If you're an existing T-Mobile customer upgrading to a new device, you'll need to activate your new SIM first. New customers will have their SIMs shipped activated.

1. Make sure SIM Protection is disabled.
2. Open the T-Life app while you’re connected to the T-Mobile network.
3. Select the Account tab and choose the line you want to change the SIM on.
4. Choose SIM transfer or activation > Get Started.
5. Enter the IMEI number for the device you’re transferring your SIM to, then select Continue.
6. Choose to activate a SIM card, then select Continue.
7. Enter the ICCID, then select Continue.
8. Review the requested change and select Activate.
9. If prompted, respond to the interactive SMS (iSMS) to confirm the change.

Once you have your active SIM, follow these steps:

1. With the device off, open the SIM card tray and insert the SIM card. 
   • For orders with multiple devices, use the order confirmation email to verify which SIM card goes in which device.
   • Here's a short video to guide you through the process.
     
2. Turn the device on. Your service should be working.
   • If you're bringing your own device from a different carrier or company and data isn't working, add T-Mobile's APN settings.
     
   • If you don't have bars of signal, check out No Service Troubleshooting.
3. To transfer data from your old device, review Set up a new T-Mobile phone.

If you just signed up for T-Mobile Home Internet, the SIM card is already in your device and active! Check out T-Mobile Home Internet Support for information on device placement and setup.

If you've just replaced your Home Internet Gateway, you'll need to remove the SIM card from your old gateway and insert it into the replacement. Check out Set up your T-Mobile Gateway & Network for information on replacement gateway set-up.

There are a few ways to setup your eSIM:

• During the initial setup, you'll be prompted to activate an eSIM or transfer one from an existing iPhone.
• If you've already set up your iPhone and are connected to Wi-Fi, your iPhone will prompt you when the T-Mobile Cellular Plan is ready to be installed.
• Didn't get a prompt or chose to activate later? You can activate your eSIM from the device Settings > Cellular.
• Our Universal Tutorials have steps to activate your eSIM on supported devices.

Transfer existing SIM from Google phone to Apple iPhone after initial setup

1. Confirm devices meet these requirements. 
   • Current device: Google Pixel 9 series 
   • New device: Apple iPhone 11 or newer running iOS 26 or higher 
   • PIN / Password enabled 
   • Bluetooth enabled 
   • Not available for Government accounts 
2. Place your new iPhone close to your current Google device.  
3. On your new iPhone, select Settings > Cellular > Set Up Cellular. If you already have another SIM set up on your iPhone, select Add eSIM. 
4. On ‘Transfer Your Phone Numbers screen’ select Other Options > Transfer from Android. 
5. Scan the QR code with your current Google device. 
6. On your Google device, select the line to transfer and confirm transfer. 
7. After the transfer is complete, select Done on both devices.

After moving to T-Mobile, you will need to initiate an eSIM download on your Apple Watch.

Before you start

Make sure:

• Your device is powered on and near your phone
• Your device is connected to Bluetooth

Initiate the eSIM download

1. Open the Watch App
2. Select Cellular
3. Select Add a New Plan
4. Select Set Up Cellular
5. Your Watch Plan will show as ready
6. Select Continue with setup

What to expect

If the download is successful, the screen will display a checkmark, and your Watch App Cellular Plan will show T-Mobile (Activating will disappear once download is complete). Your device will now connect to the T-Mobile network when it moves out of Bluetooth range.

• During initial setup, you'll be prompted to activate an eSIM or transfer one from an existing device.
• If you've already set up your device and are connected to Wi-Fi, you'll be prompted to activate your eSIM when it's ready to add.
• If you didn't get the prompt or chose to activate later, select Settings > Connections > SIM manager > Add eSIM to set up a new eSIM or transfer a SIM fron another device.
• Our Universal Tutorials have steps to activate your eSIM on supported devices.

After moving to T-Mobile, you will need to initiate an eSIM download on your Samsung Watch.

Before you start

Make sure:

• Your device is powered on and near your phone
• Your device is connected to Bluetooth

Initiate the eSIM download

1. On your paired phone open the Galaxy Wearable app.
2. Select Watch settings.
3. Select Mobile plans.
4. Skip to Step 9. if a carrier is not shown.
5. Confirm UScellular is Off.
6. Select Remove plan.
7. Select I understand > Remove.
8. Select Mobile plans.
9. On 'Set up a mobile plan' screen select Next.
10. On 'Set up your T-Mobile plan' screen select Use plan.
11. Wait while device set up completes and restarts.
12. Your Galaxy Wearable app Mobile plans will show T-Mobile as On if the download is successful.
13. Your device will now connect to the T-Mobile network when it moves out of Bluetooth range.

