How to switch my straight talk service to another phone

Straight Talk Wireless is a registered trademark of TracFone Wireless, the popular prepaid, no-contract mobile phone provider that operates as an MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) and uses the network of some of the country’s largest carriers. Straight Talk offers affordable no-contract plans, mobile hotspots, a decent selection of mobile devices ranging from inexpensive basic phones to advanced smartphones, and much more.

Regular customers often wonder how to transfer their Straight Talk service from one phone to another. The answer is simple – by moving the SIM card. However, there are some other options and a few more steps to take in order to do the transfer properly. In this article, you will learn everything you need to know to transfer your Straight Talk service from one device to another.

Transferring Your Current Straight Talk Service to a New Straight Talk Phone or SIM

If you currently have a Straight Talk service and number, there are two ways to transfer the number, service, and the remaining balance to a new SIM or mobile device. You can either move the SIM card from your current cell phone to the new one or you can activate your new phone and SIM card at straighttalk.com.

However, to do it properly, you need to know how exactly Straight Talk operates. As an MVNO, it doesn’t own its own cellular towers, instead, it leases network service from Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or Sprint. If you don’t know which of those towers your phone uses, it’s best to ask them. You can contact their online chat, tell them your phone number, and ask them to tell you if your phone is using Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or Sprint towers. Once you have established which network your phone and SIM card are using, you can move on to one of the two options.

Option number 1: Move your Straight Talk SIM card from your current phone to your new phone

Sometimes all it takes to successfully transfer your Straight Talk service from one phone to another is to move your SIM card. To do so, you have to make sure your situation meets the following requirements:

• Your SIM card has to fit into your new device and the card and the phone must be compatible.
• It’s better if you have Straight Talk’s T-Mobile or AT&T SIM card, as with Verizon SIM cards things can get a bit trickier.
• Your new phone has to be compatible with the Straight Talk network you are using.

Note that this is a perfectly valid short-term solution. However, when it comes to permanently moving the service, it may be better to properly activate your new phone or SIM card.

Option number 2: Activate your new phone and SIM card at straighttalk.com

If your new phone is not compatible with your SIM card or if any other of the requirements listed above is not met, you will have to transfer your service by activating your new phone or SIM card online.

The requirements:

If you buy the new device at Straight Talk or Walmart, you will automatically receive a SIM card. If you use either the Bring your own phone or the Keep your own phone option, you will need a new SIM card. In this case, you can order it at straighttalk.com for $1. Make sure to order the right one for the network you want to use, one that is compatible with the new mobile device, and that has the right size (standard, micro, or nano). In case you wish to use Straight Talk’s Verizon towers, look for the phone’s serial number (IMEI or MEID) on their website to check compatibility. You may also be able to buy a Straight Talk SIM card at Walmart, but generally, they only sell kits with SIM cards and plans.

Read the actual steps on how to transfer your existing Straight Talk service to a new Straight Talk phone or SIM in the following chapter.

Transferring Your Existing Straight Talk Service to a New Straight Talk Phone or SIM

To successfully transfer your existing Straight Talk service to a new Straight Talk phone or SIM, make sure to follow the steps below.

Step 1: Visit straighttalk.com.

Step 2: Create a Straight Talk account (if you already have an account, you can skip this step). As soon as you create an account, you will see that your current phone is listed as an ‘Active Device’. Later, you can transfer both your phone number and service balance to your new SIM.

Step 3: Get a new phone and/or SIM card. To transfer service from one device to another, you will need a new SIM card, a new phone, or both. You can read more in the requirements section of the previous chapter.

Step 4: Transfer your phone number and service balance. To do this, you have to make sure your new phone is eligible for your current plan. For example, if you have Straight Talk’s $30 plan you won’t be able to transfer your balance to a BYOP phone or a smartphone, however, your phone number will remain the same. Keep in mind that this process may take up to 48 hours.

Step 5: Transfer your service. As this part and process is the most important one, we will break it into smaller steps.

• Go to straighttalk.com.
• Select the ‘Activation’ option from the menu.
• Notice the tab ‘Bring your own phone or devices’ and below it click ‘Activate’.
• As you get a list of options, select ‘I have a SIM card’.
• Type in your SIM card number in the offered field and press ‘Continue’.
• Under ‘Keep my number’ press ‘Select’.
• Enter your phone number in the empty box labeled ‘Please enter the phone number you want to keep here’. Confirm by pressing ‘Continue’.
• You will get the following notification: ‘We noticed that you are currently an active Straight Talk customer. To continue with this process, please log into your account.’ Log into your Straight Talk account.
• Under ‘Information about your new device’ verify that your SIM number is correct and note that the first 5 digits may be missing, which is totally fine.
• Under ‘Information about your new device’ enter a nickname for your new mobile device or SIM. This step is optional.
• Check the button located on the left side of your current phone under ‘Information about your current device’.
• Once you do all of the steps above, you can press ‘Submit’ and thus complete the transfer process.

In this chapter, you will be able to find the three possible ways to transfer your Straight Talk phone number to another device while keeping the remaining service balance. You can do it online, with the use of a SIM card, or using a professional transfer tool.

Transfer Straight Talk Number online

Transferring your Straight Talk number at straighttalk.com is one of the simplest ways to do so. Simply follow the process described below.

• Step 1: Go to Straight Talk’s official website and sign in with your account. If you don’t have one, create it.
• Step 2: Once you have logged in, click the ‘Activation’ option from the menu. You will see your current phone listed as your Active Device.
• Step 3: Type in your SIM card number in the offered box and press ‘Continue’. Then enter your phone number under ‘Keep My Number’.
• Step 4: Confirm the steps above by pressing ‘Submit’. This will enable you to transfer both your phone number and service balance to your new phone.

