Activate a Cell Phone

If you bought your new phone from the carrier’s store, then it most likely came to you activated. If you bought your phone used, or had the carrier ship it to you, then chances are you’ll need to activate it. The process is a little different for each carrier, but this guide will give you the basic steps to get your phone activated with any carrier.

Steps

Activating a New iPhone

  1. Insert your new SIM card in your new iPhone (if necessary). Your new iPhone will come with a SIM card if your carrier requires one. The SIM card may already be inserted in your phone. Not all carriers use SIM cards.
    • The SIM tray can be found on the right side of the iPhone. Use the SIM removal tool or a small paperclip to eject the tray.
  2. Power on your new iPhone. New phones will take a few moments to boot up.
  3. Slide the "Hello" screen to start the setup process.
    • If you are trying to activate a used iPhone, you may be prompted to log in with the previous owner's Apple ID. The only way to bypass this is to perform a complete wipe and reset of the iPhone. If this still doesn't work, the previous owner reported the iPhone as stolen and it cannot be activated.
  4. Select a wireless network. Enter in the password if the network is secured.
    • If you don't have access to a wireless network, you can plug your iPhone into your computer and use iTunes to activate the device. You will be prompted to activate automatically after plugging the phone in.
  5. Wait for your iPhone to activate. Your iPhone will attempt to activate automatically as soon as it connects to the wireless network.
    • If you receive a SIM card error, ensure that you have the correct SIM card inserted in the iPhone.
    • If your iPhone can't connect to the wireless network, plug it into your computer and use iTunes to activate the iPhone.
  6. Proceed with your iPhone's setup. After activating, the setup assistant will continue guiding you through the iPhone's setup process.

Activating a New Cell Phone

  1. Listen to and write down any important voicemails on the old device. There's a chance that your voicemail inbox may not transfer to your new device, so make sure to listen to all of your messages before activating your new phone.
  2. Backup your old text messages. Like voicemails, there's a chance that your old text history will not transfer.
    • See Back-Up-Your-Texts-to-a-Gmail-Account for details on backing up your old texts.
  3. Backup your contacts. While most modern contact systems are synced with your account, your contacts on your old phone may be stuck there until you back them up. Either use a contact syncing program or write down the details of your most important contacts.
  4. Insert your new SIM card in your new phone (if necessary). Your new phone will come with a SIM card if your carrier requires one. The SIM card may already be inserted in your phone.
    • If you're upgrading from an older device on the same plan, you can most likely use your old SIM card unless it physically doesn't fit.
  5. Get your IMEI number. This may not be required during activation, but it can be helpful to have around.
    • Dial *#06# to display your new phone's IMEI. You can also usually find it printed on your phone's packaging.
  6. Activate through your carrier's website. Most carrier's have activation services that are available through their websites. This can be a much quicker method than trying to call and get activated.
    • The process is slightly different, but generally you will need to log in, select the line you are activating a device on, and then enter the IMEI number for the phone you are activating.
    • If you're activating a prepaid plan online, you will likely need to enter an Activation Code. This is typically included with your SIM purchase. If you don't have one, you'll need to call the number below for your carrier, or go into a retail store.
  7. Call the activation number from your new phone. If you are having difficulty activating online, or have a special case (such as activating an upgrade received from someone else's line on the same plan), calling your carrier will be the easiest way to ensure that everything activates properly. You may need the account holder's SSN or other identifying information.
    • AT&T - (866) 895-1099
    • Verizon - (800) 922-0204
    • T-Mobile - (844) 730-5912
    • Sprint - (888) 211-4727
  8. Visit a retail outlet for your carrier. While this is the most inconvenient way to activate your phone, it is also the most sure-fire way to activate without any problems. If you aren't able to activate online or over the phone, or didn't get a SIM card with your new phone, visiting the store will get your problem quickly solved.

Activating a Used Cell Phone

  1. Purchase a SIM card if your carrier requires one. In order to activate your used phone, you will need to insert a SIM card for your plan.
    • Unless the device has been unlocked, it can generally only be activated on the same carrier it was originally activated on.
  2. Get your IMEI number. This may not be required during activation, but it can be helpful to have around.
    • Dial *#06# to display your new phone's IMEI number. You can also usually find it printed on the phone itself, either on the back or behind the removable battery.
  3. Call the activation number from your new phone. The quickest way to get your used phone activated will be to call the carrier directly. It may be difficult to activate the phone using the online site, especially if it is older.
    • AT&T - (866) 895-1099
    • Verizon - (800) 922-0204
    • T-Mobile - (844) 730-5912
    • Sprint - (888) 211-4727
  4. Visit a retail outlet for your carrier. This is another way to easily activate your used phone. Make sure to bring in your SIM card, or let the employee know that you need to purchase a new SIM card.

Tips

  • Cell phones are programmed specifically to work with certain networks unless they are advertised as unlocked. If you wish to activate a pre-owned phone from one provider to another, such as activating a T-Mobile phone on Verizon, you might need to have the original provider unlock the phone.
  • Some cell phone providers use a communication process called global system for mobile communications (GSM) which requires a SIM card. Other providers use a process called code division multiple access (CDMA) which uses a card called a Removable User Identity Module (R-UIM) . A GSM phone will not work on a CDMA network or vice versa. If you are activating a phone that is not specified for your specific provider, call your provider to ensure that you can activate the phone on their system.
  • If your phone requires a SIM card, it should come with the phone. If not, you will need to purchase one specific to your intended provider. Removable User Identity Module (R-UIM) come with the phones and are not accessible on most CDMA phones without taking the phone apart.

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