How to access new mobile phone service. Help needed

First, make sure your new phone is turned on and connected to Wi-Fi. Open the camera app and scan the QR code that you have on your laptop screen. This should start the setup process for your new service. If it doesn’t work, you might need to use a special app from your new provider to scan the QR code. The instructions should have been in the email, so check the entire email carefully, including any attachments or links. The PUK number in the email is for unlocking your SIM card if it gets locked. If you're still having trouble, try searching your provider's website for QR code setup instructions or their customer service contact info.

When I got a new phone I bought it while staying with my daughter so she could both help me choose and then set it up for me afterwards. She transferred everything from my old phone for me. I'd never have managed on my own so I know how you feel. Unfortunately she now lives overseas and if I have issues she tries to explain things over the phone but sometimes I struggle to follow her instructions. I'm sure she things I'm a complete idiot but I'm just not very tech savvy! I can usually find a friend to help me with things if I'm really struggling but I often get there by myself in the end - it just takes me rather a long time. Many of my friends know even less than I do so I guess they must struggle with things too.
As more and more things go online it isn't going to get any easier. I need to make a list of all my queries for when my DD comes to the UK in September!

When it comes to phone service I always will choose a company that has easy access to customer service - for purchasing a new phone, transfer of service (from old to new), and answer all my questions in the he future. The best part - monthly service cost is very reasonable! Seniors love it. (I live in the USA)

I would recommend for any future purchases you seek out this kind of reputable company. I’m sure you have them too.

You can’t always go with the lowest cost phone because follow-up service or problems will be frustrating. Look for the “whole enchilada” package when buying mobile!

When it comes to my knowledge of NEW technology, I need help too!!

Do you have a child, or grandchild wo can help out? I simply hate new technology in my old age (nearly 78) and get one of my adult children, of one of the grandchildren to sort me out..............!!! As for QR codes don't get me started. Good luck

thanks to everyone for all suggestions received.
makes me more sympathetic to people who struggle with daily life due to lack of literacy, numeracy or English language, or just having some special needs.

was over 40 mins on phone to india, but it's a local london number, so hope it won't bump up my BT bill...

i have just been on landline to the carrier in india.
polite but difficult to understand due to accent, also not understanding much of the terminology.
eventually he told me my phone, just bought !, does not support eSIM.
so that's no good.
he will send me a SIM.
then as i was going on about as long as it keeps my old number, he said he can see no record of request to do so, so it won't.
this caused me great stress.
had that number since year 2000. can't change it now. hosp, docs, imp contacts etc.
then he said he would do something so that the card he was sending me would operate on their service with my old number.
gave me couple of reference numbers for orders.
this whole experience does not bode well for future dealings with this company.
it's not the employees fault, but the forms are v difficult to read, understand, and fill in.
much over-printing, and having to guess the questions.
simple explanations not given.
not user-friendly.
anyway, i live in hope. we have to resist the slide to despair.

You should be able to find several free QR scanner apps - see my comment upthread. What phone are you using to try to scan the QR code that you have on your laptop?

do you have to pay to install QR scanner.
i don't want them to take any more money than i have agreed to.
i can't find google lens, nothing happens when i right click.

You need to take your camera in your phone over the code when you do it should scan a yellow or white box around it then everything should upload for you. Also puk code is in case you want to keep same number don’t you have a family member who can show you or a neighbor I did it for mine other week because they didn’t want to ask family. I showed them for next time but they said probably knock on me again as I’m techy lol

Download Google lens, scan the qr code, it needs a steady hand. You should then get the link. Not sure if the age of your laptop matters.

I would go to a local phone shop if there is still one in your locality and throw yourself at the mercy of some young 'un!

Ask a grandchild over 10 (if you have one) and they will be able to do a complete set up for you.

Otherwise, make a list of what you want - price range, size, quality of photos, accessibility etc etc- and then go to an actual store. You will learn a lot, even if you don't buy.

Go onto Twitter / X, find the company and ask for help. They should give you assistance

In Chrome, right-click the image containing the QR code and click Search Image with Google.This should open a Google Lens panel to the right of your browser window. At the top you’ll see your image. Below that you will see the words QR code: Text, along with the text contained in the QR code. If the text is a link you will also see a button for opening the link.

Merion.
yes, old phone no good for this.
have new phone.
have picture of QR on chrome laptop.
where is google lens.
its asking if i want to add it to my drive.
no idea what this means

You could go to a phone shop when they are quieter (i.e. not on a Saturday, when it's full of technologically advanced children!!) and ask them to help. In my experience Phones4U are very good and also very patient. I went there (not even having bought my phone in that shop) and some 12 year old whose voice hadn't broken a nice young man was very helpful.

Alternatively there may be a local place (in our case it's our local medical practice) which runs a technology advice clinic. Your local library (if you're lucky enough to have one) should know.

Good luck.

A PUK is the “personal unlocking key” required by some networks when you want to unlock your phone (meaning that it is currently locked into another network) and you want to switch networks or use another SIM card.

The QR (quick response) code should take you to the instructions telling you how to do the switch.

Are you saying your current (old) phone that you want to switch networks on is not a smart phone?

If so and you cannot do what Ashenminster suggests, do you have Google Chrome on your laptop? If so you can right click on the image you have taken and use Google Lens to read the QR code. Instructions here:

www.popsci.com/diy/qr-code-on-computer/

thanks, i'll try again tomorrow when i'm more with it, hopefully.
it's complicated because i have bought a new phone, and don't really know how to use it.
i only had a basic phone before.
the issue at this stage is not porting the old number; i've given the new carrier the PAC but it takes a few days.
at the moment i am trying to get the service i have paid for to operate on the phone i have.
so i am changing phones and carrier but keeping number.
i have to have a temporary number from the new carrier while they port the old one over.
but at the moment i have not got access to the service.

Screenshot approach is no good. Point your phone's camera at the QR code. Do not take a photo. The camera will do the work and a link will appear. Follow that. Good luck!

Not all smartphones have inbuilt QR code readers - if your phone is an older or more basic model that could be why using your phone camera to scan the QR code doesn’t work.

You might need to install a QR code reader app.

On my 3 year old Android phone I went to the “Play Store” and downloaded a free app from there. Once it’s installed on your phone you should be able to scan the QR code that’s been emailed to you and then open the link to the instructions.

Hope this helps.

Is it a PAC?
Personal activation code?
That's how you keep your number.

I have moved company in the past and my PAC code came from my old company.
Not sure what happens if you "give up" your existing phone number maybe that's what you are doing here? Starting again with a new phone number?

Does this help?
www.uswitch.com/mobiles/guides/porting-your-mobile-phone-number/

when i click on the miniature one, it says downloads, there is a small version of the QR code and a little arrow to the side.
i click on the arrow and a page appears which is headed my files, downloads, and QR code is listed;
if i click on that i am just going round in circles . . .

thanks, i did take a photo with my phone originally, but the picture just appeared in my gallery.
i didn't see any instructions or link.
so i also screen shot, (first time ever!) the QR code on my laptop, but nothing magical happened.
it just appeared in miniature at the foot of my laptop.
(did i mention i am from the age of the cartridge fountain pen.
that was cutting edge technology in my youth.)

Keep the PUK code safe as it is used to unlock the phone if incorrect passwords or PINs are used too many times.