topic Re: SIM stuck on "emergency calls only", cant receive texts in Pay as you go

SIM stuck on "emergency calls only", cant receive texts

UNSC_VEGA — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 17:50:44 GMT

My EE sim (T-mobile actually) that i have had since around 2013 has suddenly stopped working in the last month or so (was working early-mid November as I've received calls/texts, so its cant be deactivated due to inactivity - i believe that's 6 months), but now it wont do anything - calls, texts or mobile data
Today Im trying to withdraw money from my PayPal account but it wants a code from a text, but i cant receive the text. I've tried adding a new number to my PayPal account (my phone is dual sim, so i got a new sim with Three) but that too needs a code via text that i cant receive. So effectively i cant use my PayPal account at the moment
Is there anyway i can get my EE sim reactivated/able to receive texts again?

Re: SIM stuck on "emergency calls only", cant receive texts

XRaySpeX — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 17:35:43 GMT

Is it on contract or PAYG? If it's on PAYG ...

Receiving calls or texts will not keep it alive.

Sounds like your PAYG SIM may have gone into hibernation due to non-use. If it has, topping-up now would be too late.

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: SIM stuck on "emergency calls only", cant receive texts

UNSC_VEGA — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 17:52:24 GMT

It is PAYG
I did topup in September (which still wouldnt be six months) via the 150 phone number, and i have also made calls and texts afterwards
Ill add that WhatsApp still works with the number, just nothing else, if that helps

Re: SIM stuck on "emergency calls only", cant receive texts

rkelly1 — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 18:26:19 GMT

As long as it hasn't been deactivated (if you topped up in September, it shouldn't have been) then the best thing to do is try your sim in another phone if possible. This will identify whether the sim or the phone has the issue.

If it's a sim issue then contact EE to check everthing is still active and see about getting a replacement sent.

Re: SIM stuck on "emergency calls only", cant receive texts

XRaySpeX — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 17:55:18 GMT

@UNSC_VEGA : OK, if you can use mobile data it won't be in hibernation. You sure you are not accessing WhatsUp over WiFi?

Re: SIM stuck on "emergency calls only", cant receive texts

UNSC_VEGA — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 18:41:28 GMT

I did try the sim in a different phone, but that didn't work it still said "emergency calls only"

Re: SIM stuck on "emergency calls only", cant receive texts

UNSC_VEGA — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 18:42:46 GMT

Using WhatsApp was over Wi-Fi, forgot to add that part. Mobile data just doesn't do anything

Re: SIM stuck on "emergency calls only", cant receive texts

Chris_B — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 18:50:27 GMT

@UNSC_VEGA If you’re using a sim from 2013 and it’s a T-Mobile sim then the only network access you have is via 2G. There is no 3G network anymore and you’ll not have 4G. This could simply be a mast issue, you also really do need to get a replacement sim so at least you’ll get 4G. And very soon 5G if your device supports those bandwidths.

Re: SIM stuck on "emergency calls only", cant receive texts

XRaySpeX — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 19:14:51 GMT

Then your SIM has gone into hibernation!