topic Re: Can I gain access to my expired sim number? in Pay as you go

Can I gain access to my expired sim number?

c00p — Mon, 04 Nov 2024 23:03:03 GMT

My sim expired, but the number I had is tied to a lot of things including whatsapp.

Is there any way to get my number back?

I logged into the app to ask through the help chat (as I am currently abroad), but chat is not an option.

Thanks for any help!

Chris

Re: Can I gain access to my expired sim number?

XRaySpeX — Mon, 04 Nov 2024 23:32:18 GMT

@c00p : Sounds like your PAYG SIM may have gone into hibernation due to non-use.

When did you previously make a chargeable action? EE PAYG SIMs are deactivated after 6 months of non-chargeable use. You then have a further 3 months period of grace to call EE to reactivate it before it is lost completely.

You needed to make a chargeable action like making a chargeable call or text, topping up or buying a Pack or Add-on, not just using your mins, texts or data from your pack.

Re: Can I gain access to my expired sim number?

c00p — Mon, 11 Nov 2024 14:45:52 GMT

Thanks for the response,

That window has unfortunately passed. I don't think this limit used to be on the sim as I would leave the UK for longer than 9 months and return and the number would still exist with no issues. If I had known this I would have kept adding credit from a distance.

Do you know of any way I can regain the number? I was using the number for whatsapp, and my phone just died without warning, so I can't log back into whatsapp and have lost a lot of peoples numbers and messages. It is linked to a bunch of other things like my gmail as well, without the phone or the number I am locked out!

Is there any other way?

Cheers

Re: Can I gain access to my expired sim number?

XRaySpeX — Mon, 11 Nov 2024 15:04:32 GMT

No way! You may change your mobile no. under WhatsApp's Settings. You can get into WhatsApp over WiFi. Similarly for other sites I expect.

Re: Can I gain access to my expired sim number?

c00p — Mon, 11 Nov 2024 19:38:43 GMT

Because the phone died, I cannot log back in to whatsapp without the code that is being sent to the expired EE number. You can't change the number without logging in, which is not possible unless I can access my number again unfortunately.

Re: Can I gain access to my expired sim number?

bristolian — Mon, 11 Nov 2024 20:37:27 GMT

If a PAYG SIM goes more than 273 days from chargeable usage, the number is lost. The warning sign is the 6month hibernation, which triggers the 3month grace.

Sorry to say, but any implications of that disconnection, are not for EE to resolve.