SIM Card GSM Activation Guide For Android

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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.

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3. After connecting to wifi, it's time to pick a phone plan! Tap on Choose a Plan...

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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...

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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!

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Comments

  • Avatar
    David Burger

    It's says network lockedcard inserted and when I restart my phone it needs a network unlock key

  • Avatar
    Valeria TextNow+Support

    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!

  • Avatar
    Joe Sanders

    I can't get to apn on my phone. All it says is turn mobile data on. Maybe I can getsome help plz?

  • Avatar
    Kristopher TextNow Support

    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.

  • Avatar
    Juciy Love

    I just received my SIM card but I can't activate it

  • Avatar
    Taylor TextNow Support

    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!

  • Avatar
    Valentina TextNow Support

    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.

  • Avatar
    Beverly Slettehaugh

    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.

  • Avatar
    Valeria TextNow+Support

    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 :)

  • Avatar
    Leo Halliwell Ofarre

    My sim wont activate ive tried the step a lot more than once too plase help

  • Avatar
    Will TextNow Support

    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! :)

  • Avatar
    Vickie Tinsley

    I can't activate my sim card

  • Avatar
    Matthew TextNow Support

    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. :)

  • Avatar
    Ryan Gneiting

    Having trouble. Don't know what to do at this point

  • Avatar
    Taylor TextNow Support

    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.

  • Avatar
    Janessa Einspahr

    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

  • Avatar
    Valentina TextNow Support

    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.

  • Avatar
    Kelsie Cheatham

    So u got to have a sim card to use this app I thought it ran off wifi an it was all free

  • Avatar
    Tawny TextNow

    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

  • Avatar
    Brittany Koopen

    Insert SIM card... Not working!!!!!!

  • Avatar
    Tawny TextNow

    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).

  • Avatar
    Ryann Gatley

    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?

  • Avatar
    Erin TextNow Support

    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.

  • Avatar
    Ryann Gatley

    Erin, this is my friends old phone so I don't know what to do next

  • Avatar
    Shanda Hopson

    Having trouble with activation

  • Avatar
    D D

    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???

  • Avatar
    Richard White

    Your sim cards never work even when the system says they are activated and APN settings are correct

  • Avatar
    Erin TextNow Support

    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!

  • Avatar
    Erin TextNow Support

    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.

  • Avatar
    Melvin Searles Jr

    Can I get refund if the Sim card does no work in my phone ?