Need some T-Mobile Info

[Chiropteran]

I love T-mobile so far, the $30/month prepaid deal for unlimited data/txt/100 minutes is perfect for me.

However, they have the most horribly disorganized and confusing website I have ever seen, and I really don't understand fully how to control my service.

Here are the issues I am trying to work out-

I have a Galaxy Nexus on the $30 deal, $80 left in the account to pay for following months.

I also have a brand new Note 2, without service, and a microSIM to fit it.

I'd love to be able to switch the service between the two phones at will, but this seems impossible- the Galaxy Nexus uses a larger SIM so I can't just swap the SIMs.

As an alternative, I could just activate service on the Note 2, "pause" service on the Galaxy Nexus, and later when I want to switch back I could resume service on the Nexus and pause the Note 2 service- except I see no method to stop service on the T-mobile website. Is there a way to do it I am just missing? I mean, if my account runs out of T-mobile credit and doesn't have $30 to renew that will halt service, but is it really impossible to stop service when you still have prepaid money in it?

*If* I bought an adapter, such as-
http://www.amazon.com/Micro-card-ada.../dp/B003OG8G6W

Could I just use the same SIM, and swap between phones at will and either one would work on the same service, or is the service somehow bound to the IMEI of the phone in addition to the SIM?

Finally, even if I just wanted to add the Note 2 as a second line and pay for both concurrently, it seems like T-mobile's website doesn't want to allow it. I go to the activation page-

http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/plans/ActivateCodes.aspx

And it wants an activation code, which I did not get. I suspect I can call up t-mobile and get one from them, but it just seems silly and annoying. I bought the phone and SIM card from T-mobile, but neither came with an activation code. I only have a SIM card serial and phone IMIE. Is this just T-mobile being inept or was I supposed to order something else to get the activation code?

Can any experts shed some light on this?

 

[magomago]

What I've done in the past for me is simply move the sim card. This isn't a CDMA network so it isn't locked to your phone nor your IMEI. Done.

 

[vshah]

you can simply get a microsim adapter and swap the sim between phones at will. no need to reactivate or anything like that.

on tmobile, service is tied to your sim card, not to your phone.

 

[pm]

I don't understand anything about the activation code, but as far as the SIM adapter that should work.

In the past I've put a microSIM into a phone with a regular SIM slot just by lining up the contacts visually. So if you can get the copper contacts to be where they are supposed to be you don't even need that SIM adapter.

 

[ponyo]

You can use your current Sim and switch back and forth between the devices at will. All you have to do is cut your full size Sim to micro size and use the $1 adapter to switch back to full size as needed for your Galaxy Nexus. It's simple. I used a razor blade to cut the Sim.

 

[vshah]

I don't understand anything about the activation code, but as far as the SIM adapter that should work.

In the past I've put a microSIM into a phone with a regular SIM slot just by lining up the contacts visually. So if you can get the copper contacts to be where they are supposed to be you don't even need that SIM adapter.

op currently has a working full-sized sim so he'll need to cut it.

or mabye he could head in to a retail store and see if they'll swap his full size for a micro-sim. they did that for me a few days ago, but i'm postpaid.

 

[Chiropteran]

Sweet, sounds like it's a lot easier than I thought. Thanks for the help.

I just wish T-mobile's website was more clear, the service they offer is a great bargain for the price, but it makes me wonder how many confused potential customers simply gave up and used another service.

 

[dagamer34]

What I've done in the past for me is simply move the sim card. This isn't a CDMA network so it isn't locked to your phone nor your IMEI. Done.

It should be noted that AT&T has special "iPhone" plans which make swapping SIMs to/from an iPhone to any other phone require a phone call to AT&T, having them change the plan, and you giving them your IMEI. It basically defeats the purpose of having a SIM card if you have to call your carrier each time you want to change phones.

 

[Chiropteran]

Too easy. Took out my old SIM, cut it down with a knife and filed it smooth, and fit it in. Working perfect.

 

[vshah]

awesome!