SIM Disabled need reactivated

CMCT · ‎12-06-2026

My SIM seems to be disabled, I am now in Ireland.

Short version - I got my SIM on April 8th and Activated with £10, then had to pretty much come straight over here (Ireland) to my uncle who is sick. I haven't used my ee phone as I had only got the number.

Now I need it as I am going home and my need to contact my sister who is coming over here in 2 weeks.

I have topped it up and the money was taken, but I can't do anything, I can't check 150 for anything, and the App doesn't work on my Huawei phone... 🙄

Can anyone help? Is there any way to get my SIM reactivated?

Matt_124 · ‎12-06-2026

Had you used the SIM on the EE Network prior to travelling to Ireland? Are you picking up local network coverage where you are on the EE SIM?

In order for it to be able to be used on a different country's network it would have needed to have been activated first on EE's UK network.

Depending on where you are in Ireland, crossing the border into the north should allow your phone to pick up the EE network (subject to local coverage variations). After it has been used on EE, this should allow it to be used on Irish networks.

Otherwise if you have not used it and are unable to connect to the EE network in-between, you will not be able to use the SIM until you are back in the UK.

XRaySpeX · ‎12-06-2026

@CMCT : Just putting the SIM in your phone &/or topping-up is not activating it. You needed to make a call or text while on EE's home UK network before it can be used abraod.

If you think I helped please feel free to hit the "Thumbs Up" button below.

To phone EE CS: Dial Freephone +44 800 079 8586 - Option 1 for Home Broadband & Home Phone or Option 2 for Mobile Phone & Mobile Broadband

ISPs: 1999: Freeserve 48K Dial-Up > 2005: Wanadoo 1 Meg BB > 2007: Orange 2 Meg BB > 2008: Orange 8 Meg LLU > 2010: Orange 16 Meg LLU > 2011: Orange 20 Meg WBC > 2014: EE 20 Meg WBC > 2020: EE 40 Meg FTTC > 2022:EE 80 Meg FTTC SoGEA > 2025 EE 150 Meg FTTP

CMCT · ‎13-06-2026

Thanks, I can't honestly remember if I had used it in the UK, as there was a lot going on, and I had bought the SIM for new job. I had activated it though, because I remember thinking it wasn't straightforward, I couldn't use it until I activated it. I had/have even setup Whatsapp on that number, but the SIM now says NO SIM in the phone, and I Can't contact 150 (which is crazy with EE sim in the phone). Is there any way I can check if the SIM has been disabled?

I won't be crossing the border, I had network in Ireland, but I am not sure when it stopped working as there has been a lot going on the past month and the phone was not a priority.

The top up was accepted for the number yesterday, but the SIM did not change.

ee_user14 · ‎13-06-2026

@CMCT wrote:
Thanks, I can't honestly remember if I had used it in the UK....I had activated it though,

As mentioned above, topping up is NOT activation. Using the SIM on the UK network IS. It is activation which enables roaming for coverage on foreign networks.

@CMCT wrote:
I Can't contact 150 (which is crazy with EE sim in the phone)

Not crazy at all, entirely logical if you're trying to connect to a foreign network without having roaming enabled. Lack of a network connection naturally prevents calls being made - a call to 150 is still a call.

Incoming SMS are enabled on PAYG with a first top-up. International roaming is enabled on PAYG with activation. Activation & first top-up are not the same thing.