Telecom company Sprint Nextel encourages you to upgrade your phone every few years. If you buy a new phone, you must deactivate your old phone and activate the new one, so that it uses the right phone number and data plan. Sprint customers can use a number of ways to activate their phones, including pre-activation, online activation and telephone activation. Learn how to activate your sprint phone.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Activating New Mobile Number
Step 1. Take your new phone and charger out of their packaging
Plug the charger into a wall outlet and charge your phone according to the instructions in the box. Most cell phones recommend that you charge your phone for 8 to 12 hours before turning it on.
Step 2. Press the "power" button to turn on the phone
Wait for the information to load.
Step 3. Try to make a call by typing a number and pressing "dial
A new phone with a new phone number already activated. The phone is often shipped from a retailer to your home or purchased at a sprint store
Method 2 of 3: Upgrading to a New Phone Online
Step 1. Charge your new phone according to the instructions on the package
You must charge it for 8 to 12 hours before trying to activate it. Do not turn on the phone in the activation process until you are instructed to do so.
Step 2. Collect your new phone and old phone
You will need information from both phones to activate your number and sprint data plan on the new phone.
Step 3. Create a MySprint account online, if you haven't already
You may have created an account to pay bills or to view your data plan online.
- Visit mysprint.sprint.com/mysprint/pages/sl/common/createProfile.jsp?notMeClicked=true to register for a MySprint account using your phone number.
- The MySprint account is listed under the data plan owner. If you have a family plan and you want to have access to the account, the person running the data plan must give you permission by contacting Sprint. They can also activate the phone for you using their MySprint account.
Step 4. Log in to your MySprint account, using the login you created
Step 5. Look for the section that says "My Account
"Scroll to find the "My Devices" section near the bottom of the page.
Step 6. Look for the drop down menu next to the phone you want to turn off
Click the "Manage this Device" option and select "Activate a New Phone."
Step 7. Look for the IMEI, DEC or HEX code on the back of the box of your new phone
You only need one of the three codes to activate your phone.
If you can't find it in your phone case, you can look for it on your new phone. Remove the battery cover. Remove the battery, and look for the code on the part of the phone that is covered by the battery
Step 8. Enter your code on the activation screen
Step 9. Enter the email address you want to use to receive confirmation
Click "Continue."
Step 10. Check the information on both phones before you click "Continue" again
Step 11. Check your data plan information
You can choose to upgrade or change your current data plan. Click "Continue" again. The deactivation of your old phone and activation of your new phone will begin.
Step 12. Turn on your new phone, when it is instructed that the process is complete
Follow the setup instructions that came with the new phone to program it.
Method 3 of 3: Calling Customer Service for Activation
Step 1. Charge your new phone for 8 to 12 hours, according to the instructions on the packaging
Do not turn on your new phone until you are prompted to turn it on.
Step 2. Call the Sprint Nextel customer service number or with a cell phone that is not your old phone or the phone you want to activate
You can use someone else's landline or cell phone.
- Call Sprint for business packages at 1-888-211-4727. Call Nextsel for business packages at 1-877-639-8351.
- Call Sprint for consumer packages at 1-888-211-4727. Call Nextel for consumer packages at 1-800-639-6111.
Step 3. Collect your new phone and old phone
Find your MySprint account information or your account number, so they can access your account.
Step 4. Follow the instructions provided by the customer service representative
The instructions will be similar to the online activation instructions.
