How do you activate a prepaid phone using a $30 refill card?

Go ahead and select a plan, you should not be required to pay for it at activation. Once the phone and SIM card is activated and a number is assigned, you can log into your account and apply the funds from the card.

When I try to activate the phone, the prompts require me to select a monthly plan. The store sold me a $30 prepaid card and told me I could activate with that. I don't have a credit card to pay for an ongoing plan. Help? 

We can help with that, @HarryS4!

We want to advise that you will want to follow these instructions to activate your AT&T PREPAID account. This should get you started with your service.

Also, here's how to apply that refill amount using an AT&T PREPAID card (includes GoPhone Refill Card) online:

1. Sign in to your AT&T PREPAID account.
2. Select Make a Payment.
3. Scroll to AT&T PREPAID Refill Card and enter the PREPAID PIN from the back of the card.
4. Select Continue. You'll see a payment confirmation.

Give this a try and let us know how it worked for you!

Lar, AT&T Community Specialist

It turns out that I had to select a monthly plan. Then, I added the card value to the account. Then I could switch my plan to a daily/ per call plan. That worked..

@HarryS4

You mean just as @sandblaster  wrote?

🤔

Hello @HarryS4,

Thank you for reaching out to the community forum team, and letting us know your inquiry was resolved.

Should you require assistance in the future, please reach back out to us as we're here to help! 

Jeff, AT&T Community Specialist