Activation instructions for your UK & Europe SIM Card purchased from UK Prepaid SIM Card
PLEASE DO NOT INSERT THE SIM CARD INTO YOUR PHONE and PLEASE IGNORE THE INSTRUCTIONS THAT ARE INSIDE THE SIM CARD PACKET.
HAVE YOU ALREADY INSERTED THE SIM CARD INTO YOUR PHONE?
If you're still in Australia: remove the SIM Card, complete the activation (set out below), and keep the SIM Card removed from your phone until you get to the UK/Europe.
If you're in the UK/Europe: remove the SIM Card, complete the activation (set out below), and message our UK WhatsApp Support Team at +447882165545. Please connect to Wi-Fi and message our WhatsApp Support Team who will be able to complete the activation of your SIM Card. If you don't have WhatsApp please email help@ukprepaidsimcard.com.au.
HOW TO ACTIVATE YOUR SIM CARD
Step 1: Open the SIM Card packet and remove the SIM Card but DO NOT insert it into your phone yet. Also please ignore the instructions contained inside the packet.
Step 2: Locate the long serial number on the back of your SIM Card - it's 19 digits long and starts with 89. We've included a photo below to show you where it's located on your SIM Card.
Step 3: Click here to go to the Activation Request Website and fill out the details there.
Step 4: Wait until you get to the UK/Europe before you insert the SIM Card into your phone.
Step 5: Make sure to read all the information below on this page.
WHAT DO I DO ONCE I LAND IN THE UK/EUROPE?
When you land in the UK/Europe and turn your phone on and insert the SIM Card, you'll receive some automated SMS text notifications from the network confirming that your SIM Card has been activated with the data pack you purchased.
Please wait until you have received the text that says that your data pack is active and good to go before you use your phone (so don't make any calls, send any texts or use any apps or surf the internet until this confirmation text has been sent to your phone - it takes just a minute or two).
You should ignore the text that says "You've run out of cash credit". Having a £0 balance on your SIM Card is normal because you purchased a 30 day pack, not an amount of £ cash money on your SIM Card.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR SIM CARD
What's my UK phone number?
When your SIM Card first connects to the network in the UK or Europe, you'll receive a text message within a few minutes that includes your phone number. It will be in the format 07XXXXXXXXX, for example 07123456789.
When people in Australia want to call or text you, they'll need to call or text you in international format. That means removing the first 0 and replacing it with +44 (44 is the UK's dialing code). So if your number was 07123 456 789, they'd call or text +447123456789.
Anyone in the UK who wants to call or text you just uses your number without any changes, i.e., they would literally call or text 07123 456 789.
Anyone in Europe (i.e., not in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland) who wants to call or text you, they also need to convert your number to international format as described above.
Need to know your UK mobile number? If you need to know your UK mobile number prior to departure, please send an email to info@ukprepaidsimcard.com.au, quoting your SIM Card serial number (which begins with 89). Please DO NOT send a photograph of the SIM Card as our system cannot read images -- please manually type out the SIM Card serial number into the email.
Why did I get a text on my phone saying my cash credit is £0?
You purchased a 30 day pack with data, and unlimited calling and texting. You didn't purchase cash money on your SIM Card, so that's why there is a £0 balance. This is completely normal.
When I make a call I hear a message saying I don't have any credit to make the call
This usually happens if you're calling a number that's not included in your unlimited calls.
The following calls are NOT included in your unlimited minutes:
- Calls to Australian numbers - if you're calling a friend or family member traveling with you who is also using our SIM Card, make sure you are actually calling their number. Sometimes we find that customers are tapping the contacts name and the phone is dialing that contact's Australian number;
- Calls from the UK to Europe;
- Calls to UK Special Numbers beginning with 084 or 087 (these are premium rate numbers charged per minute).
Do I need to register on the Three UK website?
No. You do NOT need to register on the Three UK website, so you can ignore any information that came in the SIM Card packaging about registering an account on the Three UK website. Your SIM Card will work normally even without registering on the Three UK website. By all means register if you wish (you'll need to wait until you get to the UK/Europe), but you do not need to in order to use the SIM Card.
How do I insert the SIM Card into my phone?
First, it's important that you DO NOT insert the SIM Card into your phone in Australia - do it on the flight or when you land in the UK/Europe. If you insert the SIM Card into your phone in Australia it may cause your SIM Card to get permanently and forever blocked by the network, and if the SIM Card doesn't get blocked then it would instantly start your 30 days. We recommend that you insert the SIM Card into your phone during the flight or when you land in the UK/Europe (so remember to take the SIM Card tray eject tool with you).
Second, the SIM Card is a 3-in-1 SIM Card meaning it can be used as a standard SIM, micro SIM or nano SIM. Your SIM Card has all three sizes so it fits all phones. We've included some photos below:
Do I need to do anything once I get to the UK or Europe?
Just insert the SIM Card into your phone and turn your phone on. The SIM Card will activate itself once your phone first connects to the network. You should receive four text messages from the network to confirm successful activation:
- A welcome SMS text that contains your UK mobile number.
- A second SMS text confirming that your SIM Card has been topped up with £.
- A third SMS text saying that you cash credit is £0/you've run out of cash credit. A £0 balance is normal because the money was immediately converted into the 30 day pack with the data allowance, calls and texts you purchased.
