How to Use Your iPhone on an At&t Prepaid Plan

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How to Use Your iPhone on an At&t Prepaid Plan

For $50 you can get 1Gb of data, unlimited texts & 250 minutes of calls a month — no taxes, no commitments. There were better deals but AT&T keeps playing bait-n-switch on prepaid plans. :(

Skylar Woodward

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Step 1 of 34

First we'll cover setting up the plan on your iPhone, then cover tips to help keep your data and minutes down to a reasonable amount. To start, you need an AT&T or unlocked iPhone.

Step 2 of 34

Go to an AT&T store (or website) and sign up for the $25/250 minute prepaid plan (aka GoPhone). Tell them you already have your own phone. Don't tell them you have an iPhone, it confuses things.

Step 3 of 34

AT&T will sell you a SIM card for $25. No worries — this is a $25 prepaid credit that we will use soon enough.

Step 4 of 34

Punch out the SIM card.

Step 5 of 34

If you have an iPhone 4 or newer you'll need to size down the SIM to a micro SIM. Some stores have a punch tool & will do this for you, or you can buy one for $5 online.

Step 6 of 34

Alternatively, you can carve out a micro SIM with an X-acto knife using your current micro SIM as a template. Make sure all the contacts line up properly and don't cut the chip!

Step 7 of 34

Now it's time insert the new SIM into your iPhone. Start by turning off your cellular data connection (under Settings > General > Network).

Step 8 of 34

Nexr, grab a small paper clip and bend out the outer end 90 degrees.

Step 9 of 34

Use the end of the paper clip to open the SIM tray on your iPhone.

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Swap in the new SIM and insert the tray back in to the phone.

Step 11 of 34

If all goes well you'll see the AT&T signal meter in the top left of your screen.

Step 12 of 34

By default, iPhones are not configured to use the GoPhone data proxy. In the next few steps we will update the carrier settings so you can use an AT&T pre-paid data plan on iPhone.

Step 13 of 34

Open Safafi and navigate to http://unlockit.co.nz/ — you'll see the screen above. Click "Continue".

Step 14 of 34

On the next screen, choose "Custom APN".

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On the last screen, "United States" should already be selected. Choose "AT&T" for the carrier then click "Create Profile".

Step 16 of 34

Safari will exit and prompt you to install the custom APN settings. Click "Install" and your phone is all ready for a data plan!

Step 17 of 34

Now we'll configure your GoPhone account with a data plan and add some credits for calling.

Step 18 of 34

Visit myprepaidrefill.com

Step 19 of 34

Log in using your assigned phone number (printed on the purchase receipt for the SIM) and the last 4 digits of the number as your password. (If this password doesn't work, just reset it online.)

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Choose "Add Money/Features".

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Add the 1GB option for $25. This is plenty of data for most usage patterns if you keep downloads and streaming to a minimum while you are on the go.

Step 22 of 34

You'll be asked to enter a credit card to pay for the data plan. Your account balance should be at zero now.

Step 23 of 34

Enable cellular data again and you're ready to start using your new plan! And look at that, you even have fancy "4G" (HSPA+) data…

Step 24 of 34

Reset your Cellular Data counter so you can track your data usage (Settings > General > Usage > Cellular Usage). It'll be less than you think, but here are some tips that'll help keep things in check…

Step 25 of 34

Keeping Calls & Data Costs Under Control

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First, avoid keeping too much money in your account. AT&T can never take more money than you put in. This is a plus over post-paid where you can be surprised by a nasty bill if you exceed your limits.

Step 27 of 34

Get a free Google Voice number at voice.google.com and use the app to make calls & send text messages. You can also use Talkatone to make free calls when you are on WiFi! Saves you text & call costs.

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You can make free calls from your Google Voice number using Gmail too…

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…or using a traditional telephone with an ObiTalk box!

Step 30 of 34

You have 250 minutes free each month. If you go over, calls are 10c/minute. And, no taxes! You also have unlimited text messaging which is handy.

Step 31 of 34

Streaming video, especially HD video like HBO Go, eats data fast. Watch those at home on WiFi and sync some TED talks or podcast episodes to watch while you're on the go.

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Streaming music isn't so bad but works out to about 15c a song to stream. (Even on traditional plans it's hardly better at 7c/song). Sync playlists for the commute using iTunes or apps like Rdio.

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Also, avoid downloading apps over your cellular connection. Update at home or when you have free WiFi.

Step 34 of 34

And that's about it. Let me know in the comments how it works out for you!

