How do i activate my at&t prepaid phone

Only the Primary Account Holder and those with Full Access to the account can add lines, and the account must be current. Ready to add a line or device to your account? Let us show you how. For businesses with 21+ lines, contact Business Customer Service and we'll get you up and running.

Add a line with a new device

1. Log in to the T-Mobile app or T-Mobile.com.
   • In the T-Mobile app select SHOP, and then Add a line.
   • On T-Mobile.com click Add a person or device to my account in the “I want to…" section.
2. Select your device.
3. Select your color, memory variant, and pricing option, and click Add to a new line.
4. Make or review plan selections and click Add a new line.
5. Select Yes, I want to trade in a device if you would like to trade in a device. Otherwise, select No thanks, skip trade-in.
6. Enter the trade-in device information, to find it dial *#06# to get your phone's IMEI, or find it in phone settings, then click Continue.
7. Provide information on the condition of your trade-in, then click Continue.
8. Click Trade in this phone.
9. Select Continue or select No, I’ll take my chances to opt out of insurance.
10. Confirm your order details and pricing, then click Continue to shipping.
11. Select your shipping method and review the address section. Edit the address if necessary, then click Continue to payment.
    • To protect against theft, shipments of high value items may require a signature upon delivery. A signature requirement is added to high value orders to help protect against theft.
12. Enter your payment details and check the Customer Agreement box to confirm consent of the T-Mobile Terms and Conditions, then select Accept & Continue.
13. Sign your EIP Equipment Installment Plan agreement if you are financing your device with T-Mobile.
14. Click Submit order.

Add a line with your own device

1. Log in to the T-Mobile app or T-Mobile.com.
   • In the T-Mobile App select SHOP and then Add a line.
   • On T-Mobile.com click Add a person or device to my account in the “I want to…" section.
2. Select your device type.
3. Select the option to bring your own device.
4. Review plan selections and select Add a new line.
5. Confirm your order details and pricing, then select Continue to shipping.
6. Select your shipping method and review the address section. Edit the address if necessary, then select Continue to payment.
7. Enter your payment details and check the Customer Agreement box to confirm consent of the T-Mobile Terms and Conditions, then select Accept & Continue.
8. Select Submit order.

The SIM card or eSIM is your device's ticket to the T-Mobile network!

What's a SIM card / eSIM?

• The SIM card is a physical chip that you insert in your phone. It’s tied to your phone number and identifies you, the subscriber, to the T-Mobile network.
• Embedded SIM (eSIM) is just a physical SIM card gone digital. Like a SIM card, an eSIM provides your connection to the T-Mobile network.
• Some devices can accommodate both an eSIM and a SIM card at the same time, so you can have two wireless accounts with talk, text, and data on one device.
• This is great for having both work and personal phone numbers on the same device, or when you're traveling internationally!

Set up your SIM card

I purchased a Samsung Galaxy Fold4 / Flip4

If you purchased a Samsung Galaxy Fold4 / Flip4, you'll need to activate it on a SIM card. We're shipping one to you as soon as possible, free of charge!

• If your current phone has a SIM card, you can swap it to your new Samsung to get started. Here's a short video to guide you through the process.
• Using the SIM card we sent will make sure you get the most out of our 5G network, as well as future network enhancements.
• Once you get the SIM card we shipped, log onto your T-Mobile account and change your SIM.

5G: Coverage not available in some areas. Some uses may require certain plan or feature; see T-Mobile.com.

I’m new to T-Mobile or have a new line

1. With the device off, open the SIM card tray and insert the SIM card. 
   • Use the order confirmation email to see which SIM card goes in which device.
   • Here's a short video to guide you through the process.
     
2. Turn the device on. Your service should be working.
   • If you're bringing your own device and data isn't working, add T-Mobile's APN settings.
     
   • If you don't see bars of signal, check out No Service Troubleshooting.
3. To transfer data from your old device, see Set up a new T-Mobile phone.
4. Contact us if you want to transfer an existing phone number to T-Mobile.

I upgraded or replaced a device

1. With the device off, open the SIM card tray and insert the SIM card from your previous device. 
   • Here's a short video to guide you through the process.
   • If you don't have your old SIM, change your SIM to the new one on your T-Mobile account.
2. Turn the device on. Your service should be working.
   • If you're bringing your own device and data isn't working, add T-Mobile's APN settings.
     
   • If you don't see bars of signal, check out No Service Troubleshooting.
3. To transfer data from your old device, see Set up a new T-Mobile phone.

Are you a T-Mobile Prepaid customer? You may need to activate your SIM.

