Activate service on your Android with Visible


Before activation checklist
Physical SIM or pSIM
Embedded SIM or eSIM
How does dual SIM work?


Is what you’re looking for not here? Try one of these articles:

 

Physical SIM or pSIM activation A physical SIM card used to activate service on your device.
Embedded SIM or eSIM activation A digital SIM built into your mobile devices used to activate service on your device.

 

Before activation checklist


Physical SIM or pSIM

Note:

 

  • If you're transferring service from one device to another or switching from pSIM to eSIM, see Switching is simple for more details.
  • 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.
    • See the Visible port-in page for more information on how to transfer your number to the Visible network.
  • To ensure the activation process goes smoothly, see the Before activation checklist .
  • Ready to switch to eSIM? It's SIMple! Follow these steps for eSIM success


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

 

Step Action
1

Go through the Before activation checklist before proceeding with the following steps
2

Go to your Visible account through:


Note: A “Visible SIM Card” screen displays.
3

Check off each of the following checkboxes:

  • Are you on WiFi?
  • Is your phone updated?
  • Is your battery charged?
  • Is your SIM installed?
4

Select Continue.


Note: A “We need to verify your ICCID number” window displays.
5

Provide your ICCID in the field provided.

Note: This page will provide you 2 options on how to locate the ICCID:

  • Option 1: Use full ICCID number to Verify:
    • Samsung – Open Settings App > tap About Phone > Status Information > SIM card Status > ICCID
    • Google – Open Settings App > Tap About Phone > navigate to ICCID
  • 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.
6

Click Next.


Note: An “Activate your service” screen appears.
7

Verify the Visible plan and payment method you chose are displayed.

  • You can edit your choices as necessary.
  • If you are satisfied with your choices, continue to Step 8.
8

Tap the Activate button.


Note:

  • This usually takes up to 5 minutes, but could take longer.
  • A “Success” screen displays.
9

Click Continue.


Note: Once activation is complete, check to make sure your service is working.

 

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.

 

Note:


Is my device eSIM compatible?

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

 

Phone’s Brand Steps

Samsung
  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Navigate to Connections > SIM card manager.
  3. If "Add eSIM" plan is available, your phone should have eSIMs capabilities.
  4. Use the Compatibility Checker to make sure your phone can be used on the Visible network.

Google
  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Navigate to Network & Internet > Advanced > eSIM Cards.
  3. If "connect to a mobile network" has a "Download a SIM instead?" your phone should have eSIMs capabilities.
  4. Use the Compatibility Checker to make sure your phone can be used on the Visible network


Activate with an eSIM

Note:

  • If you're transferring service from one phone to another or switching from pSIM to eSIM, see Switching is simple for more details.
  • Transferring your phone number from another carrier? 
    • eSIM users: 
      • New phone – must first activate their new service before requesting a number transfer to Visible.
      • BYOD – you will be provided the option to transfer your number in or receive a new number.
    • See the Visible port-in page for more information on how to transfer your number to the Visible network.
  • To ensure the activation process goes smoothly, see the Before activation checklist.


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

 

Step Action
1

Go to your Visible account through:

Note:

  • If you bring your own phone, a “Just to confirm” screen displays.
    • Continue to Step 2.
  • If you buy a new phone from Visible, continue to Step 3.
2

Select Yes, proceed.


Note: A “Visible eSIM Card” screen displays.
3

Check off each of the following checkboxes:

  • Are you on WiFi?
  • Is your phone updated?
  • Is your battery charged?
  • Is your SIM installed?

Note:

This usually takes up to 5 minutes, but could take longer.
4

Click Activate.


Note: A “We're setting up your Visible service plan” screen displays..
5

Click Continue.


Note:

  • A “Connecting to network” screen displaying the process progress.
  • A “Success!” screen appears,when the activation ends.
6

Review your new eSIM and ensure Mobile data is toggled on.


Note: 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
  • There is no need to restart your phone.
7

Check to make sure your service is working.

 

QR Code Activation

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

 

Note:

The QR code activation option will be prompted when the initial activation process fails.


Follow these steps for a successful QR code activation.

Step Action
1

Grab a second device (computer, laptop, tablet, or another phone) to display the QR code.

  • If you don’t have a second device available, just tap Enter code and see No second device for more instruction.
2

On your second device, log into your Visible account, and head to the Account Overview section.

  • 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. 

 

Follow these steps if you do not have a second device:

 

Step Action
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.
After completing this step, go to After scanning QR code or manual QR code entry.

 

Follow these steps after scanning or manually entering the QR code:

Step Action
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.
 
Note:
  • Even if you received an error message at the end of QR code activation, complete this step.
  • There is no need to restart your phone.
  • This could take up to 15 minutes, so sit back and relax.
3 Check to make sure your service is working.


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.
 

Note:

  • Transferring your phone number from another carrier? See the Visible port-in page for more information on how to transfer your number to the Visible network.
    • SIM card users – If you have received a notification from Visible that the transfer is complete, your phone is ready for activation.
    • eSIM users – eSIM members will be able to request a number transfer as soon as their activation is complete.
  • To ensure the dual SIM activation process goes smoothly, see the Before activation checklist .

 

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




If you need assistance, feel free to reach out to the Care team through the Visible app or chat online.


Last Updated date: Sep 21, 2026