Activate New AT&T Prepaid® Service

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Activate New AT&T Prepaid® Service

Learn how to activate new AT&T Prepaid service and plan.

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to activate new AT&T Prepaid® service and plan if you:

  • Have a phone and need to buy an AT&T Prepaid SIM and plan online
  • Already bought your AT&T Prepaid plan online and need to finish activating
  • Purchased a phone or SIM kit from a non-AT&T retailer and need to activate a plan (either from your device, online, or over the phone)

Have a phone and need to buy an AT&T Prepaid® SIM and plan online?

  • If you need a physical SIM card:
    1. Go here to purchase a Prepaid plan.
    2. Continue to checkout.
    3. Insert the SIM card we shipped to you into your unlocked device.
    4. Turn on your device.
      • It may take a few minutes for your initial plan payment to process. You should receive a confirmation text.
    5. You'll be ready to go.
  • If you need an eSIM:
    1. Go here and select Get an eSIM activation card instead.
    2. Purchase a Prepaid plan.
    3. Continue to checkout.
    4. Scan the QR code from the eSIM activation card we shipped to you and follow the prompts.
      • Having issues activating your eSIM? Click here and scroll down to the instructions for your device.
    5. Restart (power cycle) your device.
      • It may take a few minutes for your initial plan payment to process. You should receive a confirmation text.
    6. You’ll be ready to go.

Already bought your AT&T Prepaid® plan online and need to finish activating?

  • Bought a plan with SIM Kit online:
    • If your device uses a physical SIM card:
      1. Insert the SIM card into your phone.
      2. Turn it on.
        • It may take a few minutes for your initial plan payment to process. You should receive a confirmation text.
      3. You’ll be ready to go.
    • If your device uses an eSIM:
      1. Turn your device on.
      2. Scan the QR code from the eSIM activation card we shipped to you and follow the prompts.
        • Having issues activating your eSIM?Click here and scroll down to the instructions for your device.
      3. Restart (power cycle) your device.
        • It may take a few minutes for your initial plan payment to process. You should receive a confirmation text.
      4. You’ll be ready to go.
  • Bought a plan with a new device online:
    1. Your phone will ship with a SIM card in it.
    2. Turn on your device.
      • It may take a few minutes for your initial plan payment to process. You should receive a confirmation text.
    3. You’ll be ready to go.

Purchased a phone or SIM Kit from a non-AT&T retailer and need to activate a plan?

Choose how to activate:

  • From your device
  • Online
  • Over the phone

Activate from your device

Note: If you do not have an AT&T Prepaid SIM card or eSIM Activation card, but already own a compatible phone and you would like to activate AT&T Prepaid service, go here to purchase a SIM Kit and plan.

  1. Before activating your AT&T Prepaid service from your device, make sure it has been charged:

    1. AT&T Prepaid SIM card: Ensure the physical SIM card is installed and then turn the device on. Proceed to Step 2.
    2. eSIM: Turn on your device. Scan the QR code from the eSIM activation card and follow the prompts. Proceed to Step 2.

  2. In a few minutes, you will receive a free AT&T text message. Select the unique URL sent in the message.

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  3. The SIM/ICCID number and IMEI number will auto-populate. Enter your 5-digit service zip code, then select Continue.

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  4. Select whether you would like to Activate one device or Activate two or more devices.Note: "Activate 1 device" was selected for this example. If “Activate 2 or more devices” is selected, you will complete activation of the first device before being prompted to activate additional devices. You’ll need to manually enter the SIM/eSIM ICCID or EID number and IMEI number for each additional device. The SIM/eSIM ICCID is located on the SIM card itself. To locate your IMEI, visit Find your device IMEI number.

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  5. Select Select this plan under the desired rate plan. Select the check box to accept the Service Agreement, then select Continue.Note: Rate plan options may change.

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  6. Enter and confirm your email address, then select Continue.

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  7. Select the Payment Method from the drop-down list.

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  8. Enter the requested payment information, then select Continue.

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  9. View your new phone number, then restart your device.

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  10. A free "Welcome" text message will be sent. Select the link in the text message to set up your account password.

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  11. Enter and confirm your new password and 4-digit PIN, then select Submit. Select OK.

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  12. Update your personal information, then select Submit.

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  13. An email with a verification code will be sent to the email address entered previously. Enter the verification code, then select Validate. Select OK.

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  14. Your AT&T Prepaid account has been successfully created, and you are now logged into your account. Review the Account Summary page for details.

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Activate online

From another device connected to the internet, go to att.com/activateprepaid (att.com/activarprepaid for Spanish) and follow the prompts.

Activate over the phone

Call us at 877-426-0525 for automated instructions. You will need to know your SIM/eSIM ICCID & IMEI number for activation. EID is not supported at this time.

Note: Activation will take around 10 minutes to complete. The ICCID is located on the SIM card itself. To locate your IMEI, visit Find your device IMEI number.

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