Previ runs on the T-Mobile and AT&T networks. How you activate depends on whether your phone uses a physical SIM card or an eSIM.
New to Previ? Your initial activation is handled with help from our onboarding team — you'll get a text with your activation link or QR code and a real person guiding you through porting your number. The steps below are for members switching to a new phone, redoing a SIM swap, or troubleshooting an activation that didn't complete. Find your device below.
Apple (iPhone)
eSIM Activation
Make sure you're connected to Wi‑Fi before you start.
Go to Settings > Cellular (or Settings > Mobile Service).
Tap Add eSIM (or Convert to eSIM if you're moving your existing physical SIM to an eSIM on the same phone).
Choose Use QR Code and scan the activation QR code Previ sent you, or choose Use Details from Carrier if you were sent a manual activation code instead.
Follow the on-screen prompts. When asked which line to use for iMessage, FaceTime, and cellular data, select your new Previ line.
Give it a few minutes — you'll see “Activating…” change to your carrier name (T-Mobile or AT&T) in the status bar once it's done.
Restart your iPhone if the line doesn't show as active after 10 minutes.
Physical SIM Activation
Power off the phone.
Insert the Previ SIM card into the SIM tray (use the included tool or a paperclip to eject the tray).
Power the phone back on. Activation is typically automatic and can take a few minutes up to 24 hours, though most lines activate within the first hour.
If you don't see signal after 30–60 minutes: toggle Airplane Mode on for 15 seconds then off, restart the phone, and confirm the SIM is fully seated in the tray.
Still nothing after an hour or two? Contact Previ support — activations occasionally need a manual push on the carrier side.
Samsung
eSIM Activation
Connect to Wi‑Fi before you start.
Go to Settings > Connections > SIM manager.
Tap Add eSIM or Add mobile plan, then Scan QR code from carrier.
Scan the QR code from your Previ activation text or email.
Confirm the plan details and tap Activate or Add.
Make sure your new Previ eSIM is set as active for Mobile Data and Calls under SIM manager, especially if you have another SIM installed too.
Restart the phone if service doesn't appear within 10–15 minutes.
Physical SIM Activation
Power off the phone.
Insert the Previ SIM card into the tray (use the included tool or a paperclip to eject it).
Power the phone back on. Activation is typically automatic and can take a few minutes up to 24 hours, though most lines activate within the first hour.
If you don't see signal after 30–60 minutes: toggle Airplane Mode on for 15 seconds then off, restart the phone, and confirm the SIM is fully seated in the tray.
Still nothing after an hour or two? Contact Previ support — activations occasionally need a manual push on the carrier side.
eSIM Activation
Connect to Wi‑Fi before you start.
Go to Settings > Network & internet > SIMs > Add eSIM.
Tap Scan QR code from carrier.
Scan the QR code from your Previ activation text or email.
Confirm the plan details and tap Activate or Add.
Make sure your new Previ eSIM is set as active for Mobile Data and Calls, especially if you have another SIM installed too.
Restart the phone if service doesn't appear within 10–15 minutes.
Physical SIM Activation
Power off the phone.
Insert the Previ SIM card into the tray (use the included tool or a paperclip to eject it).
Power the phone back on. Activation is typically automatic and can take a few minutes up to 24 hours, though most lines activate within the first hour.
If you don't see signal after 30–60 minutes: toggle Airplane Mode on for 15 seconds then off, restart the phone, and confirm the SIM is fully seated in the tray.
Still nothing after an hour or two? Contact Previ support — activations occasionally need a manual push on the carrier side.
Motorola
eSIM Activation
Connect to Wi‑Fi before you start.
Go to Settings > Network & internet > SIMs > Add eSIM.
Tap Scan QR code from carrier.
Scan the QR code from your Previ activation text or email.
Confirm the plan details and tap Activate or Add.
Make sure your new Previ eSIM is set as active for Mobile Data and Calls, especially if you have another SIM installed too.
Restart the phone if service doesn't appear within 10–15 minutes.
Physical SIM Activation
Power off the phone.
Insert the Previ SIM card into the tray (use the included tool or a paperclip to eject it).
Power the phone back on. Activation is typically automatic and can take a few minutes up to 24 hours, though most lines activate within the first hour.
If you don't see signal after 30–60 minutes: toggle Airplane Mode on for 15 seconds then off, restart the phone, and confirm the SIM is fully seated in the tray.
Still nothing after an hour or two? Contact Previ support — activations occasionally need a manual push on the carrier side.
LG
LG exited the mobile phone business in 2021, and many LG models — especially older or budget ones — only support a physical SIM, not eSIM. Check your model's specs if you're not sure which you have.
eSIM Activation (Supported Models Only)
Connect to Wi‑Fi before you start.
Go to Settings > Network & Internet (path may vary by model) > Mobile network > Add eSIM.
Tap Scan QR code from carrier and scan the QR code from your Previ activation text or email.
Confirm the plan details and tap Activate or Add.
If you don't see this option at all, your model likely doesn't support eSIM — use the physical SIM steps below instead.
Physical SIM Activation
Power off the phone.
Insert the Previ SIM card into the tray (use the included tool or a paperclip to eject it).
Power the phone back on. Activation is typically automatic and can take a few minutes up to 24 hours, though most lines activate within the first hour.
If you don't see signal after 30–60 minutes: toggle Airplane Mode on for 15 seconds then off, restart the phone, and confirm the SIM is fully seated in the tray.
Still nothing after an hour or two? Contact Previ support — activations occasionally need a manual push on the carrier side.
Switching a SIM Between Phones
Moving your existing physical SIM into a new phone? Just move the card over and restart — no re-activation should be needed. Moving from physical SIM to eSIM (or vice versa) as part of an upgrade? Follow the eSIM steps above on your new device; the old SIM will stop working once the new one activates.
Still Stuck?
Message Previ Support right in the app, or call 801-437-0620.