Activate a sim card outside the US.

@Krisblessed It sounds like you are talking about a prepaid SIM card. You can activate the SIM card from China but you won’t get service until you are in the US. Prepaid service does not work outside the US except in Canada and Mexico.

There is no such thing as a no contract SIM card. It is either a SIM card for prepaid or postpaid service. As already explained, if it is for prepaid you can activate it but it it won’t work in China. If it is for postpaid service and you already have an account and plan, then you can activate it. If you don’t yet have an account or plan, you won’t be able to activate it and it is not possible to sign up for an account and plan from China.

Hello @Krisblessed,

It does not matter if the device is Prepaid or not, AT&T SIM cards only work when in range of AT&T towers. If you want the SIM card to work outside the country you would still need an international plan, on top of your domestic AT&T plan.

For what you’re trying to do, it would be best to get a local compatible SIM to use with your AT&T phone.

Jax, AT&T Community Specialist

Hello @Krisblessed,

Welcome to the Community Forums! I can definitely address your concern for you.

AT&T SIM cards are made to connect to AT&T towers, if you want to use the SIM outside of the United States, you would need an international plan; otherwise, you would be charged international roaming rates.

If you have any other questions, please od not hesitate to let us know!

Jax, AT&T Community Specialist

Thank you for your reply. I don't know whether it is related to prepaid services or not. But I use unlocked phone and I plan to buy a no contract sim card.

  So it is not a prepaid phone. It is like ' bring your own device' , and I would like to know if I could activate the sim card in China.

Thanks a lot for your reply.

I have AT&T prepaid card with plan: $65 Unlimited Monthly Plan

I am now in Poland and want to get SMS from US on this card - which plan should I have to be able to use this SIM card outside US ?

I want to use AT*T Prepaid SIM Card in Europe - I have this  : $65 Unlimited Monthly Plan

What I have to do be able to use this SIM card in Europe ?

Good morning

I have the same problem, please somebody can help?

Thank you

I have a USA ATT sim card that has global roaming on it. I am in Singapore now and the card will not work? I have a roaming plan attached to my SIM card with local carrier roaming plan. The sim is in a Huawei Mate 20 phone and says that I can only make emergency calls. Is there a setting that I need to consider or make a change to ? Reset my phone?

Thank you!