Need help activating your SIM card?

Follow the guide below to complete activation, and get unlimited talk and text on the nation's largest network for free!

Read FAQs

Activation Guide

Select your operating system to get started:

Android
iOS

1.

Make sure your phone has a stable WiFi connection and update your TextNow app to the latest version.
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Update On Google Play Store

2.

Confirm which SIM Card size you need for your Android phone and punch it out as shown below. For most phones, it's the Nano SIM Card.

3.

Use the provided SIM Card popper to eject the SIM Card tray from your phone. Insert your new TextNow SIM Card.

4.

Open TextNow and sign into your account.

5.

Your SIM Card will now start activating and you will be notified when it’s complete.

6.

Turn off WiFi and place a call or send a text message using the TextNow app to test your connection. If you want to access data off WiFi, visit My Account to purchase affordable high-speed data available in monthly options.

If you are still having trouble connecting, read the FAQs below or contact Customer Care.

7.

Congratulations your activation is complete!

1.

Make sure your phone has a stable WiFi connection and update your TextNow app to the latest version.

Update On Apple App Store

2.

Punch out the Nano sized SIM Card for your iPhone as shown below.

3.

Use the provided SIM Card popper to eject the SIM Card tray from your phone. Insert your new TextNow SIM Card.

4.

Open TextNow and sign into your account.

5.

Open the Menu, tap the Activate button, and follow the on-screen instructions. You can also access activation by tapping this link.

6.

Enter the last 4 digits of your ICCID printed on the back of your TextNow SIM Card.

You can also find your ICCID in your phone’s settings if your SIM Card is already in your phone by following the steps below.

Open your Settings
Tap on General
Tap on About
Scroll down until you see ICCID

7.

Complete the following steps to set your APN.

Open your device Settings
Select Cellular
Select Cellular Data Network
Add textnow.static in the APN field under Cellular Data
Add textnow.static in the APN field under LTE Setup
Turn on Airplane Mode, wait 10 seconds, then turn off Airplane Mode
Return to TextNow app

8.

Reset your network connection.

Turn on Airplane Mode, wait 10 seconds, and turn off Airplane Mode.

9.

Turn off WiFi and place a call or send a text message using the TextNow app to test your connection. If you want to access data off WiFi, visit My Account to purchase affordable high-speed data available in monthly options.

If you are still having trouble connecting, read the FAQs below or contact Customer Care.

10.

Congratulations your activation is complete!

TextNow FAQs
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I am not getting a connection.

The phone you are trying to activate may be locked to another carrier. Contact your current carrier to ensure your phone is unlocked for use before activating on TextNow.

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The phone you are trying to activate may not be compatible with our service. Use our Device Checker to make sure it’s compatible with our service.

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If you have confirmed that your device is compatible and not locked to another carrier please follow these instructions to manually set your APN.

My activation timed out. What do I do?

Make sure you have a stable WiFi connection and your SIM card is seated properly in the SIM slot. If you are activating over a public WiFi connection there is often an additional step after you connect to access the internet, try opening your browser on your device as you may have to complete an additional step through your browser before your device fully connects.

I got an error activating my ICCID. What do I do?

The ICCID (SIM card number) that you entered during activation did not match the SIM card in your phone. Re-enter your ICCID and try again.

Where can I find my ICCID?

Your ICCID is printed on your TextNow SIM card and SIM card holder. If your SIM card is already in your phone you can copy it from your settings.

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Android

1. Open your Settings App

2. Tap on About Device or About Phone

3. Tap on Status or SIM Status

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iOS

1. Open your Settings App

2. Tap on General

3. Tap on About

Where do I insert my SIM card?

Use a SIM eject tool or a bent paperclip and push it into the small pinhole opening on the side of your phone. Press lightly until the SIM tray is slightly ejected. Pull out the SIM tray from the slot and place your new TextNow SIM in the tray then lightly press it back into the phone.

How do I manually set my APN?

Follow these instructions to manually set your APN.