topic Can alert texts be trusted in Pay as you go

Can alert texts be trusted

Lidlicker — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 12:53:58 GMT

Hi. I am a low user so only have the £1 / week recurring plan. It obviously only has a low data allowance but it usually adequate for what I need when I'm out of WiFi range. I've boosted the allowance over the years but, it's still below 5gb a week.

We're currently having broadband issues in the house (not EE) & therefore I'm using data more than I would normally - my plan only renewed yesterday but I received a text this morning to say that I've already used 80% of my allowance 😳. However, on checking the app, it shows I've got 3.5gb left! I tried ringing EE to speak to someone who could perhaps explain what triggers the alert texts but, I just kept going around in circles with the options.

Re: Can alert texts be trusted

Alex_H — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 15:52:29 GMT

Hi @Lidlicker,

Welcome to the EE Community

The information in the EE app or by texting BALANCE to 150 should show up to date information, so from what you are saying you have plenty left.

The text alerts are triggered by tracking your actual allowances. We don't have access to your account via these forums so it is hard to say for definite, but it sounds like it could have been the case of your boost data not kicking in initially and so the text being triggered by the small amount of data in the pack itself being used.

Alex

Re: Can alert texts be trusted

XRaySpeX — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 22:38:57 GMT

@Alex_H wrote:
it sounds like it could have been the case of your boost data not kicking in initially and so the text being triggered by the small amount of data in the pack itself being used.

Boost data does not kick in initially but only after the core plan allowance is used up. See About Data Rollover for pay as you go mobiles

Your data allowance will be applied in the following order for each Plan: (1) Rollover data, (2) core plan allowance (3) Free Boosts.

So I would agree that the 80% warning is about 80% of core plan allowance being used which would be miniscule on a £1 pack.