To activate StandUp Wireless, put your StandUp SIM card in your phone, turn the phone on, and call 611 from that phone. A StandUp Customer Care agent will finish turning on your service. If 611 won’t connect, call StandUp at 1-800-544-4441 from any other phone. That line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
This guide covers each step, whether StandUp sent you a free phone or you’re using your own. It also explains how to keep your old number and what to do if your phone or SIM won’t activate.
Good to know: Activation is free. StandUp Wireless is a Lifeline provider, and no real Lifeline provider charges an application or activation fee. If someone asks you to pay to “unlock” your free service, stop and read our Lifeline scam alert.
Before You Start: What You’ll Need
Having these ready makes the call quicker:
- Your StandUp kit. This is the package StandUp mailed you. It has your SIM card, a phone if you ordered one, and an instruction sheet.
- Your phone. This is either the phone StandUp sent or your own compatible, unlocked phone.
- A charged battery. A phone that dies mid-call means starting over.
- A SIM tool or small paperclip. Most phones need one to open the SIM tray.
- Your name and address. The agent may ask you to confirm them so they can find your account.
- Your old carrier’s account number and transfer PIN. You only need these if you want to keep your current phone number.
Haven’t received your kit yet? You can only activate after you’re approved for Lifeline and StandUp ships your SIM. You can track your package on StandUp’s order status page. If you haven’t applied yet, start with our guide on how to apply for Lifeline.
How to Activate a Free Phone from StandUp Wireless
If StandUp sent you a phone, follow these steps:
- Open your kit. Find the phone, the SIM card, and the instruction sheet.
- Turn the phone off. If the SIM isn’t already inside, you’ll need to add it.
- Pop out the SIM. SIM cards often come attached to a plastic card with several sizes. Gently press out the size that fits your phone’s tray.
- Insert the SIM. Use the SIM tool to open the tray. Match the SIM’s cut corner to the shape of the tray, then slide the tray back in.
- Turn the phone on. Give it a minute to look for a signal.
- Call 611. Tell the agent you’re activating a new Lifeline phone and follow their steps.
- Restart your phone once the agent says your service is active.
That’s it. Now test your service (see “How to Tell Your Activation Worked” below).
How to Activate a StandUp SIM in Your Own Phone (BYOP)
“BYOP” means “bring your own phone.” StandUp lets you use a phone you already own, as long as it works on its network.
First, make sure your phone will work
StandUp runs on the T-Mobile network. Most unlocked 4G LTE and 5G phones built for that kind of network will work. To check yours:
- Find your IMEI. This is your phone’s ID number. Dial *#06# and it will pop up on screen.
- Use StandUp’s compatibility checker on standupwireless.com and enter your IMEI.
- Confirm your phone is unlocked. The checker does not tell you this. If your phone is locked to another carrier, contact the company that sold it to you and ask them to unlock it. On an iPhone, go to Settings → General → About → Carrier Lock. If it says “No SIM restrictions,” you’re set.
Older phones can connect but may get weaker signal indoors. StandUp notes that phones without Band 12 (700 MHz) can’t use its longer-range LTE signal. See our list of phones compatible with StandUp Wireless and our full BYOP guide for Lifeline for more help.
Then activate the SIM
- Back up your contacts and photos to your Google or Apple account.
- Turn the phone off and remove your old SIM card.
- Insert the StandUp SIM in the tray, lined up with the diagram.
- Turn the phone on and wait for it to search for a signal.
- Call 611 and ask the agent to activate your Lifeline service.
- Restart the phone when the agent is done.
Using an eSIM-only phone? StandUp’s help pages describe activation with a physical SIM card. If your phone has no SIM tray, call Customer Care before you apply and ask whether an eSIM option is available for your model.
Want to Keep Your Current Phone Number?
You can bring your number to StandUp. This is called “porting.” Here’s how:
- Keep your old account open. Don’t cancel your old service. Canceling first can make you lose the number.
- Get your transfer details from your old carrier. You need your account number, your account or transfer PIN, and your billing address. These are usually not the same as your online login.
- Call StandUp at 1-800-544-4441 (or 611 from your StandUp phone) and ask to port your number.
- Wait for confirmation. Then restart your phone and make a test call. Also ask someone to call you.
Transfers can take a little time. Try to do it on a day you won’t need your phone for anything urgent. For more detail, read how to keep your number when switching Lifeline providers.
