Please note: All prices and plans shown on this page are subject to change. For the latest in plans and phones, visit our main page.
If you're looking to activate an Android device with your new TextNow GSM SIM card, here's a handy guide to help you through the process. (You can also check our Video Tutorials page for more help with activation.)
1. Ensure the SIM card has been inserted and you have a wifi network active and available to use.
2. Next, open TextNow, log into your account, and connect to your wifi network.
3. After connecting to wifi, it's time to pick a phone plan! Tap on Choose a Plan...
4. ...and choose from one of our affordable phone plans!
5. Use your current credit card on your account for future payments, or use a new credit card or gift card!
6. You're almost there! Tap on Connect To The Network...
7. ... and follow the instructions. You can also get the APN settings you'll need from our APN article here.
8. You're all set! Time to start using your TextNow phone!
It's says network lockedcard inserted and when I restart my phone it needs a network unlock key
Hi David,
That sounds like a code to unlock your device from its previous carrier! Would you please be able to contact them for further assistance?
Thanks in advance!
I can't get to apn on my phone. All it says is turn mobile data on. Maybe I can getsome help plz?
Hey Joe,
Thanks for letting us know.
I have sent off an email to the address we have on file, please follow-up with me there and I'd be more than happy to help get this issue resolved.
I just received my SIM card but I can't activate it
Hi there,
I'm sorry to hear you're having issues activating the service! I've sent you a follow up email to help figure out what's going on and sort out this issue. Please reply there!
Hey Maryah,
I see you just spoke with us over the phone regarding the activation troubles!
Let us know if you have any further questions or concerns.
I just got my SIM cards for TextNow, and for some reason, I still can't connect to the nrletwork. Am I doing something wrong, or did I miss domething? Please let me know. Thanks.
Hey Beverly,
Sorry to hear about your activation issues! If you could please try to speak with one of our live chat representatives (can be found on the bottom right hand side of this page) for further assistance, we'd be more than happy to help :)
My sim wont activate ive tried the step a lot more than once too plase help
Hey Leo,
Thanks for reaching out here!
The process for activation will be a bit different for you because you have an active CDMA device on your account and the SIM you are trying to activate is for the GSM network.
Please reach out to our online chat representatives in the bottom right of this page during our hours of operation for further assistance:
9am - 9pm EST Monday - Friday
9am - 4pm EST Saturday and Sunday
We look forward to getting you started with the new SIM! :)
I can't activate my sim card
Hi Vickie,
Thanks for reaching out to TextNow Support. We're sorry you're having trouble activating your SIM card. We have sent you an email to get started on getting you activated. Please reply back to the email and we can sort this out for you. :)
Having trouble. Don't know what to do at this point
Hi Ryan,
I'm sorry your SIM card hasn't been activating! I've sent you an email to the email on file with some more information.
I just got my Sim card and when I try to activate my oh one it says there's a problem that's it help please
Lisa
Hello Lisa,
We apologize for the inconvenience. Please reply to the e-mail we have just sent in order to diagnose the issue at hand.
So u got to have a sim card to use this app I thought it ran off wifi an it was all free
Hi Kelsie,
The Free App will work without a SIM card, provided you have a compatible device and and a connection to wifi. We also offer monthly plan options to be able to continue using the service when away from wifi.
Let us know if you have any other questions
Insert SIM card... Not working!!!!!!
Hi Brittany,
I'm sorry to hear about the sim card activation did not go through. Please watch our helpful sim card video tutorial: https://supportwireless.textnow.com/hc/en-us/articles/216440363-SIM-Card-Video-Tutorials and make sure the steps have been completed. If you need further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our gents through the chat portal (bottom right hand of the screen).
I have a question. So when I was buying my sin card it said if it was unlocked and I pushed no but what if it asks for a code do I have to contact the last carrier?
Hi Ryann,
If you're trying to activate on of our sim cards in a phone you already have, you will most likely need to get it unlocked. So in order to get the unlock code to make sure your phone can get activated with one of our sim cards, you will have to contact the carrier you had originally purchased the phone from.
Erin, this is my friends old phone so I don't know what to do next
Having trouble with activation
Please help! I have your sim card. My phone is unlocked! I bought it from Wal-Mart straight talk so there is no contract or anything! I tried to set it up and it keeps telling me that my phone is not compatible????? I know it is! I have carefully put in all the info it asks me for, I've done it over and over and I keep getting the same response! Can someone help please???
Your sim cards never work even when the system says they are activated and APN settings are correct
Hi Richard, It looks like the problem you were having was resolved on our end after you had contacted us last week. An agent will be reaching out to you today to make sure the activation is complete and the service is working properly for you!
Hey Sue, I've taken a look at your account and it looks like your SIM card hasn't been shipped out yet. There will be a delivery delay because of the long weekend in Canada and the holiday today in the US. Your SIM card should be shipped out by tomorrow and once you receive it you can follow the activation steps that accompany the card. If you have trouble with the activation at all once the SIM card is delivered, please reach out to our live chat support for further assistance!
Hi Tay, You had received the free sim card promotion which allowed you to order a sim card for free, but you do still have to pay for the first month of service once the sim card is activated. For that reason you were charged $19.99 for the Promo Tall plan this month. The $20.04 you saw on your account is actually a credit but that was added incorrectly and will be removed from your account today. You will still have a $0.05 credit remaining though which you earned by watching one of the ads through the app. If you have any other questions about this please email us at community@textnow.com
Hey Pynkie, If the phone you have is a rent to own, it is more than likely not unlocked and will not be able to be activated with any other carrier than the one you got it from. You can contact that carrier to find out how you can get the device unlocked if you'd like to try activating it with TextNow.
Can I get refund if the Sim card does no work in my phone ?