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T-mobile Monthly 4G

So I googled this without a clear answer.
My situation:
I just bought a used MT4G and a new sim starter kit.
Both of which will be here tomorrow morning in the mail.
My question is.... I did NOT buy a t-mobile pre-paid phone so I do NOT have "phone activation number"
Will I need to buy a cheap T-mo pre-paid phone just to use the phone activation number?
If it matters, I'm going for the $30 100/unlimited/unlimited
Thanks in advance.

Vonrottes said:
So I googled this without a clear answer.
My situation:
I just bought a used MT4G and a new sim starter kit.
Both of which will be here tomorrow morning in the mail.
My question is.... I did NOT buy a t-mobile pre-paid phone so I do NOT have "phone activation number"
Will I need to buy a cheap T-mo pre-paid phone just to use the phone activation number?
If it matters, I'm going for the $30 100/unlimited/unlimited
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. The SIM can be activated in any phone - as long as you have the activation kit, just follow the directions inside.
Curious, does asking T-Mobile give you a different answer?

As long as the phone will take the SIM you're fine.
Sent from my XT862 using XDA

There should be an activation number/code included in the SIM package.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium

I work currently work at T-Mobile. So here is the info.
What I do know is, you need a sim and a activation card. Did you pay anything for the starter kit? They usually charge $10 or so for the kit which consists of a sim card and an activation card with the value of $3.34.
If you didn't get the activation card, just go to Walmart.
You have to have the activation card to set it up online or Walmart can set it all up for you.

chrischoi said:
I work currently work at T-Mobile. So here is the info.
What I do know is, you need a sim and a activation card. Did you pay anything for the starter kit? They usually charge $10 or so for the kit which consists of a sim card and an activation card with the value of $3.34.
If you didn't get the activation card, just go to Walmart.
You have to have the activation card to set it up online or Walmart can set it all up for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just ordered this exact item from the site
http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-phone/T-Mobile-Prepaid-SIM-Activation-Kit

Chris, not to derail the thread but do you know which areas will get 1900 MHz first for 3/4g? Pm me if you want because I am stuck on edge.
Sent from my XT862 using XDA

Vonrottes said:
I just ordered this exact item from the site
http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-phone/T-Mobile-Prepaid-SIM-Activation-Kit
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Click to collapse
Includes 10 minutes starter airtime
Includes 10 minutes of starter airtime with nationwide calling, voicemail, messaging, and more.
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Click to collapse
I assume this is the $3.34. The 10 minutes isn't tied to the sim card. It's the activation card.
MrObvious said:
Chris, not to derail the thread but do you know which areas will get 1900 MHz first for 3/4g? Pm me if you want because I am stuck on edge.
Sent from my XT862 using XDA
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You're the second person to task me that. No idea.

chrischoi said:
I assume this is the $3.34. The 10 minutes isn't tied to the sim card. It's the activation card.
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Click to collapse
Thank you for the help

Adding on, does anyone know if I can leave this $30 unlimited web, text/100 minutes for another carrier and then come back to it and still keep my number?
Basically, I port my current number to another carrier and then port it back to the $30 plan again? Is it possible?

vx117 said:
Adding on, does anyone know if I can leave this $30 unlimited web, text/100 minutes for another carrier and then come back to it and still keep my number?
Basically, I port my current number to another carrier and then port it back to the $30 plan again? Is it possible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would think not
t-mobile.com said:
*First 5GB at up to 4G speeds. New activations only. Available exclusively in-store at Walmart, on Walmart.com, and T-Mobile.com.
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Bought Nexus 4 from Google..how do I get a micro sim card from tmobile?

Just pop into a retail store? Anyone done this? Did tmo charge you? I have a bigger one in my HD2 currently.

nyvram1 said:
Just pop into a retail store? Anyone done this? Did tmo charge you? I have a bigger one in my HD2 currently.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Either go to a retail store and ask for one ( they may give you one for free ), or order one online. It's 99c

Dubya dubya dubya dot tee mobile dot com.

Or they could cut the current one
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app

sorry guys..just saw this in the other tmo thread:
"Micro sim cards are free at T-Mobile store or 99¢ if you want it mailed to you. "
thank you!!

Yep. I purchased an iPhone 5 off contract (don't worry I hated it and returned it within 5 days) and went into a T-Mobile store and they gave me a micro SIM on the spot, free of charge.

T-Mobile website is currently 'out of stock' for the micro sim activation kit (i want the prepaid 100 voice, unlimited text, 'unlimited' data plan). According to the online chat person I talked to, the kit should be back in stock in 24 to 48 hours.

