These are the official instructions for activating and using your UK & Europe Phone SIM Card. Failure to read the instructions may cause your SIM Card to not work properly, or not work at all, and we don't provide refunds in those circumstances. Please read all of the information below before emailing or calling us with a question as it is most likely that your answer is found below.
RECEIVED A SIM CARD IN PINK/SALMON COLOURED PACKAGING (AS SHOWN BELOW)? THEN CLICK HERE TO READ THE ACTIVATION INSTRUCTIONS SPECIFIC TO THE PINK/SALMON COLOURED SIM CARD.
DIDN'T RECEIVE A PINK/SALMON COLOURED SIM CARD? DON'T CLICK THE LINK AND KEEP READING BELOW.
THANK YOU for purchasing your SIM Card from us! This has been a very challenging year for everybody with so many deaths from Covid-19. Our business has suffered greatly, and we really appreciate your business! If you'd like to support us, we'd really appreciate if you can tell other people about our product, or leave us a review: if you purchased from our USA website click here to leave a review, OR, if you purchased from our Australian website click here to leave a review.
1) Our SIM card is a multi-fit sim card, meaning it has all SIM types on one card and will fit any phone. So whether you need a nano, micro or standard SIM, you can just pop out the one you need. If you don't know what size SIM Card fits your phone, just do a Google search. If you don't know how to change the SIM Card in your phone, just do a Google search.
You may think that the SIM Card doesn't fit your phone but it definitely will, so long as you pop out the correct size SIM Card suitable for your phone. Please see the picture below.
2) Your UK phone number is on the back of the SIM Card, starting with 07 (where it says "Your Three number")
3) Only insert the SIM Card into your phone when you get to the UK/Europe: if you insert the SIM Card into your phone before you get to the UK/Europe there is a risk that the SIM Card will be permanently and forever cancelled & blocked by the network. In addition, the 30 days starts as soon as you insert the SIM Card into your phone. The 30 days cannot be reset nor can a free extension of the days be provided.
4) Your phone must be network unlocked AND be technically compatible to use the SIM card.
WE REPEAT: YOUR PHONE MUST BE NETWORK UNLOCKED AND BE TECHNICALLY COMPATIBLE TO USE THE SIM CARD - OTHERWISE THE SIM CARD WILL NOT WORK! NO REFUNDS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!
- A "network unlocked" phone is a phone that has been unlocked by your network provider (sometimes this is called a "SIM Free phone"). If you're unsure if your phone is unlocked, please contact your network carrier. If you're using an iPhone, here are the official Apple website instructions on how to unlock your iPhone. No refunds are provided under any circumstances whatsoever if your phone isn't unlocked (and therefore the SIM Card doesn't work).
- A "technically compatible" phone is a phone that operates on 4G/LTE 800MHz or 4G/LTE 1800MHz or 3G 2100MHz. All iPhones are technically compatible (they must of course be also network unlocked). For other phones please check your phone's specifications, or locate and check your phone make, model and variant at the GSM Arena website or visit the Will My Phone Work website (select "United Kingdom" as the country then select "3" from the carrier list). No refunds are provided under any circumstances whatsoever if your phone isn't technically compatible (and therefore the SIM Card doesn't work).
5) Your SIM Card is pre-loaded with a 30 day plan of data, minutes and texts, and the 30 days starts as soon as you insert the SIM Card into your phone. If you're staying longer than 30 days you'll need to purchase another 30 days on our website. More information about how to do this is found further below in these instructions.
