I’ve been researching and practicing how to set up all the AT&T services. Now, I can show you exactly how to get up for yourself.
We’ll be looking at how to get set up with:
So let’s get started.
Do I Have to Pay for Setup?
If you opt for AT&T Wireless, you won’t have to worry about paying for someone to set up your cell phone for you. They should assist you in the store free of charge.
But if you want to go for the Internet (including Fiber) or DirecTV, you’ll need to pay if you want someone to set up your network for you. And the cost of that is $99 [1].
But don’t worry. You don’t have to pay that if you set your service up for yourself, and that’s why we’re here today.
By the way, what a lot of people don’t know is that if you get stuck during the self-setup process, you can reach out to AT&T for assistance free of charge.
It’s also worth noting that in some cases, it might not be possible for you to set up your internet yourself. If this is the case, we recommend speaking to AT&T directly about the fee.
AT&T Contact Details
Anyone needing assistance with setup can reach out to AT&T in three different ways: through the live chat on the website, over the phone or via email. However, we don’t recommend the latter if you’re keen to get help quickly as it could take a day or two to get a reply.
Those who prefer the live chat route should simply search for ‘activation & setup’ in the support search and press the ‘Chat’ button in the bottom-right. If you would prefer to speak to someone over the phone, you can use the number +1 800 288 2020.
If you need help from AT&T for any other reason, there might be a different contact route to go down. For more help on that, check out our guide to AT&T customer service.
Getting Professional Help
If you do decide to go down the $99 setup route, an AT&T engineer will come out to your home and get everything set up for you.
Once you’ve purchased the service and selected this option, AT&T will be in contact with you to arrange an appointment for this to happen.
And it’s basically as simple as that. The appointment could take a couple of hours or more depending on the level of infrastructure in your home and your area, so make sure you put that aside in your day.
Your engineer might have to replace standard copper wiring with fiber lines if you are going with AT&T Fiber, and this is going to take longer. In this case, the work could take four to six hours.
Here’s a look at the process:
- Engineer attends your home to evaluate the best place for the Gateway router
- New Fiber service line is run into the home if required. This will be buried soon after the installation date
- Fiber is extended inside the home to the Gateway
The AT&T engineer will also keep you up to date with everything you’re working on. You’ll need to be at home for the setup so that they can get access.
The AT&T Self Setup Process
We recommend opting to set up your internet or DirecTV for yourself if you have the option to do so. It’s really easy and it can save you $99 [2]. Here’s a look at how that process would look like for AT&T Fiber. It’s super easy!
- You receive your installation kit from AT&T.
- Plug the green Ethernet cable into the green port on your Gateway and the other into the AT&T Broadband outlet on your wall. If you don’t have this already, you’ll need to reach out to AT&T to arrange for the installation of it.
- Plug the Gateway into the mains using the black cable that came with the kit.
- Wait for the Gateway to fully power on. This could take up to 10 minutes, and you’ll know when it’s ready as each of the lights will become a solid green.
- Open up your computer and log and connect to the Wi-Fi network. Simply log in using the password on the yellow sticker.
- You can change your Wi-Fi password by going to the network configuration page on your browser. Just enter “192.168.0.1”.
Using Your Own Router with AT&T Fiber
The AT&T Gateway is a pretty neat router, but if you want better range, features or the chance to connect more devices then you might want to upgrade your router.
The good news is that this is absolutely possible with AT&T Fiber. And not only that, it’s easy too! Just follow these simple steps when you’ve picked up your new router:
- Plug the router into the power with the cable that comes in the box.
- Connect an Ethernet cable to a LAN port on your Gateway and the other end into the WAN port on your new router. You’ll be using the modem function of the Gateway still.
- Turn both devices off and wait a few seconds.
- Turn the Gateway on and wait for all the lights to become solid.
- Turn your new router on and wait for the lights to become solid on it too.
- Connect your smart device to the internet to verify that it’s working.
If you like the sound of upgrading your router but you’re not sure which one to get, we can help. We put together a guide on the best routers for AT&T. You’re bound to find one that’s right for you there!
Setting Up DirecTV (Previously Known as U-Verse)
AT&T’s awesome DirecTV service is one of the best TV services in the US and it’s super easy to set up. Firstly, though, you’re going to need to decide whether you want to go for satellite or streaming internet.
With streaming, you’ll need a streaming device to plug into your TV at home. AT&T has one to offer but it costs a lot at $120. We recommend opting for a Google Chromecast instead as you can pick one up for around $30.
