topic Re: sms in Roaming

sms

Elyas6740 — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 08:59:46 GMT

Hi, I’m currently in Iran using an EE SIM card.
When I first inserted the SIM into my phone, I received the welcome SMS from EE. I have also activated the SIM through the EE website, and I receive all SMS messages sent by EE without any problems.
However, I am not receiving any verification SMS codes from either Telegram or WhatsApp.
Could you please check whether there is any issue with receiving verification/OTP SMS messages on my EE number while roaming in Iran?
Thank you.

Re: sms

Elyas6740 — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 09:12:56 GMT

Hi EE Support, I’m currently in Iran using an EE SIM. When I inserted the SIM for the first time, I received the EE Welcome SMS, and I can receive all SMS messages sent by EE without any issues. My number is correctly linked to my My EE account. However, I do not receive any SMS from other senders, including verification codes (OTP) from Telegram and WhatsApp. Could you please check if my line is fully provisioned for receiving SMS while roaming, and whether there is any issue with my SMS provisioning or roaming profile that needs to be refreshed or reset? Thank you.

Re: sms

XRaySpeX — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 12:09:53 GMT

@Elyas6740 : This public user discussion forum can have no access to your specific account & so cannot check anything to do with it. You need to raise this with CS.

Re: sms

Elyas6740 — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 13:32:13 GMT

Thank you. I understand that the public forum cannot access my account. Is there any way to contact EE Customer Service or a technical support team without making a phone call? I am currently in Iran, so making an international call is difficult for me.

I would like someone to check my EE account and specifically verify whether incoming SMS while roaming in Iran is fully provisioned on my line, and whether my SMS/roaming profile needs to be refreshed or reset.

I can receive SMS messages from EE itself, including the welcome message, but I cannot receive SMS from any other sender, including verification codes from WhatsApp and Telegram.

Is there an online chat, secure message service, email, or any other way I can have this checked without calling?

Re: sms

Ali_A — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 16:11:26 GMT

Hi @Elyas6740

Are you on Pay monthly or Pay as you go (Pre-Pay)?

Have you used the SIM card in the UK to make phone calls before you have taken it to Iran?

Ali

Re: sms

Elyas6740 — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 17:04:22 GMT

It is a Pay As You Go (Pre-Pay) EE SIM. I purchased this EE SIM as an international SIM from a retailer in Iran. Some of my friends had previously purchased the same type of SIM and were able to use it without any problems.

I have never used this SIM in the UK before bringing it to Iran. This was a brand-new, unused SIM when I purchased it.

Currently, the SIM has network coverage on my phone in Iran, and I receive all SMS messages sent by EE, including the initial welcome SMS. However, I cannot receive SMS messages from other senders, including verification codes from Telegram, WhatsApp and other services.

The main reason I purchased this SIM was specifically to receive SMS verification codes for different services. I don’t need mobile data or outgoing SMS.

Could you please advise whether the fact that I never used the SIM in the UK before bringing it to Iran could be causing this issue, and whether there is anything that can be done remotely to fully activate/provision the SIM for receiving SMS while roaming in Iran?

Re: sms

Ali_A — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 17:35:44 GMT

@Elyas6740

All EE SIMs must be first used in UK before they will fully unlock to work abroad.

There is no way to remotely unlock this. The only option you have is to send the SIM back to the UK to make the first phone call and then send it back to Iran.

This is the same for all countries outside of the UK.

Ali

Re: sms

XRaySpeX — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 17:37:18 GMT

To be used abroad EE PAYG SIMs need 1st activating on EE's home UK network. If it wasn't you can't now use it until you return to UK.