How to Avoid Hidden Fees After Your Cell Phone Free Trial

You’ve spent the last month playing detective—running speed tests in parking garages and checking bars in your basement.

As that 30-day window closes, the most important part of the process begins: the exit strategy.

While "free" is the headline, a few missed steps can turn a risk-free test into an unplanned charge on your credit card.

The Two Ways a Trial Ends

Not all trials let you walk away the same way.

The major carriers like Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T generally offer a "Clean Break."

Since these eSIM trials usually don't require a credit card upfront, the service simply stops working at 11:59 PM on the final day.

You don't have to call anyone or click any buttons; the signal just disappears.

On the other hand, several smaller carriers and MVNOs use an "Auto-Renew" model.

Because they require a credit card to set up your account, they often default to a paid plan the moment the trial expires.

Google Fi, for instance, is known for moving users directly onto a paid unlimited plan if they don't opt out before the week is up.

If you gave a company your card info, set a calendar alert for 48 hours before the deadline to disable auto-pay in their app.

The Prepaid Refund Trap

If your trial involved "porting in" (transferring) your actual phone number, you need to be extra careful.

Most of these services are prepaid, meaning they bill you for the entire month the moment it starts.

If you forget to cancel and that second month kicks in, getting your money back is an uphill battle.

Most customer service agents will point to a "no refunds on prepaid service" policy, even if you only used one day of that new billing cycle.

Don't Forget the Hardware

If the carrier sent you a physical device—like a mobile hotspot or a home internet gateway—the stakes are much higher.

Many companies require the equipment to be back in their warehouse within 15 to 30 days of the trial ending.

Failing to return a T-Mobile gateway, for example, can result in a non-return fee as high as $370.

Always keep your shipping receipt and tracking number.

That paper is your only proof if the package gets lost in the mail.

The Final Digital Cleanup

Once the trial is over, take a moment to tidy up your phone’s settings.

An expired eSIM sitting in your menu won't cost you money, but it can cause "No Service" errors or slow down your phone as it tries to ping a dead network.

On an iPhone, you can find this under Cellular settings, while Android users should look under SIMs in their network menu.

Delete the profile, and your phone will go back to its snappy, single-network self.

Check your bank statement one last time a week later.

You might see a small "authorization hold" from when you signed up, but those should disappear on their own.

If a charge sticks, you'll have your notes and cancellation confirmation ready to dispute it.