Starlink has been providing high speed, low latency satellite internet service for several years. It’s been a game changer for people in rural areas, where high speed internet was not previously available. In 2023, Starlink coverage is virtually global, meaning anyone can sign up and enjoy fast internet, no matter where they live.
If you just moved to an area with few internet options, or have just recently heard about Starlink, this tutorial is for you. I’m going to walk you through the steps required to sign up for Starlink. I will explain how to choose a plan, how to check to make sure your address is covered, and answer some of the most common questions and concerns.
Table of Contents
Step 1: Choose a service plan
The first step is deciding what service plan fits your needs. Starlink offers several service plans, each with different features that fit different needs. The Standard plan (also called Residential) is the most common, and is the best for home internet. In this tutorial, I will be signing up for the Residential plan.
Businesses, governments, and other commercial operations can select the Priority (Business) plan. People needing Starlink for camping, RV’s, seasonal vacation homes, or other portable uses can select the Mobile (Roam) plan, which allows you to travel and use your Starlink dish anywhere.
Head to Starlink.com and click on the type of service you want from the top menu. If you are browsing on a mobile device, tap the menu icon to bring up all the service plan options. In this example, Residential is already selected, so I will proceed to step 2.
Confused about which service plan is right for you? Check out our full breakdown of the Starlink service plans for more detail on what each service plan offers.
Step 2: Check availability
Next, enter your address into the text field and click the Order Now button.
Residential and Business plans: Although Starlink coverage is global, network capacity is limited in many areas. The service address you enter in this step will be checked for availability.
Roam, Mobility, and other plans: Roam and other plans are designed to be portable, so they don’t have a fixed service location. These plans aren’t subject to capacity limitations and there is no waitlist to order. The address you enter in this step will be your shipping address.
Step 3: Place order
After entering your address and clicking Order Now, you’ll see a page where you can fill out your order details. This includes contact, shipping, and payment information. If you selected Residential or Business, the availability of service for your address will be displayed first:
Starlink is immediately available at your address! – You can sign up and get service right away.
Order now to reserve your Starlink – There is currently no capacity/availability at your address. You can choose to put down a deposit for a spot on the waitlist, or select another service plan.
To continue, fill out the rest of the order form. Under the contact information section, double check that you enter your phone number and email correctly. The email you enter will be used for online account access. The phone number you enter can be used for account recovery and customer support.
If you need to ship your hardware to a different address, you can edit the shipping address by clicking the pencil icon.
Payment can be made using a credit/debit card, or by using Apple Pay. Your order total, including any applicable taxes and shipping, is shown under Due Today. Once everything is filled out, click Place Order to complete your purchase.
Step 4: Complete account registration
After successfully placing the order, you will be asked to finish your Starlink account setup. Remember, the email address you entered in the previous step is your Starlink account username. Create a password for your Starlink account to continue.
If you accidentally closed the page before completing your account registration, don’t worry. Check your email for a confirmation message from Starlink. It contains a link to finish the account registration process.
You will need to complete the account registration to track your order, or to contact Starlink support.
Step 5: Track your order
The worst part about any online purchase is waiting for it to arrive! The last step in signing up for Starlink service is to track your order to make sure everything is moving forward.
To track your order, log in to your account dashboard by visiting Starlink.com. Open the menu in the upper right corner of the screen. Click on My Account or Sign In if you aren’t logged in already.
You will see your order history under Your Orders. The status of the order, and any tracking information, will be displayed here. You can click on View for more order details. For more information, check out our tutorial on checking your Starlink order status.
What’s next?
Congratulations, you’ve signed up for Starlink! The next step is to prepare for delivery. You will want to select an installation location and buy mounts and accessories. These topics are beyond the scope of this tutorial, but here are some guides to get you started with Starlink:
Commonly Asked Questions
How do I order Starlink accessories?
Starlink doesn’t allow you to order mounts and accessories when you first sign up for service. If you need to purchase additional items, first complete your hardware kit order. Then, visit the Starlink shop to purchase mounts and other Starlink accessories.
Can I ship my order to a different address?
Yes, you can ship your order to an address that is different from the service address. Just click the pencil icon next to Shipping Address on the order form to change where you want it shipped. In most cases, Starlink won’t allow you to ship the order to a different country.
Can I sign up for Starlink with a used kit?
Yes, it is possible to sign up for new Starlink service with a kit that you purchased used. You will just need to check the box next to I already have my Starlink. Then, enter in your Starlink identifier. If the identifier is valid, any hardware costs will be deducted from your order total, and you can continue filling out the order information. For more detail on activating a used kit, check out this guide.
I bought a new Starlink from an authorized reseller, how do I sign up?
If you purchased a new Starlink kit from an authorized reseller, such as Best Buy or Winegard, it comes unactivated. To activate the kit and sign up for service from Starlink, you will need to follow these steps.