topic Re: How to get an inactive prepaid sim back? in Pay as you go

How to get an inactive prepaid sim back?

MrXee — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 11:10:32 GMT

Hi I have a sim from EE that wasn't used for quite a while. My email address is linked to this number and I am not able to access the number. Can anyone guide what should I do to get back this number. I went to EE customer service center and they told me to reach customer support online. Help plz.

Re: How to get an inactive prepaid sim back?

XRaySpeX — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 11:18:37 GMT

@MrXee : 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: How to get an inactive prepaid sim back?

MrXee — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 11:24:19 GMT

Found this phone after long time. Now it's giving me error sim not provisioned. Any chances of getting this sim back?

Re: How to get an inactive prepaid sim back?

Chris_S — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 11:44:44 GMT

Hi @MrXee,

How long has your account been inactive for?

After 270 days: If we haven’t heard from you, your account will be closed. Your number and any remaining credit will be lost.

Chris S

Re: How to get an inactive prepaid sim back?

Northerner — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 13:53:08 GMT

Hi @MrXee

EE guide is here which explains the points in the other posts: https://community.ee.co.uk/t5/Pay-as-you-go/Understanding-Pay-As-You-Go-Hibernation-and-how-to-keep-your/td-p/1606627

Thanks