I just did a chat session on their website. Asked for a Micro-SIM to use with the Nexus 4 and the rep in the chat gave me a link to order, and verified the order number went through. I did this at 4PM. Literally at 9AM in the morning our mailroom guy handed me a package with the SIM inside.
All for $1 and change...lol

amdhunter said:
I just did a chat session on their website. Asked for a Micro-SIM to use with the Nexus 4 and the rep in the chat gave me a link to order, and verified the order number went through. I did this at 4PM. Literally at 9AM in the morning our mailroom guy handed me a package with the SIM inside.
All for $1 and change...lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you need an activation code? I am not currently a T-Mobile customer.

pointNumberOne said:
Did you need an activation code? I am not currently a T-Mobile customer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Call 611... and activate through them
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium

Definitely just go to the store and get one. I called 3 stores in the atlanta area (near my house, near my work, on the drive there) and they all said they have a crap ton of them in stock and will give you one/activate it in store for free, or (if you prefer) will cut your normal sim with a hole punch type of thing for free as well.

I'm a prepaid Tmob subsriber and I went to my local store where I go to refill my account every month, the guy there said that a microsim would
cost 20 bucks!
Planning to order one online now. I would still be able to retain my number, right?

I just got one for free in my local T-Mo store. Google doesn't anticipate even shipping mine until today, so I asked them not to activate it. You can activate it from 611 or from their website once you get the phone - obviously that will kill your existing phone so hold off before doing this.

pointNumberOne said:
Did you need an activation code? I am not currently a T-Mobile customer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Waiting on my Nexus to arrive so I can go through the steps. I hope it won't be a pain...

If I am using Straight Talk ( or planning on using ) is the sim card different?

droidd3v said:
I'm a prepaid Tmob subsriber and I went to my local store where I go to refill my account every month, the guy there said that a microsim would
cost 20 bucks!
Planning to order one online now. I would still be able to retain my number, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm a prepaid suscriber too, and was wondering the same thing. I talked over their online chat system to a rep and he said the online order won't be able to retain my number?!
Anyone else here on prepaid but managed to get it for free at a Tmob store?

Yes..you need their sim..
Straight talk doesnt let you stream media I think..
Microsim..go to tmob site..got mine for .99 cents..
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

Can you buy this at Tmo off contract..

and tell them you want their pay as you go service? If so, how much would it be for anyone thats thinking of going this route or has done it.

isnt that gonna cost you 499 off service (no contract) ?

siftekhar said:
isnt that gonna cost you 499 off service (no contract) ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats what I'd like to know. Can it be done and how much? Will they bind you to a contract or can you go monthly on the spot.

You can buy it off contract but they will not put it on a pay as you go service on the spot. Buy the phone say its a gift for someone so they will not force the contract on you. Take the phone out of the box charge it and take it to another t-mobile and tell them you want to buy a pay as you go package. This was advice given to me by a T-Mobile rep

$499 at the local T-Mobile here in Michigan. Do with it what you want then. Played with it yesterday but no rush to get it at that price. My S3 is more than OK until more are available from the Play Store.

Yes. You can get it off contract at TMo but $150 more expensive than the Play Store. No difference for the phone with the Play Store version. You can then get a prepaid/pay-as-you-go activation kit from TMo. If you want the $30 5GB plan though, you'll have to get that one online.

Bought it off contact for 499 at my local tmo yesterday. Only catch was that they insist the phone must be activated in order to leave the store. I was able to get set up with prepaid month to month, but not able to get the $30 online deal.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

briansuperduper said:
Bought it off contact for 499 at my local tmo yesterday. Only catch was that they insist the phone must be activated in order to leave the store. I was able to get set up with prepaid month to month, but not able to get the $30 online deal.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you really want the $30, you can still get it online. Just chuck the SIM you got from the store and replace it with the online one.

you can do that but i dont think you will have warranty on it as if you were to buy it with a 2 year contract agreement

briansuperduper said:
Bought it off contact for 499 at my local tmo yesterday. Only catch was that they insist the phone must be activated in order to leave the store. I was able to get set up with prepaid month to month, but not able to get the $30 online deal.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm surprised anyone was willing to buy it off contract through T-Mobile since it is $150 more expensive than the play store.

