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Again, Assurance Wireless is one of the easiest ways to get free service phone service and devices without paying anything. But as a newbie, how do I activate my Assurance Wireless phone online by myself?
Similar to Access Wireless or Safelink and even paid carriers like Google Fi or Verizon, the lifeline service has an option to activate your devices online. And compared with the others, the method is usually easier, plus has a higher success rate if done right.
In addition to that, online activation requires no involvement in customer support. You can also do it any time, including late at night if that’s when you have free time.
In this article, I’ve put together everything you need to activate the Assurance Wireless phone online even with no techie skills. But not all customers will have access to the online activation option. Thus, I’ve also highlighted the alternative ways you can get your device working offline.
The Activation Process is the Same for All Phone Brands
First, Assurance Wireless still hasn’t introduced BYOD (bring your own device) or updated the Web store. You can only use the device they’ve sent, whether you’re a new customer (activating service for the first time) or an existing user (activating an upgrade/ replacement phone).
Meanwhile, the free touchscreen government phones that Assurance sends aren’t always the same. You can get the standard Wiko Life, Unimax, T-Mobile Revvl 4 (TCL), or any other entry-level device.
But even with different brands, the activation process for lifeline phones is pretty much universal. And that applies to either of the methods you use: via automated calling system, Online, or through live customer care.
New Customers Can’t Activate Assurance Wireless Online
Sadly, yes, Assurance Wireless hasn’t yet made it possible for new customers to activate their phones online. In this case, you’ll have to complete setting up your device via the automated call system or with a live customer representative agent.
Method 1: How to Activate Assurance Wireless Phone via Automated Call System
At this point, I’m assuming you’ve already applied and qualified for the Assurance Wireless phone. I’m also assuming the mail from the lifeline company has also arrived at your door. So, you already have:
- The new smartphone (flip phones no longer provided)
- Your new Assurance Wireless SIM Card packet
- The Assurance Wireless approval letter (contains your Account PIN)
Once you’ve confirmed the above items are present, proceed to activate your Assurance Wireless phone. The phone should be fully charged before you initiate the process.
What to Do:
- Once the phone is charged, locate and eject the SIM Card tray (use the provided SIM Card removal tool or paper clip). Then insert the new Assurance Wireless SIM
- Next, press and hold the power button to turn it on
- Give the phone a couple of minutes (5-10) to complete the initial hands-free activation on the Assurance Wireless network. The device may also check and install updates (which will prompt it to power off and turn back on)
- After the phone switches on fully, it will need a quick setup to customize the various settings you’d like to use. You can skip options such as setting the screen lock pattern/ password, Google Account synchronization, display adjustment, et cetera.
- Dial the automated customer care number 611 and follow the prerecorded audio instructions to complete the activation.
- When prompted to enter “Your Assurance Wireless Account PIN”, input the unique 6-digit code printed at the top of your approval letter.
- If the Account PIN is correct, your phone should complete activating and your device will be ready for use. Let any of the pending updates (perhaps waiting for a network connection) finish to enjoy a smooth service
Method 2: How to Activate Assurance Wireless Phone via Live Customer Care
If for any reason Method (1) doesn’t work, you can also speak to a live person at Assurance Wireless to help in activation. The standard protocol in this method is usually to call the toll-free number 1-888-321-5880, then enter your number when prompted.
But to connect to a rep faster, I’d recommend you play as someone joining the service for the first time without a phone number.
So, when you dial the toll-free number 1-888-321-5880, wait for the prompt to “Press pound (#) if you don’t have a number”. Then Press 5 to get to the main menu and choose the option to get a new phone number.
When finally connected to a customer rep, explain the issue you’ve encountered when trying to do the activation. The rep will ask you a couple of questions to verify your identity. But in the end, she will help activate your device relatively faster.
How to Activate My Assurance Wireless Phone Online
In a nutshell, the only way how to activate an Assurance Wireless phone online is if you’re an existing customer. Thus, it’s applicable where you want to upgrade your outdated device- which is pretty obvious considering phones given are usually low-end models. Or else where you want to replace a damaged, lost, or stolen phone.
