SIM Card GSM Activation Guide For Android

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.

Screen_Shot_2017-11-09_at_3.36.47_PM.png

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

Screen_Shot_2017-11-09_at_3.38.10_PM.png

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...

Screen_Shot_2017-12-06_at_3.46.36_PM.png 

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!

Was this article helpful?
0 out of 2 found this helpful
Have more questions? Submit a request

Comments

  • Avatar
    Valeria TextNow+Support

    Hey Jeannette! Terribly sorry that it hasn't activated for you.

    In order to determine the root cause and assist you, please head over to our live chat support on the bottom right-hand side of this page between 10am-5:30pm EST

  • Avatar
    laview laview

    nexus 5x and can't activate sim card. I have the correct APN settings.

  • Avatar
    Valeria TextNow+Support

    Hey there! Sorry about the inconvenience. It seems that we're having issues on our end for this SIM card activation.

    I've escalated it, and we should be in contact with you (by email) once it's resolved!

  • Avatar
    Benjamin Waterman

    I am unable to activate my sim card. I am told there is an error and to call a phone number. Calling that number not helpful, as it just directs me to webpages. I am unable to change APN settings with the textnow sim card installed. My phone is unlocked, and Google tells me that that it should be working. I don't have access to apn settings with the sim card installed. I have set those settings with it uninstalled, but no joy.

  • Avatar
    Valeria TextNow+Support

    Hey Benjamin! Looked like you have a CDMA SIM card, which would not include any APN settings (that's only for the GSM SIM cards).

    We can certainly assist you with the activation, if you would not mind heading over to our live chat support on textnow.com/wireless between 10am-5:30pm EST with your phone's information ready.

  • Avatar
    Nick Primer

    The new phone I was using broke so I put my sim card back into my old phone and now it's says the sim card is locked. I need live support now

  • Avatar
    Nick Primer

    The new phone I was using broke so I put my sim card back into my old phone and now it's says the sim card is locked. I need live support now

  • Avatar
    Erin TextNow Support

    Hi Nick,

    If you need help activating your old SIM card, please reach out to our chat support team for live assistance. They are available in the bottom right corner of this page from 10am-5:30pm EST daily.

  • Avatar
    Karl Schleichardt

    I need to order new sim, can you please send it to the address on file my other one was stolen. I really need it because I am planning on doing a review of my new doogee mix phone and I can't do a proper review without a SIM card, also I wanted to do a review with your company in a couple others to see how well the phone performs Network signal wise so if you could please charge my account and send it to me that would be awesome thank you!

  • Avatar
    Valeria TextNow+Support

    Hey Karl! In order to verify this order, I would actually need to ask that you speak to a live chat representative, found on the bottom right-hand side of this page between 10am-5:30pm EST

  • Avatar
    Shoyrock

    Hey ive been trying to activate the SIM card for days now with no luck I got it to say congratulations. But after that the SIM card is still not activated I can make call or use the internet in I'm not on Wi-Fi idk whats going on can I get some help please

  • Avatar
    Valeria TextNow+Support

    Hey there! Sorry to hear about your activation issues :(

    In order to determine the cause, and help you in getting activated, please head over to our live chat support on textnow.com/wireless between 10am-5:30pm EST!

  • Avatar
    LiliAnne Glodo

    YOU HAVE TO TURN OFF THE WIFI AFTER YOU PRESS THE "I've Completed these steps" BUTTON!!! IDK why but for some reason that's the only way it would actually activate for me (and like too many people). I had to go to different website after an hour trying to figure it out. Be a bud and pass on the info please!

  • Avatar
    Alpha Beta

    I have ordered a sim and it keeps saying activation failed

  • Avatar
    Erin TextNow Support

    Please reach out to our chat support team so we can get more details from you and walk you through the SIM card activation. We will be available in the bottom right corner of this page from 10am-5:30pm EST daily.

  • Avatar
    Michelle Hum

    I've followed every step and I've followed even some advise I've seen that you've given to others. It says I'm activated on the Network but I still can't make or receive calls and texts without Wi-Fi. What can I do?

  • Avatar
    Rip

    I've received my SIM card but can't get past the mobile networks screen. Everything after that is greyed out. Help plz.

  • Avatar
    Valeria TextNow+Support

    Hey @Michelle- I see that you were able to get your issue resolved with our live chat support :)

    @Rip- Sorry to hear that! If your APN settings are greyed out, that usually means that your phone is still locked to its previous carrier. I would recommend that you reach out to them to see if you can unlock your phone.

  • Avatar
    Jasmine Jones

    My network is not working.

  • Avatar
    Valeria TextNow+Support

    Hey Jasmine! Apologies for the delay!

    I would recommend that you head over to our live chat support between 10am-5:30pm EST so we can test this out with you, and get you activated!

  • Avatar
    Chris Weber

    Can't activate sim card. My phone is unlocked..don't know what else to do. Grrr

  • Avatar
    green people

    Sim not activating and I have done the step multiple times I want a refund

  • Avatar
    Erin TextNow Support

    Hi Chris, We'd like to find out what kind of error message you're getting when trying to activate the SIM card. The account you're currently using does not have any SIM card order history so we'll need some more details. Please reach out to our chat support team for assistance. They'll be available from 10am-5:30pm ET daily in the bottom right corner of this page.

    Hi green people, If you'd like help with your service or would like a refund, please also reach out to our chat support team so we can verify your account to assist you!

  • Avatar
    Vicky Z

    Help please, I bought the card on Amazon and put it in the phone and did the apn thing and stuff and it's not working!

  • Avatar
    Tangy Gray

    No APN in my mobile network, in fact i can't access my mobile network cause it keep sending me to VPN.

  • Avatar
    Valeria TextNow+Support

    Hey @Vicky- Apologies for the delay in getting back to you! We would need to troubleshoot this with you in real-time, if you can please head over to our live chat support between 10am-5:30pm EST Mon-Sun!

    @Tangy- If you cannot access your APN settings, either your phone is not GSM compatible, or it is still locked to its previous carrier. Please confirm that it is GSM-compatible, and carrier-unlocked before heading over to our live chat support so we can further assist you.

  • Avatar
    Cynthia Stone

    I'm using a MetroPCS unlocked ZTE phone please help I don't know how to get my SIM card working with my phone

  • Avatar
    Valeria TextNow+Support

    Hey Cynthia! I would recommend to head over to our live chat support between 10am-5:30pm EST, so we can troubleshoot this with you :)

  • Avatar
    Aaron Mallow

    I have followed all of the steps. I even got the unlock code from AT&T And unlocked the phone. And I am still getting a message saying that my sim card activation did not go through. Please help!!! My fiance has been without a phone for 8 days

  • Avatar
    Erin TextNow Support

    Hi Aaron,

    It looks like you currently have an HTC Bolt phone active on your account. If you're wanting to swap service from that phone to your new phone with the SIM card, please reach out to our chat support team for assistance. We'll be available in the bottom right corner of this page from 10am-5:30pm ET daily.