Questions this article answers
- How do I set up my TickTalk 5?
- What do I need before activating my TickTalk 5?
- How do I activate my TickTalk Wireless plan?
- How do I pair my watch with the TickTalk App?
- Where can I find setup instructions for TickTalk 5?
Getting Started with Your TickTalk 5
We're so excited you've chosen TickTalk and we can't wait for you to start connecting. Let's get your TickTalk 5 set up and ready to use!
Step 1: Activate Your SIM Card
Your TickTalk works like a standalone cell phone and requires a cellular plan with talk, text, and data. We include a free SIM card with every U.S. purchase for an affordable, pay-as-you-go cellular plan for our customers that runs on either AT&T or T-Mobile's network.
For Customers in the United States
Your TickTalk watch comes with a pre-installed SIM card, so no additional SIM installation is required.
Please activate your SIM card HERE.
👉 Do NOT activate your SIM at AT&T or T-Mobile stores.
TickTalk Wireless Plans
With plans starting at $9.99+tax with no contracts or activation fees on either AT&T or T-Mobile's network, you can activate your TickTalk Wireless SIM card and set up your account at TickTalk Wireless and follow our step-by-step activation guide below.
You will need to scan or enter your SIM card's ICCID number. The ICCID number is printed on a label located on both the brown shipping box and the bottom of the colored watch sleeve.
In some cases, you may also find an empty SIM kit inside the watch packaging. This is normal, as the SIM chip has already been installed in the watch for your convenience. The SIM kit will also display the ICCID number, which you can either enter manually or scan from the bottom barcode.
If you no longer have the packaging, you can still find the ICCID number on the watch by going to the gray gear icon (Settings) > About Me. If the ICCID field shows “Unknown,” this may mean that a SIM card is not installed or the watch is not connected to Wi-Fi. Please go to Settings > Wi-Fi, connect to a network, and check again. If it still shows “Unknown,” please reach out to TickTalk Support for further assistance.
Learn how to activate the TickTalk Wireless SIM step by step. Click HERE.
*TickTalk Wireless does not charge for one time fees, activation fee, setup fees, or cancellation fee.
*Please note, it may take up to 48 hours for initial activation. Once you are fully activated, you will receive an email with your TickTalk smartwatch phone number.
Important: Complete These Steps After SIM Activation
To ensure your watch can properly read the SIM card and complete activation:
→ Turn on the watch → Go to Settings → Wi-Fi, turn on Wi-Fi and connect to your home network (or temporarily use your phone’s hotspot if Wi-Fi is unavailable)
→ Return to Settings → OS Update, then update the watch to OS version 5.5.0 or later
⚠️ The watch must be connected to Wi-Fi and updated to the latest OS for SIM activation to complete successfully.
For any issues or concerns, please contact our Support Team.
For Existing TickTalk Customers
If you are an existing TickTalk customer and want to swap out your SIM card, the process is very simple! First step would be to back up your TickTalk 4 to keep all your data saved. Once you've backed up your TickTalk 4, you'll need to insert your TickTalk 4 SIM into your new TickTalk 5. Learn how to do this here.
For International Customers
The TickTalk 5 is a 4G unlocked universal device. TickTalk smart watches have been purchased and used in over 100 countries. We have added a feature on the TickTalk 5 that allows you to manually add in your carrier's APN code-- In your TickTalk watch, select Settings > Edit APN > + and enter the code from your carrier. Select the correct option corresponding to your carrier. After the code is entered, click save. If you do not see your carrier click the + symbol in the top right-hand corner. Fill in the necessary information and click the check mark in the upper right-hand corner. Once you have this completed swipe the screen up and the connection icon should be lit in white.
Please check the frequency band with your local carrier before purchasing to ensure that the product will work properly in your location.
You can find a list of all international carriers here.
Step 2: Connect To Your Cellular Network
After fully charging your TickTalk 5 with the included charging cord or Power Base, press and hold the black button for 5 seconds to turn your TickTalk 5 ON.
Follow the on-screen prompts to select your language and region, then proceed to the main interface.
If your watch shows "No Connection", it means there's no SIM card installed or it's not activated.
If your watch shows “No Service,” it most likely needs a TickTalk OS (TOS) update. Connect the watch to Wi-Fi by going to Settings > Wi-Fi, then navigate to OS Update and install the latest version. Once updated, your service should appear.
Please start by activating your SIM card according to Step 1.
To test the watch without activating the SIM, go to Settings > Wi-Fi and connect to Wi-Fi.
- This allows testing of some features
- Please note that when outside of Wi-Fi areas voice calls won't work and the watch will not be able to function.
