# Activate service on your Android with Visible

## Before activation checklist

- For Devices purchased elsewhere:
  - [Check that it has been unlocked](/content/help/device-unlocking-policy/index.html)  and is ready for activation
- Check that your Android is operating under the most current software update
  - [Samsung devices](/content/help/updating-your-device/index.html)
  - [Google devices](/content/help/updating-your-device/index.html)
- [Check that you have the most current version of the Visible app](/content/help/updating-your-device/index.html)
  - If you don’t have the app, download it!
- Fully charge your phone’s battery
- Connect your device to Wi-Fi
- [Make sure you’re in an area with network coverage.](/content/plans/coverage/index.html)

## Physical SIM or pSIM

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| **Note:**<br>- If you're transferring service from one device to another or switching from pSIM to eSIM, see [Switching is simple](/content/help/switching-is-simple/index.html) for more details.<br>- Transferring your phone number from another carrier? If you have received a notification from Visible that the transfer is complete, your phone is ready for activation.<br>- See the [Visible port-in page](/content/help/how-do-i-transfer-port-my-number-to-visible/index.html) for more information on how to transfer your number to the Visible network.<br>- To ensure the activation process goes smoothly, see the [Before activation checklist](/content/help/android-activation#BeforeActivationChecklist/index.html) .<br>- Ready to switch to eSIM? It's SIMple! [Follow these steps for eSIM success](/content/help/switch-to-esim/index.html) |

Follow these steps to install your SIM card and activate your service:

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| --- | --- |
| 1 | Go through the [Before activation checklist](/content/help/android-activation#BeforeActivationChecklist/index.html) before proceeding with the following steps. |
| 2 | Open the **Visible app** on your new device, and select the **Go to activation** button.<br>- If the button is grayed out, check that your email has been validated. |
| 3 | Check off each of the following checkboxes, and then select **Continue**:<br>- **Are you on WiFi?**<br>- **Is your phone updated?**<br>- **Is your battery charged?**<br>- **Is your SIM installed?** |
| 4 | On the **We need to verify your ICCID number** page, provide your ICCID in the field provided, and select **Next**.<br>- This page will provide you 2 options on how to locate the ICCID:<br>  - **Option 1: Use full ICCID number to Verify** <br>    - Samsung – Open **Settings App >** tap **About Phone** \> **Status Information** \> **SIM card Status > ICCID**<br>    - Google – Open **Settings App** \> Tap **About Phone** \> navigate to **ICCID**<br>  - **Option 2: Use last 5 digits of ICCID to verify** – use the image provided on the page to find the ICCID on the SIM card packaging. |
| 5 | On the **Activate your service** page, verify the Visible plan and payment method you chose are displayed.<br>- You can edit your choices as necessary. <br>- Select **Activate** when you are satisfied with your choices. |
| 6 | On the **We’re setting up your Visible plan** page, you will see a spinning wheel indicating your service is being activated.

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| --- |
| **Note:** This usually takes up to 5 minutes, but could take longer. | |
| 7 | Once activation is complete, [check to make sure your service is working.](/content/help/troubleshooting-service/index.html) |

## Embedded SIM or eSIM

Newer devices are able to be activated using an eSIM!

Your eSIM is a digital SIM built into your mobile devices. This lets you activate a device on a cellular network without a physical SIM card.

The benefit of having an eSIM is you don’t have to wait for Visible to send you a physical SIM card. Everything can be done from the comfort of your own home as long as you have an eSIM compatible device.

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| **Note:** <br>- Some devices have both eSIM and pSIM capabilities. <br>- [Learn more about how dual SIM works with your phone](/content/help/android-activation#DualSIM/index.html) .<br>- eSIM does not change the service you have with the Visible network.<br>- [Learn more about the Visible network features.](/content/help/data-speeds/index.html)<br>- Ready to switch to eSIM? It's SIMple! [Follow these steps for eSIM success](/content/help/switch-to-esim/index.html) |

### Is my device eSIM compatible?

Follow these steps to check if your device is eSIM compatible:

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| --- | --- |
| **Samsung** | **Google** |
| 1. Open the **Settings** app.<br>2. Navigate to **Connections** > **SIM card manager**.<br>3. If "Add eSIM" plan is available, your device should have eSIMs capabilities.<br>4. Use the [Compatibilty Checker](/content/shop/compatibility/index.html) to make sure your device can be used on the Visible network. | 1. Open the **Settings** app.<br>2. Navigate to **Network & Internet** > **Advanced** \> **eSIM Cards**.<br>3. If "connect to a mobile network"  has a "Download a SIM instead?" your device should have eSIMs capabilities.<br>4. Use the [Compatibilty Checker](/content/shop/compatibility/index.html) to make sure your device can be used on the Visible network. |

### Activate with an eSIM

Follow these steps to activate a new eSIM on your Android device:

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| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Open the **Visible** app on your new device.<br>- You will be prompted to start the activation process, and provided instructions that will guide you. |
| 2 | Tap on each checkbox in the checklist and select Go to activation.

