- Phones and tablets
- Android phones and tablets
Your service can't be activated
Google Pixel Your service can't be activated: SIM after unlock
Risk level
Low
Usually safe to check without specialist tools.
Urgency
Medium
Quick answer
If after unlocking your Pixel and switching carriers you see "Your service can't be activated" or "SIM card isn't supported", Google says you may need to refresh your SIM status. There is an official code for this in the Phone app.
Safety first
Stop and check this first
- Never use unofficial services or codes to remove a carrier lock: only the carrier that sold the phone can unlock it.
- A factory reset erases all data on the Pixel: back up first and keep your Google Account and its password at hand.
Safe checks you can perform
- Confirm the unlock and the new service with both carriers
- Connect to Wi-Fi and install updates
- Refresh the SIM status with the official code
- Factory reset with a backup first
Leave these tasks to a qualified professional
- Do not attempt this professional task: Unlock confirmation from the carrier that sold the Pixel
- Do not attempt this professional task: Line activation by the new carrier
What a technician must be able to justify
Technician visit
These are the steps they must carry out and show you. Tick them as they work: if steps are skipped, do not accept a part swap.
These are not instructions for opening or handling the equipment yourself. They are the checks that should support a technical conclusion.
Unlock confirmation from the carrier that sold the Pixel
What they doGoogle states that only the provider that sold the phone can remove the SIM-lock before the sales contract ends.
They must show youthe SIM-lock status linked to your Pixel IMEI in their system.
In writingthe unlock confirmation, its date and the IMEI of the unlocked phone.
Line activation by the new carrier
What they doIf you still have no mobile network after resetting the phone, Google sends you to your carrier to review the line.
They must show youthat the SIM is active in their system and a completed test call.
In writingthe ticket number, the SIM number and the IMEI they recorded on the line.
Before accepting a part or repair
Nothing has been shown yet. Do not accept a part swap based on the code alone.
Follow these steps
Note: Follow the documented order. An error code identifies the affected system, but it does not prove by itself which part has failed.
Confirm the unlock and the new service with both carriers
- Who:
- you, with the original carrier and the new one.
- How:
- ask the carrier that sold the Pixel to confirm it removed the SIM-lock and ask the new carrier to confirm your line has service. Google bases the next steps on both confirmations.
- Result that matters:
- knowing the lock is gone and the new line is active.
- If both confirm:
- move on to refreshing the SIM status.
- If the original carrier has not removed the lock:
- only it can lift it; ask about your options.
- Evidence to keep:
- written confirmation of the unlock and the activation date of the new line.
Evidence: Use your Pixel phone with any mobile carrier
Connect to Wi-Fi and install updates
- Who:
- you, with the Pixel near a Wi-Fi network.
- How:
- connect to a Wi-Fi network, then check for and install any available Android update, as Google asks before you test again. Restart if the phone asks you to.
- Result that matters:
- an up to date Pixel before you refresh the SIM status.
- If there was an update and the SIM works after installing it:
- the problem is solved.
- If it was already current or the notification remains:
- go on to the Phone app code.
- Evidence to keep:
- the installed Android version and the date of the latest update.
Evidence: Use your Pixel phone with any mobile carrier
Refresh the SIM status with the official code
- Who:
- you, with Wi-Fi on and the new SIM inserted.
- How:
- open the Phone app, dial *#*#7465625#*#* and place the call. When the phone returns to the dialer screen, wait about 2 minutes and check for a mobile network connection.
- Result that matters:
- the Pixel recognising the new carrier SIM and showing signal.
- If the mobile network appears:
- test a call and data to confirm.
- If there is still no network:
- consider the factory reset Google lists as the advanced step.
- Evidence to keep:
- the time you dialled the code and whether the mobile network appeared afterwards.
Evidence: Use your Pixel phone with any mobile carrier
Factory reset with a backup first
- Who:
- you, only if the basic steps did not work.
- How:
- back up, confirm your Google Account and its password, then go to Settings, System, Reset options and Erase all data. When it finishes, choose to restart and follow the setup steps.
- Result that matters:
- the freshly set up Pixel connecting to the new carrier network.
- If there is mobile network after setup:
- restore your backup.
- If there is still no connection:
- Google says to contact your carrier.
- Evidence to keep:
- the backup date and the result after setup.
Evidence: How to factory reset your Google Pixel phone · Back up or restore data on your Pixel device · Use your Pixel phone with any mobile carrier
Still not solved
If the error persists, stop here. See what the technician must do and show you.
Where this code applies
A code is meaningful only inside the right product and version context.
Primary scope
- System
- Phones and tablets
- Brand
- Product type
- Android phones and tablets
Known code variants
- No se admite la tarjeta SIM
- No se puede activar el servicio
- no se puede activar el servicio Pixel
- Pixel liberado SIM no funciona
- Pixel nueva operadora sin servicio
- Pixel SIM lock removed no service
- Pixel unlocked new SIM not working
- service can't be activated Pixel
- SIM card isn't supported
- Your service cannot be activated
What it means
Google's help page "Use your Pixel phone with any mobile carrier" explains that when the original carrier has removed the SIM-lock and the new carrier has confirmed service but the new SIM does not work, a notification like "SIM card isn't supported" or "Your service can't be activated" could show. It suggests refreshing the SIM status. The notification alone never proves that the phone or the card is faulty. Other models or versions may show different wording.
Warnings and stop conditions
- Higheditorial warning
Never use unofficial services or codes to remove a carrier lock: only the carrier that sold the phone can unlock it.
Evidence: Use your Pixel phone with any mobile carrier
- Highsource verified
A factory reset erases all data on the Pixel: back up first and keep your Google Account and its password at hand.
Evidence: How to factory reset your Google Pixel phone · Use your Pixel phone with any mobile carrier
Symptoms and causes
Probable causes · in order
- SIM status not refreshed after the unlockCommon
Google explains that after the original carrier removes the SIM-lock, the phone may need its SIM status refreshed before it accepts the new card.
Evidence: Use your Pixel phone with any mobile carrier
- Phone still locked to the original carrierPossible
According to Google, a Pixel bought from a carrier can be SIM-locked for up to 2 years and only use that network until the seller removes the lock or the contract ends.
Evidence: Use your Pixel phone with any mobile carrier
- Pending Android updatesPossible
Among the first steps, Google asks you to connect to Wi-Fi and install any available Android updates before trying the SIM again.
Evidence: Use your Pixel phone with any mobile carrier
Virtual technician
Does Your service can't be activated still appear after these checks?
Answer a few questions to narrow down the likely cause and the safest next action. Guidance only - it never replaces a professional.
Sources and technical references
- 1
How to factory reset your Google Pixel phone
Google · 2026 · official_doc
- 2
Back up or restore data on your Pixel device
Google · 2026 · official_doc
- 3
Use your Pixel phone with any mobile carrier
Google · 2026 · official_doc
- 4
Utilizar un teléfono Pixel con cualquier operador móvil
Google · 2026 · official_doc
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