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
Download your eSIM on iPhone
As long as you connect to Wi-Fi, your iPhone will automatically prompt you to activate your eSIM during setup. If you're switching between Android & iPhone, or have an iPad or Apple Watch, you'll need to Activate your eSIM on T-Mobile.com.
- 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.
- 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.
Download your eSIM on Samsung phones
- 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.
Prepaid
T-Mobile Prepaid customers must install the T-Mobile Prepaid eSIM app on an eSIM-capable iPhone.
Activate eSIM on T-Mobile.com
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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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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