If you opt for the satellite option, you’ll need an engineer to come and install the satellite (if you don’t have one already). They’ll get DirecTV up and running for you.
If you prefer the streaming method, you can save the setup fee by getting online yourself. Here’s how to do it [3]:
- Grab an HDMI cable and plug one end into your TV HDMI port and the other into your streaming device.
- Plug the power cord into the mains and into your streaming device. Some streaming devices will also let you power up by using the USB output on your TV if it has one.
- Power your TV on and find the correct source by using the remote control. Cycle through until you find the streaming device menu.
- If you opt for the DirecTV streaming device, it’s time to get the remote working. Unplug the battery tab.
- Hold down the fast forward and the rewind button at the same time for 2-3 seconds to pair it with your device.
- Connect your streaming device to your Wi-Fi by following the instructions on screen. You can also choose to connect your streaming device via Ethernet for a more stable connection if you prefer.
- Download the DirecTV app on your smartphone or tablet if you are using Google Chromecast or another streaming device.
- Log into your account with the credentials that have been sent out to you. You’ll need to do this either on the app before casting or through the DirecTV streaming device. You can always reach out to AT&T customer support if you don’t know what that is.
- You’re good to go!
AT&T Wireless Setup
The third AT&T service we’re going to look at is called Wireless. It’s AT&T’s cell phone network and it’s one of the most popular in the US!
Once you’ve ordered your cell phone and/or SIM card from AT&T, it will be delivered out to you free of charge. And when it arrives, it couldn’t be easier to set up. All you have to do is follow these quick steps:
- Make sure you’re in an area with strong signal strength. You’re going to make sure you have all four bars at your disposal.
- Power your new cell phone on with the AT&T SIM card in the SIM tray.
- You’re good to go. You can test that things are working by calling your new phone from another phone. Make sure you can get online too.
AT&T Home Phone Setup
Finally, there’s the AT&T home phone service. Of course, the home phone is a lot less popular than it used to be but there are still a lot of people who choose to have one!
AT&T offers great value for money with its home phone plans. And these days, the phone itself is an extension of the internet network. That’s why it’s called Wireless, although that is a bit confusing in that it’s the same as the cell phone plans…
Nonetheless, it’s easy to use. Once you’ve ordered a home phone, you’ll need to carry out the following steps to get it up and running [4]:
- Plug your phone cable into your phone and the other into the Wi-Fi Gateway’s phone ports 1 & 2.
- Now, you need to activate. You can either call +1 877 377 0016 from the phone, or go to att.net/uverse on your browser and enter your account number and password.
- Once you’re set up, dial *98 to set up your voicemail. You’ll be able to record a message for people to hear if you want. You can then go to att.com/vmviewer if you want your voicemails to be forwarded to your Wi-Fi device or computer.
- If you want to manage any more features of the home phone, just go to att.com/myatt and find the device in the list of services.
AT&T Installations FAQ
Want to know more about getting set up with AT&T? Here are the answers to some of the most common questions on the subject.
Why can’t I get Fiber in my area?
If you’ve been trying to get set up with AT&T Fiber but are unable to order the service online, it’s probably because the infrastructure is not available in your area yet. AT&T Fiber is only available for around a third of the AT&T coverage map.
AT&T is trying to roll out its Fiber network to as much of the US as it can but it is an expensive and time consuming process. So, hopefully you’ll be able to get Fiber one day. But it might be a while if you live in a more rural area.
How long will it take me to get online?
Your AT&T internet setup, whether it be through Fiber or regular internet, varies in time. The bottom line is that it depends on how much infrastructure you have in your home and around your area as it is.
It could take between 4 and 6 hours, but it could also be a lot quicker than that. We still recommend putting most of your day aside though, as you will need to be at home throughout the installation to give the engineer access.
Do I have to pay for postage?
If you’re ordering an AT&T service online, you’ll get postage for free. The Gateway router, any cell phones, the home phone and the DirecTV streaming device will all be sent out to you with no charge at all.
The only time you’ll ever have to pay for postage from AT&T is if you are ordering something from the AT&T store such as an accessory or some spare parts.
Wrapping Up on AT&T Installation
It’s not rocket science to get up and running with your new AT&T service. They try to make it as easy as possible for us customers, and it shows. Plus, it can help us save some money on installation!
By the way, if you haven’t got round to ordering your AT&T service yet, we might be able to help you save some money. We put together a guide on the best AT&T deals, where we also show you a few extra money saving tips with this company.
