A method of operating multiple mobile devices in conjunction with a network system, the method comprising: initiating a first child device activation sequence on a child mobile wireless communication device; initiating a second child device activation sequence on a master mobile wireless communication device, the master mobile wireless communication device previously associated with a subscriber account maintained by a service management system in a network; according to the first child device activation sequence, displaying, on a display of the first child mobile wireless communication device, a QR code representing a child device credential or an image of said child device credential, the child device credential unique to the first child mobile wireless communication device; according to the second child device activation sequence, sending a master device credential to the network service management system to indicate authority to configure service for the child mobile wireless communication device, prompting a user of the master mobile wireless communication device to, using a camera integrated with the master mobile wireless communication device, scan the QR code or capture an image of the credential, subsequent to the scan or capture, sending information from the scan or capture to the service management system; at the service management system, evaluating the master device credential and the information from the scan or capture to conduct a verification of the child and master credentials; and based at least in part on the verification indicating an allowable joining of the child mobile wireless communication device to the subscriber account of the master mobile wireless communication device, activating the child mobile wireless communication device to the subscriber account. initiating a first child device activation sequence on a child mobile wireless communication device; initiating a second child device activation sequence on a master mobile wireless communication device, the master mobile wireless communication device previously associated with a subscriber account maintained by a service management system in a network; according to the first child device activation sequence, displaying, on a display of the first child mobile wireless communication device, a QR code representing a child device credential or an image of said child device credential, the child device credential unique to the first child mobile wireless communication device; according to the second child device activation sequence, sending a master device credential to the network service management system to indicate authority to configure service for the child mobile wireless communication device, prompting a user of the master mobile wireless communication device to, using a camera integrated with the master mobile wireless communication device, scan the QR code or capture an image of the credential, subsequent to the scan or capture, sending information from the scan or capture to the service management system; at the service management system, evaluating the master device credential and the information from the scan or capture to conduct a verification of the child and master credentials; and based at least in part on the verification indicating an allowable joining of the child mobile wireless communication device to the subscriber account of the master mobile wireless communication device, activating the child mobile wireless communication device to the subscriber account. <EOS>