Also, this means the steps we used to activate Assurance Wireless replacement phone apply here too:
The items You’ll Need:
- A New SIM Card (on T-Mobile Network)
- ICCID number of the new SIM Card
- The new upgrade/ replacement smartphone
- Your 6-Digit Assurance Wireless Account PIN
- Any working phone or laptop with an internet connection
What You’ll Need to Do:
Just like when you activate your Assurance Wireless phone offline, the online approach also calls for a full charge before starting. A 50% charge could work on some smartphones. But considering Assurance Wireless sends low-end phones that aren’t very promising on performance, a full charge will be more reliable.
Then:
Step 1: Wait for the Initial Hands-free Activation to Complete
Once you have fully charged your new Assurance Wireless phone, turn it on. Then allow the initial hands-free activation (to connect the device to the network) to finish.
Step 2: Update the Phone to the Latest Firmware
At the end of the hands-free activation, your phone may automatically check and install updates. If not, update the device manually by going to the Phone settings>> About phone>> System Update. Then click the “System Update” tab again and again until no more updates are available.
Step 3: Customize Your Phone Settings (optional)
When the phone does the last update, it will restart to apply the new settings. If the phone doesn’t restart automatically, press the power button and do it manually.
After the phone is on again, you’ll get screen prompts to customize the performance features and settings. But for now, you can skip them so you can first complete the Assurance Wireless activation.
Step 4: Sign in to Your Assurance Wireless Account
The process to activate your Assurance Wireless phone online will now start by signing in to your online account.
So, get the other working phone or laptop (with an internet connection) and visit Assurancewireless.com. Then click the “My Account” tab on the top of the page and enter your phone number to log in.
Tip: if using a smartphone, the “My Account” tab is hidden under the ellipsis (three lines) on the top right.
Step 5: Enter & Confirm Your Assurance Wireless ICCID Number
Once logged in to your Assurance Wireless account, you’ll see a bold “Activate Now” button. And when you tap this button, you’ll get a prompt to enter the ICCID number.
(The ICCID is the 19 or 20-digit code printed on the back of your SIM Card plate. You can also find it on the packaging of the SIM).
Once you have the SIM ID number, enter and reenter it in the appropriate input box. Then click the “Next” button.
Step 6: Review Your Free Assurance Wireless Service Plan
On the new page that pops up, Assurance Wireless will display your free service plan. If you registered for both Lifeline and ACP Benefit, confirm you’re getting a free cell phone service for unlimited everything. Then for Lifeline-only, you’ll have 6GB of data (here in California) or 2GB (for most other states).
If the service plan displayed matches what you should be getting, tap the “Next” button to complete the activation. You’ll get a success message, which indicates your Assurance Wireless phone has finished activating.
Step 7: Finally, Grab Your Phone & Start Making Calls
At this point, your Assurance Wireless phone should have signal bars. If not, restart the device to make sure the changes take effect.
And when the phone is back on, you can now start making calls, texting, or browsing through the web and social media.
The New Assurance Wireless Phone List
In conclusion, that’s everything on how to activate an Assurance Wireless phone online at any time, anywhere. And one thing we can agree on is that it’s pretty much straightforward, provided you have internet and ICCID.
Even so, it’s still inconvenient that Assurance Wireless doesn’t have BYOP support or a web store you can get your desired device. The phones the lifeline company is still giving are entry-level brands that only have specs enough for basic communication.
We’d have hoped the new T-Mobile acquisition will improve things a bit. But the backup T-Mobile REVVL 4 (which is a TCL-branded phone) Assurance has started handing out recently is still not ideal.
For instance, the smartphone has a lower mainstream Mediatek Helio A22 processor, 32GB/ 2GB built-in memory, and video recording at 1080p. It has no latest features like NFC chipset for digital payments and content sharing, eSIM, waterproofness, or 5G support.
Other brands of phone that Assurance gives you when you apply include:
- Unimax U696CL 16GB Cell Phone
- Wiko Life 3 Android Go Smartphone
- Schok Volt SV55 16GB LTE Phone
