set up your iPhone and activate US Mobile
When your iPhone arrives, complete setup and check that it can be used with US Mobile. Your device lease stays with Klarna; activating a US Mobile line is a separate step. [1]
10. Set up your iPhone
Turn on your iPhone, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow Apple’s setup prompts. Use Quick Start or set up manually, then sign in and restore your data as needed. [2]
You’ll be prompted to connect to a Wi-Fi network.
Right after, you’ll reach the “Transfer Your Phone Number” screen. It asks for a wireless number and account PIN. But don’t worry, you can simply skip this screen.
To skip it and activate on US Mobile:
- Leave the fields blank
- Tap Continue
- Tap Continue again
- Tap Continue a third time. A Not Now option appears below it
- Tap Not Now to skip the transfer and continue setup
11. Check carrier lock and compatibility
Open Settings → General → About. Under Carrier Lock, “No SIM restrictions” indicates an unlocked iPhone. Check device compatibility with US Mobile before starting activation. [3]
12. Activate your US Mobile plan
Download the US Mobile app and sign in. Purchase a plan if needed, then open the plan on your Lines dashboard. Choose your network and SIM type, and select a new number or transfer your existing number. For a transfer, enter the matching carrier account details. [4]
13. Install your eSIM and test service
Use the Install eSIM link on your line page or in your confirmation email. Follow the prompts, then make a call, send a text, and check cellular data after activation completes. [4]
If setup requires carrier verification and you cannot continue, contact Apple or the selected carrier for help.
Helpful links
[1] Apple Upgrade: program details and carrier requirement
[3] Apple: check whether your iPhone is unlocked
[4] US Mobile: activate or transfer your number
Get an iPhone 18 Pro from $268 with trade-in from US Mobile.
So why don’t you show the part where he has to sign in to a T-Mobile Account with his wireless number and account PIN?????
Um, what? You can only lease through Apple/Klarna if you pick a major carrier (AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon). How did this article get greenlit for publishing?