No you have to call or go to the store but I think you can do it on the automated service by yourself call *228

 

+1

*228 and say Activate A Phone.

 

Or you can do it via web too.

 

You can. If you know your MIN and I think its called SID from your old phone. Add the phone online.Open your dialer and put this in ##626* then put, 587846 that will take you to the service programming menu, then go to edit and add your phone number, then your min and then your SID click done and your phone will reboot.

Smartphones on Metro require manual programming. I just did this with my other Esteem the other day. But if you call *228 you have to call from a different phone so you can do the programming.