6) You can only use the SIM Card in Europe for a maximum of 60 days, otherwise the network will permanently cancel the SIM Card and it will permanently stop working. Your SIM Card plan lasts for 30 days so you'll need to purchase another 30 days on our website to continue using the SIM Card beyond the first 30 days, but you can only use the SIM Card in Europe for a maximum of 60 days. This is because the SIM Card is a UK SIM Card that roams in Europe, but long term use in Europe is not allowed. Another way to describe this restriction is to say that the SIM Card must get used in the UK at least once every 60 days. It's ok to activate the SIM Card in any of the included European countries, but you can't use it in Europe for more than 60 days. Staying exclusively in Europe for more than 60 days? The solution is to buy two (2) or multiple SIM Cards from us.
| How much data? | 12GB If you use up all 12GB of your data you can't add any more until the end of your 30 day plan, at which time you can buy a further 30 days of the same plan on our website. Think you'll use more than 12GB within 30 days? The solution is to buy two (2) or multiple SIM Cards from us. |
| How can I use my calls & texts? | Your SIM Card comes with unlimited calls & texts. When you're in the UK: you can use your calls & texts to: (a) UK landlines (starting with 01 and 02); (b) UK mobiles (starting with 07); and (c) other people using our SIM Card. But when you're in the UK you can't use your calls & texts to landlines and mobiles in Europe which includes the Republic of Ireland (Dublin). When you're in Europe: you can use your calls & texts to: (a) UK landlines (starting with 01 and 02); (b) UK mobiles (starting with 07); (c) other people using our UK SIM Card; (d) landlines and mobiles within the same country you're in (for example when in France you can call and text French numbers); and (e) landlines and mobiles within any of the other included European countries (for example when in France you can call and text German numbers). But when you're in the UK and/or when you're in Europe: you cannot use your calls & texts to Australian numbers, American numbers or Canadian numbers. Either buy additional £ credit on our website OR use your voice apps such as, but not limited to, WhatsApp, Viber, FaceTime. |
| Can I hotspot/tether? | Yes |
| Can I call & text Australian numbers, American numbers or Canadian numbers? | Yes but only if you purchase a recharge/refill voucher on our website (Australian customers click here, North American customers click here). |
| How long does it last for? | 30 days from activation. Activation takes place as soon as you insert the SIM Card into your phone. That is day 1. The 30 days ends at 11:59pm London time on day 30. Not sure what day that will be? Count out the days on a calendar. |
| Staying longer than 30 days? | Buy a recharge/refill voucher on our website and get another 30 days of the same inclusions. |
The activation of your SIM Card is very simple and quick, and takes just minutes from when you land. Please read, understand and follow the instructions set out below. Failure to read the information below may cause your Phone SIM card to not work properly, or at all, and you won't get a refund.
During the activation of your SIM Card it's important that you leave your phone turned on (unless told by text message to restart your phone) and to leave the SIM Card in your phone until activation is completed.
Step 1: Pop out the correct size SIM card for your phone - our SIM card is a multi-fit sim card, meaning it has all SIM types on one card. So whether you need a nano, micro or standard SIM, you can just pop out the one you need. It's important that you choose the correct size SIM. If you remove the smaller SIM first, the larger SIM will no longer work. If you don't know which SIM size to use, refer to your device owner's manual or SEARCH online for your device SIM size.
Step 2: Insert the SIM card into your phone ONLY upon arrival in the UK or Europe (or during the flight). As soon as you insert the SIM card into your phone the 30 days of your plan starts. Sorry but we cannot reset the 30 days nor can we provide a free extension.
Step 3: When your phone first connects to the network, you'll get a text message saying that your SIM card is being set up (it should only take a few seconds to receive this text). You must leave your phone on during this period. You won't be able to call, text or use data during the set up period.
If you're using an iPhone, you might also get a pop up telling you that there are new carrier settings. You should say yes accept the new carrier settings.
[Don't worry if you don't receive these text messages. If your SIM card is working normally (e.g. you can call, text and use data), then your SIM card has been successfully activated. You don't need to call us or email us to confirm that your SIM card has been activated]
Step 4: Once your SIM card has been set up, you'll get another text message within minutes asking you to turn your phone off and on again. Once you've done this your sim card will be ready for immediate use.
