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How to Activate Optus SIM Card

Activate Optus SIM Card

Activating SIM cards belonging to Optus seems like an easy feat today. However, this Australian brand started as a government company, AUSSAT Pty Limited, incorporated to launch satellites. Because it couldn’t turn a profit, they sold it to Optus Communications in 1991, which turned it into an international telephony enterprise. The last major change came in 2016 when they also began to advertise themselves as a digital entertainment provider. But you probably know that since you bought their SIM. You may not even care, as long as their service works. Therefore, let’s move straight into how to activate an Optus SIM card.

1. Activate prepaid Optus SIM card online

Before we dig into the nitty-gritty of the procedure, know that if you activated the SIM before mid-2019, you won’t be too familiar with it. Optus did extensive restructuring, both visually and functionally, although the mandatory information text fields remain. With that said, follow these steps to activate a new Optus SIM card:

1. Visit the Optus official website to begin

Head on over to the Optus Activate page to start. Now:

  1. Prepare a valid form of identification (check step 6 for more details), and the SIM card you received from Optus.
  2. The latter is crucial at this step. You must enter your SIM card serial number, found above the bar code on the back of the physical SIM.
  3. Tip. You’ll recognize it because it’ll have 13 to 19 numbers, typically separated into 3 groups.
  4. With that done, click on Start Activation.

2. Enter your personal details

This step is all about Optus getting to know you. Before you move on, do this:

  1. Select between Personal Use and Business Use. We presume you’ll use the former.
  2. Now, enter your title: Mr., Mrs., Ms., Dr., etc.
  3. Fill out your:
    • First and last name
    • Date of birth
    • Contact phone number; any currently active, doesn’t have to be Optus
    • Contact e-mail address
    • Street address
  4. Click the empty box in front of I have read the Privacy Policy.
  5. Click the Next button.

3. Choose a SIM card phone number

Now’s the time to decide whether to Get a New Number or Keep Your Number (choose the tab accordingly). In the latter case, you must have a PAC (Porting Authorization Code), in Australia called MNPC (Mobile Number Portability Code) from your previous carrier. Also, don’t remove the old SIM card and ensure that the line is still active. After you’re done, click on Next.

4. Pick a payment plan

Depending on the time of year and the active offers, you must choose one of the offered prepaid payment plans. Some examples: My Prepaid Daily Plus, My Prepaid Daily Ultimate, Optus Flex, and Epic Data. Make sure to disable recurring payments if you don’t want to be charged automatically. After you’re finished, click on either Select Plan if offered. If not, highlight/select it before clicking Next.

5. Decide on a form of ID and payment method

Before your SIM card can be active, Optus allows you to authenticate yourself using one of these methods:

  1. A passport or a driver’s license
  2. PayPal
  3. Credit or debit card

To avoid problems and save yourself the trouble, check step 6 for our recommendations before choosing Next. 

6. Prove your identity

Now’s the time to go through with what you’ve chosen in step 5 before selecting Next. Here’s our breakdown:

  • Australian residents: A driver’s license, if you aren’t paying with a credit/debit, is the quickest way.
  • Privacy-conscious citizens or foreigners: Passport is troublesome. Your Australian visa must match, and the passport must have a record of you entering the country. We suggest choosing a “Credit or debit card” option because it acts as identity authentication but protects your privacy to a degree. Also, foreign credit cards tend to work without a hitch.

Note. Optus does not require you to take selfies or pictures of your ID; you must fill out the details manually. Luckily, they provide a picture with parts of ID highlighted for reference.

7. Complete activation

You’ve reached the end of the road. Click on Review Your Order to see a summary of everything you chose. With everything in order, put a checkmark in front of I agree to the Terms and Conditions before clicking the Activate button. Insert your SIM card and wait for the network signal to appear.

2. Activating a replacement prepaid SIM card on Optus official website

Things are ever so slightly different when it comes to receiving a new SIM after you lost, damaged, or had the old one stolen. In that case, you must follow these instructions before you activate a SIM card Optus sent you:

  1. Visit the Optus Replace SIM page.
  2. Click on Replacement SIM under “What do you want to setup?”
  3. Select whether it’s a Plastic SIM (physical SIM) or an eSIM (embedded SIM card).
  4. All instructions but one will include the contact methods we mentioned in method 4.
  5. The only method remaining applies to prepaid eSIM and works like this:
    1. Download the My Optus app for Android and iOS, and sign in.
    1. Tap on Get connected now.
    2. Sign up for the Optus Flex subscription data plan, and enter the phone numbed corresponding to the SIM you lost.
    3. The app will download eSIM data and program the SIM chip.
    4. You’ll receive a confirmation SMS to verify your new phone number. Activation will commence shortly.

3. Must I activate a postpaid Optus SIM card?

No, you don’t have to manually initiate the activation of postpaid SIM cards purchased from Optus. Whether you ordered it by phone or on their website, the activation process will be automatic and happen approximately 4 hours after it arrives at your doorstep.

Important note. Postpaid Optus SIM cards purchased from an unofficial reseller i.e., third-party, still need to be activated using methods 1 or 2.

4. Contact Optus Customer Support

As suggested in method 2, or whenever you run into issues when you try to enable your SIM card, you can reach out to Optus Customer Service in this fashion:

  • Visit the closest Optus store after using the “Find a Store” feature on their website for precise locations.
  • Call them. Dial 133 937 inside Australia or 1800 074 492 from abroad.
  • Use Digital Assistant in the My Optus app to send them a message 24/7. The AI will redirect you to a live expert.