How-To

Facts About Helium Mobile: Plans, Coverage, and Signing Up

FFacts On Tap Editorial Team Fact-checked Updated January 26, 2026 3 min read

Helium Mobile is a phone carrier built on top of T-Mobile's nationwide network, with a twist: subscribers can earn rewards for helping map network coverage. It made headlines with a rock-bottom free plan and a $20 unlimited plan, but pricing has shifted since then.

Here's what's actually true about Helium Mobile today, including its current plans, how referrals work, and what happens if you want to cancel.

Helium Mobile is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that runs primarily on T-Mobile's network for calls, texts, and data.
T-Mobile advertises the largest 5G network in the U.S. by geographic coverage, and Helium Mobile subscribers get access to it.
As of early 2026, Helium Mobile retired its original $5 and $20 unlimited plans; existing subscribers on those legacy plans are honored until their prepaid term ends, then moved to a current plan.
Helium Mobile's current lineup includes the Air plan (around $15/month for 10GB of high-speed data, with unlimited talk and text) and the Infinity plan (around $30/month for unlimited data, talk, and text).
All Helium Mobile plans work with a bring-your-own-device policy, so most unlocked phones can be activated without buying new hardware.
Signing up does not require a long-term contract; subscribers can cancel at any time.
New subscribers can port an existing phone number or activate a new one during signup.
Helium Mobile states it does not sell subscriber data to third parties.
Helium Mobile lets subscribers cancel within 7 days of signing up for a full refund; after that window, cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing cycle.
Beyond the T-Mobile network, Helium Mobile also draws on a separate, community-deployed 'Helium Network' of small radios for supplemental data coverage.
Coverage from these community Helium radios is limited compared to T-Mobile's towers, since the radios are lower-power and their placement depends on where individual operators install them.
Subscribers can participate in a 'Discovery Mapping' program, sharing location data to help Helium Mobile understand where its network is actually being used, in exchange for rewards.
Mapping rewards have historically been paid out in cryptocurrency tokens (previously MOBILE tokens, later HNT) or, on newer plans, as redeemable Cloud Points for gift cards.
Helium Mobile runs a refer-a-friend program: when a new subscriber signs up with a referral link, both the referrer and the new subscriber typically receive a bill credit, though the exact amount has varied by plan over time.
Helium Mobile is backed by Nova Labs, the same company behind the Helium blockchain network originally built for IoT devices before pivoting toward consumer cellular.

Frequently asked questions

Is Helium Mobile's $20 unlimited plan still available?

No. Helium Mobile retired the original $5 and $20 legacy plans in early 2026. New subscribers now choose between the Air plan (limited high-speed data) and the Infinity plan (unlimited data).

How reliable is Helium Mobile's network coverage?

Coverage is generally strong because Helium Mobile rides on T-Mobile's nationwide network. Its own supplemental 'Helium Network' radios add extra data capacity in some areas but are lower-power and less consistent than T-Mobile's towers.

Can I use 5G with Helium Mobile?

Yes, Helium Mobile subscribers can access T-Mobile's 5G network, which T-Mobile markets as the most extensive by coverage area in the U.S.

Is my data safe with Helium Mobile?

Helium Mobile states it does not sell subscriber data to third parties, though subscribers who opt into mapping or rewards programs do share location data with the company itself.

How does the Helium Mobile referral program work?

When someone signs up using your referral link, both of you typically receive a bill credit. The exact credit amount has changed as Helium Mobile has updated its plans, so it's worth checking the current terms before signing up.

What happens if I want to cancel my Helium Mobile subscription?

You can cancel within 7 days of signing up for a full refund. After that 7-day window, cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing cycle.

Sources & further reading

Reviewed by the Facts On Tap Editorial Team

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