How to Activate a SIM Card on Total Wireless

What you need to do to activate Total Wireless

Total Wireless is a prepaid carrier that runs on Verizon's network. To activate a SIM card, you'll need the SIM card itself, a phone that works with Total Wireless, and either a phone number you're bringing from another carrier or a new number Total Wireless will assign you. The activation process takes about 15 minutes and you can do it online, by phone, or in a store.

Total Wireless sells SIM cards at Walmart locations and online. When you buy one, it comes in a small package with the card itself, instructions, and sometimes a starter plan option. The SIM card is the small chip you insert into your phone — it's what connects your phone to the network and stores your phone number and account information.

Key Takeaways

• You can activate a Total Wireless SIM card online at totalwireless.com, by calling 611 from any phone, or at a Walmart store where Total Wireless is sold.
• Online activation requires your SIM card number (printed on the card packaging), a phone number (new or transferred from another carrier), and a payment method.
• If you're keeping your current phone number, you'll need your account number and PIN from your old carrier before you start the activation process.
• Your phone must be unlocked or already compatible with Total Wireless to work after activation — the SIM card alone won't make an incompatible phone work.
• After activation completes, insert the SIM card into your phone and restart it; service typically starts within a few minutes.

Activating online through the Total Wireless website

Online activation is the fastest route if you have your SIM card in hand. Go to totalwireless.com and look for the "Activate SIM" or "Activate Now" button — it's usually on the homepage. Click it and you'll be taken to an activation form.

The form will ask for your SIM card number, which is printed on the back of the SIM card packaging (a long string of numbers starting with 89). You'll also choose whether you want a new phone number or to transfer your existing number from another carrier. If you're transferring, have your old carrier's account number and PIN ready — Total Wireless will use these to request your number.

Next, you'll select a plan. Total Wireless offers different monthly plans with varying amounts of talk, text, and data. Choose the one that fits your needs and enter a payment method — a debit card, credit card, or PayPal account. Once you complete the form and payment goes through, your SIM card is activated and you can insert it into your phone.

Activating by phone or at a Walmart store

If you prefer to talk to someone, call 611 from any phone (you don't need to be a Total Wireless customer yet). A representative will walk you through the same information — your SIM card number, whether you want a new number or to transfer one, and your plan choice. This route takes about 10 to 15 minutes.

You can also activate in person at any Walmart that sells Total Wireless products. Go to the mobile phone section and ask a Walmart associate for help. They can scan your SIM card and process the activation right there. This is useful if you want someone to help you insert the SIM card into your phone or if you have questions about which plan to choose.

Transferring your phone number to Total Wireless

If you're switching from another carrier and want to keep your current phone number, you'll need information from your old carrier. Before you start activation, contact your old carrier (by phone, online, or in their store) and ask for your account number and PIN. Some carriers call the PIN a "transfer PIN" or "porting PIN" — it's a security code that proves you own the account.

During activation, when Total Wireless asks if you want a new number or to transfer one, select transfer. You'll enter your old carrier's account number and the PIN. Total Wireless then submits a request to your old carrier to move your number over. This process usually takes 24 hours but can take up to a few business days. During that time, your old carrier's service will stop and your Total Wireless service will start, but your number won't be fully active until the transfer completes.

If the transfer fails, Total Wireless will contact you and you can try again or choose a new number instead. Keep your old carrier's contact information handy in case you need to troubleshoot.

What to do after activation is complete

Once your SIM card is activated, power off your phone completely. Remove the battery if your phone has a removable battery, or just hold the power button until the phone shuts down. Locate the SIM card slot — on most phones this is on the side or under the battery. Insert the SIM card into the slot with the gold contacts facing down and the notched corner aligned with the slot's notch.

Close the slot, reinsert the battery if you removed one, and power the phone back on. Wait a few minutes for the phone to connect to the network. You should see "Total Wireless" or the Verizon network name appear at the top of your screen. Send a test text or make a short call to confirm service is working.

If your phone doesn't show network service after 10 minutes, restart it again. If service still doesn't appear, contact Total Wireless at 611 to troubleshoot. Common issues include the SIM card not being fully inserted, the phone being locked to a different carrier, or the activation not completing on Total Wireless's end.

Checking if your phone works with Total Wireless

Total Wireless runs on Verizon's network, so your phone needs to be compatible with Verizon. If you're bringing a phone from another carrier, check whether it's unlocked or locked. A locked phone only works with the carrier that sold it; an unlocked phone works with any carrier that uses compatible networks.

If your phone is locked to another carrier, contact that carrier and ask them to unlock it. This is usually free if your account is in good standing and you've owned the phone for at least 60 days. Once it's unlocked, it will work with Total Wireless.

If you're not sure whether your phone is compatible, you can check the phone's model number against Total Wireless's compatibility list on their website, or call 611 and give a representative your phone's brand and model. They can tell you in a minute whether it will work.

Troubleshooting activation problems

If your activation doesn't go through online, the most common reason is a typo in your SIM card number. Double-check that you entered it correctly — it's a long string and one wrong digit will cause the form to reject it. If you're still stuck, call 611 and a representative can activate it over the phone instead.

If you're transferring your phone number and it doesn't arrive within a few business days, contact Total Wireless. Sometimes the transfer request gets stuck because of a mismatch between the account number or PIN you provided and what your old carrier has on file. Total Wireless can investigate and resubmit the request if needed.

If your phone shows no network service after you insert the SIM card, try restarting the phone. If that doesn't work, remove the SIM card, wait 30 seconds, and reinsert it. If service still doesn't appear, the phone may be locked to another carrier or incompatible with Total Wireless's network. Call 611 to confirm your activation completed and to check whether your phone is the issue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I activate a Total Wireless SIM card without buying a plan right away?

No, you must choose and pay for a plan during activation. Total Wireless doesn't sell SIM cards separately from service. However, you can choose a smaller plan (like a monthly plan with less data) and upgrade or change it later if your needs change.

What happens to my old phone number if I don't transfer it during activation?

Your old carrier will keep it active until you cancel your account with them. You can transfer your number to Total Wireless later by contacting Total Wireless customer service, though it's easier to do it during the initial activation. If you wait, you'll need to provide the same account number and PIN information.

Do I need to remove my old SIM card before inserting the Total Wireless one?

Yes, remove the old SIM card completely before inserting the new one. Your phone can only use one SIM card at a time. If you want to keep the old SIM card, store it safely in case you need to switch back to that carrier later.

How long does it take for Total Wireless service to start after I insert the SIM card?

Service usually starts within a few minutes of inserting the SIM card and restarting your phone. If you're transferring your number from another carrier, the number transfer can take up to a few business days, but your Total Wireless service and a temporary number will work immediately.

Can I activate a Total Wireless SIM card on a phone that's locked to another carrier?

No, the phone must be unlocked or already compatible with Verizon's network. Contact your old carrier and ask them to unlock the phone before you activate the Total Wireless SIM card. Once it's unlocked, the SIM card will work.