[Don't worry if you don't receive these text messages. If your SIM card is working normally (e.g. you can call, text and use data), then your SIM card has been successfully activated. You don't need to call us or email us to confirm that your SIM card has been activated]
IMPORTANT IMPORTANT!! Although in 99% of cases the activation happens in just a couple of minutes, from time to time the network activation server may take longer (up to a few hours) for your SIM Card to activate. Accordingly, if yo don't receive the text messages stated above rest assured that your SIM Card is being activated but may take longer. We recommend that you restart your phone every 30 minutes and test if the SIM Card is working.
Step 5: If you're ARE NOT using an iPhone (e.g., you have a Samsung, Huawei, Android etc) you may need to make an important setting change on your phone if the network doesn't automatically make the appropriate setting change. If you have a Samsung, Sony, HTC, Android (i.e. NOT an iPhone) you might also receive text messages to set up data and picture messaging - if you receive these text messages make sure to accept any settings. If, after setting up your SIM card, data isn't working on your phone, you'll need to manually change your phone's APN settings as set out below under the heading "Changing APN settings".
Step 6: If you ARE using an iPhone you must remove any existing profiles installed on your phone. You may not have any installed. You only need to remove them if they are installed. Go to Settings, General and scroll to the bottom and remove ALL profiles if you see any. To confirm: you may not have any installed
Step 7: If you're going to use your phone in any of the included 34 European countries, you must turn data roaming to ON in your phone's settings.
Step 8: If you want to call or text Australian numbers, USA numbers or Canada numbers it will cost extra and you'll need to add extra credit. Read more below about how to add extra credit.
If you have any difficulties with the activation of your UK phone SIM card, please call Three UK as follows: call 333 from your phone, call 07782 333 333 from another phone (when in the UK), or call +447782 333 333 (when outside the UK - standard international direct dial rates apply).
After you've activated your SIM Card you might receive text messages from the network provider Three UK: these might be promotional texts, or texts asking you to refill/recharge your SIM Card. You can ignore the texts -- your 30 day plan started when you activated the SIM Card. There is no need to call or email us to ask us about the texts.
OTHER IMPORTANT MANDATORY INFORMATION ABOUT USING YOUR UK PHONE SIM CARD
(a) How long does the SIM Card last?
Your SIM Card lasts for 30 calendar days. Day 1 is the day you activate it in your phone. The SIM Card expires at 11:59pm on the 30th day. To avoid confusion day 1 starts irrespective on the exact time you activate the SIM Card. For example if you activate it at 6am in the morning or 11pm at night, that is still day 1, and day 2 will start at 12:01am the next morning.
(b) What's my UK mobile number?
Your UK mobile number is on the reverse of the SIM card starting with 07 (where it says "Your Three number").
Your mobile number remains the same whether you are in the UK or in any of the included European countries. For example, if you were in France, your mobile number is still a UK mobile number (it doesn't change to a French mobile number).
How does someone in the UK call or text me?
Let's assume that your UK mobile number is 07123456789.
When people in the UK call or text you, there's no pre-fixes or country codes. People in the UK calling or texting you will use 07123456789. The correct way to say your UK mobile number to someone in the UK is in this format XXXXX-XXX-XXX, for example zero seven one two three, four five six, seven eight nine).
How does someone in Europe call or text me?
Let's assume that your UK mobile number is 07123456789.
When people in the Europe call or text you, they will be calling or texting a UK number. This means they need to use the international format for your number which is +44 then your mobile number with the first 0 removed. If your mobile number was 07123456789 then they will call or text +447123456789.
How do my friends and family back home call or text me?
Let's assume that your UK mobile number is 07123456789.
When they call or text you they will be calling or texting a UK number. This means that they will pay the cost of an international call or text to you, because they are calling or texting a UK number. It is free for you to receive calls and texts.
They will need to use the international format for your number which is +44 then your mobile number with the first 0 removed. If your mobile number was 07123456789 then they will call or text +447123456789.