If you’re moving your Lifeline benefit from another Lifeline provider (not just your number), see how to switch Lifeline providers.
Former QLink Customers: What to Know
When QLink Wireless stopped operating, most of its customers were moved to StandUp. If StandUp mailed you a new SIM card, activate it the same way: put it in your phone, turn the phone on, and call 611. If you’re not sure whether your account moved over, call 1-800-544-4441 and ask.
You’re not stuck with StandUp if it isn’t working well for you. Our guide on what happened to QLink Wireless explains your options, and our StandUp Wireless vs AirTalk comparison can help you decide whether to stay or switch.
How to Tell Your Activation Worked
Run through this quick checklist:
- Signal bars appear at the top of your screen.
- Calls work. Call a friend, then ask them to call you back.
- Texts work. Send a text and ask for a reply.
- Data works. Turn off Wi-Fi and open a website.
- You know your number. On Android, check Settings → About phone. On iPhone, check Settings → Phone → My Number.
- Voicemail is set up. Every StandUp plan includes voicemail, so set your greeting now.
You can also download the StandUp Wireless app or log in to My Account on their website. There you can check your balance and add minutes or data.
StandUp Wireless Won’t Activate? Try These Fixes
| Problem | What to Try |
|---|---|
| Phone says “No SIM” or “Invalid SIM” | Turn the phone off. Remove the SIM and check that the gold contacts on the SIM and in the phone are clean and not damaged. Reinsert it lined up with the tray diagram, then power on. |
| You can’t reach 611 | Call 1-800-544-4441 from a different phone and ask an agent to help activate your line. |
| No signal or “Emergency calls only” | Make sure airplane mode is off, then restart. If the problem only happens in some places, check StandUp’s coverage map for that area. |
| Calls work but data doesn’t | Your phone may need the correct APN settings (the internet settings). Go to Settings → Mobile/Cellular Networks → Access Point Names and ask Customer Care for StandUp’s current settings. |
| Picture or group texts won’t send | This is usually an APN problem too. Turn mobile data on and check the APN settings. |
| Phone rejects the SIM completely | Your phone is probably locked to another carrier. Contact the seller to unlock it. |
| Number transfer is stuck | Double-check your account number and PIN with your old carrier. Your old account must still be active. |
| Your kit never arrived | Check StandUp’s order status page, then contact Customer Care. |
If nothing works, don’t keep resetting your phone. Contact StandUp directly using the options below.
How to Contact StandUp Wireless Support
| Contact Option | Details | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1-800-544-4441 | 24/7 |
| From your StandUp phone | Dial 611 (free, doesn’t use your minutes) | 24/7 |
| Live chat | On standupwireless.com | 8:00 AM–9:30 PM ET, 7 days a week |
| support@standupwireless.com | Usually answers within 1 business day |
After You Activate: Keep Your Service On
Activating is step one. Here’s how to avoid losing your free service later:
- Use your phone at least once every 30 days. Make a call, send a text, use data, or buy a top-up. StandUp requires this for Lifeline customers, and long stretches without use can lead to your service being shut off.
- Recertify every year. Lifeline requires you to prove you still qualify once a year. Our Lifeline recertification guide explains how.
- Remember the one-per-household rule. Only one Lifeline benefit is allowed per household, not per person. Learn more on the FCC’s Lifeline page.
For activation help with other carriers, visit our Activation Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Activating your StandUp Wireless Lifeline service is free, and calls to 611 don’t use your minutes. Lifeline itself never charges an application fee.
StandUp’s help center tells Lifeline customers to insert the SIM, turn on the phone, and call 611. If you can’t call from that phone, call 1-800-544-4441 from another phone and an agent can help.
The activation call itself is usually quick. Moving an old phone number over can take longer. If you still have no service after restarting your phone, contact Customer Care.
StandUp uses the T-Mobile network. That’s why most unlocked T-Mobile-compatible phones work with its SIM cards. See our guide to Lifeline providers on the T-Mobile network for similar options.
Yes, if your iPhone is unlocked and passes StandUp’s IMEI compatibility check. Check the Carrier Lock setting first to make sure it says “No SIM restrictions.”
Lifeline providers vary by state and ZIP code. Use the official Companies Near Me tool to see every approved provider in your area. Our StandUp Wireless review also covers who the carrier is best for.