topic Re: Unable to send text in Pay as you go

Unable to send text

i_hanjr — Sun, 03 Mar 2024 21:48:47 GMT

I recently moved from pay monthly to pay as you go as I have recently moved abroad and wanted to keep my UK number.

I had to have a new sim card sent out as there were issues around me converting old one to an eSIM. My family member activated it in the UK then posted it out to me.

I have put the sim in my phone and I can receive messages and top up money but I am unable to send text messages. It comes up with an error saying number not formatted correctly. Please can you help as I don't want to loose my UK number

Re: Unable to send text

i_hanjr — Sun, 25 Feb 2024 08:36:09 GMT

I've had similar issues. I have managed to top up the sim but I cannot send texts from it and when I try and call it says numbers barred. I can send texts to the number but that is it. It's my old sim that has recently been changed to a pay as you go because I've moved abroad. It had to change to a new sim as I had issues when trying to change it to a eSIM. This new sim was activated in the UK by a family member.

Re: Unable to send text

Katie_B — Sun, 25 Feb 2024 10:38:30 GMT

Hello @i_hanjr.

Are you aware if the SIM was used in the UK on the EE network before travelling abroad?

Katie

Re: Unable to send text

XRaySpeX — Sun, 03 Mar 2024 21:55:05 GMT

@i_hanjr : How was it activated by a family member? Did they make a call or text from it while in UK?

For sending texts, ensure your phone's Messaging app has the Message Centre no. setting for EE as +447958879879.

eSIMs are not yet available on PAYG.

Re: Unable to send text

i_hanjr — Sun, 03 Mar 2024 23:22:33 GMT

I contacted EE over chat and they activated it without it being in a phone.
They said that was possible for them to do.

I know I can't have eSIM on PAYG (now...something EE neglected to tell me
when I asked) hence why I had to get a new sim delivered to the UK

Re: Unable to send text

Leanne_T — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 07:43:44 GMT

Hi @i_hanjr

To fully activate the SIM on the EE network a call or text would need to have been made whilst in the UK before the SIM can be used abroad.

Leanne.

Re: Unable to send text

i_hanjr — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 09:49:04 GMT

Well this is not what EE told me when I spoke to them. Now I can't access
their online chat function and I'm the other side of the world so
impossible to contact them.
It's funny how as soon as you change from pay monthly to PAYG they are
quick to not be helpful

Re: Unable to send text

i_hanjr — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 09:51:22 GMT

How can I go about rectifying this? I really don't want to loose my UK number. I'm in New Zealand so really difficult to keep trying to sort this out

Re: Unable to send text

XRaySpeX — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 10:09:24 GMT

Try calling CS on the Freephone no. in my sig. using Skype over WiFi. It should be free.

Re: Unable to send text

amyp194829 — Sat, 21 Jun 2025 18:30:54 GMT

How much is it to be on contract

Re: Unable to send text

Chris_S — Sun, 22 Jun 2025 07:02:18 GMT

Hi @amyp194829

You can view all of our Sim only and mobile phone contract options on our website.

Chris S