You're Done

Check out other guides by this author!

Skylar Woodward

San Francisco

larw.com/

I like coffee, biking, making things & climbing things.

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AT&T prepaid SIM card

Unlocked or AT&T iPhone

Home Internet connection

X-acto knife or Micro-SIM punch tool

it worked out but the only problem is that my service got shitty, what can i do about it?

Ričards Avakovs 5 days ago

Skylar, this guide was a life saver. Exactly what i needed. I am having trouble sending picture messages. Shouldn't I be able to do this???

Tippy Canoe last week

this guide is still valid for iPhone5...:-)

Jamar Allen 4 weeks ago

Is this guide still valid? And can it be used with Iphone 4S? Thanks

Cynthia Psalti 4 weeks ago

Hi,thx you gave the great tip! The question is now the prepaid of AT&T plan had new one which is $50 all unlimited . So can I do the same way as you showed to us, if do so it will be have unlimited data and calls but the same price $50! Lol

Fan Deng 2 months ago

***Word of advice NEVER call At&t customer service line and tell them that you have an iphone or blackberry. They will cut the data on your phone without telling you****They might ask for an imei just give them random #'s.

Alchemist Alcehmy 2 months ago

Oh I just loved this... I wanna tell everyone.

Alain Gonzalez 2 months ago

I need help I. The data part

Gabriel Barraza 3 months ago

Ok so I go open AT&T account tell them i got my own phone then what ?

Gabriel Barraza 3 months ago

Yes

Ely Golden 3 months ago

Update this guide again

Gabriel Barraza 3 months ago

I think so. But I think the 4s uses a regular SIM card if I remember right. I used to have it...

Crystal MizzFabulous 3 months ago

Can yu use this with an iPhone 4s?

Kristen Black 3 months ago

If I already have an active prepaid AT&T account. What do I do? Please help

Hunter Conrow 3 months ago

This did not work for me and my iPhone 4.

Kristie Decker 3 months ago

Ok. I am confused as to what plan I tell them I want?

Kristie Decker 3 months ago

If you already have a micro sim use it.

Crystal MizzFabulous 3 months ago

Do I have to chop my sim card into a micro sim card or can I just use the micro sim they gave me from the store? Please help!

Kristie Decker 3 months ago

If I already pay 50 a month on a go phone plan would I be able to just put my sim card in a I phone 4?

Nick Sibley 3 months ago

This worked on my iPhone 4. I have a question though, after you have purchase a data plan, while you are on wifi does the data usage from wifi be also included on your data plan?

Minh Ngo 4 months ago

This worked for me and my iPhone 4! Thank you so much.

Erum Khan 4 months ago

Will it work with the iphone 5 from at@t?

Darlene Hernandez 4 months ago

works great but if I decide to get the iphone 5 do i have to redo everything?

Linda Sanchirico-Haggerty 4 months ago

Does the phone have to be through AT&T.?

Bre Knipp 4 months ago

My AT&T phone is still active but its costing me way to much, can i turn it into prepaid or unlock it to change carriers for prepaid?

Erica Bowers 4 months ago

Seems great,I'll try

Qian Toby 4 months ago

L. Adkins

Chris Mitchell 4 months ago

It totally works on my iPhone 4s! Thanks so much!

Yi-Shin Sheu 4 months ago

Does this work with Verizon?

Dan Hellerstedt 4 months ago

A M A Z I N G, Skylar! I am extremely impressed by your extensive knowledge! I do hope your employer is aware of your "value" to their business and reflects that into your salary!! Well... actually, you're probably the CEO, LoL!! Thanks for creating this informative and money-saving guide! Please continue to share your wisdom. °\(ッ)/° Wishes of bliss, for you and yours!

Jada Edwards 4 months ago

Thanks for the info!

Erum Khan 4 months ago

Very useful! I live in Canada so this is better if I decide to travel. Not fully sure of all the details.

Ely Golden 4 months ago

Does this work with Samsun Galaxy II? Also, when I log in to the AT&T website to purchase a data package, it tells me this: To complete this transaction and add Data 1GB Feature Package to your account you must change your current rate plan. Any services included in your existing rate plan will be lost. Please select a Rate plan from the list below. $25 Monthly Plan $50 Monthly Unlimited Plan

Brad McCoy 5 months ago

Can I get an unlimited plan?

