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


INSTRUCTIONS & INFO

Prenote info

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

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  • 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 PrepaidĀ® 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.Ā 
      • 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.
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  • 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 PrepaidĀ® 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.
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    • 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?ClickĀ 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.
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  • 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 deviceĀ 
  • OnlineĀ 
  • 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.

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  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. Ā The SIM/ICCID number and IMEI number will auto-populate. Enter yourĀ 5-digit service zip code,Ā then select Continue.
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  4. Select whether you would like toĀ Activate one device or Activate two or more devices.
    Note: "Activate 1 device" was selected for this example. If ā€œActivate 2 or more devicesā€ 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. SelectĀ 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 yourĀ email address, then select Continue.
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  7. Select theĀ Payment Method from the drop-down list.
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  8. Ā Enter the requestedĀ payment information, then select Continue.
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  9. View your newĀ phone number, then restart your device.
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  10. A free "Welcome" text message will be sent. Select theĀ link in the text message to set up your account password.
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  11. Enter and confirm yourĀ new password and 4-digit PIN, then select Submit. Select OK.
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  12. Ā Update yourĀ personal information, then select Submit.
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  13. Ā An email with a verification code will be sent to the email address entered previously. Enter theĀ verificationĀ 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 toĀ att.com/activateprepaidĀ (att.com/activarprepaid for Spanish) and follow the prompts.

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    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.

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    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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    Last updated: May 22, 2025

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