SIM activation not working? Try this

SIM activation not working? Try this!

If you recently purchased and received one of our SIM Cards, but find yourself having trouble getting it started, and/or activated, follow this easy tutorial:

First steps

Turning on your service can be a confusing process sometimes, so before delving into any more technical troubleshooting tips, let's start with the easy checks.  

Android

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

iOS

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

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

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

11. Open TextNow and sign into your account.

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

13. 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

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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

14. Reset your network connection. Turn on Airplane Mode, wait 10 seconds, and turn off Airplane Mode.

15. 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.

16. Congratulations your activation is complete!

When you first complete your activation, you will now be on our Nationwide Talk & Text service, which allows you to use the TextNow app for all your calling and texting for free, without the need for WiFi.

Should you wish to use any other apps or the internet without WiFi, you will need to add on data, which will now become available to you in the Store section of the TextNow app. Tap on "Add Data" to see the options and purchase the one that makes the most sense for you!

Are you still not able to do anything without WiFi?

If you went through the whole activation process, and have your mobile data toggled on in settings, but still can't even make a call or send a text through the TextNow app without WiFi, let's try these steps next:

Check that you have coverage in your area.

While we encourage you to do this before purchasing the SIM, it doesn't hurt to double check and make sure there is good network coverage where you are currently located. Just follow this link and put in your address to find out!  

Check that you have your APN settings set up.

For the data network to connect, there is a specific Access Point Name (APN) that needs to be set up in your phone's settings, so your phone knows which network to connect to. Full instructions on how to do this (including a video tutorial!) on both an Android phone and an iPhone can be found here. Often, it's as simple as just completing those steps to get the service working.  

Make sure your device is unlocked.

TextNow SIM Cards can only be activated in unlocked devices. If you purchased your phone from a carrier and haven’t gone through the process of unlocking it, there is a good chance that it is still locked to that carrier and cannot be used with a different phone provider until it is unlocked.  

For more information about how to check if your device is locked and how to unlock it, check out this blog post.

If you have tried all these steps, and still have connection issues, feel free to reach out to our live chat support team!  

Head over to our live chat support on help.textnow.com between 10am-5:30pm EST.  

You'll find a chat icon on the bottom right-hand side, and between those business hours, the chat bot will provide you with a "get in touch" option that when selected, will re-direct you to a live representative.