2/24/23: As 16GB is for everyone now, you don't have to jump through hoops of temp number, you can directly port and order online, but make sure you don't provide a CC which can be charged upon activation. Once you place order you SIM card will me be shipped without any charges to CC. But the activation kit says once you insert SIM and activate, your card will be charged. So you have few choices for not getting charged. 1. Provide a temporary CC with limited balance 2. There is lock Credit card feature in some credit card, this is will be prevent any authorizations temporarily, so lock your CC before you activate. Then apply Prepaid refill to pay. However I had an issue with port, I've to call couple times to get activated so that I could login to online account.
Because this is an AT&T thread there is a few things you need to know before joining:
Good News! All AT&T Prepaid plans now include access to the AT&T 5G Network. *5G Compatible device/5G Branded Sim Card Required, device must be on AT&T's Whitelist to qualify. For eSim: 5G Device is required for 5G service on eSim.*Note: Your device may need a software update to be fully 5G compliant on AT&T.
Does your phone work on AT&T? This PDF in the link below shows what devices are AT&T VoLTE Certified/Approved and Whitelisted on the network.
NEW! Updated August 22nd, 2023: https://www.att.com/scmsassets/su...etwork.pdf
*Note: AT&T compatibility list may update at any time. Xiaomi devices are now banned from AT&T (did not get AT&T VoLTE Certification/Approval), select Huawei/ZTE devices still allowed. 5G Requires device capable of transmitting and receiving a 5G Signal/5G branded Compatible Sim Card.
AT&T Network Status as of March 2023:
5G+: This network is live and is expanding. When you see 5G+ this means your either connected to C-Band(n77) or mmWave. mmWave speed averages between: 600mbps - 1+ Gigs per second. C-Band speed averages between: 60mbps - 460mbps.
5G(NSA/SA): 5G Non-Standalone is where the carriers pair 5G tech with 4G LTE to provide fast data speeds. 5G Standalone is 5G that is on it's own and does not need LTE to work. *Note: At this time AT&T does not offer their 5G standalone(SA) core to customers, all 5G that is not mmWave is Non-standalone.
5Ge/4G LTE: 5Ge and 4G LTE are the same with a slight difference. 5Ge areas have Next evolution Carrier Aggregation/Back haul upgrades, areas that are LTE only have limited Carrier aggregation or only 1 LTE band broadcasting.
4G(HSPA+): This network has been retired and is shut down.
3G(UMTS): 3G UMTS has been shut down and no longer exists, In select Markets AT&T has re-farmed 3G's old spectrum and added it to 5G "n5" to boost speed and capacity.
2G(2G/EDGE/GPRS/GSM): This network had it's sunset date in 2019, it is shut down and no longer exists.
Sim card SKU's that do not support 5G+: 4453A, 4488A, 72290. Sim cards that were purchased from Straight Talk are based on 4488A and do not include 5G/5G+ support.
Sim card SKU's that do support 5G+: 6471C, 6531C, 6533C, 6661A, 6818B. eSim: 6969C.
*Note: For some devices, AT&T requires that you be on the latest Software Update to get all features working on the AT&T network including VoLTE specific features. Make sure that your phone is completely up-to-date for the best network experience.
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$300 + local taxes/fees on top ($20-$30 for most) if you pay directly with CC -- less hassle when activating but you might pay more if you're in a high tax area
You can look for ATT Prepaid refill cards on sale to save some money -- you can buy from Target website for email delivery in which case Target does not charge any taxes/fees (you can save at least 5% with Target RedCard or more if its also on sale)
*** A lot of people have trouble porting their number and getting 16gb promo when using "keep my number" option on initial order since they have to call CS for help with initial activation/port (this in an online promo so not available over phone or in-store) -- calling CS for initial activation/port might drop 16gb promo (you'll only get 8gb standard) and there's no easy way for them to give it to you afterwards:
https://slickdeals.net/forums/showpost.php?p=
Best option is to get a new temp number when ordering service -- just make sure the new temp number is from the same area/region as your regular phone number that you're going to port later.
For service zip code use a zip code from where your regular number is originally from -- ATT Prepaid's outdated system seems to have trouble porting numbers from different markets.
For example: if you have a Chicago number but currently live in NYC then make sure you get a new temp Chicago number when ordering/activating prepaid service. Do not get a new NYC number as their prepaid system won't be able to port a Chicago number on top of NYC number later on since the numbers are from different markets/regions.
Once your new temp number is activated you should see 16gb under line usage section (8gb bonus + 8gb standard) then you can call port activation center @ 888-898-7685 to have them port your regular number over -- let them know you just activated new prepaid service with a temp number and now you want to port your regular number over
** eSIM online activation makes it easier to get new temp number from same region and also pay with refill cards:
https://slickdeals.net/forums/showpost.php?p=
> eSIM online activation works for iPhones and maybe some new Androids (enter your EID and eSIM IMEI to see if activation page accepts it or not)
> If it doesn't accept your Android phone then you can choose to have either physical sim or eSIM card shipped when placing your online order, or just pick one up from an AT&T store or other retailer that sells AT&T Prepaid SIMS then use the AT&T Prepaid activation site https://www.att.com/pprepaid/activations then port your number later
Physical sim activation online (like with ESIM above) with using the temp number option with a physical sim picked up from an retail location (AT&T Store or department store like Walmart.
SIM/ESIM is active as soon as you hit continue after entering your email on the AT&T (short codes work even if your service isn't active) Prepaid Activation Portal https://www.att.com/prepaid/activations
Pop the physical sim into your phone and find the number or go into your cellular settings for the esim. Just use the temp phone number to register the account https://www.paygonline.
