The SIM card or eSIM is your device's ticket to the T-Mobile network!
On this page:
What's a SIM card / eSIM?
- The SIM card is a physical chip that you insert in your phone. It’s tied to your phone number and identifies you, the subscriber, to the T-Mobile network.
- Embedded SIM (eSIM) is just a physical SIM card gone digital. Like a SIM card, an eSIM provides your connection to the T-Mobile network.
- Some devices can accommodate both an eSIM and a SIM card at the same time, so you can have two wireless accounts with talk, text, and data on one device.
- This is great for having both work and personal phone numbers on the same device, or when you're traveling internationally!
Set up your SIM card
- With the device off, open the SIM card tray and insert the SIM card.
- Use the order confirmation email to see which SIM card goes in which device.
- Here's a short video to guide you through the process.
- Turn the device on. Your service should be working.
- If you're bringing your own device and data isn't working, add T-Mobile's APN settings.
- If you don't see bars of signal, check out No Service Troubleshooting.
- If you're bringing your own device and data isn't working, add T-Mobile's APN settings.
- To transfer data from your old device, see Set up a new T-Mobile phone.
- Contact us if you want to transfer an existing phone number to T-Mobile.
- With the device off, open the SIM card tray and insert the SIM card from your previous device.
- Here's a short video to guide you through the process.
- If you don't have your old SIM, change your SIM to the new one on your T-Mobile account.
- Turn the device on. Your service should be working.
- If you're bringing your own device and data isn't working, add T-Mobile's APN settings.
- If you don't see bars of signal, check out No Service Troubleshooting.
- If you're bringing your own device and data isn't working, add T-Mobile's APN settings.
- To transfer data from your old device, see Set up a new T-Mobile phone.
Are you a T-Mobile Prepaid customer? You may need to activate your SIM.
The steps for activating your new SIM depend on which SIM card you got:
SIM card with Magenta sleeve
If you received a T-Mobile SIM in the packaging shown below, please follow the enclosed instructions or visit www.sprint.com/sim to activate.
SIM card without Magenta sleeve
If your SIM card didn't have a Magenta sleeve, choose which device type you're activating:
- New device and new SIM: Visit www.sprint.com/activate and follow the steps.
- Current device and new SIM: Visit www.sprint.com/simswap and follow the steps.
I just signed up for T-Mobile Home Internet
The SIM card is already in your device and active! Check out Getting Started with T-Mobile Home Internet for information on device placement and setup.
I replaced my Home Internet Gateway
You'll need to remove the SIM card from your old gateway and insert it into the replacement. Choose your device below:
Buy a SIM card
T-Mobile SIM cards come with adapters, in case your device uses a nano, micro, or standard card.
- Postpaid accounts: See our SIM card page to order online. You can also find one in a T-Mobile store.
- Prepaid accounts: See the Prepaid SIM Card page to order online. You can also stop by a store.
Set up your eSIM
iPhone
There’s a few ways to setup your eSIM:
- As long as you connect to Wi-Fi, your iPhone will automatically prompt you to activate your eSIM during setup.
- During the initial setup, choose New Cellular Plan > Continue. You won't have a network connection if you choose "Not now".
- Didn't get a prompt or chose to activate later? You can activate your eSIM from the device settings.
Android
Scan the QR code. Our Tutorials have steps for supported devices, like the Google Pixel 6 Pro, moto razr 5G, or Samsung Galaxy S22.
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Wearables & iPads
These devices generally support a single eSIM profile, so no additional action is necessary. Check our Tutorials for set up steps.
iPhone
If you're switching from Android, you'll need to change your SIM using your device EID first. You can setup your iPhone eSIM in a few ways:
- As long as you connect to Wi-Fi, your iPhone will automatically prompt you to activate your eSIM during setup.
- During the initial setup, choose your phone number then select Continue. You won't have a network connection if you choose "Not now".
- Didn't get a prompt or chose to activate later? You can transfer your eSIM from the device settings.
Samsung
- As long as you have your active SIM and connect to Wi-Fi, the latest Samsung devices can convert your SIM card to an eSIM!
- If you have a newer Samsung that came without a SIM, like the Galaxy S22, follow the steps in Samsung eSIM to eSIM first time use.
Other devices
For other devices, or if you're switching between Apple & Android, follow these steps:
- Make sure your device is connected to Wi-Fi before you begin.
- Log into your T-Mobile Account to change your SIM using your device EID. To find your EID:
- Apple: From the home screen, select Settings > General > About.
- Android: From the list of apps, select Settings > About Phone > SIM Status or Status Information.
- T-Mobile For Business customers should use the Account Hub.
- Activate your eSIM if your device supports multiple eSIM profiles:
- iPhone: Tap the notification to activate the eSIM on your device.
- Android: Scan the QR code. Our Tutorials have steps for supported devices, like the Google Pixel 6 Pro, moto razr 5G, or Samsung Galaxy S22.
- Wearables & iPads: These devices generally support a single eSIM profile, so no additional action is necessary. Check our Tutorials for set up steps.
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Contact us so we can help you change your eSIM. Once that’s complete, you’ll need to activate your eSIM:
- iPhone Tap the notification to activate the eSIM on your device.
- Android Scan the QR code. Our Tutorials have steps for supported devices, like the Google Pixel 6 Pro, moto razr 5G, or Samsung Galaxy S22.
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Get help with your eSIM
- For Apple devices, check out Apple eSIM troubleshooting.
- For Samsung devices, check out Samsung eSIM troubleshooting.
- For other devices, contact us so we can assist:
Watch our video on installing SIM cards!
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