How to activate a Lebara SIM card

Just picked up a new Lebara SIM card? Getting up and running shouldn’t be stressful. If you’re not sure where to start, don’t worry – activating a Lebara SIM is quick and easy with our clear, step-by-step guide.

SummaryActivating a new Lebara SIM card is a straightforward process; however, if you’re a new customer, are unsure of the process, or simply can’t find basic instructions on how to do it, we’re here to help. This handy guide will tell you what to expect, so you can get everything set up with confidence. We’ll explain everything you need to know, including the simple steps to activate your Lebara SIM, what to do if issues arise, and how to transfer over your current phone number.What you’ll learn

How to activate your new Lebara SIM card.
What to expect during the Lebara activation process.
Troubleshooting tips if you’re having issues activating a Lebara SIM card.
How to keep and transfer an existing phone number to Lebara.
Frequently asked questions about activating a Lebara SIM card.

Why you might need to activate a new Lebara SIMThere are plenty of reasons why you might need to activate a new Lebara SIM card. Lebara runs on the Vodafone network, so many people join for reliable coverage, flexible low-cost plans and affordable international calls.You might also be replacing an existing Lebara SIM that’s been causing problems, or switching to a new number for a fresh start. Whatever the situation, getting your new Lebara SIM card activated and ready to go is the first step – stick with us as we walk you through everything you need to know. How to activate a Lebara SIM cardStep 1: Insert your SIM

Turn off your device.
Carefully place your Lebara SIM card in the tray and fully insert it into your phone.
Restart your device.

Most phones will detect the Lebara network (may show as Vodafone) straight away. Don’t worry if your phone displays “No Service” at this point, as activation may take up to 30 minutes. If you’re still not seeing any signal after this time, you may need to top up.Step 2: Create or sign in to your MyLebara accountIf you’re new to Lebara, you’ll need to create a MyLebara account so you can manage your plan, top-ups, and allowances. It’s easy to make an account and only takes a couple of minutes:

Register at Lebara.co.uk
Enter your email
Choose a password
Confirm via email or SMS

Once you're logged in, linking your SIM to your account will make things like topping up much easier to manage. Step 3: Choose a plan or continue with PAYGYou can activate your SIM with:

A prepaid bundle
A monthly rolling plan
Pay As You Go credit

When you pick a Lebara plan and activate your SIM, you'll be up and running straight away. If you’re after more flexibility, you can skip this step and activate without committing to a bundle.You can buy a Lebara top-up voucher at any point.Step 4: Look for signs of activation Most customers are connected in under 5 minutes, but it can take up to 30 minutes in some cases. Once activation is complete, you should be able to spot:

Signal bars on your screen
“Lebara UK” or “Vodafone” displayed in your network settings

Once you can see the above, your phone is ready to use for calls, texts, and mobile browsing.

What to do if your Lebara SIM card isn’t activating

If you’ve followed the steps in this guide and your Lebara SIM card isn’t activating, there are a few things you can try before contacting customer support.

No signal (after 30 minutes)

Restart your device.
Switch Airplane Mode on and off.
Check Lebara’s network online to ensure that there are no outages or issues.

Phone displays “SIM not supported”

This could indicate that you’re using a handset that’s locked, and therefore not compatible with a Lebara SIM card. Take your handset to your previous network provider, who can unlock it.

How to activate a Lebara eSIM

If you want to activate an eSIM instead of a physical SIM, the process is much quicker. Firstly, make sure you’re connected to Wi-Fi and use the following steps:

Open the QR code email from Lebara
Go to your phone’s mobile data settings
Choose to ‘Add eSIM’ or ‘Add mobile plan’
Scan the QR code
Allow the profile to download
Restart your device

If your eSIM won’t download

Your eSIM should activate right away. If you’re having problems activating your eSIM, we’d advise trying the following before contacting Lebara’s customer support.

Make sure Wi-Fi is enabled
Check that you haven’t already installed the profile
Restart your device and try scanning the QR code again

Transferring your phone number to Lebara Don’t want the hassle of updating your contacts with a new phone number? We get it – who’s got time for that? The good news is that you can keep your old phone number and transfer it over to Lebara. It’s a simple process which takes around 24 hours. Here’s how to do it:

Get your PAC code: You’ll need to request your Port Authorisation Code (PAC) from your current provider. Text PAC to 65075 from the phone number you want to keep.
Activate your Lebara SIM card: Be sure to keep your temporary Lebara phone number to hand. This will be on the SIM pack or letter you received.
Complete a port-in request: Head to Lebara’s ‘Keep Your Number’ page online and follow the instructions. Once complete, your phone number will be transferred to Lebara on your chosen date.

What to do After You’ve Activated Your Lebara SIMOnce your Lebara SIM card is activated, it’s worth checking that everything is working as it should:

Check that you’re able to use your mobile data to browse the web.
Ensure that you can connect to and use Wi-Fi.
You’re able to make phone calls and send text messages.
Set up monthly reminders to buy your next Lebara top-up.
Enable Roaming if you’re travelling abroad.

Also, don’t forget to download the My Lebara app!

Need a Lebara top-up?

Running low on credit? At MobileTopUp, we make topping up your Lebara mobile a breeze. You’ll receive your top-up voucher instantly via email, so you won’t even need to leave the house! Lebara top-ups start from just £5, increasing in various values up to a maximum of £40.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to activate a Lebara SIM card?

Generally, it should only take a few minutes to activate a Lebara SIM card, but could take up to 24 hours. This is especially the case if you’re transferring over your existing phone number from a different provider to Lebara. If you’re having issues activating your new Lebara SIM, do reach out to Lebara customer support.

Can I activate my SIM without choosing a plan?

Yes! If you’re not sure which monthly plan to choose, there’s no pressure to decide right away. You’ll be able to activate your Lebara SIM using Pay As You Go credit. If you want to add a monthly SIM-only plan later on, you can do it easily through the MyLebara app.

How long have I got to activate my new Lebara SIM card?

You will need to activate your Lebara SIM card within 30 days of your order date. You will lose any promotions or plans if you do not activate within this time.

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