A Guide To Disabling T-Mobile’s Binge On Service

In November of last year, T-Mobile first introduced its new Binge On feature. Basically, this service allows the wireless carrier’s subscribers to stream video content (from a formidable list of content providers that include names such as Netflix, Hulu, and HBO, among many others) without having to worry about their data allowances getting affected. 

Not long after the feature’s launch, however, some complaints begin to surface, specifically concerning about the quality of the videos being streamed via the Binge On service. For instance, YouTube (which is not yet included in the Binge On’s list of content providers) has complained that the quality of YouTube videos are being downgraded or throttled by T-Mobile via the Binge On service without the consent of YouTube or the YouTube users. In response to the complaint, T-Mobile has issued a statement saying that its Binge On feature does not throttle videos, but merely optimizing them for mobile viewing. But just a few days ago, a report published by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) says otherwise. According to the EFF, T-Mobile’s Binge On service does slow down all video content, not just from YouTube, and as far as optimization goes, the videos are not actually enhanced when they get throttled.

Semantics notwithstanding, whether or not you are on the side of T-Mobile, if you are subscribed to the wireless carrier, the Binge On feature is automatically activated in your account. This matters because when this service is activated, your video content related data gets slowed down. So, unless you want that to happen, the best thing to do right now is to make sure the feature is disabled. How can you do that exactly? Here is how.

Step 1: After opening the My T-Mobile app, just select Account info. 

Step 2: Click on Plan and Services.

Step 3: Scroll down and click the Add/Change Services button.

Step 4: Scroll down to Other, expand it by clicking +, and go to Enable Binge On to either deactivate or activate the service.

If you feel comfortable deactivating the Binge On feature using a personal computer, just log in to your My T-Mobile account, and then head to the PROFILE section on the upper right corner of the page. 

You should be able to spot a Media Settings button on the left sidebar. Clicking it will launch the Set media preferences section, wherein you can find the Binge On item, as well as an ON or OFF button on its right side. 

And you are done!