Before you start

An unlocked handset, or an eSIM-capable one
A US address for postpaid, but not for prepaid
A payment method — prepaid accepts foreign cards, postpaid usually does not

Step-by-step

1
Activate an eSIM before flying, or buy prepaid on arrival
A US eSIM activates before you land so you have a working number immediately. No identity registration is required at any point.
OnlineWho: YouDay 1
2
Check your handset is unlocked and band-compatible
Phones bought on contract abroad are frequently locked, and US band combinations trip up some regional models. With 3G shut down there is no fallback.
OnlineWho: You
3
Start prepaid rather than fighting a credit check
Postpaid runs a credit check. With no US file you will be declined or asked for a deposit. Prepaid has no check and is usually cheaper for the same data.
OnlineWho: You
4
Check what home internet options your address actually has
Comcast is headquartered in Philadelphia and dominates much of the region's broadband. Verizon Fios is available in parts of the city and not others, and the difference in price and service between a one-provider and a two-provider address is substantial. Check by address before signing a lease.
OnlineWho: You
5
Consider an MVNO on the same towers
Mint Mobile, Visible, US Mobile and Google Fi resell capacity on AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon. Same coverage for materially less.
Mobile appWho: You
6
Port rather than cancel if you switch later
Number portability is a legal right and works between carriers and MVNOs. Request the port from the new carrier — never cancel the old service first.
OnlineWho: You

Documents you’ll need

Passport for postpaid; nothing at all for prepaid
US address for postpaid
A payment card — prepaid usually accepts foreign cards, postpaid rarely does

Things most newcomers don’t know

Check home broadband by street address before you sign a lease.

Comcast's home city has patchy competition — some blocks have Verizon Fios as an alternative and some have only cable. The price and service difference between a competitive and a single-provider address is significant, and it is fixed by geography. Enter the exact address on both providers' sites before committing to a flat.

Source: community-reported

The US has no SIM registration at all.

Most countries in this app require passport registration to activate a SIM and several require biometrics. The US requires nothing for prepaid.

Source: community-reported

The credit check is the barrier, not the documentation.

Carriers check credit before offering postpaid and a newcomer with no file gets declined or charged a deposit. Prepaid sidesteps it and usually costs less.

Source: community-reported

MVNOs use the same towers for meaningfully less.

Mint, Visible, US Mobile and Google Fi lease capacity from the big three. Coverage is identical; you give up priority during congestion and retail support.

Source: community-reported

Common mistakes to avoid

Signing a lease without checking which broadband providers serve that exact address.
Bringing a carrier-locked handset and discovering it on arrival.
Applying for postpaid with no credit file and facing a large deposit.
Cancelling the old carrier before requesting the port, and losing the number.
Relying on a foreign number for bank and government SMS verification.

Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.

Make it your personal checklist

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