Chatr is a well-known Canadian MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) offering prepaid SIM card plans focused on mobile data and unlimited texting and some call features. Additionally, Its owner, Rogers Communications, also offers two more MVNOs in Canada, Rogers Wireless (here’s how to activate a Rogers SIM), and Fido Solutions (Fido SIM activation works this way). Thus, to complete our list of the top Canada SIM card providers, we felt it was time we covered the remaining one. With that acknowledged, let’s jump straight into how to activate a Chatr SIM card.
1. Activating a new Chatr SIM card
Before we say anything, we want to address a common question about whether it is possible to complete Chatr SIM card activation through the “my chatr” mobile app. The answer is no; using the Android or iOS app requires your phone number to already be activated. With that said, the activation is straightforward and looks like this:
- Prepare your device, which can be an unlocked one or purchased from a Chatr store or online
- Keep your chat SIM card ready, whether you ordered it for $10 from the official online store or bought it at one of their retail locations.
- Head to the Chatr SIM card activation page.
- Sign in with your user account or create one.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to provide personal information and the requested code from the full-size SIM card.
- The activation should finish within minutes. However, sometimes Chatr cannot do so, and will instruct you to enter these details inside your device APN (Access Point Name) settings:
- MMS — Type these details for:
- Data APN — chatrweb.apn
- Port — 80
- URL — http://mms.chatrwireless.com
- Proxy address — mmsproxy.chatrwireless.com
- Data information — Enter this for:
- APN Protocol — IPv4v6
- APN Roaming Protocol — IPv4v6
- Data APN — chatrweb.apn
- MMS — Type these details for:
2. Activate a SIM card after switching to Chatr
The procedure is drastically easier if you’ve kept your number and switched from another carrier (especially Rogers Wireless or Fido Solutions) to Chatr. When you submit a SIM card porting request with your current carrier, they will tell you not to remove the SIM card and keep the mobile device turned on. Whether you or your old carrier demanded the phone number transfer procedure to begin, Chatr will study and accept it. They will then send an SMS to your old phone number (thus, keep it inside with the phone or tabled active) that looks like this:
We received a request to transfer your mobile number to another service provider. To approve this request, reply YES. To cancel it, simply reply NO. For security reasons, you only have 90 minutes to send us your reply.
Send a reply containing YES to the same number that sends it to you within the time frame. If you don’t recognize the request, change your mind, or lose your device or have it stolen, dial Chatr’s porting Customer Care number at 1-800-485-9745. After a brief period, if everything works, you’ll get a confirmation with further instructions or even your Mobile Number Portability (MNP) code you have to give to Chatr. They usually issue a preactivated SIM card with the mobile phone number you had.
3. Contact Chatr Customer Service
If the two methods above fail to produce results, leaving you confused, it’s time you reach out for help by getting in touch with Chatr Customer Support:
- Visit the nearest physical location — Open the Chatr Find a Store page and search for the closest outlet out of 2,300 across Canada.
- Texting — Send an SMS containing help to 611.
- Call Chatr — If you have a number in the United States or Canada, dial *611 between 9 AM and 9 PM (Monday to Friday) or 9 AM and 6 PM (Saturday and Sunday) or outside these countries at 1-514-734-7232 during the working hours. Note they may charge a 5 CAD processing fee.
- Use a contact form — Visit the Chatr Get in Touch page and follow on-screen instructions.
- Use social media — Chatr is on Facebook and Twitter (@chatrmobile).