** ATT Postpaid or ATT MVNO currently then you'll need to port twice -- once to VZ/TMo based carrier to get off ATT network for few hours then port again to your new ATT Prepaid 16gb plan:
https://slickdeals.net/forums/showpost.php?p=
https://slickdeals.net/forums/showpost.php?p=
>> TMobile has $10 Connect prepaid plan + $10 sim = $20 + taxes/fees (you can also try eSIM: https://slickdeals.net/forums/showpost.php?p=
>> Visible (Verizon) is $5 if you have $25 back on $30 Visible service offer on your Chase/BoA/USBank card (you'll need compatible phone to activate service)
>> Tracfone (Verizon) $1 sim kit from Target/Walmart/BB/Amazon + $15 Tracfone prepaid smartphone plan (Target website has email delivery)
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Porting issue seems to happen when trying to port from ATT MVNOs -- VZ to VZ carrier ports sometimes have this problem as well since its a "number migration" but yes, big carriers should be able to port/migrate numbers much better by now
If you get a new ATT number first then make sure its from the same area/region as the number you want to port in later (probably an old system limitation) -- very annoying since people won't know about it unless they find it on an online forum ahead of time
What carrier you coming from?
Number eligibility: https://www.att.com/wireless/tran...ur-number/
You should be fine porting from VZ/TMo network -- if your number is on ATT network then port to VZ/TMo first and port again to ATT Prepaid
If you have any Chase/BOA/USBank cards then look for $25 back on $25 Visible service promo (ends up being free service) -- otherwise someone else mentioned that there's a $10 TMo plan that you can port to (not sure how much total cost with sim)
Another option is buying $1 Tracfone sim kit for VZ network (check BB/Target/Walmart websites for local stock) -- you can get $15 Tracfone smartphone plan by email from Target website
Right now, would be coming from Mint Mobile. So would it be best to do the whole temp number workaround then ? When you say same region, you mean make sure the area codes match ?
I was told by a rep that the line can't be cancelled and that it automatically cancels itself 60 days after the last payment is made if autopay is turned off; after the 12 months are complete that is. However, they didn't know what answer to give in terms of what the status of the line would be since (allegedly) there are no refunds for Prepaid.
Has someone been through this in the past? Do I toss the SIM card now that I got my refund since the line will be cancelled any day now, or do I use it in a secondary device since it will continue to work for the remaining 10 months? I'll be getting the 16GB/month $300 plan with the refund anyway.
I have a Chicago 773 number so during activation I put in my old Chicago zip code -- they gave me a Chicago 312 number but no problem porting since it's from the same region (I live in the suburbs so I'm sure if I put my current zip code and got a 847 or 224 temp number then it probably would've been fine as well)
Let's say if I moved to NY and put in a NY zip code for service -- they would've given me a NY temp number in which case I wouldn't be able to port my Chicago number over since separate regions
Thanks for the detailed process, even the port over call wasn't hard. Had everything done in under an hour including the port done. Using the eSim to get it done really really fast was great.
I have a couple questions:
- Did you do the 'temp number' to avoid any online porting issues?
- Thus, you wouldn't be losing service until it is properly ported.
- I recall porting from Mint Mobile to AT&T prepaid over a year ago and had to call them to resolve some issues.
- Does the gift card method you did only work with temporary number or can it work if I port immediately?
Based on this thread on and my past experience, I would need to call AT&T either way if ported directly or started with a temporary number. This method just ensures you don't have a loss of service. Is that correct?I currently have a Samsung S22 + on Google Fi since February. I was using Mint Mobile prior to that in the winter/fall months and had AT&T prepaid last summer. I prefer AT&T prepaid for their coverage in rural Minnesota.
Update:
I meant to reply tp JaTaN's original post, but I'll gladly take feedback from both JaTaN and nilusprotocol! Thanks in advance!
I have a Chicago 773 number so during activation I put in my old Chicago zip code -- they gave me a Chicago 312 number but no problem porting since it's from the same region (I live in the suburbs so I'm sure if I put my current zip code and got a 847 or 224 temp number then it probably would've been fine as well)
Let's say if I moved to NY and put in a NY zip code for service -- they would've given me a NY temp number in which case I wouldn't be able to port my Chicago number over since separate regions
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I have a couple questions:
- Did you do the 'temp number' to avoid any online porting issues?
- Thus, you wouldn't be losing service until it is properly ported.
- I recall porting from Mint Mobile to AT&T prepaid over a year ago and had to call them to resolve some issues.
- Does the gift card method you did only work with temporary number or can it work if I port immediately?
Based on this thread on and my past experience, I would need to call AT&T either way if ported directly or started with a temporary number. This method just ensures you don't have a loss of service. Is that correct?I currently have a Samsung S22 + on Google Fi since February. I was using Mint Mobile prior to that in the winter/fall months and had AT&T prepaid last summer. I prefer AT&T prepaid for their coverage in rural Minnesota.
Update:
I meant to reply tp JaTaN's original post, but I'll gladly take feedback from both JaTaN and nilusprotocol! Thanks in advance!
I have a couple questions:
- Did you do the 'temp number' to avoid any online porting issues?
- Thus, you wouldn't be losing service until it is properly ported.
- I recall porting from Mint Mobile to AT&T prepaid over a year ago and had to call them to resolve some issues.
- Does the gift card method you did only work with temporary number or can it work if I port immediately?
Based on this thread on and my past experience, I would need to call AT&T either way if ported directly or started with a temporary number. This method just ensures you don't have a loss of service. Is that correct?I currently have a Samsung S22 + on Google Fi since February. I was using Mint Mobile prior to that in the winter/fall months and had AT&T prepaid last summer. I prefer AT&T prepaid for their coverage in rural Minnesota.
Update:
I meant to reply tp JaTaN's original post, but I'll gladly take feedback from both JaTaN and nilusprotocol! Thanks in advance!
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