T-Mobile accessibility

T-Mobile ensures that a certain portion of its essential handsets offered to customers are compatible with hearing aids.

Some hearing aid users may detect interference in the form of a buzzing, humming, or whining noise when using a wireless phone. The amount of interference experienced may vary due to differences in immunity levels of hearing aids.

Handsets are rated as hearing aid compatible under one of two standards created by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI):

1. The 2011 ANSI Standard uses two ratings, M1 through M4 for microphone and T1 through T4 for telecoil. Under the 2011 ANSI Standard, a handset is rated as hearing aid compatible if it as rated M3 or M4 and T3 or T4. Phones that receive a rating of 3 or 4 usually cause the least amount of interference. Typically, the higher the M or T rating assigned to a phone, the less interference.
2. The 2019 ANSI Standard, which must be used on handsets certified as hearing aid compatible after December 5, 2023, does not use the M and T rating system. Instead, devices are certified as hearing aid compatible or “HAC.” The 2019 ANSI Standard also requires testing of a device’s volume control capability.

Although HAC certification is not a guarantee, it is a useful tool for consumers to determine the most appropriate wireless handset.

For additional information about hearing aid compatibility with digital wireless phones, see the hearing aid compatibility brochure and the FCC guide.

Important note about HAC phones

Hearing aid compatible phones have been tested and rated for use with hearing aids for some of the wireless technologies they use. However, some newer wireless technologies used in these phones may not been tested yet for use with hearing aids. It is important to try the features of your phone thoroughly and in different locations, using your hearing aid or cochlear implant, to determine if you hear any interfering noise. Consult the manufacturer of your phone for information on hearing aid compatibility. If you have questions about return or exchange policies, consult your service provider or phone retailer.

Handsets with Wi-Fi or Voice over LTE (VoLTE) calling capabilities may not have been tested for hearing aid compatibility in these calling modes.

What Type of Service Plan will I need?

T-Mobile customers on voice plans will be able to take advantage of RTT on their RTT-enabled device. RTT is only available when a voice call is placed or received on an RTT-enabled device. If you have a data only plan and would like to use RTT, you will need to switch to a voice plan. A voice plan is required because RTT technology requires voice call functionality in order to work. To change your plan or obtain more information on which plans and devices are required for RTT, please contact T-Mobile's Accessibility Queue at 1-844-375-8107.

Can I make an RTT call to someone who is not a T-Mobile subscriber?

Maybe. Not all carriers have deployed RTT. In addition, RTT is not supported on older 2G and 3G networks.

Can I use RTT if I am roaming on another network?

Maybe. If you are roaming on a network that supports VoLTE and RTT, you should be able to make RTT calls while roaming. Not all wireless carriers have rolled out RTT yet, and not all LTE networks support VoLTE. If you are roaming on a network that does not support VoLTE or RTT calling, you will not be able to make RTT calls.

Can I make RTT calls from my tablet?

For a list of T-Mobile’s RTT device offering, including tablets, view the “RTT devices & availability” FAQ on this page.

Hearing Aid Compatible Phones

T-Mobile currently offers the following hearing aid compatible handsets. Any handset rated M3 or better (as well as T3 or better) were evaluated using the 2011 ANSI Standard. Handsets rated as Pass were evaluated and meet the 2019 ANSI Standard.

Best/Premium: Devices featuring higher-end design, materials, and finishes, paired-up with a more sophisticated user interfaces and functionalities.

Good: Entry-level phones with straight-forward features, applications, and designs.

Last updated on 5/30/24

For more information about phone accessibility features, as well as information about current and older phones, visit the Global Accessibility Reporting Initiative's website at www.gari.info.

For more information about hearing aid-compatible phones, please contact Customer Service.

T-Mobile USA, Inc. has a limited phone exchange, return, and upgrade opportunity for hearing-aid-compatible phones that are used by customers meeting certain restrictions. Customers are limited to 14 days for purchases from a T-Mobile retail location and 20 days for purchases made online or over the phone. For additional information, please contact T-Mobile at 1-800-937-8997 or via TTY Customer Care at 1-877-296-1018 (TTY hours: 5:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. PT, daily).