harveydent said:
If you really want the $30, you can still get it online. Just chuck the SIM you got from the store and replace it with the online one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thought about doing that, but wouldn't I lose my number? Isn't it only for new customers?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
---------- Post added at 02:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:21 PM ----------
Stryder5 said:
I'm surprised anyone was willing to buy it off contract through T-Mobile since it is $150 more expensive than the play store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I surprised myself too, but my old thunderbolt had given up and I just couldn't wait any longer for a new phone.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

briansuperduper said:
Thought about doing that, but wouldn't I lose my number? Isn't it only for new customers?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you ported your old number out yet? If you haven't just port it to the $30 plan, and forget about that first prepaid SIM's number. When you activate the $30 plan, there is a step that lets you port an existing number onto the new plan.
If you ported it to that first prepaid number, it gets more complicated. It's extremely difficult to get them to port a number Tmo to Tmo. It'll involve lucking out and finding a CSR who'll do it for you, or transferring the number you want between several carriers to be able to finally port it onto the $30 plan.

Hello there, is there anybody from US that can buy me a no contract N4 from T-mo?
I would pay for that

Selling my Sprint Pre-Paid cheap in the interest of development

I purchased the Sharp Aquos Sprint pre-paid version of the phone about a week ago from Best Buy. I like the phone but I'm never going to be too happy with it until there is root. I don't mind taking a hit on the price if someone who wants to try getting root wants to buy it from me. I have good standing Swappa and Ebay accounts and will share them with whomever is interested in buying. I was thinking I'd sell the phone for $100 and I'd pay for priority. Phone is in perfect condition and I still have box and receipt. Hope this is ok to post and I'm honestly just wanting to sell to someone who is interested in tinkering and might share their finds with the community.

I will buy it next Friday if you can wait a week.

ycats said:
I will buy it next Friday if you can wait a week.
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Click to collapse
Ok. If you promise to share any knowledge you gain with the community. I'll PM for details.

I promise, and this can be activated on Sprint, correct?

ycats said:
I promise, and this can be activated on Sprint, correct?
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Click to collapse
Yes, but only pre-paid (pay-as-you-go).

ycats said:
I promise, and this can be activated on Sprint, correct?
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Click to collapse
If you already have a contract with sprint, I would call and ask if you can activate the phone with them.

I have been with Sprint for about 15 years.

ycats said:
I have been with Sprint for about 15 years.
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Click to collapse
Ok. Then I would call and ask them to be sure you can use the phone. Tell them you bought the phone from Best Buy and it is a pre-paid phone.

I'll find out.
---------- Post added at 02:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:18 PM ----------
prepaid phones only work on prepaid plans..............whatever.

wish I could have used it

ycats said:
wish I could have used it
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Click to collapse
That's why he asked you. Generally pre-paid phones only work with pre-paid carriers and vice-versa.
Sent from my cdma Virgin Mobile HTC Desire 601 zara_cl

learn something every day

lreeb1 said:
Yes, but only pre-paid (pay-as-you-go).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not exactly!
I recently activated my new sharp AQUOS crystal with rokmobile.com and it's not a pay-as-you-go. It's a monthly unlimited plan
EDIT: Well, it's really a prepaid monthly plan, but not exactly the definition of pay-as-you-go, like AT&T's plan.
-Karl

Who is ordering from Project Fi?

Am I the only one ordering the phone through project fi and keeping my service with tmobile? I think I will just get the phone through there and spend additional $30 a month so that I could get the phone

What do you mean about spend the additional $30 a month, you mean financing it through Fi?

seezar said:
What do you mean about spend the additional $30 a month, you mean financing it through Fi?
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Click to collapse
The Fi basics is $20 plus $10 for 1GB that's $30 plus $30 for the installment plan in total of $60+ tax. Who knows, I might like Fi better. My current bill for tmobile is $150. I still owe money from the note 4 and g3

F4M0U569 said:
The Fi basics is $20 plus $10 for 1GB that's $30 plus $30 for the installment plan in total of $60+ tax. Who knows, I might like Fi better. My current bill for tmobile is $150. I still owe money from the note 4 and g3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh ok, you plan to use Fi. Thought you meant you were going to finance it through Fi and use T-mobile service on it which won't work, the phone will be locked to Fi while it's financed until you pay it off.

My invite says it's 2/3 weeks away. That I am on the list. I'm hoping to grab a 5x through fi for my fiancé. I'm converting her from the iPhone lol. She's game too. I was kind of shocked, but she was good once she seen the video.
Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

I tried to got that route thinking it would let me bypass the wait. Unfortunately I finally got my invite this morning and wasn't even able to order the phone. I'm already on the waitlist.
So I guess I'm not sure what you think you'll be gaining by getting it Fi. The price is the same and availability is the same. I would just buy it through the store is you have no need for the service itself.