Antonio Toscano 5 months ago

Followed your guidance...stuck on Step 7 and 11. Steps 8 - 10 show how to trim and insert SIM card. No known problems -- it seems to fit perfectly into the SIM card slot. However, when I go to Settings > General... the "Network" option is greyed out and no option to change that setting. I tried this multiple times. Power off, back on. Skipped ahead to Step 11 - 16. Those steps seemed to work. The problem is step 7 failed - SIM card not recognized. As info, I'm using brand new Unlocked iPhone 4s purchased direct form Apple.com. Prepaid AT&T SIM card purchased from local corporate store today. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

g haynes 5 months ago

Hi, thank you for the helpful guide. I just got a new iphone 4s international version and it's not activated yet. Can I just buy a prepaid AT&T sim card to activate it and use the phone like in the guide? Thank you!

Tommy Krist 5 months ago

Is this guide up to date or any steps circumvented bt AT&T ?

Shekar Reddy 5 months ago

Does this work with a cellular iPad AT&T ?

Shekar Reddy 5 months ago

Shekar, no but you might need to change the APN settings back using the website in the guide.

Skylar Woodward (author) 5 months ago

This is amazing! Does this mess up the iPhone - if I want to get back on a regular plan or sell my iPhone, will it become unusable?

Shekar Reddy 5 months ago

I followed all the steps and purchased the $25 unlimited talk and text pre paid card, but I am still getting charged .20 a text. What am I doing wrong?

Tony Nuñez 5 months ago

Thank you for the guide. There is a company called straight talk, which uses AT&T network, and its really good. For unlimited data calls and text just $45 a month pre pied.

Raed A 5 months ago

Great guide works for me

Tsian Sun 5 months ago

Unfortunately, you can't use an unlimited data plan with this. AT&T detects you have a smartphone and blocks it. You'll have to buy one of the data packages (1GB, etc.). Hopefully the added tips help keep you well under 1GB per month. It's probably less idea for people who need a lot more than this.

Skylar Woodward (author) 5 months ago

Does this still work?? I was given a iPhone 4 and would love to do this. The phone IS at&t, does it need to be unlocked? Thanks!

Eric Nyman 6 months ago

Ok thanks for the response

Kendrick Sinegal 6 months ago

lousi & gabino, yes. kendrick, I've heard MMS is possible, but I've never tried since I don't use MMS.

Skylar Woodward (author) 6 months ago

Skylar is there a way to make your mms work on AT&T prepaid plans?

Kendrick Sinegal 6 months ago

Can you do this with a iPhone 3GS?

Gabino Beltran 6 months ago

does this in general still work? because I have an iPhone 4s and that would be just amazing!

lousi ba 6 months ago

Rob, indeed! Too bad I can't share it so someone can update it. Technology changes so fast…

Skylar Woodward (author) 6 months ago

Your article is quite out of date. It's missing a big section on how to get MMS working if you're on iOS 6. Which requires a ton of T-Mobile SIM card swap trickery. You should look into updating this SnapGuide.

Rob Rayburn 6 months ago

Great guide. Does this work if I already have a gophone account, refilled every 90 days, with ATT, using an old dumb-phone. Do I need to set up a new ATT account to do the $50/month plan?

Robert Weisberg 6 months ago

Nice Guide! I have an iphone 3GS and want to do this. I currently have an ATT plan with ATT phone number. Should there be any hitch to doing this and keeping the same number?

Joey O'Loughlin 6 months ago

i have an at&t pay as you go smart phone now and i buy the $50 unlimited talk and text card and a $25 data card every month. Im wanting to get an iphone 4 and i was wanting to know if the iphone 4 will work on the same pay as you go plan that i do now??

Matt Gailey 6 months ago

My noble question for you is this: if I have an AT&T SIM card that's on a family plan, and pop it in an unlocked or AT&T phone, will it work? I can't find an answer anywhere... Great guide though, thanks!

Jonathan Alumbaugh 6 months ago

I think it has to be a 4S for the "4G" speeds. It's called HSPA+ and it's really fast but not quite as fast as LTE on the newest devices.

Skylar Woodward (author) 7 months ago

4G on iPhone 4? How is that possible?!

Johann Lo 7 months ago

Something like this! Thank you so much. I'm gonna try this!

Alejandro De Leon 7 months ago

Finally! I was waiting for

Alejandro De Leon 7 months ago

Any idea why I am unable to receive text messages with photos? Otherwise this is amazing! Thank you!!!

David Ciotti 7 months ago

Dave - works for me, but yes the UI has changed for that site...