Consumers can also use RTT to communicate with people using legacy teletypewriters, or TTY devices, on legacy networks. Note that RTT supports additional characters that may not be available on TTY. And because TTY is an older technology, TTY users have developed etiquette regarding how to signal when a message is complete, when to pause and wait for a reply, and when to end a call. RTT users may not be aware of this etiquette. If you are not sure how to use RTT when interacting with TTY users, or if you experience difficulty making an RTT call to a recipient using TTY, consider using an alternative communication method.

How would a person become familiar with TTY etiquette?

TTY etiquette describes a general communication style that is oftentimes applied by persons using TTY-oriented equipment. There are several online references currently available (e.g., etiquette guides and glossaries) that describe some of the shorthand references and techniques used by individuals to help more effectively “speak” during a TTY session.

Telecommunications Relay Services

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS or “relay service”) is a communication service that permits individuals with a hearing or speech disability to use the telephone system via a TTY, or other device, to call persons with or without such disabilities through a TRS relay center.

Different forms of relay service include Text-to-Voice TTY, Voice Carry Over (VCO), Hearing Carry Over (HCO), Speech-to-Speech (STS), Spanish Text-to-Voice TTY, Captioned Telephone, IP Captioned Telephone, IP Relay, and Video Relay Service (VRS). More information about the available types of relay service can be found on the FCC’s TRS website.

TRS is available in all 50 states and all U.S. territories for local and long-distance calls. TRS providers are compensated for the costs of providing TRS from either a state or a federal fund, and there is no charge to the TRS user other than standard calling rates.

Relay service can be reached by dialing 711 or by contacting your state relay provider, as listed in the FCC’s TRS Directory. In the event of an emergency, TTY users should call 911 directly.

T-Mobile TTY policy

A TTY, also known as a Text Telephone Device or Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD), is a special device that enables people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech-impaired to use the telephone to communicate. TTY works by allowing people to type messages back and forth to one another instead of talking and listening. The device is required at both ends of the conversation.

The FCC requires digital wireless carriers to have the capability to transmit a call from a wireless phone that is connected to a TTY. While the FCC mandate pertains specifically to calls made to 911, the ability to make a call to 911 means users can also complete a call to anyone, anywhere, provided the party on the receiving end of the call also has a TTY.

TTY on T-Mobile's network

T-Mobile’s higher speed data services, including LTE, support use of IP-based TRS, including Video Relay Service, IP Relay, and IP Captioned Telephone Service through providers of those relay services. T-Mobile recommends use of these relay services as the most effective means of placing assisted calls, including to 911. If a T-Mobile customer nonetheless wants to use a mobile TTY, T-Mobile's GSM and UMTS cellular network is TTY compatible and may be used to reach 911. All T-Mobile price plans and most handset features will work with TTY. Customers will need to visit a T-Mobile retail store or contact Customer Service for assistance with selecting the proper rate plan and service activation.

Customers should be aware that TTY does not work on voice calls that are placed over Wi-Fi or Voice over LTE (VoLTE) at this time. This means that TTY calls, including TTY calls to 911, cannot be made while using IP-based calling, including Wi-Fi Calling and Voice over LTE. Customers with communications disabilities who need to call 911 while using IP-based calling should use IP Relay, Video Relay, or IP Captioned Telephone Service to reach emergency personnel. Where available, customers may also send a text message to 911 directly (text-to-911).

For more information, please view this short video about TTY on T-Mobile's network.

RTT calls to 911 may be answered by emergency services personnel using TTY devices. Consumers using RTT to contact 911 should be aware of the differences between RTT and TTY, including how certain characters are translated between the two and that emergency responders who answer the call are likely to use TTY etiquette in their responses. If you experience difficulty making an RTT 911 call, you may want to try an alternative means of reaching 911, including making a voice call.

Closed captioning contact information

If you receive IP-delivered video from T-Mobile TV and have questions, concerns or a complaint, please contact us by writing to:

T-Mobile Closed Captioning
ATTN: T. Shwonek, Legal Affairs
12920 S.E. 38th Street
Bellevue, WA 98006

Tel: 425-383-4000
Fax: 425-383-4030
Email: ClosedCaptioning@T-Mobile.com

For information on resolving disputes with T-Mobile, please review our Terms and Conditions under the heading “Dispute Resolution and Arbitration.” For additional information about closed captioning, see the FCC Guide.