- A spinning circle will appear while we set up your service.

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| --- |
| **Note:**<br>This usually takes up to 5 minutes, but could take longer. | |
| 3 | Follow on-screen instructions  to activate your eSIM |
| 4 | **Samsung:**<br>Once the download has finished, you will turn on the SIM.<br>1. Open the **Settings** app.<br>2. Navigate to **Connections** > **SIM card manager** > **Add Mobile plan**. | **Google:**<br>Once the download has finished, you will turn on the SIM.<br>1. Open the **Settings** app.<br>2. Navigate to **Network & Internet** > **Advanced** > **Add Operator**. |
| **Note:**<br>More than one SIM may show up on this screen, choose the one for the Visible plan and move the toggle to the right to select it. |
| 5 | Review your new eSIM and ensure **Mobile data** is toggled on. |
| 6 | When ”Phone is Activated” appears on your screen, you will automatically return to the Visible app.

- **Activating service could take up to 15 minutes**, so sit back and relax.
- The word “Visible” along with service bars will show up in the top left corner of your screen when your phone is ready for you to start using service.

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| --- |
| **Note:** <br>- There is no need to restart your phone. | |
| 7 | [Check to make sure your service is working.](/content/help/troubleshooting-service/index.html) |

### QR Code Activation

If you run into some issues during the activation process, don’t worry! The QR code activation process will be initiated.

Follow these steps for successful QR code activation.

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| --- | --- |
| 1 | Grab a second device (computer, laptop, tablet, or another phone) to display the QR code.<br>- If you don’t have a second device available, just tap **Enter code** and see [No second device](/content/help/android-activation#NoSecondDevice/index.html) for more instruction. |
| 2 | On your second device, [log into your Visible account](/content/sign-in/index.html), and head to the **Account Overview** section.<br>- This is where your QR code will display. |
| 3 | Open the **camera** app on the phone you’re activating and point the camera at your QR code. |
| 4 | When the pop-up link appears, tap it and follow the prompts to set Visible as your cellular network. <br>- Wait for **Cellular setup complete** confirmation.<br>- After completing this step, go to [After scanning QR code or manual QR code entry](/content/help/android-activation#AfterScanningQRCode/index.html). |

#### No second device

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| --- | --- |
| 1 | Tap **Enter Details Manually** at the bottom of the screen. |
| 2 | Open the **Visible** app, locate and copy the **Activation Code**. |
| 3 | Paste the code into the matching field in **Settings**.<br>After completing this step, go to [After scanning QR code or manual QR code entry](/content/help/android-activation#AfterScanningQRCode/index.html). |

#### After scanning QR code or manual QR code entry

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| --- | --- |
| 1 | Follow the prompts while Cellular Setup is finalizing. |
| 2 | Return to the **Visible** app once Cellular Setup is complete, and tap **Check Status** to check if activation is complete.

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| --- |
| **Note:** <br>- Even if you received an error message at the end of QR code activation, complete this step.<br>- There is no need to restart your phone.<br>- This could take up to 15 minutes, so sit back and relax. | |
| 3 | [Check to make sure your service is working.](/content/help/troubleshooting-service/index.html) |

## How does dual SIM work?

Any eSIM compatible phone has the ability to use more than 1 SIM with the same or different carriers!

Using more than one SIM card means you have more than one number connected to your phone. Perfect for consolidating your work and personal phone into one place.

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| --- |
| **Note:** <br>- Transferring your phone number from another carrier? See the [Visible port-in page](/content/help/how-do-i-transfer-port-my-number-to-visible/index.html) for more information on how to transfer your number to the Visible network.<br>- SIM card users – If you have received a notification from Visible that the transfer is complete, your phone is ready for activation.<br>- eSIM users – eSIM members will be able to request a number transfer as soon as their activation is complete.<br>- To ensure the dual SIM activation process goes smoothly, see the [Before activation checklist](/content/help/android-activation#BeforeActivationChecklist/index.html) . |

Head to these pages to learn more about dual SIM capabilities, and how to set your default SIM:

- [Dual SIM on a Samsung device](https://www.samsung.com/us/smartphones/dual-sim-psim-esim-phones/)
- [Dual SIM on a Google device](https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/9449293?hl=en)