topic Re: Finding and reconnecting an old number in Pay as you go

Finding and reconnecting an old number

Aidans3 — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 14:49:25 GMT

Hi all,

My wife had her number for 22 years. She hasn't used it since last summer and discovered today that it has been recycled. As you can imagine she is very upset. I have some questions - is there a way to check if someone already has it? I did try looking it up on Whatsapp as a contact but seems it is not in use on Whatsapp. If not already assigned is there a way I can activate this number for my wife, to get it back for her?

Any help would be appreciated.

Re: Finding and reconnecting an old number

bristolian — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 15:28:54 GMT

PAYG lines are subject to the hibernation policy - https://community.ee.co.uk/t5/Pay-as-you-go/What-is-pay-as-you-go-and-flex-hibernation-and-how-do-I-stop-it/td-p/1198642

This requires chargeable usage at least once every 6 months, with 3 months grace before outright disconnection after 273 days.

If it's been longer than that, then the number in question is no longer your wife's.

Re: Finding and reconnecting an old number

XRaySpeX — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 15:32:03 GMT

If it has been unused for more than 9 months it has 1st gone into hibernation after 6 months & when still unused after a further 3 months it has been deactivated completely so you have lost it. You cannot get it back.

Re: Finding and reconnecting an old number

Aidans3 — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 04:51:31 GMT

Thank you for your reply.

Re: Finding and reconnecting an old number

Aidans3 — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 04:52:11 GMT

Thank you for your reply.