How to Transfer SiriusXM to Another Car

A $35 per-transfer fee applies when you move an eligible active Lifetime subscription to another radio, according to SiriusXM’s Lifetime-subscription policy. For a regular paid SiriusXM account, the usual online process is to add the new vehicle’s receiver to your existing account as a second radio using its Radio ID. The right path depends on whether you have a standard subscription, a Lifetime subscription, or a new-car trial.

What Moving SiriusXM to Another Car Means

SiriusXM service is associated with a specific receiver, not simply with your name, phone, or vehicle registration. Each compatible factory or aftermarket receiver has its own Radio ID, sometimes called an ESN or receiver ID.

Use the add-car action to list the new receiver separately when the old receiver will remain on the account. The replacement option transfers service between receivers.

Before changing anything, decide what you want to happen to the old car:

Keep its SiriusXM service active while you also use the new car.
Add the new car while it uses an included trial.
Stop using the old receiver and choose the replacement path.
Use a car that has no built-in SiriusXM satellite receiver.

How to Add Your New Car to Your SiriusXM Account

Use this method for a regular paid account when you want to add the new vehicle’s satellite-radio receiver. The new vehicle is added as a second radio; it does not automatically remove the old vehicle from your account.

Use this quick guide to choose the correct route before you begin.

Your Situation	Account Action
Regular paid account and a SiriusXM-ready new car	Add the new receiver with Add Car + Streaming
Eligible active Lifetime subscription	Use the replacement process for the Lifetime radio
New car has an active SiriusXM trial	Add the car, then choose a follow-up plan for after the trial
New car has no satellite-radio receiver	Install compatible equipment or use the SiriusXM app instead

Step 1: Choose the Account Path

Use the standard add-car process if you have a normal paid SiriusXM account and want the new vehicle listed with your existing account.
Use the Lifetime replacement process if the old receiver has an active eligible Lifetime subscription.
If the new car is on a trial, do not assume that adding it will convert the trial into your existing paid plan.
If the car does not have a SiriusXM-capable receiver, it will not have a factory Radio ID for satellite activation.

Step 2: Find the New Vehicle’s Radio ID

Turn on the new vehicle’s audio system and select the SiriusXM or satellite-radio source.
Have the new vehicle’s Radio ID ready. The menu name varies by vehicle.
Write the ID down exactly as shown before you sign in. It identifies the receiver you are adding, so do not substitute the VIN, license plate number, or account number.
If the display does not show the ID, use the vehicle’s infotainment documentation or SiriusXM’s activation prompts to locate it.

Step 3: Add the New Receiver Online

Sign in to the SiriusXM Online Account Center.
On the account dashboard, select Add Car + Streaming.
Enter the new vehicle’s Radio ID when prompted.
Complete the remaining prompts to attach the receiver to your account.

Step 4: Confirm the New Car Receives Service

Start the vehicle or switch it to accessory mode, then select the SiriusXM source.
Tune to a channel included with the plan you selected.
Check that the new receiver appears in your online account dashboard.
Review the old vehicle’s listing before selling, trading, or giving it away. If you no longer want service associated with that receiver, contact SiriusXM or use the options shown for that radio in your account.

One forum user reported that after SiriusXM equipment is connected, the system can update automatically and some channels may initially be unavailable. Leave the receiver connected normally and check the account dashboard again if the activation does not look complete.

How to Transfer an Eligible Lifetime Subscription

Transfers can be made an unlimited number of times to a new radio on the same account. This does not include Lifetime subscriptions that came with the purchase of certain luxury vehicles.

A $35 fee applies to each eligible Lifetime transfer.

Find the Radio ID for the new receiver and make sure you can sign in to the SiriusXM account that holds the Lifetime service.
Go to siriusxm.com/myaccount and open the Online Account Center.
Locate the old radio that has the Lifetime subscription.
Open its dropdown menu and select Replace this radio with another.
Enter the new receiver’s information, review the transfer details and fee, and complete the prompts.
Turn on the new receiver, select SiriusXM, and verify that it appears in the account and receives the Lifetime service.

Do not use the replacement process for a standard paid plan unless the account presents that option and its terms clearly match your subscription.

When the New Car Has a Trial or No SiriusXM Receiver

A New-Car SiriusXM Trial

A newly purchased vehicle may already have an active SiriusXM trial. You can still add its Radio ID to your existing account, but the trial is its own status on the new receiver.

When the trial ends, select a follow-up plan for that vehicle if you want uninterrupted service.

A Car Without Built-In SiriusXM

A vehicle without a SiriusXM satellite receiver cannot be activated as a factory car radio because there is no receiver Radio ID to enter. You have two practical options:

Install a compatible aftermarket SiriusXM receiver and activate that receiver’s Radio ID.
Use the SiriusXM app instead.

An aftermarket receiver is its own device for account purposes. Keep the Radio ID for an aftermarket receiver available during account setup.

Confirm the Transfer and Fix Common Problems

The Radio ID Is Rejected or the Vehicle Is Not Found

Recheck every character in the Radio ID and make sure you entered the ID from the new receiver, not the old one. One forum user reported that a SiriusXM transfer may be impeded when the provider has no VIN record for the vehicle.

Keep the receiver powered on and have the Radio ID ready when contacting SiriusXM support.

The New Radio Appears but Channels Are Missing

First, confirm that the new radio is listed under the correct SiriusXM account and that you selected the SiriusXM audio source in the car. Some channels may be unavailable while the receiver updates after it connects.

If only a limited set of channels works, compare the active plan shown in your account with the channels you expect. A trial, a streaming plan, and a satellite-radio plan may not include the same access.

The Old Car Is Still Listed

The old car can remain on the account after you add a second radio.

If you sold or traded the vehicle, review its subscription status and remove, cancel, or replace service only after confirming that the new receiver is active. This helps avoid changing the wrong radio on an account with more than one receiver.

Start by finding the new vehicle’s Radio ID, then sign in to your SiriusXM account and choose the path that matches your subscription type.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to transfer SiriusXM to another car?

For eligible active Lifetime subscriptions, SiriusXM charges $35 per transfer. The official add-car instructions for regular paid accounts describe adding the new vehicle as a second radio, but they do not state one fixed transfer fee for every standard subscription.

How does SiriusXM know I have a new car?

SiriusXM identifies the new receiver through its Radio ID. Sign in to the Online Account Center, choose Add Car + Streaming, and enter that Radio ID to add the vehicle as a second radio on the account.

Can I move my SiriusXM subscription to a car without SiriusXM?

Not directly through the car’s factory radio if it has no SiriusXM satellite receiver and no Radio ID. Consider the SiriusXM app instead.

How many vehicles can use the same SiriusXM account?

SiriusXM’s documented process allows you to add a new vehicle as a second radio on an existing account. The account dashboard and subscription choices determine which radios are active and what service each radio receives.