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How to Activate UScellular SIM Card

UScellular

Are you interested in the activation procedure for a UScellular SIM card? We understand that because United States Cellular Corporation had nearly 5 million customers in mid-2020, and the number continues to grow. Plus, the company has had decades of presence in hundreds of markets since its foundation in 1983. Besides a lot of existing users, there’s a massive demand for their 4G LTE and 5G technology across the United States, available to prepaid customers, too. There are also a variety of plans designed for popular activities such as video streaming, roaming internationally, and providing hotspot access. Now, let’s delve into how to activate a UScellular SIM card.

 1. How do I start using my postpaid UScellular SIM card?

Before we dig into the manual activation, we need to demonstrate the activation of a UScellular postpaid SIM card. To remind you, when signing up for a postpaid SIM card, you must visit the nearest UScellular store where you will provide personal details, choose a plan, and optionally select a device you want to purchase. The clerk in the store will collect the necessary information. They will and complete the vast majority of steps, including creating your UScellular user account. They will only leave out one last step for your protection, and demand you call their Customer Service via phone by dialing:

  • 800-766-9811 for regular users
  • 866-616-5591 for government and business customers

This has to happen from the SIM card you’re trying to activate. An automated service (IVR or interactive voice response) will pick up and redirect you to a live UScellular Customer Representative. The person will ask for your mobile phone number, and, unless you purchased a device on the spot, guide you to find other information. These bits of information can include IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity), MEID (Mobile Equipment IDentifier), and ICCID (Integrated Circuit Card Identification Number). If you transferred from another carrier, they may ask for Local Number Portability (LNP) or Wireless LNP (WLNP). They will instruct you to insert the SIM card or download the embedded SIM profile afterward.

2. Activating prepaid UScellular SIM cards online

Whether you ordered a prepaid SIM card and it was delivered to your doorstep or visited the closest UScellular store, activation of SIM cards for prepaid users can be finished on the official website. Also, business users can access the U.S. Cellular Business Account portal URL provided by the carrier’s Business Sales Support Specialist. After signing in, they can click a button titled Activate an Ordered Device/SIM to get more instructions. With that said, U. S. Cellular users can approach this procedure in three ways:

1. When you don’t have a phone number or a U. S. Cellular account

Start by visiting the UScellular Prepaid Activation page. Then:

  1. Select I’m new and need a new number.
  2. On the “Device Check” page, enter your IMEI or MEID we already mentioned. Use the spoiler element to see quick instructions followed by a detailed explanation of these numbers and an optional tool that filters by device manufacturer and model.
    • The text field will accept a unique number that can have 11, 14, or 18 digits.
  3. Solve the reCAPTCHA challenge and proceed to the next step.
  4. On the “Select Area Code” page, select the state, zip code, and other location-related bits of data.
  5. Pick a prepaid plan on the page titled “Select Plan”.
  6. Finish the procedure on the “Customer Info” page where you must create a UScellular user account. The carrier encourages users to enter up-to-date and genuine details to benefit from any current and future offers.
  7. Dial the appropriate number we mentioned in the postpaid SIM card method.

2. Porting from another carrier to activate a UScellular SIM card

Visit the same page, but this time select the second option titled I’m new but need to keep my number. Prepare the LNP number we mentioned in method 1 (could also be called simply Account Number, Transfer PIN, or Port PIN). Now dial the dedicated Customer Service mobile phone number for prepaid users at (855) 872 2123 from the new SIM card you got from the carrier.

3. Adding a new device to an old UScellular account

The third option involves customers who are old users but have purchased a prepaid SIM mobile number and need to add it to their account. They have one notable option. They should visit the Activation page linked above and click on I have an account (option 3). Then call the same number as in option 3 (port-in).

3. Activate a prepaid UScellular SIM card via the app

Users report that the UScellular website has problems with overloading or DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks occasionally. While this is something the carrier tends to handle in due time, users don’t always have hours to wait. For this and other reasons, the SIM card provider developed a UScellular Prepaid Activation Android app and an iOS application also named UScellular Prepaid Activation. They both work this way:

  1. Download, install, and run the application.
  2. Enter your IMEI/MEID. Like above, you can tap Need help finding your IMEI/MEID to get detailed instructions. Alternatively, you can tap the Scan barcode button and point your camera to the box of your mobile device (phone or tablet).
  3. After scanning the necessary information, you’ll be asked to log in or create an account, like in the options above. If you’re a new user, you’ll likely have to pick a payment plan, enter the area code, and type personal details.
  4. With that step complete, you’ll get a “Congrats, [Your Name]” message alongside an order number and date. The activation will happen within 30 minutes from that point. If it does not, the app instructs you to call the same prepaid Customer Care number we mentioned in option 2 of method 2.

4. Contact UScellular Customer Service

Run into any issues while trying to activate a SIM card you got from UScellular? Reach out to their Customer Support by:

  1. Calling — Dial 611 from any USC SIM card or call 878 205-0088 or 888-944-9400 from any phone. The latter is available 8 AM to 9 PM Monday-Friday and 8 AM to 5 PM Saturday-Sunday, GTM-5 or CST (Central Standard Time).
  2. Social media — Visit @UScellular on Facebook, @UScellularCares on Twitter, and @uscellular on Instagram.
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