This is a guide to activating Rakuten Mobile for users registering a new phone number.
If you're using Mobile Number Portability (MNP), I have instructions for that here as well.
If you have already registered to purchase a SIM card, please wait until it is delivered to you.
If you are using a device purchased from another carrier, please check if it supports Rakuten's network. Details here .
If you are using a device purchased or previously used from a different carrier, check if the device is SIM-unlocked.
1. Delete APN configuration
If you are using Docomo, au, or SoftBank services, you do not need to delete the APN configuration. Please proceed to the next step.
If you have used an iPhone with carriers such as Rakuten Mobile (using Docomo or au network), Y!mobile, UQ Mobile, IIJmio, LINE Mobile, mineo, etc., then proceed to delete the APN configuration.
Note: Other sub-networks lease the network signal from one of these three carriers, so the network name displayed on your phone may not be accurate. Therefore, if you are unsure, it's best to check this step to be sure.
If you are using an iPad with Rakuten Mobile, please check the information here .
1. Click on Settings
2. Select General Settings
3. Choose a VPN and manage your device.
4. If there are any profiles here, click on them (to delete them).
5. Select Delete
6. Enter your iPhone passcode.
7. Ensure all profiles have been deleted.
2. Insert the SIM card into the device.
3. Set up your mobile data plan.
When the mobile data plan settings screen appears, tap [Continue].
When the message " Activation procedure complete " appears at the top of the screen, the installation is finished.
※ If you are using iOS 16 or later, [Activate eSIM] may be displayed.
After completing the activation process, if a message appears saying " Update carrier settings ," be sure to click " Update ."
※ If you don't see that notification, go to "Settings" → "General" → "About" from the home screen. If a pop-up window like the one shown appears, tap "Update". If it doesn't appear, you don't need to do anything further.
At this point, you can try disconnecting from Wi-Fi to see if your phone can use the Rakuten network normally.
1. Insert the SIM card into the device.
2. Try disconnecting from Wi-Fi to see if your phone can use the Rakuten network normally.
1. Delete APN configuration
If you are using Docomo, au, or SoftBank services, you do not need to delete the APN configuration. Please proceed to the next step.
If you have used an iPhone with carriers such as Rakuten Mobile (using Docomo or au network), Y!mobile, UQ Mobile, IIJmio, LINE Mobile, mineo, etc., then proceed to delete the APN configuration.
Note: Other sub-networks lease the network signal from one of these three carriers, so the network name displayed on your phone may not be accurate. Therefore, if you are unsure, it's best to check this step to be sure.
If you are using an iPad with Rakuten Mobile, please check the information here .
1. Click on Settings
2. Select General Settings
3. Choose a VPN and manage your device.
4. If there are any profiles here, click on them (to delete them).
5. Select Delete
6. Enter your iPhone passcode.
7. Ensure all profiles have been deleted.
2. Download the My Rakuten Mobile app .
3. For those who selected the identity verification method "Upload document photos / Verify at home upon delivery" during registration, please scan the QR code on the back of the Start Guide and complete the identity verification.
Scan the QR code on the back of the Start Guide to open the “my Rakuten Mobile” app.
After logging in, confirm that the message "Identity verification complete" is displayed.
If you are unable to scan the QR code on the back of the Boot Guide, please see the instructions here.
※ If you are only changing (switching) your subscription plan, there will be no QR code, so there is no need to scan it.
4. Complete the activation procedure in the My Rakuten Mobile app.
On the main screen of the " My Rakuten Mobile " app , tap "View subscription history".
On the next screen, tap “Proceed with activation procedure”.
When the message "Activation procedure complete" appears at the top of the screen, the process is finished.
※ Even if the registration status shows "Preparing," you can still proceed with the procedure.
※ If you are unable to log in to “my Rakuten Mobile”, please refer to the section “What to do if you cannot log in to my Rakuten Mobile?”
5. Set up your mobile data plan.
When the mobile data plan settings screen appears, press [Continue].
When the message "Activation procedure complete" appears at the top of the screen, the installation is complete.
※ If you are using iOS 16 or later, [Activate eSIM] may be displayed.
After completing the activation process, if a message appears saying " Update carrier settings ," be sure to click " Update ."
※ If you don't see that notification, go to "Settings" → "General" → "About" from the home screen. If a pop-up window like the one shown appears, tap "Update". If it doesn't appear, you don't need to do anything further.
At this point, you can try disconnecting from Wi-Fi to see if your phone can use the Rakuten network normally.
1. Download the My Rakuten Mobile app .
2. For those who selected the identity verification method "Upload document photos / Verify at home upon delivery" during registration, please scan the QR code on the back of the Start Guide and complete the identity verification.
Scan the QR code on the back of the Start Guide to open the “my Rakuten Mobile” app.
After logging in, confirm that the message "Identity verification complete" is displayed.
If you are unable to scan the QR code on the back of the Boot Guide, please see the instructions here.
※ If you are only changing (switching) your subscription plan, there will be no QR code, so there is no need to scan it.
3. Complete the activation procedure in the My Rakuten Mobile app.
On the main screen of the "My Rakuten Mobile" app, tap "View subscription history".
On the next screen, tap “Proceed with activation procedure”.
When the message "Activation procedure complete" appears at the top of the screen, the process is finished.
※ Even if the registration status shows "Preparing," you can still proceed with the procedure.
※ If you are unable to log in to “my Rakuten Mobile”, please refer to the section “What to do if you cannot log in to my Rakuten Mobile?”
At this point, you can try disconnecting from Wi-Fi to see if your phone can use the Rakuten network normally.
This is a crucial step that many people overlook. It's mandatory to receive reward points from Rakuten at the end of April, May, and June from the date of activation!
You need to go to the App Store or Google Play and download the Rakuten Link app .
This app allows you to make free calls to any domestic phone number in Japan.
Log in with your phone number and your Rakuten account.
Choose a nickname and then select Continue.
Make a phone call to someone (a relative, friend, etc.) and talk for at least 10 seconds.