Swipe the screen up to go to the Status Center to show your carrier’s name, signal bars, and a connection symbol. The connection symbol will illuminate white once your TickTalk 5 connects to your network. If the connection symbol does not illuminate or says, “No Service,” please confirm your SIM is activated.
Step 3: Set up Your TickTalk Parent Account and Pair to Watch
Download our parental control TickTalk App by visiting the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and searching for TickTalk.
After you've downloaded the TickTalk App, you’ll need to sign up for an account and select your method for future sign-ins. If you select to receive the verification code via text, you will sign into the app with your phone number moving forward, and vice versa if you receive the code via email. Please note that the text message option is only available for US and Canadian customers.
Once created, you will be prompted to 'Pair Now'. Open the watch and go to Settings > Pair > Scan QR code > Next. A message will pop up asking to approve a new app user. Click 'Yes' and you will get a notification letting you know that you have successfully paired.
Step 4: Setting Up Your Child's Info
After pairing the watch, select the Profile icon and choose 'Edit' for your child's watch in the paired Watches list.
Choose your child's profile picture. Then enter their name, watch phone number, gender, and birthday. Save these details by clicking 'DONE'.
To add another watch, click the add button, follow the setup steps again, and configure your child's info. To remove a watch, simply click 'Remove'.
Step 6: Save Shortcut Dial Icons & Emergency SOS Numbers
You'll want to start by creating your Parent Shortcut Dial Icons and Emergency SOS contacts. In your App, select the Contact icon in the bottom left-hand corner, and once opened, you will see 3 shortcut options:
-
2x Shortcut Dialing Icons: These icons appear directly on your child's TickTalk 5 smartwatch to allow your child to call you immediately by selecting an icon. You can choose who you want these contacts to be--it's great for two parents, a parent + guardian, or whatever fits your family best!
- Emergency SOS: If your child holds the red button on the side of their TickTalk smartwatch for 5 seconds, their watch will automatically call this number. If your Emergency SOS contact doesn't answer, your TickTalk will automatically call the first 2 contacts saved as your Parent Shortcut Dial icons. If you leave the SOS contact blank, the watch will call the first shortcut contact by default.
Step 7: Add Contacts
You can save 50 parent-approved contacts on your TickTalk aside from your 2 Parent Shortcut Dial Icons and Emergency SOS. You have 3 types of contacts to choose from:
- Phone Book Contacts: Phone Book contacts are contacts you enter into your TickTalk App Contacts on the bottom left of your main screen. These are contacts your child can call using voice calling and can communicate with your child without downloading the TickTalk App. This is great for loved ones who may not have a cell phone, like grandparents or their school.
- Approved App Users: For any contacts who want to not only use voice calling, but also messaging and video calling, they will need to download the TickTalk App from the Apple or Google Play Store and request permission to add your child. This is because we use secure, end-to-end encryption to make sure no unknown numbers or unapproved contacts are communicating with your child. Once you've approved the contact request, you'll be prompted to set their access level. Give them Full Access to have the same access as you including location tracking, Remote Answer, editing contacts, and other privacy features (great for parents, caregivers, or other guardians) or Limited Access to only be able to use voice calls, Wi-Fi and video calls, messaging, and send Greeting Cards (best for friends, teammates, or anyone you'd like your child to be able to contact, but not necessarily see their location).
- TickTalk Friends: If you have Add Friends enabled in your TickTalk App settings, your child will be able to manually add other friends with TickTalk smartwatches within 6 feet or by manually entering another TickTalk smartwatch's TTID number. Parents will receive a notification for any friends added with Add Friends.
Watch our video for more information on setting up contacts.
Watch our video for more information on approving other app users.
Step 8: Block Unknown Numbers
After setting up your Contacts, it's advised to activate the block for unknown numbers right away. This action will prevent any unrecognized numbers from contacting your child through calls or messages. To turn on this function, launch your app and navigate to the Parent Portal. Scroll to locate the "Enable Watch Features" section, then switch the "Block Unknown Numbers" to ON.
Your TickTalk is ready to go!
Congratulations! You've successfully set up your TickTalk 5! Don't forget to watch our other videos to fully understand all the features and functionalities of your TickTalk 5, including:
- Connecting to Wi-Fi (Recommended)
- Connecting to Bluetooth
- Setting Up Do Not Disturb Class Times
- Saving Reminders
- How to send Greeting Cards
- Stay Active with the Activity Tracker
- Adding Friends with Radar Scanning
- Accessing 911 & SOS
Have Any Questions?
Our Support Team is available to help here. You can also access our full Troubleshooting & FAQ sections with answers to common questions. Thank you again for choosing TickTalk!
