New PAYG SIM won’t activate. Stuck on emergency calls only

mrpotts — Sun, 21 Sep 2025 15:50:08 GMT

Hi,

I ordered a new EE PAYG Multi SIM with a £9 pack. It arrived a couple of days ago.

Put the SIM in a phone (and previously in a smartwatch).
It’s been in my phone for nearly 2 days but still only shows “emergency calls only”.
Rebooted the phone multiple times.
Tried texting BALANCE to 150 but messages won’t send.
Tried calling 150, but the call won’t connect as the SIM isn’t active.
Tried the online activation page (ee.co.uk/activate). When I enter the SIM’s number it fails with the message:
“Well, that didn’t work. Please try again or call 150 from an EE device, or 07973 100 150.”
My EE account is still linked to an old number, and the new SIM can’t receive the verification text to be added.
As I’m writing this, I’ve also tried the helpline. I’ve currently been on hold for 37 minutes.

It looks like the SIM hasn’t been provisioned on the network. Can someone please help get it activated and link the £9 pack?

Thanks.

Re: New PAYG SIM won’t activate. Stuck on emergency calls only

Christopher_G — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 07:01:50 GMT

Hi @mrpotts

Welcome to the community.

It sounds like you've tried everything that we'd usually recommend. Speaking with our Customer Support team on the 07973 100 150 number is definitely the best way to go here.

Chris

topic Re: New PAYG SIM won’t activate. Stuck on emergency calls only in SIM cards & Porting

New PAYG SIM won’t activate. Stuck on emergency calls only

Re: New PAYG SIM won’t activate. Stuck on emergency calls only