• During initial setup, you'll be prompted to activate an eSIM or transfer one from an existing device.
• If you've already set up your device and are connected to Wi-Fi, you'll be prompted to activate your eSIM when it's ready to add.
• If you didn't get the prompt or chose to activate later, select Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs > Add SIM. Select Set up an eSIM or Transfer a SIM from another device and follow the steps to activate your T-Mobile eSIM.
• Our Universal Tutorials have steps to activate your eSIM on supported devices.
• If your device asks for a QR code, contact us so we can email it to you.

Transfer existing SIM from Apple iPhone to Google phone after initial setup

1. Confirm devices meet these requirements.
   • Current device: Apple iPhone 11 or newer running iOS 26 or higher
   • New device: Google Pixel 9 series or newer
   • Connected to Wi-Fi
   • PIN / Password enabled
2. Place your new Google device close to your current iPhone. 
3. On your new Google device swipe up on the Home screen to view your apps.
4. Select Settings > Network & internet > SIMs > + Add SIM.
5. On ‘Connect to mobile network’ screen select Transfer a SIM from another device.
6. On ‘Transfer a SIM from another device’ screen select iPhone or iPad.
7. Scan the QR code with your current iPhone.
8. On your iPhone, select the number you want to transfer and confirm transfer. 
9. Once the transfer is complete, you will see ‘T-Mobile SIM transferred’ on your new Google device, and ‘Continue on Android’ on your iPhone.

After moving to T-Mobile, you will need to initiate an eSIM download on your Google Watch.

Before you start

Make sure:

• Your device is powered on and near your phone
• Your device is connected to Bluetooth

Initiate the eSIM download

1. On your paired phone open the Google Pixel Watch app.
2. Select Connectivity
3. Select Mobile network
4. Select Add another eSIM
5. Select Connect to U.S. Cellular
6. The 'T-Mobile setup' screen will show Complete.
7. Your Google Pixel Watch app Mobile network will show T-Mobile eSIM Enabled and UScellular eSIM Disabled if the download is successful.
8. Your device will now connect to the T-Mobile network when it moves out of Bluetooth range.

• During initial setup, you'll be prompted to activate an eSIM or transfer one from an existing device.
• If you've already set up your device and are connected to Wi-Fi, you'll be prompted to activate your eSIM when it's ready to add.
• If you didn't get the prompt or chose to activate later, select Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs & mobile network > + Download new SIM > Set up an eSIM.
• Our Universal Tutorials have steps to activate your eSIM on supported devices.
• If your device asks for a QR code, contact us so we can email it to you.

• During initial setup, you'll be prompted to activate an eSIM.
• If you've already set up your device and are connected to Wi-Fi, you'll be prompted to activate your eSIM when it's ready to add.
• If you didn't get the prompt or chose to activate later, select Settings > Network & internet > Add SIM.
• You also have the option to transfer an existing eSIM from another device.
• Our Tutorials have steps for supported devices, like the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro.
• If your device asks for a QR code, contact us so we can email it to you.

• During initial setup, you'll be prompted to activate an eSIM or transfer one from an existing device.
• If you've already set up your device and are connected to Wi-Fi, you'll be prompted to activate your eSIM when it's ready to add.
• If you didn't get the prompt or chose to activate later, select Settings > Network & internet > SIMs > Add SIM.
• Our Tutorials have steps for supported devices, like the T-Mobile Revvl 8.
• If your device asks for a QR code, contact us so we can email it to you.

1. Make sure SIM Protection is disabled.
2. Open the T-Life app while you’re connected to the T-Mobile network.
3. Select the Account tab and choose the line you want to change the SIM on.
4. Choose SIM transfer or activation > Get Started.
5. Enter the IMEI number for the device you’re transferring your eSIM to, then select Continue.
6. Choose to activate an eSIM, then select Continue.
7. If prompted, turn on Wi-Fi or insert the SIM card.
8. Enter the EID, then select Continue.
9. Review the requested change and select Activate.
10. If prompted, respond to the interactive SMS (iSMS) to confirm the change
11. Connect to Wi-Fi and scan the QR code. 
    • Check in Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile Network for most Androids.
    • Our Tutorials have steps for supported devices.