Bell is the leading Canadian telecommunications company. Although it primarily operates in Quebec and Ontario, its network spreads across the western provinces too. Moreover, its subsidiaries, Bell Aliant, Bell MTS, and Bell Mobility provide coverage of the Manitoba Atlantic Canada region and the rest of the country. With that in mind, it’s clear why so many users choose them over Rogers Communications, Shaw Communications, Quebecor, and Telus. It’s also the reason we were so motivated to demonstrate how to activate a Bell SIM card. Let’s get into it.
1. Activate postpaid Bell SIM card
Activating a postpaid SIM card from Bell Canada can only be done like this:
- Visiting the nearest Bell Canada store. Use the Store Locator and enter your location.
- Calling 1 866 797 3941 from any phone, and talking to the Bell representative.
2. Activate prepaid Bell SIM card
Follow these steps to enable service on your prepaid SIM card from Bell:
- Visit Bell’s Prepaid Activation Login page.
- Click on Start activation under New customers if you didn’t create the “MyBell” account yet. Otherwise, enter your username and password under Existing customers then click on Log in and activate.
- Now, enter your SIM card serial number twice. You can find it below the second bar code on the full-size SIM card you got from Bell.
- Click on Continue, then follow the remaining 6 steps, all of which are optional if you’re a new user. You’ll be asked for credit card details to top-up your SIM card, or account details if you’re porting your phone number from another carrier.
- Wait for the signal icon to appear on the home screen of your smartphone.
3. Activation of an eSIM from Bell Canada
Do you have a dual SIM-capable smartphone? You can enable your embedded SIM and thus get to use 2 SIM card phone numbers simultaneously. To activate an eSIM from Bell, dial a dedicated number: 1 888 466 2453. Alternatively, use the options in method 6.
4. Transfer Bell SIM card service to another device
Got a new smartphone and want to continue using your current Bell SIM card? You can’t simply insert the SIM card and be off to the races – we know because we tried it. Instead, you must follow these instructions for transferring Bell service:
- Sign in to MyBell.
- Go to My Services, then click on your current mobile phone.
- Now, go to the My Devices tab.
- In the Manage my device section, click on Transfer service to a new device.
- Follow on-screen instructions.
- Before you finish the transfer, you must enter the 15-digit IMEI of your new device (dial *#06#) or the SIM card serial number, like in method 2.
5. Activating a Bell MTS SIM card
To start using a postpaid SIM card from Manitoba-based subsidiary, Bell MTS, you must activate it identically to method 1. However, the activation of a prepaid Bell MTS SIM can be done by calling 1 800 806-5819 from any phone. A Bell MTS representative will assist you remotely.
6. Contact Bell Customer Support
Having problems with the activation process? You can ask Bell for help in these ways:
1. Visit the nearest store
Use the Store Locator feature mentioned in method 1.
2. Use web chat
Visit their Contact us page and click on Chat with us now > Mobility. This is only available Monday to Sunday between 7 A.M. and 12 A.M.
3. Call them
Here’s how you can dial them 24/7/365 in regards to SIM card activation:
- 1 800 667 0123 – Postpaid activation
- 1 888 537 9999 – Prepaid activation
- *611 – Any working Bell mobile phone
- 1 866 310 BELL (2355) – Bell’s Accessibility phone line
- +1 514 420 7748 – International number, toll-free from a Bell mobile phone
4. Reach out via social media
The fastest way to get a response is their Facebook (facebook.com/BellCanada), Twitter (@Bell), or YouTube (youtube.com/bellcanada) accounts.