You're standing in the middle of a Best Buy or scrolling through Reddit, and you keep seeing it. Boost Infinite. The name sounds like a comic book sequel, but it's actually just Dish Network's attempt to finally make wireless affordable without the "budget" stigma. You want to keep your current phone—that iPhone 14 Pro you just paid off or the Pixel that takes better photos than your DSLR—and you're wondering if you can just slide a new SIM in and call it a day.
Honestly, the boost infinite bring your own phone process is pretty smooth, but there are a few "gotchas" that can turn your activation into a weekend-long headache if you aren't careful.
Let's get the big one out of the way: Boost Infinite and Boost Mobile basically merged their identities in late 2024. If you go to the website now, it’s all under the Boost Mobile umbrella, but the "Infinite" spirit lives on in their $25-a-month price-lock guarantee. This is the "forever" plan. You bring your phone, you pay twenty-five bucks, and they promise not to hike your rate while you're an active customer.
Is Your Phone Actually Ready for the Move?
Don't just assume your phone works because it's "new-ish." The wireless world is built on a foundation of locks and keys.
First, your phone has to be unlocked. This is the part that trips up most people. If you bought your phone from Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile on a payment plan, they likely have it software-locked to their network. Even if you've paid it off, they don't always unlock it automatically. You have to call them and say the magic words: "I need a domestic SIM unlock."
Checking Your Status
On an iPhone, it's easy. Go to Settings > General > About and scroll down to Carrier Lock. If it says "No SIM restrictions," you're golden. Android users have it a bit tougher. You usually have to dig into Connections > Mobile Networks or try to insert a friend's SIM card from a different carrier to see if it catches a signal.
Wait. Before you do anything else, find your IMEI.
Dial *#06# on your keypad. A 15-digit number will pop up. Write it down. This is your phone’s social security number. You’ll need it for the compatibility checker on the Boost website. This tool doesn't just check if the phone is physical compatible; it checks if the phone has been reported stolen or if it's still "owned" by another carrier.
🔗 Read more: Is the Samsung Crystal UHD DU7200 55 Actually Worth Your Money?
The Secret of the Three Networks
Most people think Boost is just one network. It isn't.
Since the merger and the build-out of Dish's own 5G infrastructure, Boost uses what they call "America's Smart Network." This is a bit of marketing speak for a hybrid system. Depending on where you live and what phone you bring, you’ll be assigned to either the AT&T network, the T-Mobile network, or Dish's native 5G network.
If you bring an older phone, you'll likely end up on AT&T or T-Mobile towers. If you have a brand new iPhone 15 or 16, or a Galaxy S24, you might get the "Rainbow SIM." This is the holy grail of boost infinite bring your own phone setups. It allows your phone to switch between all three networks in real-time, picking whichever signal is strongest. It’s pretty clever tech, but it’s hardware-dependent. If your phone doesn't have the right internal "bands" to talk to Dish's towers, you're stuck with just one of the big guys. Not a dealbreaker, but something to keep in mind.
What You Actually Get for $25
The core BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) plan is simple, but let's look at the fine print:
- 30GB of Premium Data: This is "high-speed." If you go over 30GB, they don't cut you off, but they slow you down to 512kbps. That's enough for emails and maybe a very patient Google Maps search, but TikTok will be a ghost town.
- The Price Lock: They call it $25 "Forever." This requires AutoPay. Without AutoPay, it’s $30.
- No Contracts: This is the best part of bringing your own phone. Since you aren't financing a device through them, you can leave whenever you want.
If you need a hotspot, it’s usually a $10 add-on for the base plan. However, their higher-tier plans ($50 or $60) often include hotspot data and international roaming if you’re the type who wanders into Canada or Mexico frequently.
The "Boost Config" App (Don't Skip This)
If you are an Android user, there is a specific step that iPhone users don't have to deal with. You need to download the Boost Config app from the Google Play Store.
Why? Because Android phones are diverse. The app runs in the background and tells your phone exactly how to talk to the Boost towers (it sets up the APN settings for you). Without it, you might get data but no texts, or texts but no data. It’s a 2-minute step that prevents a 2-hour call to tech support.
Porting Your Number Without Losing Your Mind
You want to keep your number. Of course you do.
The biggest mistake? Canceling your old service before you start. Do not do this. Your line must be active with your old carrier for the number to move. If you cancel first, your number goes into a digital void, and it is a nightmare to get back.
- Get your Account Number and Port-Out PIN from your current carrier. (Verizon and T-Mobile usually require you to generate this PIN in their app).
- Start the Boost activation.
- Choose "Transfer My Number."
- Enter the details.
Most of the time, the transfer happens in minutes. Sometimes it takes 24 hours. During that "limbo" period, your old phone might still receive calls while your new SIM handles data. It's weird, but it's normal.
Why This Still Matters in 2026
The wireless market is getting crowded. With cable companies like Xfinity and Spectrum offering mobile plans, and MVNOs like Mint Mobile being bought by giants, Boost Infinite is trying to stay relevant by being the "third option." By bringing your own phone, you're avoiding the "hidden" cost of phone financing that usually inflates a Verizon or AT&T bill to $90 or $100.
It’s about leverage. When you own the hardware, you own the relationship.
Actionable Steps for a Clean Switch
- Check Eligibility: Run your IMEI through the Boost Mobile compatibility tool. Do not skip this.
- Verify Unlock: Call your current carrier or check your iPhone settings to ensure the device is "No SIM restrictions."
- Gather Your Codes: Get your account number and a specific "Transfer" or "Port-Out" PIN. Your regular account PIN usually won't work.
- Backup Your Data: While a SIM swap shouldn't delete your photos, weird things happen during activations. Better safe than sorry.
- Download the App: If you're on Android, grab "Boost Config" before you swap the SIM.
- Check Your Coverage: Look at the Boost 5G map for your specific zip code. If you live in a rural dead zone, the "Smart Network" won't save you if there are no towers nearby.