Question about getting a GoPhone SIM card for my iPhone 7 Plus

Hi there @douglerner,

I apologize about any confusion with your concerns! I am glad you reached out to the Community Forums, I can definitely help you out.

As far as obtaining the SIM card, your sister is more than welcome to pick one up on your behalf, however, for security purposes, we will need the device in person upon activation. To make this as seamless as possible, I would recommend having her purchasing a SIM card kit by clicking here. Please note, you will need to enter your IMEI of your device before ordering this!

This way, you can activate new service without the need of stopping by our store. The SIM card only costs $0.99! Once you receive it, please visit this link to activate your GoPhone and you’ll be good to go.

Best regards.

Adrian, AT&T Community Specialist

Thank you for your reply.

I have a followup question on this. My iPhone 7 Plus is an unlocked device, purchased directly from Apple. Yet I was talking to an AT&T GoPhone rep on the phone just before and after giving her my IMEI number she said my device is only eligible for post-paid accounts, not for pre-paid GoPhone accounts.

I never had a similar issue with my iPhone 6 Plus when in the U.S. I always used GoPhone. Unfortunately that SIM card has now expired and I need to get a new SIM.

Have you ever heard of iPhone 7 Pluses not being eligible to use with a GoPhone before? I really don't want to use a post-paid account. They seem to be more expensive for one thing.

Also, I followed your link just now to purchase a SIM card (to be sent to my sister's address) and it says I must also select a rate plan at the same time. Is that true? I need to go ahead an purchase the plan as well?

If so, assuming this works at all, when does the plan start? At purchase time? Or after clicking your 2nd link to activate it? How long after purchase of the SIM card do I have to activate it? My trip to the U.S. is in about 5 weeks.

Thank you.

Evening @douglerner!

I’m glad you reached out to us with questions about activations about your GoPhone. I am more than happy to assist you!

You can purchase a SIM Kit online right now for only $0.99! This link works, I checked myself. You can also go into any AT&T store and all you will have to provide is device model number. However, the prices may vary depending on which store you go to. You can find a store in your area using our Store locator tool.

If you buy the SIM online, you will only pay 99 cents plus the price for the plan of your choice, and you do have to get a plan. The plan will start when you activate your SIM and device. I believe this is the best option in this case.

To activate the device all you have to do is use our online activations portal! It’s very simple and easy to use! All you have to do is enter the SIM card number and follow the prompts on screen.

If the device is unlocked it should work with GoPhone as an unlocked phone has the ability to work with any carrier. I have never seen a case where an unlocked phone wasn’t eligible for Gophone plans.

I appreciate your time and thank you for letting me help you! Have a great rest of your day!

Adrian AT&T Community Specialist

Thank you for your reply. I also have never seen an unlocked iPhone not work with GoPhone. I used my iPhone 6 Plus just fine last year with GoPhone. Unfortuanately that SIM is expired. So what AT&T was telling me seemed very strange. (I tend to get different info from AT&T depending on who I speak with). 

With regards to purchasing a plan along with the SIM card, you say the plan will start when I activate it. I assume I can't activate it prior to arriving in the U.S. Or can I? This is also different from what I was told on the phone with the AT&T sales person. He said the "30 days" will start immediately upon purchase. I thought it would start after I activated it, as you said. And so I also wondered how long after I purchase the SIM card and plan do I have before I need to activate it? My trip isn't for another 5 weeks. I'd hate to purchase a plan and then see it all used up before I even arrive!

Another AT&T person suggested I start by filling the pre-paid plan with $45 but ordering the $0.25 per call plan and then when I arrive immediately switch to the $45/month 4 GB plan. Does that make sense? Is it necessary to do that? How would I perform the plan switch?

What would you recommend? Also, will the phone number be assigned when I purchase the SIM and plan so I can let my friends know ahead of time?

Thank you.

I never did get a final answer here. Nevertheless, I did try to order one online and was unsuccessful. You can read about my attempts at my blog and see what I finally ended up doing for my trip. Unfortunately it's not with AT&T this time.

http://lerner.net/using-my-japan-softbank-iphone-7-plus-while-traveling-in-the-u-s-america-houdai/