Skylar Woodward (author) 7 months ago

ill type the address in on my iphone and it takes mr to something different that wont work ive tried several times it never pops up what its supposed to

David Rogers 7 months ago

FYI, AT&T pulled a nasty bait and switch last week that now forces you to pay $20 more for effectively the same setup. You have to but at least 250 minutes of talk time a month at $25 (which most people don't need) before you can add a data plan. I need to update the guide or delete it. Really rotten move by AT&T.

Skylar Woodward (author) last year

tried the $25/month + $25/data & loved it. upgraded to $50/unlimited & thought I could get away without paying for the data but the data on the $50 plan doesn't work on iphone... danggg . anyone has a solution?

Jason Nguyen last year

U should use viber 2, I don't have a freakin phone, so b it

Melissa Wuyun last year

I'm almost hyperventilating over this awesome news!!! Thank you!!!

Isabel Ruvalcaba last year

Christine, the other way to look at it is you can buy whichever new phone you want when you want! You won't get the carrier discount (usually up to $250 or so) but many people will save that much in under 4 months.

Skylar Woodward (author) last year

The downside is though that you won't be eligible for a new phone unless you sign up eventually with a new contract... You could buy a phone on ebay but it's just something to consider.

Cristine Pauline last year

You can also stretch your $25 for more than a month if you are using less than 500 Mb of data. Just add 10 Mb for $5 before the expiration date and your unused megabytes will roll over.

Eugene Ozhinsky last year

You are a genius my friend! Excellent guide, gonna have to try this!

Brandon Billeci-Morales last year

Hey skylar, I have currently been doing this with my 3GS for about 4 months now and love it. Although I haven't done the data plan part. I've just used the 25 a month plan. Now it seems like more than I need after I read your guide. One question though, will the data plan improve my call signal at all? It's the only gripe that I have right now. Thanks!

Liz Wigton last year

I will give simple mobile a shot some time soon n then give u guys a shout back...

Ike Okeke last year

Thanks

Ike Okeke last year

Ike probably not Boost, but you might try a different forum for that question. Tmobile will work if the phone is unlocked but not at 3G or faster speeds.

Skylar Woodward (author) last year

What other network can I use on my iPhone... Can boost mobile work on my iPhone?

Ike Okeke last year

Brian, I'm sure they already know. They launched a "fusion" campaign for pre-paid android phones so hopefully they just continue to make it easier in the future for iPhone users to do pre-paid!

Skylar Woodward (author) last year

I have an iPod but it sucks because I can only get wifi when I am near a hot spot so I can't even do gigwalk or other appa

Dazz J last year

Me tip

A K9 last year

That's cool. I don't have an iPhone but that's an aweso

A K9 last year

Great info, great guide. :)

Jeff Stiefer last year

Thanks Skylar. I think I might do it

David Pavlicko last year

This is nice if I ever get an iphone, but in the meantime, my ipod touch works to satisfaction.

Peter Jaremsek last year

The bigger concern is that AT&T might start explicitly blocking iPhone use. They've done so in the past for postpaid plans. I had an unlocked phone on a generic postpaid plan for quite a while, but in late 2009 they started identifying iPhones by their IMEI numbers and requiring their official iPhone data plans in order to use their network at all.

Jonathan Ragan-Kelley last year

You shouldn't even need to keep very close tabs on your data usage—if you go over 500mb before 30 days pass, you just re-up, effectively starting your next round early.

Jonathan Ragan-Kelley last year

You are a genius! Great info.

Kathryn Tatom last year

Hey skylar, Viber is a great app to utilize as well.

In AC last year

Make a guide for Austrailia! Maybe some of the tips apply?

Skylar Woodward (author) last year

We don't have AT&T in Aus 😁

Jess Moorhouse last year

interesting. like in, interestingly good.

Walter Punsapy last year

Zack, great question. You'll have to ask AT&T if they will port your number to go phone. Likely. But better yet you can port it to Google Voice and never have to worry with that again…

Skylar Woodward (author) last year

Skylar great post. With the go phone do I have to get a new phone number?

Zack Turner last year

Daniel, chances are u still come out ahead if your contract still has 6 months or more.

Skylar Woodward (author) last year

This is so useful, I only wish I knew before I got locked into a plan!

Daniel Raffel last year

A couple more notes - it's clear that iPhones are not supported by AT&T on GoPhone. So it's a bit more DIY on the customer service side and you run the risk they could block iPhones from this the future. Others have been doing this since at least August 2011, and me, for a couple months. I don't feel as though I've compromised at all on data usage though I am more diligent about getting on local WiFi.

