Metro by T-Mobile's Phone Payment Options

Metro by T-Mobile does offer payment plans on phones, but only through their Metro JUMP! program, which is a device payment and insurance bundle. You do not pay the full phone price upfront; instead, you make monthly payments on top of your service bill. The catch is that JUMP! is not a traditional layaway or financing option—it bundles device payments with insurance, and you must be an active Metro customer to enroll.

If you want to buy a phone without insurance, Metro's other option is to pay the full retail price at the time of purchase. They do not offer a separate, insurance-free payment plan. This means your choices are: pay in full, or use JUMP! with its insurance requirement.

Key Takeaways

  • Metro JUMP! spreads phone costs into monthly payments added to your service bill, but requires you to buy device insurance as part of the program.
  • You must be an active Metro customer to enroll in JUMP!, and the program covers accidental damage and theft in addition to device payments.
  • If you do not want insurance, Metro requires you to pay the full phone price at purchase—there is no separate payment plan option.
  • JUMP! lets you upgrade to a new phone after 12 months of payments, which can be useful if you want newer devices regularly.

How Metro JUMP! Works

When you enroll in JUMP!, Metro divides the phone's retail price into monthly installments. These payments appear on your monthly service bill alongside your plan charges. The program also includes device insurance, which covers accidental damage (cracked screen, water damage), theft, and loss. If your phone is damaged or stolen, you pay a deductible—usually between $50 and $150 depending on the device—and Metro sends you a replacement.

You can enroll in JUMP! when you buy a new phone in a Metro store or online. Metro will tell you the monthly payment amount before you commit. The payments typically run for 24 months, though the exact term depends on the device's price. Once you have made 12 months of payments, you can trade in your current phone and start a new JUMP! agreement on a different device.

What Phones Are Available Through JUMP!

Metro carries current and recent flagship phones from Samsung, Apple, Motorola, and other major manufacturers. The phones available through JUMP! are the same ones Metro sells at full price—there is no separate "JUMP! only" inventory. More expensive phones result in higher monthly payments; budget phones have lower monthly costs.

The monthly payment amount depends on the phone's retail price. A phone that costs $400 at retail will have a different monthly payment than one that costs $800. Metro displays the monthly payment before you finalize the purchase, so you can compare devices and their costs side by side.

Costs Beyond the Monthly Payment

The monthly JUMP! payment covers the device and insurance, but you still pay your regular Metro service plan separately. A typical Metro plan ranges from $25 to $65 per month depending on data and features. The JUMP! payment is added on top of this.

If you use your insurance benefit, you pay a deductible when you file a claim. This deductible varies by phone model but is usually $50 to $150. You do not pay anything extra for the insurance itself—it is included in the JUMP! monthly payment. If you never file a claim, you pay nothing beyond the monthly payment and deductible.

What Happens If You Leave Metro

If you cancel your Metro service while enrolled in JUMP!, your device payment plan does not automatically stop. You will still owe the remaining balance on the phone. Metro may require you to pay off the remaining balance in full, or they may allow you to continue making monthly payments as a non-customer. Contact Metro directly to understand what happens to your specific agreement if you plan to switch carriers.

If your phone is lost, stolen, or damaged after you leave Metro, your insurance coverage may no longer be active. Check the terms of your JUMP! agreement to see whether coverage continues after service cancellation.

Alternatives to JUMP!

If you do not want to buy insurance with your phone payment, you have limited options at Metro. You can pay the full retail price upfront in cash or with a credit card. Some credit cards offer their own purchase protection or extended warranties, which might replace Metro's insurance for you.

You can also buy a phone from a third-party retailer—Best Buy, Amazon, Walmart, or a carrier-independent seller—and bring it to Metro as a bring-your-own-device phone. This lets you use a payment plan from the retailer instead of Metro, though you will lose Metro's device support and warranty. Your phone must be compatible with Metro's network (which uses T-Mobile's infrastructure) for this to work.

How to Enroll in JUMP!

You can enroll in JUMP! at a Metro store, on Metro's website, or by calling Metro customer service. In a store, tell the representative you want to buy a phone with JUMP! and they will walk you through the options and monthly costs. Online, add a phone to your cart, select JUMP! as your payment method, and review the monthly payment before checkout.

You will need to be an active Metro customer with an account in good standing. If you are a new customer, you can enroll in JUMP! at the same time you set up your first service plan. Metro will verify your identity and run a credit check before approving your enrollment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use JUMP! if I am a new Metro customer?

Yes, you can enroll in JUMP! when you set up your first Metro service plan. You will need to provide identification and go through a credit check. Metro will tell you whether you are approved before you complete the purchase.

What if my phone breaks after I stop paying for JUMP!?

Once your JUMP! agreement ends (after 24 months of payments), the insurance coverage stops. Any damage after that point is not covered. You would need to pay for repairs out of pocket or buy a new phone.

Can I upgrade my phone before 12 months?

No, JUMP! requires you to make at least 12 months of payments before you can trade in your phone and start a new agreement. If you want to upgrade sooner, you would need to pay off the remaining balance on your current phone first.

Does Metro offer a payment plan without insurance?

No, Metro does not offer a device payment plan that excludes insurance. Your options are to pay the full price upfront or enroll in JUMP!, which includes insurance. If you want to avoid Metro's insurance, you can buy a phone from another retailer and bring it to Metro.

What happens to my JUMP! plan if I switch to a different Metro plan?

Your JUMP! agreement stays active and your monthly device payment continues. Changing your service plan does not affect your device payment. The two are separate charges on your bill.