I'm a Sprint customer who received a T-Mobile SIM card

The steps for activating your new SIM depend on which SIM card you got:

SIM card with Magenta sleeve

If you received a T-Mobile SIM in the packaging shown below, please follow the enclosed instructions or visit www.sprint.com/sim to activate.

SIM card without Magenta sleeve

If your SIM card didn't have a Magenta sleeve, choose which device type you're activating:

• New device and new SIM: Visit www.sprint.com/activate and follow the steps.
• Current device and new SIM: Visit www.sprint.com/simswap and follow the steps.

Buy a SIM card

T-Mobile SIM cards come with adapters, in case your device uses a nano, micro, or standard card.

• Postpaid accounts: See our SIM card page to order online. You can also find one in a T-Mobile store.
• Prepaid accounts: See the Prepaid SIM Card page to order online. You can also stop by a store.

Set up your eSIM

iPhone

There’s a few ways to setup your eSIM:

• During the initial setup, choose New Cellular Plan > Continue. You won't have a network connection if you choose "Not now".
• If you've already set up your iPhone and are connected to Wi-Fi, your iPhone will automatically prompt you to activate your eSIM.
• Didn't get a prompt or chose to activate later? You can activate your eSIM from the device settings.

Samsung

• For the Galaxy Z Flip4 and Galaxy Z Fold4, make sure you connect to Wi-Fi during initial setup. You'll be automatically prompted to add your T-Mobile plan.
• For other Samsungs with eSIM, scan the QR code. Our Tutorials have steps for supported devices, like the Samsung Galaxy S22.

Android

Scan the QR code. Our Tutorials have steps for supported devices, like the Google Pixel 6 Pro, or moto razr 5G.

SM-DP+ Address: T-MOBILE.GDSB.NET Activation code: [Blank] Confirmation code: [Blank]

Wearables & iPads

These devices generally support a single eSIM profile, so no additional action is necessary. Check our Tutorials for set up steps.

Upgrade or device replacement

iPhone

If you're switching from Android, you'll need to change your SIM using your device EID first. You can setup your iPhone eSIM in a few ways:

• During the initial setup, choose your phone number then select Continue. You won't have a network connection if you choose "Not now".
• If you've already set up your device and are connected to Wi-Fi, your iPhone will automatically prompt you to activate your eSIM.
• Using an iPhone with a SIM card? You can transfer the SIM card to an eSIM using your new iPhone!
• Didn't get a prompt or chose to activate later? You can transfer your eSIM from the device settings.

Samsung

• Galaxy Z Flip4 & Galaxy Z Fold4: Make sure you connect to Wi-Fi during initial setup. You'll be prompted to bring your plan from your old device.
• Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22+, & Galaxy S22 Ultra: Follow the steps in Samsung eSIM to eSIM first time use.
• Other Samsungs with eSIM: As long as you have your active SIM and connect to Wi-Fi, the latest Samsung devices can convert your SIM card to an eSIM!

Other devices

For other devices, or if you're switching between Apple & Android, follow these steps:

1. Make sure your device is connected to Wi-Fi before you begin. 
2. Log into your T-Mobile Account to change your SIM using your device EID. To find your EID:
   • Apple: From the home screen, select Settings > General > About.
   • Android: From the list of apps, select Settings > About Phone > SIM Status or Status Information.
   • T-Mobile For Business customers should use the Account Hub.
3. Activate your eSIM if your device supports multiple eSIM profiles:
   • iPhone: Tap the notification to activate the eSIM on your device.
   • Android: Scan the QR code. Our Tutorials have steps for supported devices, like the Google Pixel 6 Pro, moto razr 5G, or Samsung Galaxy S22.
   • Wearables & iPads: These devices generally support a single eSIM profile, so no additional action is necessary. Check our Tutorials for set up steps.

SM-DP+ Address: T-MOBILE.GDSB.NET Activation code: [Blank] Confirmation code: [Blank]

Contact us so we can help you change your eSIM. Once that’s complete, you’ll need to activate your eSIM:

• iPhone Tap the notification to activate the eSIM on your device.
• Android Scan the QR code. Our Tutorials have steps for supported devices, like the Google Pixel 6 Pro, moto razr 5G, or Samsung Galaxy S22.

SM-DP+ Address: T-MOBILE.GDSB.NET Activation code: [Blank] Confirmation code: [Blank]

QR code

SM-DP+ Address: T-MOBILE.GDSB.NET Activation code: [Blank] Confirmation code: [Blank]

Get help with your eSIM

• For Apple devices, check out Apple eSIM troubleshooting. 
• For Samsung devices, check out Samsung eSIM troubleshooting.
• For other devices, contact us so we can assist:

Watch our video on installing SIM cards!