How to activate wireless service on a new phone with AT&T

Did you or a family member recently order a new phone, tablet, or smartwatch? Possibly the new iPhone 14, for example? If so, you’re probably pretty excited to start using your new device. You might also be wondering how to activate it with the AT&T network.

The good news is that it’s relatively easy to set up wireless service with AT&T if you use our bring your own device(BYOD) program. Here’s how it works.

Make sure you have an eligible device

The first step is to make sure your device is eligible to work on the AT&T network. If your device is locked, you’ll also have to contact the manufacturer or your current carrier to get it unlocked before you can activate it with AT&T.

See if you can keep your number

In many cases, switching phones or carriers doesn’t mean you’ll have to switch phone numbers. Check if you can keep your existing number on your new device.

Order a SIM card and pick a plan

The next step is to order a SIM card and pick a plan. All wireless phones need a SIM card, which is a small plastic card that has a unique ID number and stores your personal data on your phone. You’ll have plenty of options for AT&T wireless plans, so whether you are a digital minimalist or an avid wireless streamer, you should be able to find a wireless plan that meets your needs. If you are looking to pay upfront and avoid an annual contract, there are also plenty of great BYOD options from AT&T PREPAID.

Install your SIM Card and activate

Once you get your new SIM card, insert it into your new device and activate the SIM card for use on the AT&T network.

Hopefully these tips will help you activate your new device without the stress. If you have issues with any of the steps above, you can always check out the AT&T Community Forums, get help from our online customer service resources, or visit an AT&T store.

This article is AT&T sponsored content written by Matt Johnsen, a TechBuzz contributor. The statements in this article are his own and don’t necessarily represent the positions, strategies, or opinions of AT&T.