How To Activate A T-Mobile Sim Card : Activate Your SIM Card Through T-Mobile
Any phone you purchase through T-Mobile will come to you locked to T-Mobile’s network. If you want to activate a SIM card or an eSim through T-Mobile, all you have to do is follow these steps:
- Log into your T-Mobile Account.
- Select the line you want to activate your SIM card on.
- Select either SIM card or eSim.
- Follow the prompts until you are asked to enter your ICCID or EID number.
Once you complete this process, you can use your phone to call and text within the boundaries of your T-Mobile phone plan. Your phone number and contacts will be attached to your device and ready to use.
Congratulations on your new purchase. Below you can find steps to set up your new device and transfer data from the old one.
Set up without switching
- Insert the SIM card if the device came with one, turn it on, and follow the on-screen steps to complete the initial setup.
- To get step-by-step instructions, choose your device and select Update & Backup > Out of box setup.
Switch to an Android
Android to Android
We recommend you transfer your data with the app provided by the manufacturer of your new device (if they provide one). They can be downloaded on the Play store if they aren’t preloaded on the device. The following is a list of safe apps provided by the manufacturers.
If a manufacturer provided app isn’t available these steps will help you switch from one Android device to another:
Old device
- Backup your data on the old device by choosing Settings > System > Advanced > Backup.
- Make sure Backup is turned on.
- If backup is off: turn it on and wait for the device to back up your data.
- If backup is on: confirm it recently backed up your data. If your data was not recently backed up, back up the device before proceeding.
New device
- Use the SIM card that came with the new device.
- Transfer your data to the new device by choosing Settings > Accounts > Add Account > Google.
- Sign in to your Google account where your data is backed up.
- You will be asked if you would like to download your synced information, select Yes.
- Depending on the amount of data backed up it may take a while to download. You must wait for the download to be complete.
Apple to Android
- Apple iOS apps cannot be transferred to Android but you may be able to find similar apps at the Play Store.
- For easy data transfer steps, see Switch to Android.
- Use the SIM card that came with the new device.
- Once complete, follow the setup wizard on the new device.
Switch to Apple iOS
Android to Apple
- Use the Move to iOS app to move your data.
- Android apps cannot be transferred to Apple devices but you may be able to find similar apps at the App Store.
- You can install Google Photos (iPhone) and Google Photos (Android) on both devices on both devices for easy photo transfer.
- Use the SIM card that came with the new device.
- Once complete, follow the setup wizard on the new device.
Apple to Apple
- Make sure your current device is connected to Wi-Fi and has Bluetooth on.
- Turn on your new device and place it near your current device, then swipe up on the Hello screen.
- On your current device, make sure the right Apple ID is showing on the pop-up and choose Continue.
- Use your current device to scan the animation on your new device. Wait for a message that says Finish on New [Device].
- On your new device, enter your current device password. If prompted, enter your Apple ID password.
- Follow the instructions to set up Face ID or Touch ID on your new device.
- If your old device used an eSIM, Transfer Cellular Plan will appear on the new device. Select the phone number to transfer and choose Continue.
- Choose how you want to transfer your data and follow the on-screen steps:
- Download from iCloud: Apps & data download in the background and you can use your device immediately.
- Transfer directly from previous device: You’ll need to wait for the transfer to complete before using your new device.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to set up the following services:
- Apple Pay
- Cloud Drive
- Siri
- App Analytics
- If you have an Apple Watch and you’re setting up a new iPhone, you’ll be asked if you’d like to transfer your Apple Watch.
- Keep your devices near each other and plugged in to power until the iPhone data migration process is complete.
- Once complete, select Continue on both devices.
- If you’re using a physical SIM, either move your SIM card or transfer it to an eSIM.