- To call from Australia, they'll dial 0011447123456789 (from a landline) or +447123456789 (from a mobile phone)
- To text from Australia, they'll text +447123456789
- To call from the USA and Canada, they'll dial 011447123456789 (from a landline) or +447123456789 (from a mobile phone)
- To text from the USA and Canada, they'll text +447123456789.
(c) In what European countries can I use the SIM card?
All of your SIM Card inclusions (minutes, texts and data) can be used for no additional cost in the following countries:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Isle of Man and Channel Islands (Guernsey and Jersey), Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
This is the full and complete list of countries. No other countries are included. If a country is not in the list above, then the SIM Card will not work in that country. For example, Russia is not in the list above which means the SIM Card won't work in Russia.
You must also read the specific information below under the heading "Using your SIM Card in Europe" for important information.
Take a moment to remember what is not included with your UK phone SIM card. Your UK phone SIM card does not include calling and texting to Australian numbers, USA numbers or Canada numbers. This means:
- It costs extra to call an Australian, USA or Canadian number; and
- It costs extra to text an Australian, USA or Canadian number.
You can add extra credit via our website. For our Australian customers click here. For our North America customers click here.
Finally, your UK phone SIM Card does not include calls to UK numbers starting with 084 or 087. These are not UK landline or UK mobile numbers - they are premium rate numbers. Many businesses such as airlines, hotel chains, car hire companies etc advertise an 084/087 phone number. However, every 084/087 number has a corresponding UK landline number which can be dialled instead (just look on the company's website to find the number you can dial from outside of the country or read more here).
(e) Do I have to unlock my phone?
The UK phone SIM card only works in an unlocked phone. It is solely your responsibility to unlock your phone and/or check it unlocked, and we do not provide refunds under any circumstances whatsoever if your UK phone SIM card doesn't work because your phone is locked. We cannot tell you if your phone is unlocked. Unlocking an iPhone requires you to complete the unlock process by performing a full backup and restore of your iPhone in iTunes.
(f) How do I get free Wi-Fi on the London Underground?
You get free WiFi in London Underground stations with the UK Phone SIM Card. Click here to read about how to set this up. It's very handy to check Google Maps or Tube times using Wi-Fi because there will be no mobile service in the Tube stations because they are deep underground.
(g) How I check my usage and get the remaining balance of data, minutes and texts?
It's easy to check the remaining balance of data, minutes and texts.
With the UK SIM card in your phone, turn off Wi-Fi and connect to the phone network and visit the following website: https://www.three.co.uk/New_My3/My3_Home
Click "Check your balance" and you'll see the remaining balance.
(h) Staying longer than 30 days? Want to make calls and send texts to Australian, USA or Canadian numbers? Buy your voucher now!
You'll need to recharge your SIM card if you're staying longer than 30 day or if you want to call or text Australian, American or Canadian numbers.
If you purchased your SIM card from our Australian website, you can purchase a voucher on our website by clicking here. You'll get another 30 days of the same plan.
If you purchased your SIM card from our American website, you can purchase a recharge voucher on our website by clicking here. You'll get another 30 days of the same plan.
You can buy the recharge voucher now, and redeem it later.
IMPORTANT: You will NOT be able to buy a recharge via the Three UK website, as it requires a UK Credit Card.
(i) Want to access adult content on your phone? eg Tinder, Grindr etc?
UK Law imposes very strict internet filtering for accessing content deemed to be "adult". This adult content block applies to some of the most common dating apps such as Tinder and Grindr, but sometimes there are other apps and websites that are incorrectly listed as "adult".
This applies to all mobile networks and is outside of our control.
It is an "opt-out" process which means that adult content is blocked, unless you "opt-out" and request the block be removed.
