How do I activate and set up my new SIM?

1. Put your SIM in your device and switch it on – if you need help, find out how to insert a SIM

2. You’ll be able to use your phone when it has signal and the Vodafone symbol – this can take up to 24 hours, but it's usually much faster.

3. Top up your phone to start using it.

4. Register for a My Vodafone account to top up faster next time, get VeryMe Rewards and more. Download our free My Vodafone app (for iOS, Android or Huawei) for control on the go.

5. If you have a free SIM, simply top up to activate it

You won’t be able to make or receive calls, send or receive texts, use data, or use our network until you top up or buy a bundle.

1. Put your SIM in your device and switch it on – if you need help, find out how to insert a SIM

2. If you have an eSIM, find out how to activate and set up a device with an eSIM or swap from an existing SIM to an eSIM

3. You’ll be able to use your phone when it has signal and the Vodafone symbol – this can take up to 24 hours, but it's usually much faster.

4. Register for a My Vodafone account to manage your account, including checking usage, changing your plan, and accessing 24/7 support from TOBi.

1. Put your SIM into your device and switch it on – if you need help, find out how to insert a SIM

2. You’ll be able to use your phone when it has signal and the Vodafone symbol – this can take up to 24 hours, but it's usually much faster.

3. If you're transferring your device from another network, you might need to get a Network Unlock Code (NUC) from your old provider to unlock it before you can use it with us.

4. And finally, complete your registration for My Vodafone to get VeryMe Rewards, manage your extras and more. Download our free My Vodafone app (for iOS, Android or Huawei) for control on the go.

If you have an Indoor Hub, you’ll have to insert your nano-SIM into your Hub. If you have an Outdoor Hub, your SIM should come pre-installed.

How to insert my 5G Broadband SIM

Once your Hub is connected to power, your SIM will be up and running. It can take 24 hours to activate from buying, but it’s usually much faster. Not getting any internet? Check our troubleshooting fixes

Find out how to activate and set up your device with eSIM

Or swap from an existing SIM to an eSIM

​Share your mobile plan with your smartwatch with our quick Get Connected guide.

Please note: your watch must be a cellular model (not a WiFi-only model) to share your plan.

If your smartwatch isn’t a model with cellular connectivity, you can still pair it with your phone. Head over to our Device Guides, choose your smartwatch, then search for activate. Once paired, you’ll be able to use your watch to do things like make and receive calls, but your watch must be near your phone and connected by Bluetooth.

If you currently have a non-cellular smartwatch, and want to use cellular features, you’ll have to replace your device with a cellular model.

There are two different ways to activate your mobile broadband, depending on which device you have:

1. Set up and activate your data dongle

2. Set up and activate your mobile WiFi

If your old SIM fits your new device, you can keep using it.

If it doesn't fit, you need to activate your new SIM:

1. Log in to My Vodafone to quickly and easily swap your SIM. Or, if you can’t log in or get texts on your original phone number, head to our SIM activation form instead.

2. Put your new SIM into your device and switch it on – if you need help, find out how to insert a SIM

3. You’ll be able to use your phone when it has signal and the Vodafone symbol – this can take up to 24 hours, but it's usually much faster.

You can keep using your old SIM and device until you can't make calls, send texts or use data on it − at that point, you'll know your new SIM has been activated.

For more information on how to swap your SIM card, you can watch our video

It’s quick and easy to set up your free Pay as you go SIM. Choose your bundle and top it up to activate your SIM

If you’re activating a new SIM after your phone was lost or stolen, head over to our SIM swap page

You’ll also need to turn off any bars that were put on your account

Found your device? See what to do next on our lost and stolen page

If you’re activating or ordering a new SIM, head over to our SIM swap page

If you have 5G Broadband and there’s an issue with your SIM – chat to us