Transfer Straight Talk Number with SIM card

To simply move your SIM card from one phone to another, you must meet the requirements listed in the first chapter (both phones use the same size SIM cards, your new phone is compatible with your current Straight Talk service, and your current phone is using Straight Talk’s AT&T or T-Mobile network). To transfer your phone number by simply moving your card, follow the steps below.

• Step 1: Turn off both your current/old phone and your new phone.
• Step 2: Remove the SIM card from your old phone.
• Step 3: Take your new phone, carefully open the SIM slot, and insert the SIM card into the device.
• Step 4: Turn on your new phone.

Copy Straight Talk Number via Phone Transfer

To make your number transfer as effortless as possible, you can use one of the best transfer tools on the market – Apeaksoft Phone Transfer. You can use it to transfer your phone number, music, photos, videos, messages, and contacts from one phone to another, create a backup, etc. To transfer your Straight Talk number via Phone Transfer, follow the steps below.

• Step 1: Download and install Apeaksoft Phone Transfer on your computer. Launch the app.
• Step 2: Use two USB cables to connect both your old and your new phone to your computer. Phone Transfer will automatically detect them.
• Step 3: The app will allow you to choose your ‘Source Device’ and your ‘Target Device’. Make sure to set them up properly. If you have accidentally set them up oppositely, you can switch them by pressing the blue ‘Switch’ button in the middle of the interface.
• Step 4: Select the Straight Talk number and press ‘Start to copy’. This will transfer your phone number to your target device.

How to Transfer Your Straight Talk SIM Card to Your New Phone

Transferring your Straight Talk SIM card from your old phone to your new phone is basically the same thing as transferring your Straight Talk service from one device to another. As such you have two options to do so – you can either move the SIM card from your current cell phone to the new one or you can activate your new phone and SIM card at straighttalk.com. See the details and learn more about the requirements and exact processes in chapters 1 and 2.

If I Take My SIM Card Out of My Straight Talk Phone and Put it Into Another Straight Talk Phone Will it Work? Will I Have the Same Number?

Yes, simply taking out your SIM card and putting it into another phone should work and the phone number should be successfully transferred. However, in order to do it properly, there are some requirements your SIM card and devices must meet. The requirements include:

• Your SIM card has to fit into your new device and the card and the phone must be compatible.
• It’s better if you have Straight Talk’s T-Mobile or AT&T SIM card, as with Verizon SIM cards things can get a bit trickier.
• Your new phone has to be compatible with the Straight Talk network you are using.

As we have mentioned before, this method is simple and effective, but if you wish to move your service permanently, it would be better to activate your new phone or SIM card.

Read one of our past articles Straight Talk Switch Phones and Plans

What to Do if Your Phone Won’t Work with Straight Talk SIM Bring Your Own Phone?

As you know, Straight Talk offers the possibility to bring your own phone. This is a great option if your old phone still works fine or if the model you wish to buy is currently not available at Straight Talk. However, when we decide to take advantage of this option, we must make sure that the phone we are planning to bring is compatible with a Straight Talk SIM card and service.

Generally, all unlocked phones and most phones that are locked to Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile or Sprint should work on Straight Talk. If the phone is locked to any other carrier, you must unlock it for it to work on Straight Talk.

The list of the phones that should easily work on Straight Talk includes most iPhones, BLU phones, Google phones, HTC phones, Huawei phones, LG phones, Motorola phones, Nokia phones, OnePlus phones, Samsung devices, Sony phones, and more.

Still, some phones, especially the international/imported ones may not work on Straight Talk, even if they are unlocked. One of the main reasons why certain phones won’t work is that they don’t support the right frequency bands.

To avoid your phone not working with Straight Talk, make sure to check it is unlocked, check the compatibility with the carrier in advance, and unlock the phone if necessary. For additional help, you can always contact Straight Talk’s reliable customer support.

I Activated a Straight Talk Verizon Phone, But I Cannot Place Calls. Is There Anything I can do Before I Call Customer Service?

As a matter of fact, there is one thing you can try before calling customer service. Try dialing *22890 and send it. This way Verizon’s network should configure your phone. If you wish to update your roaming list on Straight Talk Verizon CDMA Phones, dial and send *22891.

In case you also need information How To Switch Phones On Straight Talk

FAQ

Can I transfer my remaining service balance to a new phone?

Yes, you can. However, this is only possible if the new mobile device is eligible for the plan you are using. Otherwise, consider changing your service plan.

How can I tell which network my cell phone is on?

You can tell which network your phone is using by checking the phone’s manual, searching online, or contacting customer support.

If I buy a phone or SIM card from Straight Talk, which network will I get service on? AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, or Sprint?

It depends on which SIM card and phone you buy and where you buy them. Straight Talk phones use all of the networks listed above, depending on where you have purchased them, the ZIP code you entered in Straight Talk’s website when purchasing it, and the phone model.

What is the default SIM PIN for my Straight Talk GSM Phone/SIM?

For AT&T-based phones, PIN1 is 1111 and PIN2 is 2222. For T-Mobile-based phones, PIN1 is 1234 and PIN2 is 5678.

Can I bring my own phone to Straight Talk?

Yes, you can bring your own phone to Straight Talk. Make sure your phone is compatible with Straight Talk’s SIM card and that it is unlocked. Verify whether or not your phone is eligible for Straight Talk at straighttalk.com.

Do you want to learn more about Straight Talk Refurbished Phones read our past article Best Straight Talk Refurbished Phones

How do I transfer service to new phone?

How do I transfer my Straight Talk service to a new SIM card?