When does my subscription become active?
Last updated: May 8, 2026
Your subscription goes through a series of states from sign-up to active service. Understanding these states explains when your service starts and how your billing cycle is set.
Subscription states
- Pending — your subscription has been created and your first payment has been processed, but your service is not yet live.
- Active — your carrier has confirmed your line is live. This is when your service starts and your billing cycle begins.
When does my subscription become active?
This depends on whether you chose a new number or ported your existing number in.
New number — your subscription activates immediately after sign-up and payment. Your billing cycle starts on that date.
Port-in — your subscription activates when the port completes and your carrier confirms the line is live. Your billing cycle starts on the port completion date, not the date you signed up.
Your first payment is always processed at sign-up. For port-in customers, there may be a gap of a few hours to a day between your first payment and your subscription becoming active.
How billing is tied to activation
Your renewal date is anchored to your activation date — the date your subscription first became active. Your plan renews on the same date each month.
- If you signed up on May 6 with a new number, your plan renews on June 6.
- If you signed up on May 6 but your port completed on May 7, your plan renews on June 7.
eSIM installation and activation
Installing your eSIM on your device is a separate step from subscription activation. Your subscription can be active even if you have not yet installed your eSIM — and your billing cycle starts from activation regardless of eSIM installation status.
This article doesn't cover:
Renewal details → What happens when my plan renews?
Port-in process → How do I port my number in?