Until recently Sprint only allowed customers to activate Sprint branded phones on its network. That changed when Apple and Google started releasing "universal" phones, like the iPhone 6 and Nexus 6, that work with all four US national networks. The number of non-Sprint phones and tablets that can be used on the Sprint network keeps growing. According to Sprint the following non-Sprint devices can now be used on Sprint:
Apple: iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6s, and 6s Plus, iPad Air 2, iPad Pro, iPad Mini 3 and Mini 4
The Verizon version and only the Verizon version of the iPhone 5c and 5s, iPad Air and iPad Mini 2
Google: Nexus 5, 6, 5x and 6p
Motorola: Moto X Pure Edition, Moto G4 and G4 Plus
Samsung: Galaxy S7 Special Edition and S7 Edge Special Edition
Any phone that can work on Sprint should also work on Sprint MVNOs like Ting or RingPlus.
The hardest part about using a non-Sprint phone on the Sprint network is figuring out which SIM card (also known as an ICCID card) to use. Unlike other operators which let you use any of that operator's SIMs that fit in your phone's SIM slot, Sprint has eight different SIM part numbers, each of which only works with specific phone models. The SIM problem isn't limited to non-Sprint phones either. Although the SIMs in Sprint phones are reusable and supposed to stay with the phone they came in, it's common to find Sprint phones on the used market that are missing their SIMs. Here's a table I sourced from Ting's website listing the eight Sprint SIMs and the Sprint and non-Sprint phones they work with:
Size
Sprint Part Number
Supported phones
Micro
SIMGLW206R
Apple iPad Retina, BlackBerry Q10, HTC One M7, HTC One Max, LG G Flex, LG G2, Netgear Zing, Nexus 5 from Google Play, Samsung ATIV S Neo, Samsung Galaxy Mega
Micro
SIMGLT207R
HTC 8XT, HTC Desire 510, HTC Desire 601, Kyocera Hydro Vibe, Kyocera Torque, LG F7, LG Optimus F3, LG Volt, Netgear 341U, Netgear Mingle, Novatel MiFi 500 LTE, Samsung Galaxy S4 mini, Samsung Galaxy Tab 3, Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 7.0", ZTE Max, ZTE Supreme, ZTE Vital, ZTE Warp 4G
Micro
SIMGLW216R
LG G3, LG Tribute
Micro
SIMGLW236C
LG G Flex2, LG G4, LG Tribute 2, LG Volt 2, Motorola Moto E LTE 2nd Gen, Motorola Moto G 3rd Gen (XT1548)
Micro
SIMOLW216R
Samsung Galaxy Note 3, Samsung Galaxy Note 4, Samsung Galaxy Note Edge, Samsung Galaxy Tab 4, Samsung Galaxy Tab S, Samsung Galaxy S4
Samsung Galaxy S5, Samsung Core Prime
Nano
SIMGLW406R
Apple iPad mini, Apple iPhone 5, HTC One E8, HTC One M8, Moto X (1st Gen)
Nano
SIMGLW446C
HTC One M9, LG G5, LG Tribute 5, Motorola Moto X Pure (3rd Generation), Motorola Moto G (3rd Generation), Motorola Moto G4, Motorola Moto G4 Plus, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6, Nexus 6, Nexus 6P
Nano
SIMOLW416C
Apple iPad Air, Apple iPad Air 2, Apple iPad mini (Retina), Apple iPad Pro, Apple iPhone 5c, Apple iPhone 5s, Apple iPhone 6, Apple iPhone 6 Plus, Apple iPhone 6s, Apple iPhone 6s Plus, Apple iPhone SE, HTC 10, Samsung Galaxy Note 5, Samsung Galaxy S6, Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge, Samsung Galaxy S7
Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, Samsung Galaxy Tab 4
It's not easy to buy Sprint SIMs either. Sprint doesn't sell them on line and Sprint store personnel often refuse to sell or give SIMs to anyone who isn't a Sprint customer. If you have an Apple device, try asking at an Apple Store which have been reported to hand out free Sprint SIMs for the asking. You can also find Sprint SIMs on eBay and the Amazon Marketplace, but the most reliable source seems to be Sprint MVNO Ting, which sells all eight Sprint SIMS for $9, plus shipping and taxes which bring the total cost up to about $15. The advantage of Ting is that they stock all eight SIMs and ship them quickly.
The good news is that the hassle and confusion around which Sprint SIM to use with which phone might soon be resolved. About a month ago Sprint started listing a 3 in 1 Universal SIM card, part number SIMOLW506C, on their website priced at $15 with free shipping. According to Sprint, the Universal SIM works with all Sprint eligible devices. The bad news is the Universal SIM is currently out of stock and has been for the last month. If Sprint ever starts selling its Universal SIMs online again it will make bringing your own phone to Sprint or a Sprint MVNO relatively painless.
Sources: Ting, Sprint
PrepaidPhoneNews.com
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