To remove the adult content block you'll need to visit a Three UK Store in the UK and provide photo identification to verify your age. You cannot visit a Three UK store when you're in Europe as there are no Three UK stores in Europe. So make sure to visit a Three UK store in the UK if you want to have the adult content block removed. We cannot remove the adult content block and it is imposed by UK Law and is not imposed by us and is outside of our control.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT USING YOUR UK PHONE SIM CARD IN THE INCLUDED 34 EUROPEAN COUNTRIES
You can use the minutes, texts and data for no extra cost in these countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Isle of Man and Channel Islands (Guernsey and Jersey), Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland
You must turn data roaming to "ON" in your phone's settings.
So this means when you're in the included 34 European countries:
- Calls and texts to other people using our UK Phone SIM Card comes from your included minutes and texts - you will need to dial and/or text the number in international format, which is +44 then the UK number with the first 0 removed. You must actually enter the plus + symbol at the start.
- Calls and texts to UK landlines and UK mobiles comes from your included minutes and texts - you will need to dial and/or text the UK landline or UK mobile in international format, which is +44 then the UK number with the first 0 removed. You must actually enter the plus + symbol at the start.
- Calls and texts to local landlines and local mobiles (in the same country or in a different Europe country) comes from your included minutes and texts - you will need to dial and/or text the Europe number in international format, which is + then the country code then the local number (if the number starts with a 0 then usually you will remove this). For example, the country code for France is +33. To call a local French number, you would dial +33XXXXXXX. The country code for Italy is +39. To text a local Italy number, you would text +39XXXXXX. You must actually enter the plus + symbol at the start.
- You can use your data (you must turn data roaming to "ON" in your phone's settings).
- If you want to call or text an Australian, American or Canadian number you will need to purchase additional £ credit on our website.
CHANGING APN SETTINGS IF YOUR PHONE IS NOT AN iPHONE
Data/internet on your phone should automatically work, once your sim card has been set-up. Sometimes though you need to manually change some settings if you're not using an iPhone (for example, you're using a Samsung, Sony, HTC, Android etc). We've set out below how to change the APN settings - it takes just a few minutes to do. If you have any difficulties changing the APN settings on your phone, please call the Three UK Customer Support line by dialling 333 on your phone (or 07782 333 333 from a landline).
- Tap the Menu button
- Tap Settings
- Tap Wireless and networks or More... (depending on your version of Android)
- Tap Mobile Networks
- Tap Access point names
- Tap the Menu button
- Tap New APN
- Enter the following data into the onscreen form, without changing any other settings;
Name - 3 Internet
APN - three.co.uk
MMSC - http://mms.um.three.co.uk:10021/mmsc
MMS Proxy - mms.three.co.uk
MMS Port - 8799
APN type - If given a choice, select internet+mms, if the keyboard appears enter * - Tap the Menu button
- Tap Save
- Enable the newly-added APN by ensuring the line is ticked, or the radio button is lit by tapping on it
- Check the notification bar for 4G, H, 3G, E or G with up and down arrows beside it, which will indicate your connection is working
Internet APN
From the home screen:
- Swipe down from the top edge of the screen
- Tap Settings
- Tap Network Connections
- Tap Mobile Network
- Tap APN
- At the top of the screen, tap on the Mobile Plan selector to choose Contract or Prepay
- Enter the following information in the on screen form, without changing any other settings:
Access Point Name - three.co.uk - Tap Save in the top right corner
- You should now see 4G, 3G, H, E or G next to the signal bars at the top of the display. This indicates you are connected to the data network
MMS APN
From the home screen:
- Swipe left-to-right across the screen to access the Hub
- Tap Menu (3 dots)
- Tap Settings
- Tap Text Messages
- Tap Advanced
- Scroll down past the SMS Settings
- Enter the following settings into the on screen form, without changing any other settings:
APN Settings:
APN - three.co.uk
MMSC Settings:
MMSC URL - http://mms.um.three.co.uk:10021/mmsc
Proxy URL - 217.171.129.2:8799 - Tap Save at the bottom of the screen
APN settings for Windows Phone
Windows Phone 8.1
From the home screen:
- Swipe your finger from right to left across the screen to access the Apps list.
- Find and tap on the Settings icon.
