Skip to main content
Bell

Flex Option: when your agreement ends || Bell Support

Flex Option: when your agreement ends

If you opted in to Flex Option when you bought your phone, at the end of your 2-year Bell SmartPay term, you agreed to pay the Deferred Amount in 12 monthly installments. You also have the flexibility to return your phone in good working condition, or pay the full Deferred Amount in a single payment.

If you cancel your service before your term is up, then you will have to return your phone in good working condition or pay back the Deferred Amount in a single payment.

Keep your phone

If you choose to keep your smartphone, the Deferred Amount will be automatically applied to your bill as per below.

Flex Option: SmartPay agreement ends Deferred Amount is charged
Within 90 days of activation Full Deferred Amount is charged immediately.
Between 91 days – 24 months of activation Full Deferred Amount is charged 30 days after your Flex Option agreement end date.
At the end of your 2-year term Deferred Amount is charged in monthly installments for 12 months until paid in full.

If you upgrade your phone during the Deferred Amount 12-month payment period, the outstanding Deferred Amount balance will be charged immediately. For example: if the Deferred Amount is $420 and you upgrade after making two monthly payments of $35, the outstanding Deferred Amount balance of $350 will be charged. You have the option to return the phone in good working condition and receive a bill credit equal to this charge.

To view your specific Deferred Amount, please refer to your Service Agreement, which you can view by logging in to MyBell.

How to return your phone

return_equipment

Follow our easy steps to return your Bell Mobility device.

Begin your Bell Mobility device return

How will I know if my phone is eligible for return?

  • In store: A representative can immediately assess your phone's eligibility based on the "good working condition" requirements. If you are enrolled in a Smart/Phone Care plan, your phone is exempt from meeting the physical "good working condition" requirements and will automatically be eligible for return. Customers in Québec, Manitoba and Saskatchewan are not eligible for exemption and must meet all of the "good working condition" requirements.
  • Online: You'll be asked to answer six questions about the condition of your phone. Your answers are subject to verification by a Bell technician once you ship your phone to us. If you are enrolled in a Smart/Phone Care plan, your phone is not subject to validation and is automatically eligible for return, provided all activation/security locks for the phone are turned off and no longer linked to your associated cloud account; and your phone PIN/password, facial recognition and fingerprint lock are removed. Customers in Québec, Manitoba and Saskatchewan are not eligible for exemption and must meet all of the "good working condition" requirements.

What happens after I return my phone?

  • In store: You'll receive a confirmation receipt and either the full Deferred Amount or the outstanding Deferred Amount balance (depending on when you return) will be credited to your Bell Mobility account within 1-2 billing cycles.
  • Online:  After submitting your request online, you must ship your phone to Bell for evaluation using the prepaid shipping label provided. We'll also email you a copy of the shipping label. Once we receive your phone and verify its eligibility for return, either the full Deferred Amount or the outstanding Deferred Amount balance (depending on when you return) will be credited to your Bell Mobility account within 1-2 billing cycles.

What happens if my phone is not considered to be in "good working condition"?

  • In store: The representative will let you know why your phone is not eligible for return and you'll be required to pay the Deferred Amount as it becomes due on your bill.
  • Online: You will receive an email with the final evaluation results and the reasons for not meeting the "good working condition" requirements. You'll be required to pay the Deferred Amount as it becomes due on your bill.

I misplaced the prepaid shipping label for returning my phone. How can I get another one?

  • Online: You have two options:

    1. A copy of the prepaid shipping label was sent to the email address that you used to submit your return request. Once you find the email, print and use the shipping label to ship your phone.
  • OR

    1. Log in to MyBell.
    2. Go to the Overview or Device page, and select Track my device return request.
    3. Once you have logged in, select Print pre-paid shipping label and use it to ship your phone.

Important: if you have recently purchased a new device, please do not use the return shipping label that was included in the box.

Frequently asked questions

Many of the latest smartphones are eligible for Flex Option. All eligible devices are labelled with “Flex Option” on our devices page.

Yes, you can upgrade after 3 months into your Service Agreement. You will need to pay your outstanding device balance (including applicable taxes) under your Bell Mobility Service Agreement. You will have 30 days after the upgrade to return your device in “good working condition”. If you choose to keep your device, you will have to pay the Deferred Amount within 30 days after the upgrade.

If you cancel your Service Agreement before 3 months have passed, you must pay back the Deferred Amount and keep your device.

If you cancel your Service Agreement after 3 months have passed, you have 30 days from date of cancellation to return your device in “good working condition”. If you choose to keep your device, you will have to pay the Deferred Amount. This amount will be reduced when required by the Wireless Code.

You can return your phone at any Bell store or online within 30 days after your commitment period has ended.

A device must meet the following requirements to be considered in “good working condition” and be eligible for return:

  1. The device powers on, charges and navigates properly to the home screen.
  2. The keyboard and/or touchscreen is responsive and functions properly.
  3. The device is free from apparent physical damage (e.g., bending, cracks, punctures to any part of the device, including the screen, keyboard or the camera lens).
  4. There are no missing components (e.g., buttons, keys, SIM/media tray, battery, battery cover).
  5. All activation/security locks for the device are turned off and no longer linked to your associated cloud account, such as “iCloud Find my iPhone Activation Lock” (for Apple devices) and “Activation Lock Protection” (for Android devices).
  6. Any PIN/password, facial recognition or fingerprint lock has been removed.

A Smart/Phone Care (SPC) plan gives you peace of mind if your device is accidentally damaged, and ensures device return eligibility at the end of your Service Agreement.

In addition, SPC offers protection throughout your Service Agreement from damage, loss, and malfunctions beyond the manufacturer’s warranty (up to 2 replacements).

Learn more about SPC

You must have SPC at the time of return to be exempt from certain conditions as outlined in the “good working condition” requirements table below. SPC customers in Québec, Manitoba and Saskatchewan are not eligible for exemption and must meet all of the “good working condition” requirements as customers without SPC.

Good working condition requirements when returning your device With SPC Without SPC
The device powers on, charges and navigates properly to the home screen.
Not Required
Required
The keyboard and/or touchscreen is responsive and functions properly.
Not Required
Required
The device is free from apparent physical damage (e.g., bending, cracks, punctures to any part of the device, including the screen, keyboard or the camera lens).
Not Required
Required
There are no missing components (e.g., buttons, keys, SIM/media tray, battery, battery cover).
Not Required
Required
All activation/security locks for the device are turned off and no longer linked to your associated cloud account, such as “iCloud Find my iPhone Activation Lock” (for Apple devices) and “Activation Lock Protection” (for Android devices).
Required
Required
Any PIN/password, facial recognition or fingerprint lock has been removed.
Required
Required

You will need to pay back the Deferred Amount and keep the device.

Another option is to pay back the Deferred Amount and trade in your device to receive an in-store or bill credit based on its condition. This credit can be used towards the purchase of a new device (to lower the upfront cost or lower your monthly device payments) or towards the purchase of accessories.