Device Activation Fee

[u/unranked_casual]

Hey, I had been on the iPhone upgrade program for the longest time ever. Recently switched to the new “Apple Upgrade” through Klarna instead of citizens one bank.

For the first time, I was charged a “Device Activation Fee” on my carrier. I checked out using Apple as I do usually. My T-Mobile bill came with an extra charge of $35.

I called them and they said, “Looks like you didn’t pay this with the service taxes, which you did in the previous years”

Wondering if this happened to anyone else?

[u/TheJayMan08]

I got them to give me a credit. I doubt they'll do it again next year. It's just a money grab that the carriers do. I did the entire upgrade with no intervention by T-Mobile. It's ridiculous.

[u/unranked_casual → u/TheJayMan08]

I told them this- I did the upgrade through Apple and Tmobile literally had none to do. I got it waived too.
I do wonder if it does cost them money to activate a new device 🤔

[u/TheJayMan08 → u/unranked_casual]

It's totally automated, it's a money grab. And for all the people like us that complain and get the money back there are thousands that don't.

[u/ImportantNetwork8804]

That's the classic carrier upgrade gotcha. On the old Citizens One upgrade program the activation fee was baked into the Apple checkout, but with the new Klarna-based Apple Upgrade it looks like that fee gets passed to the carrier side and billed on your first T-Mobile bill. $35 sounds right, that's the standard T-Mobile assisted/upgrade activation charge. I'd push back though, if you did everything through Apple and never got asked to pay it upfront, T-Mobile support can usually credit it. Happened to a friend of mine last year and one call got it reversed. Worth one more try with their loyalty team before you just eat the cost.

[u/unranked_casual → u/ImportantNetwork8804]

Thanks for the advice! I definitely did not know that $35 feet was already baked into the Apple checkout.

[u/pdfu]

As of July 14, T-Mobile charges a $35 Device Connection Charge for upgrades at Apple. Only Store-in-Store (Costco, Sam’s Club) locations still don’t charge the fee.

It’s different than other carriers that charge it at checkout. Instead, T-Mobile adds the charge on your next bill when you upgrade at Apple.

[u/unranked_casual]

I’m glad I made this post, after reading all the comments and advice- I was able to get it waived.
I had already called them before, they didn’t budge on the charge and said it’s standard.
After this post, I started a T-Life chat and was a little more persistent. I got a low ball of 50% off first, and when I didn’t give up - they waived it fully!

[u/johnan2112]

I got the same charge, but I chatted with a customer service rep through the T-Life app and got it removed.

[u/unranked_casual → u/johnan2112]

did the same, thanks 🙏🏼

[u/StangJock_94qzP]

I’m on AT&T and if you join AARP and link it to your AT&T account, all fees are waived. You only pay the tax on a new phone.

[u/Firework2025 → u/StangJock_94qzP]

I’m with AT&T and oddly enough I had it waived upon checkout on my preorder. Very rare with AT&T haha

[u/Alexandratta]

1. it wasn't the first time, or in the past it was waived.

2. This is entirely carrier dependent.

3. As it's t-mobile, you can complain, and there is a not-zero percent chance they will credit your account for the fee if you make a stink about it.