- Scroll down this list until you find cellular + SIM or Mobile + SIM, then press on it to continue.
- Make sure your Data connection is set to On, then scroll down and tap on SIM settings.
- At the bottom of the SIM settings page are options to edit internet APN and edit MMS APN. Tap on edit Internet APN to modify your internet connection settings. (Please note: On some handsets these buttons are not in the SIM settings page. If this is the case, go back to the main settings menu and tap on access point which will then allow you to edit the APN settings as described in the Windows Phone 8 section below).
- Enter the following settings into the onscreen form, without changing any other settings:
APN - three.co.uk - Press the Save button to save and quit this screen. The save icon looks like a floppy disk, for those of us who remember them!
- Now select edit MMS APN.
- Enter the following settings into the onscreen form, without changing any other settings:
APN - three.co.uk
WAP gateway (URL) - mms.three.co.uk
WAP gateway port - 8799
MMSC (URL) - http://mms.um.three.co.uk:10021/mmsc - Press the Save button at the bottom of the page to save and quit this screen.
- You should now see 4G, 3G, H, E or G on the top line of the display, next to the signal bars. This indicates you are connected to the data network
Windows Phone 8
From the home screen:
- Swipe across the screen to bring up the apps list
- Open the Settings app
- Tap Mobile network and ensure the data connection is switched on
- Go back to the apps list, scroll down and tap on Settings
- Tap on Access point
- If your network name is showing in the list, tap it to make it active, otherwise tap add
- Enter the following settings into the on screen form, without changing any other settings:
Connection name - 3 Internet
Internet APN:
Access point name - three.co.uk
MMS APN:
Access point name - three.co.uk
Proxy address - mms.three.co.uk
Proxy port - 8799
MMSC address - http://mms.um.three.co.uk:10021/mmsc - Tap the tick at the bottom to save
- You should now see 4G, 3G, H, E or G on the top line of the display. This indicates you are connected to the data network
Windows Phone 7/7.5/7.8
From the home screen:
- Tap the right arrow or swipe across the screen to access the apps list
- Tap Settings
- Tap Mobile network
- Tap Add apn
- Enter the following settings into the onscreen form, without changing any other settings;
Name - 3 Internet
Tick the box to make this the default apn (if option exists)
Internet APN:
APN - three.co.uk
MMS APN:
MMS Access Point Name - three.co.uk
Proxy address - mms.three.co.uk
Proxy port - 8799
MMSC address - http://mms.um.three.co.uk:10021/mmsc - Tap the tick or disk icon to save
- Confirm the APN change
- You should now see 3G, H, E or G on the top line of the display. This indicates you are connected to the data network
CHANGING EMAIL SETTINGS
If you have an ISP email on your phone (eg @bigpond, @comcast etc) or you're using a work email on your phone (eg @xyzinsurance.com or @johnsplumbing.com), you might need to change some email settings. You won't need to change any settings if you use GMail, Hotmail, Yahoo Mail or other free internet based email addresses. You do NOT need to email us or call us to ask if you need to change settings if you use GMail, Hotmail, Yahoo Mail or other free internet based email addresses.
In order to protect the Three UK network from spammers, access to email Port 25 is blocked.
If you can't send email, you will need to change the outgoing email port from 25 to 587. It is possible that your email provider does not support port 587 - in which case you should try port 465 as an alternative.
With some email providers you may also have to send email using a secure SSL connection.
Alternatively, you can log-in via your webmail (this is a website based version of your email, where you log in with your username and password, via your web browser). Every ISP and work email is different, so you might have to go through some trial and error.
Changing email port on an iPhone
Go to Settings.
Tap "Mail, Contacts, Calendars"
Tap on the account you're having problems sending mail from
Tap on the name of the account again
Tap on "Advanced"
Tap "Server Port"
Change the port to 587
Additional information
If you're still having issues, you can try using the Three UK outgoing mail server smtp.three.co.uk, using port 587.