AT&T activation fee if choose “connect to a carrier now?”

If I buy online and choose ”connect on your own” and swap an existing SIM card I will not be charged an AT&T activation fee.


So if I choose “connect to a carrier now” do I get the $30 activation fee?

Posted on Feb 10, 2022 10:27 AM

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Posted on Mar 5, 2022 3:32 PM

I found out the answer.


  1. If you don't choose connect to a carrier and you do your own SIM swap there's no activation fee.
  2. If you choose "connect to a carrier" your carrier will charge you an activation fee. Typically $30 though some contracts may reduce it. I can confirm AT&T charges at least $30.


So if Connect to Carrier has a "$30 discount" then it's a wash. If "connect to carrier" has no discount you will pay an extra $30 in the end.


If there's a "Connect to Carrier" discount Apple will show that as the purchase price, but in reality the purchase price is $30 higher.

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Mar 5, 2022 3:32 PM in response to jfaughnan

I found out the answer.


  1. If you don't choose connect to a carrier and you do your own SIM swap there's no activation fee.
  2. If you choose "connect to a carrier" your carrier will charge you an activation fee. Typically $30 though some contracts may reduce it. I can confirm AT&T charges at least $30.


So if Connect to Carrier has a "$30 discount" then it's a wash. If "connect to carrier" has no discount you will pay an extra $30 in the end.


If there's a "Connect to Carrier" discount Apple will show that as the purchase price, but in reality the purchase price is $30 higher.

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AT&T activation fee if choose “connect to a carrier now?”

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