Off topic question about Fi, I should be getting an invite in a few weeks, but I am still on Verizon. Will Fi start charging me once I receive the sim, or will it only charge me when I activate it? I would assume activation
Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

heleos said:
Off topic question about Fi, I should be getting an invite in a few weeks, but I am still on Verizon. Will Fi start charging me once I receive the sim, or will it only charge me when I activate it? I would assume activation
Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not until you activate

seezar said:
Oh ok, you plan to use Fi. Thought you meant you were going to finance it through Fi and use T-mobile service on it which won't work, the phone will be locked to Fi while it's financed until you pay it off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am. And what do you mean the phone will be locked to fi? can you just swap sim cards?
midas69 said:
I tried to got that route thinking it would let me bypass the wait. Unfortunately I finally got my invite this morning and wasn't even able to order the phone. I'm already on the waitlist.
So I guess I'm not sure what you think you'll be gaining by getting it Fi. The price is the same and availability is the same. I would just buy it through the store is you have no need for the service itself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True, but I'm not willing to shell out $690 upfront, hence why I'm doing the installment plan. God knows how long it will take for the phone to hit the stores, if it ever will

F4M0U569 said:
I am. And what do you mean the phone will be locked to fi? can you just swap sim cards?
True, but I'm not willing to shell out $690 upfront, hence why I'm doing the installment plan. God knows how long it will take for the phone to hit the stores, if it ever will
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It'll be sim locked to Fi until you pay it off.

seezar said:
It'll be sim locked to Fi until you pay it off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I forgot about the financing. But you'd be spending $30 a month interest. That's pretty steep.

seezar said:
It'll be sim locked to Fi until you pay it off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can always it unlock it using a 3rd party app

I went to the project fi site and got an instant invite, my question is if you root will that effect the service? I know the pay won't work on my rooted phone but that doesn't bother me

slowpok22 said:
I went to the project fi site and got an instant invite, my question is if you root will that effect the service? I know the pay won't work on my rooted phone but that doesn't bother me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android pay works with root, you have to unroot while entering cards, then you can root again.
How'd you get an instant invite? Most people have to wait weeks. Root shouldn't effect service.

Not sure, maybe location? Wasn't expecting it, on an one m8 at the moment and don't feel like messing with it to make pay work on it. Using T-Mobile $30 prepay at the moment and not really using any where close to my 5G's of my data, and using hangouts for 90 % of my calls works ok, so I figured I'd give fi a try.
Now that you're signed up for Project Fi, all that's left is for us to ship your order. We're on it, and we'll follow up with a separate shipping confirmation.

nrfitchett4 said:
Android pay works with root, you have to unroot while entering cards, then you can root again.
How'd you get an instant invite? Most people have to wait weeks. Root shouldn't effect service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You may be able to add cards while you unroot, but the actual tap and pay will not work if you are rooted.

I got an instant invite too. I think it probably has to do with location. Fi is an experiment, so Google would probably want to have people running it all over the network area.
Where did you see that it would be SIM locked to Fi? If that's true, I'll probably just cancel my order because I have very little faith that the service will be acceptable where I live. I was going to give it a shot and if it sucked, I was just going to throw my Verizon SIM in.
Sent from my LG-V410 using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 09:47 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:20 AM ----------
FYI, I just looked at the Fi help faq and it says you can cancel any time with the payment plan, but you have to pay off the phone at that time. It really does not seem like the phone is SIM locked.
Sent from my LG-V410 using Tapatalk

ylexot said:
I got an instant invite too. I think it probably has to do with location. Fi is an experiment, so Google would probably want to have people running it all over the network area.
Where did you see that it would be SIM locked to Fi? If that's true, I'll probably just cancel my order because I have very little faith that the service will be acceptable where I live. I was going to give it a shot and if it sucked, I was just going to throw my Verizon SIM in.
Sent from my LG-V410 using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 09:47 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:20 AM ----------
FYI, I just looked at the Fi help faq and it says you can cancel any time with the payment plan, but you have to pay off the phone at that time. It really does not seem like the phone is SIM locked.
Sent from my LG-V410 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You might be correct about sim locked, but they do require active service while doing payments so it wouldn't be a good deal for someone to Pay $20 plus taxes a month just to be able to finance the phone if one doesn't plan on using Fi service.

I ordered my Nexus 6P through Project Fi. The 128GB Aluminum model.

seezar said:
You might be correct about sim locked, but they do require active service while doing payments so it wouldn't be a good deal for someone to Pay $20 plus taxes a month just to be able to finance the phone if one doesn't plan on using Fi service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is true but thats the only choice they have for those who are financing it