T-Mobile customers with RTT-enabled devices will be able to send and receive RTT calls with other T-Mobile customers who have RTT-enabled devices. This functionality is available when the underlying network is 4G LTE (VoLTE) capable or Wi-Fi calling has been enabled. RTT will not function in the 2G/3G network. As inter-carrier RTT networks becomes operational, T-Mobile subscribers will also be able to send and receive RTT calls with subscribers of other carriers that support RTT functionality.

Real-time text (RTT) allows consumers to send and receive instant transmission of text messages as they are being composed, making these messages more equivalent to typical voice conversations. RTT also allows voice communication at the same time as text communication (simultaneous voice and text).

T-Mobile customers using Voice over LTE (VoLTE) or Wi-Fi Calling on RTT-enabled devices are able to send and receive RTT calls with other T-Mobile customers who are also using VoLTE or Wi-Fi Calling using RTT-enabled devices, as well as to subscribers of other carriers that support RTT. A list of T-Mobile's RTT device offering can be found below.

Apple iPhone 15
Apple iPhone 15 Plus
Apple iPhone 15 Pro
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5
Motorola edge - 2024
Motorola moto g 5G - 2024
Nokia G310 5G
TCL Flip Go
Apple iPhone 14
Apple iPhone 14 Plus
Google Pixel 8
Google Pixel 8a
Google Pixel 8 Pro
Apple iPhone SE (3rd gen)
Apple iPhone 13
Motorola edge 2022
Motorola edge 2024
Motorola moto g stylus 5G - 2023
Motorola razr+ 2023
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
Samsung Galaxy S23
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
Samsung Galaxy S24
Samsung Galaxy S24+
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Sonim XP3plus
Sonim XP3plus Non-Camera Version
TCL 30 XE 5G
T-Mobile® REVVL® 7 5G
T-Mobile® REVVL® 7 PRO 5G

The following devices are no longer sold, but are supported:

What is RTT?

Real-time text, or RTT, is a communication protocol that allows users who are deaf, hearing impaired or have speech disabilities to send and receive textual messages in real time. Characters are sent as they are typed, allowing the other party to see a message as it is being written. Unlike other types of texting methods, RTT is similar to a voice call – when you place an RTT call, the other party must answer the call, and when the call is over, both parties hang up.

Why is T-Mobile offering RTT?

RTT is a replacement for an older technology that uses teletypewriter devices, or TTYs, to send and receive textual messages during a phone call. TTYs are mostly special telephones connected to old phone networks. RTT uses IP network technology that may provide improved reliability, accuracy, and speed. RTT also has increased functionality, such as an expanded character set, and offers the ability to use talk and text at the same time. Accordingly, RTT may provide a better way of communicating with text for consumers that need to communicate in real-time using text.

How is RTT different from SMS or MMS?

SMS (short message service) and MMS (multimedia message service) are “best effort” services, meaning that messages are not always received immediately, and sometimes messages are received out of order. RTT, on the other hand, is like a voice call – when you place an RTT call, the other party must answer the call, and when the call is over, both parties hang up. While RTT is designed to allow simultaneous voice and text, RTT calls to a TTY device may not have simultaneous voice calling available. In addition, group or conference calling is not currently available with RTT.

Who can use RTT?

T-Mobile customers, including customers who are deaf, hearing impaired or have speech disabilities, using VoLTE or Wi-Fi Calling and using an RTT-enabled device are able to send and receive RTT calls with other T-Mobile customers on VoLTE or Wi-Fi Calling who are using capable devices. In addition, T-Mobile customers are able to make RTT calls to and receive such calls from other carriers’ subscribers who are able to make and receive RTT calls. RTT technology is still relatively new, with some of the smaller carriers just beginning to deploy the service. Therefore, RTT calling may not work as expected if you are roaming on another carrier’s network or if you are roaming on a network that does not support VoLTE. RTT will not work on T-Mobile's 2G and 3G networks. Roaming customers who are able to make VoLTE calls may be able to make RTT calls, depending on the roaming network.