Skylar Woodward (author) last year

David, I tried to cover most of the trade-offs in the guide. The biggest downside may be that you have to keep closer tabs on your usage. In most cases the downsides are better than the comparing post-paid downside. Example - you have to remember to refill your account each month but AT&T sends you a handy txt rather than a paper bill. If you use all your pre-paid data you pay per MB which is expensive but you can limit that via your balance rather than be surprised on overages on your next bill. If you are a heavy text and call user — and you choose to use Google Voice — the biggest downside is loss of the native phone integration on iPhone. But you can always choose the 25/250 plan instead. In the end it is really hard to pay more this way than with a contract. Pay for the conveniences you want and it is easy to adapt as habits change.

Skylar Woodward (author) last year

Dan, that sounds incriminating. :) More specifics?

Skylar Woodward (author) last year

Oh man, this is really tempting. Are there any downsides I should be aware of... ?

David Pavlicko last year

How long have you been doing this?

Dan Yu last year

This is awesome!

Greg Cohn last year

Be first to comment on Step 1.

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Oh ok, cool, thanks!

Evelyn Zabawa last year

AT&T will happily sell you a micro-SIM card if you ask

Eugene Ozhinsky last year

Where online?

Evelyn Zabawa last year

°\(ッ)/° €ηנℴƴ ƴℴüґ ∂αƴ!

Jada Edwards 4 months ago

I would have never thought of that! Thanks!

Jada Edwards 4 months ago

*but, not bug 😜

H42EL - 7 months ago

Interesting... Are you sure? Currently i have a original micro sim, bug In the past I've used a carved up sim and never noticed any difference in battery life. Maybe things are different in europe? Also, I'd recommend penciling in the micro card size, then using the knife with a ruler to score the cuts- then snap them off by hand and smooth with a nail file. Worked for me.

H42EL - 7 months ago

Don't do that. The standard SIM card has way to much electric power (volt) and will drain the battery of the iPhone. Standard sim has 3 volt and micro has 1,5 volt. You will HALF your battery

Felix Vau 7 months ago

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So you think a TMobile SIM can be used with an iPhone?

Megan Dooley Fisher 4 months ago

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Really good and useful

Joopalli Rao 2 months ago

Since data plan is currently off, this step performed with Wi-Fi right?

Shamsul Amar 5 months ago

So do you need to purchase software for this part? My phone says no matches when I type in this address. When I go to the sight on my computer it asks for money to complete.

Sarah Fahlin 5 months ago

Be first to comment on Step 14.

i have the iphone 5 and the website is a little diffrent i clicked the att (payg) option for the carrier and installed the profile is that ok?

jordan sims 6 months ago

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Moza, the screenshot is out of date...

Skylar Woodward (author) 4 months ago

What i see from the screenshot is that there is no any data plan package with 1GB .. any clarification?

Moza . 4 months ago

Actually they just changed the options this week to force people to pay more for data. I need to update the guide or delete it. AT&T is sleazy when it come to things like this. It was a nasty bait & switch. The same option suddenly costs $20 more since you must now buy voice minutes you don't need.

Skylar Woodward (author) last year

A warning comes up saying the plan doesn't support it - just triple checking it will definitely work?

Maddi N last year

NOTE: It also appears any unused data will roll over to the next month if you renew your data plan before the 30 days are up.

Skylar Woodward (author) last year

The 450 minute plan (the cheapest subscription plan) is $39.99, or over $45 after taxes and fees. So the rate is about the same — 10c/min. Point is, it is hard save on calls by subscribing.

Skylar Woodward (author) last year

10c a min is 10 min a dollar. That's 50 min for 5 bucks. I don't get it?

Javier Afanador last year

Can not get the data to work? What am i doing wrong??? Help Please!!

Tippy Canoe last month

That's an iPhone/AT&T naming quirk. Noticeably faster than 3G but not as fast as LTE. You can decide if that counts as "4G.". :)

Skylar Woodward (author) last year

Are the speeds still at 3G? Or is it 4G?

Ryan Griffith last year

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Can you still call and text using the Prepaid Account

Bryan Wandrych 5 months ago

Pinger is also a great text and call app

Hannah Belcher 6 months ago

Erica - yep if you are not on wifi you will always have to pay something for the cell coverage. But if you use Google Voice (or other non-cell options) you can call free when you are on wifi — from an iPhone app or from your laptop.

Skylar Woodward (author) last year