Whether you bought an iPhone or Android from us or have a compatible unlocked device, you will need to learn how to activate it. It’s painless and will get your device running in no time. This is just a note, specifically if you bought your phone or had it shipped to you. For Consumer Cellular, it’s simple and easy to activate your new cellphone; visit our site to learn more.
How to insert your SIM card and activate your iPhone:
- Insert your new SIM card in your new iPhone (if necessary, newer iPhones use eSIM). Your new iPhone will come with a SIM card if your carrier requires one. It may already be inserted into your phone.
- The SIM tray can be found on the right side of the iPhone. Use the SIM removal tool or a small paperclip to eject the tray.
- Power on your phone, this make take a few minutes to boot up.
- Once turned on, the screen will read “Hello” and you will slide to set up.
- Choose a wireless network.
- Wait for your iPhone to activate. It will attempt to activate automatically as soon as it connects to the wireless network.
- Proceed with your iPhone’s setup. After activating, the setup assistant will continue guiding you through the iPhone’s setup process.
How to activate a new cellphone:
- First, it’s important to save the things from your old device that you want to keep because there is a chance that some information will not transfer to your new device.
- Listen to and write down any important voicemails.
- Back up your old text messages.
- Back up your contacts; while most modern contact systems are synced with your account, your contacts on your old phone may be stuck there until you back them up.
- Insert your new SIM card in your new phone (if necessary). Your new phone will come with a SIM card your carrier requires one.
- Activate through consumercellular.com/activate or call (888) 345-5509 to activate your phone.
How to activate a used cellphone:
- After purchasing a used cellphone, you will also need to buy a SIM card (if your new phone requires one). To activate your used phone, you must insert a SIM card for your plan.
Visit consumercellular.com/activate or call (888) 345-5509 to activate your phone.
I have no internet on my phone for the last 24 hours. I would like to know what is wrong, cell phone works, no apps working when trying to connect to internet.
Hi James, we definitely want to get that resolved for you. I recommend starting a live chat here.
I have phone Apple plus 8 Needed new phone o replaced phone because Safari cannot open the page. Even the server too don’t functions and trying to LOGIN not function too Almost had 3 weeks on this problem
Thank you for taking the time to post, Francisco. If you still need assistance with your phone, we’re happy to help. You can give us a call at 888-345-5509 or chat with us here.
There is no number to activate on the back of the box.
Hi Mary, an activation code is only included for retail purchases. If we shipped the phone to you, then you can give us a call at 888-345-5509 or chat with us here to have it activated.
There is no activation code on the box the new moto g stylus cell phone came in, and I am unable to make calls. I cannot call customer service or anyone to find out what to do!
The picture on the box shown on the consumer cellular example does not match the box the phone arrived in.
How do you get in touch with a human?
Hi Joyce, thanks for your post. If assistance is still needed for that activation, give us a call at 800-686-4460 or chat with one of our live agents on our website here and we’d be happy to help get that up and running for you.
Just got a new iPhone 13. Thought I transferred everything from my old iPhone 6s but apps won’t open unless I’m connecting to WiFi.
That’s unusual, Donna. Please give us a call at 888-345-5509 or chat with us here so we can help get that resolved for you.
There is no activation code on the box. Only Model and Sku #
Hi Kay, an activation code is only included with retail purchases. If we shipped the phone to you, then you can activate it while logged into your account here, by calling 888-345-5509, or via live chat here.
How do I delete everything on my new I phone I just received it and tried to set it up myself and messed up
Hi Sallyann, I’m sorry to hear about the trouble taking place with that. We’d be happy to walk you through erasing that and helping to set up the new phone if you’d like to give us a call at 888-548-6490 or chat with one of our live agents on our website here.
I had a new Sim card from y’all to use on my old Samsung phone after moving to NewMexico. Phone no work, was told my phone would not work on CC. So ordered a new phone, still no work. Have talked to two people for over two hours no help.
I can’t even get a new number for the state I live in now, gave a new still using a Galveston Texas area code, I have been paying for two lines for months now but only one phone works. Advise
I’m sorry to hear about the trouble taking place with service, John. We’d be happy to look into this for you though. Send us a private message with your account number or cell number included and we’d be happy to follow up on this.