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A Beginner's Guide To Straight Talk

If you’re new to Straight Talk, learn how to set up and activate your phone with this guide.

You’ve heard that Straight Talk can save you money, and you’re ready to see what we’re all about. Now what? We’ll guide you through the process of buying a phone and service plan through Straight Talk to help make the process quick and easy.

Quick answer: If you’re looking for an affordable service plan with great coverage, you’ve come to the right place. Seamlessly switch to Straight Talk by choosing a phone, picking a service plan, and activating your phone.

Woman drinking coffee while scrolling through phone

1. Choose your phone.

Take some time to browse our extensive selection of mobile phones, and consider your specific needs. Looking for a top-of-the-line camera? You’ll probably want to stick with a recent release. If you’re just interested in a phone that will get the job done, you’ll find plenty of budget-conscious models, too. You can also keep on using your current phone thanks to our Keep Your Own Phone program – just make sure it’s compatible with Straight Talk, and purchase a compatible SIM to prepare it for use on Straight Talk’s networks.

2. Pick a service plan.

For avid video streamers and social media users, check out our $55 Ultimate Unlimited plan, which eliminates the high-speed data cap.

When choosing your service plan, the primary decision you’ll have to make is how much high-speed data you’ll need. Fortunately, we offer a range of plans to cater to a variety of smartphone owners. For a low-cost option, our $35 Unlimited Nationwide plan offers 2GB of high-speed data along with unlimited calling and texting. Avid streamers and nonstop social media browsers may prefer our $55 Ultimate Unlimited plan, which eliminates the high-speed data cap. Plus, there’s no contract necessary, so if you’re ready to switch to a different plan, you’re free to do so.

3. Activate your phone.

Straight Talk’s activation process is simple – you’ll just need your service plan and phone on hand. Start by navigating to the Straight Talk activation portal, and choose which type of device you’ll be activating. Bringing your own phone? You’ll need to enter your SIM number. If you purchased a phone through Straight Talk, you’ll be prompted to enter the IMEI, MEID, or serial number displayed on the red activation card that comes with every phone. Finally, after following the remaining activation instructions, you’ll be ready to enjoy the benefits of Straight Talk’s convenient, contract-free phone service.

It’s a simple process, but if you need help along the way, we’re standing by to answer your questions and provide clarification. Contact us by phone or online for customer support.