How To Activate a New Cell Phone
What is Cell Phone?
A mobile phone is a portable telephone that can make and receive calls over a radio frequency link while the user is moving within a telephone service area, as opposed to a fixed-location phone.
How To Activate a New Cell Phone
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I activate a phone myself?
Although the specific steps vary from device to device, generally, you need to insert the SIM card, power on the device, and follow the on-screen prompts to set it up. If you are activating a new phone, you may also need to activate the SIM card with your carrier.
How long does it take to activate a new cell phone?
Most activations are complete within a few minutes. However, in some cases it can take up to 24 hours.
How new SIM is activated?
You need to send an SMS to USSD code 121. The syntax or format of the SMS will look like this: SIM<20 digit new SIM card number of your new SIM> The message should be sent from existing mobile number. Post that, you will receive an SMS for confirmation. Respond by 1
Can I just put my SIM card in a new phone?
Oftentimes when you upgrade your phone, it will come with a new SIM card. You may be able to just move your current SIM card from your old phone to the new one and hold onto this new SIM card for later, but sometimes your new phone will require the new SIM card.
How do I know if my phone is activated?
Click on the Android card under Your Google services section. You will find the activation date of your Android mobile or tablet right below the device name. If you want to customize this name, check out my guide on changing the device name of Android.
What is phone activation?
Activation is making a phone active on a cell phone network. It is the process that links a specific cell phone to a specific customer account and phone number. It requires configuration on the network side, for the network to recognize that specific phone as belonging to that customer.
Can you activate a SIM card without putting it in a phone?
In many cases, you simply need to insert your new SIM card into your phone to activate it. Otherwise, if you need to enter a particular code (found on your new SIM card), you can do so online via the network’s website or app. To make it easy, we’ve broken down how to activate a SIM card by network.
Can I set up a new phone without a SIM card?
If your phone is already set up with the Google or Apple account you want to use, you can simply turn off cellular or remove the SIM card. And you only need WiFi to set up most Android phones and iPhones (iPhone 5s or later running iOS 12 or later).1
What is the IMEI number?
The easiest way to find it on an Android phone is to dial *#06#, after which the number should appear on your screen. If you have a dual-SIM phone, you’ll see two numbers — one for each SIM slot.