3 Ways to Activate a Cell Phone

An easy-to-follow guide for activating 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 wikiHow article will guide you through the basic steps to get your phone activated with any carrier.

Things You Should Know

  • You might need a SIM card for your phone to be able to activate it.
  • GSM carriers, like AT&T and T-Mobile, use SIM cards; CDMA carriers, like Verizon and old Sprint phones, don't have a SIM card.
  • Get in touch with your cell provider (usually through a website) to activate it.
Section 1 of 3:

Activating a New Cell Phone

  1. Image titled Activate a Cell Phone Step 1
    1
    Get your IMEI number. This may not be required during activation, but it can be helpful to have around.[1]
    • Dial *#06# to display your new phone's IMEI. You can also usually find it printed on your phone's packaging.
    • Still shopping for a new phone or tech accessories? Check out our coupon site for discounts on Walmart products.
  2. Image titled Activate a Cell Phone Step 2
    2
    Activate through your carrier's website. Most carriers have activation services that are available through their websites. This can be a much quicker method than trying to call and get a cell phone activated.
    • The process is slightly different per carrier, 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.[2]
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  3. Image titled Activate a Cell Phone Step 3
    3
    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.[3] 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
  4. Image titled Activate a Cell Phone Step 4
    4
    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.[4] 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.
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Section 2 of 3:

Activating a New iPhone

  1. Image titled Activate a Cell Phone Step 5
    1
    Insert your new SIM card in your new iPhone (if necessary).[5] 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. Image titled Activate a Cell Phone Step 6
    2
    Power on your new iPhone. New phones will take a few moments to boot up.
  3. Image titled Activate a Cell Phone Step 7
    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. Image titled Activate a Cell Phone Step 8
    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 or Finder to activate the device. You will be prompted to activate automatically after plugging the phone in.
  5. Image titled Activate a Cell Phone Step 9
    5
    Wait for your iPhone to activate.[6] 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.
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    6
    Proceed with your iPhone's setup. After activating, the setup assistant will continue guiding you through the iPhone's setup process.[7]
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Section 3 of 3:

Activating a Used Cell Phone

  1. Image titled Activate a Cell Phone Step 11
    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. Image titled Activate a Cell Phone Step 12
    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. Image titled Activate a Cell Phone Step 13
    3
    Call the activation number from your new phone.[8] 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
  4. Image titled Activate a Cell Phone Step 14
    4
    Visit a retail outlet for your carrier.[9] 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.
    • It might be a good idea to listen to and write down any important voicemails on the old device before you activate a new one since there's a chance that your voicemail inbox may not transfer to your new device.
    • You'll also want to back up your old text messages, contacts, and any other data on your old phone. Like voicemails, there's a chance that your old text history, contacts, or other data will not transfer.
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    How do I activate an old flip cell phone that won't turn on?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You could take it to a mobile phone or electronics retailer and ask the staff there for assistance with it.
  • Question
    How do I activate an old flip cell phone?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You can buy time for it at the store on a card, or get a monthly plan online.
  • Question
    How much does it cost to activate a phone?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    The price depends on the mobile carrier and the cell phone plan, too, as well as taxes.
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References

  1. ↑ Linh Le. Certified Mobile Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 10 February 2022.
  2. ↑ https://www.verizon.com/support/knowledge-base-209087/
  3. ↑ Linh Le. Certified Mobile Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 10 February 2022.
  4. ↑ Linh Le. Certified Mobile Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 10 February 2022.
  5. ↑ Linh Le. Certified Mobile Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 10 February 2022.
  6. ↑ Linh Le. Certified Mobile Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 10 February 2022.
  7. ↑ https://www.att.com/support/article/wireless/KM1008711/
  8. ↑ Linh Le. Certified Mobile Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 10 February 2022.
  9. ↑ Linh Le. Certified Mobile Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 10 February 2022.

About This Article

Linh Le
Co-authored by:
Linh Le
Certified Mobile Repair Specialist
This article was co-authored by Linh Le and by wikiHow staff writer, Darlene Antonelli, MA. Linh Le is a Certified Mobile Repair Specialist and the Owner of SC Mobile Repairs in San Clemente, California. With more than 12 years of experience, he specializes in smartphone, tablet, and smartwatch hardware repair. Linh has an iTech Mobile Device Repair Certification and an iOS Certification. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from The Franciscan University of Steubenville. This article has been viewed 343,824 times.
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Co-authors: 15
Updated: January 30, 2023
Views: 343,824
Categories: Cell Phones
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