The SIM card or eSIM is your device's ticket to the T-Mobile network!
On this page:
What's a SIM card / eSIM?
SIM card
- A SIM card is a small chip that contains information your device needs to connect to the T-Mobile network.
- T-Mobile SIM cards come with adapters to allow for use with Nano, Micro, or Standard SIM sized devices.
eSIM
- Embedded SIM (eSIM) is just a SIM card gone digital, so you don't have to wait for a physical SIM.
- Just download your eSIM over Wi-Fi and connect to the T-Mobile network in minutes!
Set up your SIM card
I’m a T-Mobile customer
If you're an existing T-Mobile customer upgrading to a new device, make sure to turn off SIM Protection, then contact us to activate your new SIM card before following these steps.
- With the device off, open the SIM card tray and insert the SIM card.
- For orders with multiple devices, use the order confirmation email to verify 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 from a different carrier or company and data isn't working, add T-Mobile's APN settings.
- If you don't have bars of signal, check out No Service Troubleshooting.
- If you're bringing your own device from a different carrier or company and data isn't working, add T-Mobile's APN settings.
- To transfer data from your old device, review Set up a new T-Mobile phone.
I'm a T-Mobile Home Internet customer
If you just signed up for T-Mobile Home Internet, the SIM card is already in your device and active! Check out T-Mobile Home Internet Support for information on device placement and setup.
If you've just replaced your Home Internet Gateway, You'll need to remove the SIM card from your old gateway and insert it into the replacement. Choose your device:
Buy a SIM card
- Postpaid: Review our SIM card page to order online. You can also find one in a T-Mobile store.
- Prepaid: Review the Prepaid SIM Card page to order online. You can also stop by a store.
Set up your eSIM
- If you're upgrading or transferring service to a new device, make sure to turn off SIM Protection before following these steps. If you don’t, you’ll receive an error.
- If you're switching between Apple & Android or don't have your old device, contact us to activate your eSIM before following these steps.
- To activate a new Prepaid account, check out the T-Mobile Prepaid eSIM app.
Apple iPhone
There are a few ways to setup your eSIM:
- During the initial setup, you'll be prompted to activate an eSIM or transfer one from an existing iPhone.
- If you've already set up your iPhone and are connected to Wi-Fi, your iPhone will prompt you when the T-Mobile Cellular Plan is ready to be installed.
- Didn't get a prompt or chose to activate later? You can activate your eSIM from the device Settings > Cellular.
Samsung
- During initial setup, you'll be prompted to activate an eSIM or transfer one from an existing device.
- If you've already set up your device and are connected to Wi-Fi, you'll be prompted to activate your eSIM when it's ready to add.
- If you didn't get the prompt or chose to activate later, select Settings > Connections > SIM manager > Add eSIM to transfer the eSIM from another device.
- Our Tutorials have steps for supported devices, like the Samsung Galaxy S24.
- During initial setup, you'll be prompted to activate an eSIM or transfer one from an existing device.
- If you've already set up your device and are connected to Wi-Fi, you'll be prompted to activate your eSIM when it's ready to add.
- If you didn't get the prompt or chose to activate later, select Settings > Network & Internet, then choose the Add SIM to add a SIM. Select Download your SIM and follow the steps to activate your T-Mobile eSIM.
- Our Tutorials have steps for supported devices, like the Pixel 9 Pro.
- If your device asks for a QR code, contact us so we can email it to you.
Motorola
- During initial setup, you'll be prompted to activate an eSIM or transfer one from an existing device.
- If you've already set up your device and are connected to Wi-Fi, you'll be prompted to activate your eSIM when it's ready to add.
- If you didn't get the prompt or chose to activate later, select Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs & Mobile Network > + Download new eSIM.
- Our Tutorials have steps for supported devices, like the motorola razr+ 2024.
- If your device asks for a QR code, contact us so we can email it to you.
T-Mobile REVVL
- During initial setup, you'll be prompted to activate an eSIM or transfer one from an existing device.
- If you've already set up your device and are connected to Wi-Fi, you'll be prompted to activate your eSIM when it's ready to add.
- If you didn't get the prompt or chose to activate later, select Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs > Add SIM.
- Our Tutorials have steps for supported devices, like the T-Mobile REVVL 7 Pro.
- If your device asks for a QR code, contact us so we can email it to you.
Other devices
- Contact us so we can activate your eSIM.
- Connect to Wi-Fi and scan the QR code. Check in Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile Network for most Androids.
- Our Tutorials have steps for supported devices.
Get help with your eSIM
- For Apple devices, check out Apple eSIM troubleshooting.
- For Samsung devices, check out Samsung eSIM troubleshooting.
- Bringing your own device? Make sure it's compatible.
Watch our video on installing SIM cards!
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