topic Re: Connect a data-only SIM to the account in SIM cards & Porting

Connect a data-only SIM to the account

Ericliu1912 — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 14:23:29 GMT

I'm been trying to connect my data-only SIM card to my EE account, but it requires entering a mobile number, which the data-only SIM does not have (also no number mentioned in the "comfirmation email"). Is it possible to actually do that?

Re: Connect a data-only SIM to the account

XRaySpeX — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 14:37:16 GMT

All SIMs have a mobile no. It should've been on the packaging. What device is the SIM in?

Can you put it in a phone & text NUMBER to 150?

Re: Connect a data-only SIM to the account

Ericliu1912 — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Ah, it's an esim, so no packaging...I'll try texting.

Re: Connect a data-only SIM to the account

Ericliu1912 — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 15:03:16 GMT

OK, I could not send a text to 150, and also not able to make a call either, probably because it's a data-only esim? Seems like there's no email customer service, which is not convinient.

Re: Connect a data-only SIM to the account

XRaySpeX — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 15:05:52 GMT

OK, so what device is it in?

Re: Connect a data-only SIM to the account

Ericliu1912 — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 15:12:40 GMT

An iPhone 11, iOS 26.

Re: Connect a data-only SIM to the account

XRaySpeX — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 15:21:43 GMT

Then why can't you text 150 from that phone? It is free.

Even a data SIM is able to make texts & calls.

Re: Connect a data-only SIM to the account

Ericliu1912 — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 15:21:45 GMT

Could a data-only eSIM send text or make call?

Re: Connect a data-only SIM to the account

XRaySpeX — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 15:26:49 GMT

Yes, it's just that they are not within your allowances & so may be chargeable but texts to 150 are free anyway.

Re: Connect a data-only SIM to the account

Ericliu1912 — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 15:46:04 GMT

OK, so if I could not send texts to 150 through my EE eSIM, that's a dead end, right? I get an Not Delivered error message with a red exclamation mark, that's so weird.

Re: Connect a data-only SIM to the account

XRaySpeX — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 15:50:33 GMT

Where are you?

Are you on contract or PAYG?

Re: Connect a data-only SIM to the account

Ericliu1912 — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 15:53:21 GMT

"8 Day Unlimited Data Only eSIM", https://ee.co.uk/mobile/travel-esim-uk

Re: Connect a data-only SIM to the account

XRaySpeX — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 16:00:41 GMT

That's effectively a PAYG or Prepaid plan but are you in UK?

Re: Connect a data-only SIM to the account

Ericliu1912 — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 16:18:51 GMT

Yes, currently in London. Also the data usage were perfectly fine.

Re: Connect a data-only SIM to the account

XRaySpeX — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 16:27:11 GMT

I see no reason why you can't send a text to 150 to get your no. Maybe it's something to do with these special travel data SIMs.

Visit http://add-on.ee.co.uk/status from your phone to see your data & credit status as well as its mobile no. at the top.

Re: Connect a data-only SIM to the account

bristolian — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 18:16:37 GMT

@XRaySpeX wrote:
I see no reason why you can't send a text to 150 to get your no. Maybe it's something to do with these special travel data SIMs.

Agreed. Neither the "e" nor the data-plan should prevent text messages being sent, but the travel-specific ones may have quirks.

The only restriction that's occasionally tripped over, is that data-specific plans sometimes have voice bars inadvertently applied.