Metropcs Activate New Phone with Old Sim Card: How To Activate a Metropcs Phone for Free
New customers can activate up to five lines through the Online Activation Tool. Existing customers need to activate new lines by visiting a Metro by T-Mobile store or by calling Customer Care at 1-888-8metro8.
The Online Activation Tool does not have the capability to assist existing customers. Existing customers can add new lines to their account by visiting a Metro by T-Mobile store or by calling Customer Care at 1-888-8metro8.
What do I need to Activate?
Phone and new SIM card:
Have a compatible phone and new Metro by T-Mobile SIM card handy
Choose a rate plan:
You’ll need to select a plan and pay for your first month of service to complete activation
E-mail address:
A valid e-mail address not previously used on another Metro by T-Mobile account
Phone number:
We can provide you with a new number or you can bring your current number. If you bring your current number and it’s from an eligible carrier (i.e., non-T-Mobile-affiliated carriers, etc.), we’ll help you set it up
Metro PCS Activate your phone
Let’s get ready to connect your phone.
Get your phone and SIM card ready
Find your phone’s unique ID number by dialing *#06# or by looking in your phone’s settings or on the label under your battery. You’ll also need your Metro SIM card.
Pick your plan
Be ready to select the phone plan of your choice and pay for your first month of service
Provide your information
Your name and contact info will be needed, along with an email address that is not associated with another Metro account.
How to Activate your Metro PCS T-Mobile SIM
1. 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
2. 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.
3. To transfer data from your old device, see Set up a new T-Mobile phone.
4. Contact us if you want to transfer an existing phone number to T-Mobile.
Change or activate a SIM card / eSIM
1. Click here and log into your My T-Mobile account with your T-Mobile ID.
2. If you have multiple lines, choose the line you’re changing the SIM/eSIM on.
3. Follow the steps to complete security verification.
4. Choose if you’re activating a physical SIM or eSIM.
5. Follow the steps to enter you ICCID or EID number and complete the change.
- If you’re changing to an eSIM, make sure you’re connected to Wi-Fi and download your eSIM settings.
- If you want to activate an iPhone eSIM on a prepaid account, download the T-Mobile eSIM app.
- If you have any issues, contact us or stop by a store. For your security, the account holder or an authorized user must make the request.
I upgraded or replaced a device
1. With the device off, open the SIM card tray and insert the SIM card.
- If your device didn’t come with a SIM card, just move the SIM from your old device to your new one and you’re good to go, no additional steps required.
- Activate the SIM card. For the best 5G experience, we don’t recommend using your previous SIM card.
2. 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.
3. To transfer data from your old device, see Set up a new T-Mobile phone.
Create your T-Mobile ID
- Open the T-Mobile app.
- On the Welcome screen, tap Get a T-Mobile ID.
- Enter your registration information and tap Sign me up.
- Enter the code from the text message we sent to your mobile device and tap Next.. Note, if registering from your mobile device, the app may automatically confirm your phone number.
- Follow the on-screen steps to complete your registration.