topic Re: Re-activate pay-as-you-go Mobile Data SIM in Pay as you go

Re-activate pay-as-you-go Mobile Data SIM

WKB_AT — Sun, 11 Jan 2026 16:11:06 GMT

We bought a prepaid SIM in 2024 when we spent 3 weeks in Scotland. This year we are coming back and I was wondering if I can reactivate my SIM in any way, or if we need to get back to a store. I fear I have no papers on the deal, only the SIM with a 12-digit-ID number....

Re: Re-activate pay-as-you-go Mobile Data SIM

Northerner — Sun, 11 Jan 2026 17:54:27 GMT

Hi @WKB_AT

If it is PAYG it is likely dead if you haven't made a chargeable call or text. Just get another PAYG SIM when you arrive or look at the many roaming esim deals you can get like Saily.

EE hibernation: https://ee.co.uk/help/mobile/manage-use/pay-as-you-go/pay-as-you-go-credit-run-out-when-i-havent-made-calls
Thanks

Re: Re-activate pay-as-you-go Mobile Data SIM

XRaySpeX — Sun, 11 Jan 2026 19:50:35 GMT

@WKB_AT : 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.