- A final SMS text saying that your data pack is active and good to go.
Please wait until you receive the final SMS text before you use your phone.
Will you first use your SIM Card in Europe? That is, will you first use the SIM Card in a country other than the UK?
Europe is a big continent with many countries. Each country usually has several mobile networks. Mobile networks are complex, with many roaming agreements between carriers. As a result, sometimes your SIM Card might have temporary issues activating if you first use it in Europe. The issues are temporary and are usually quickly resolved.
Here's how to fix any issues that may arise if you first use your SIM Card in Europe:
- Restart your phone;
- Reset the network settings in your phone's settings;
- Toggle mobile data off then back on;
- Make sure that data roaming is switched ON in your phone settings;
- If you have a dual SIM phone (including a phone that has an eSIM and a physical SIM), then turn off the other line so that your UK SIM Card is the only active line.
Will you be using the SIM Card in Europe?
When you're in Europe (i.e., not in the UK) there's a few important things you need to do:
- You need to turn data roaming to ON in your phone settings when the SIM Card is in your phone. That's because it's a UK SIM Card that roams in Europe;
- If you want to call or text a UK number (including other people using our SIM Card) you need to call/text in international format. That means removing the first 0 of the UK number and replacing it with +44;
- If you want to call or text a Europe number you need to call/text in international format. That means removing the first 0 of the number and replacing it with +COUNTRY CODE. For example, the country code for France is 33, so you would call/text +33 then the French number with the first 0 removed. To find the country code for other countries just Google "dialing code for COUNTRY" to get the dialing code for your selected country.
What numbers can I call?
When you're in the UK your SIM Card includes unlimited calls to UK landline numbers beginning with 01 and 02, UK mobile numbers beginning with 07, UK national numbers beginning with 03, UK free phone numbers beginning with 080, and to other people using our SIM Card.
Calls to UK numbers starting with 087 or 084 are not included in your unlimited calls. 087 and 084 numbers are premium rate numbers charged per minute. 087 and 084 numbers are sometimes used by businesses (airlines, tour companies, rental car companies etc). They are not included in your unlimited calls. However, there will be another regular number (01 or 02) that you can call, instead of the 087 or 084 number. Look on the company's website to find this number (often it's stated as the number to call from overseas) or search for a different number on this website.
When you're in Europe (i.e., not in the UK) your SIM Card includes unlimited calls to UK landline numbers beginning with 01 and 02, landlines and mobiles in the same country you're in, landlines and mobiles in other EU countries and to other people using our SIM Card.
How do I call/text back to Australia?
The included minutes and texts with your SIM Card can't be used to call/text to Australian numbers (that includes calling/texting an Australian phone that's roaming in the UK/Europe - it is still an Australian number).
Our customers tell us that the most popular way to call/text back to Australia is to use apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, FaceTime or Viber. These apps use your data and so are free to use. They work on Wi-Fi, 3G, 4G and 5G.
Alternatively, if you want to make a regular call/text back to the USA, you'll need to refill on our website with extra money. It costs £1.50/minute to call, 25.2p/text, 40p/MMS.
How do I check how much data remaining?
Log into your account on the Three website by clicking here. Or download the "Three" app from your phone's app store. We don't provide any support with creating your account, downloading or installing the app -- if you have any issues please contact Three UK support.
Free wi-fi on the London Underground
There's no mobile signal on London Underground tube stations. To connect to free wi-fi just follow the instructions here.
Can I recharge if I'm staying longer than 30 days?
Yes you can keep recharging indefinitely, subject to the "Europe Usage Restriction". To recharge just go to our website by clicking here.
The "Europe Usage Restriction" means you can only use the SIM Card for a maximum of 30 days in Europe (i.e., not in the UK). That's because it's a UK SIM Card intended only for temporary roaming in Europe.
But each time you use the SIM Card in the UK, the Europe Usage Restriction is reset so you can then use the SIM Card again in Europe for a maximum of 30 days. If you're planning on being in Europe for more than 60 consecutive days, consider buying another (or multiple) SIM Cards.
How do I access adult content on my phone when using the SIM Card?
Due to strict laws implemented by the UK Government, all UK phone networks are required to have an adult filter which can block some common websites (e.g., adult dating sites). We can't remove the filter as it is imposed by law.
But it's easy to prove you're an adult and get the filter removed. There's two ways you can do this:
(1) visit a Three store in the UK and request the adult filter be removed (here you'll just need to prove your age with some I.D.)
(2) Contact Three support via Live Chat here: https://www.three.co.uk/support/contact-us to request the adult filter be removed (you'll need to provide credit card details where a check can be made so that the adult filter can be removed).
How to change APN settings on your phone?
If you're not using an iPhone, for example you're using a Samsung, Huawei, HTC, Android, Sony, you may need to manually set what's called the "APN" on your phone in order for data to work. You won't need to do this if you have an iPhone.
If you're not using an iPhone, then data/internet on your phone should automatically work, once your SIM Card first connects to the mobile network in the UK/Europe. If data/internet isn't working, then please manually set the APN. 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).
Remember: you only need to set the APN if it doesn't automatically get set by the network when your phone first connects to the network in the UK/Europe.
APN settings for Samsung Phones and for any other phone using the Android Operating System
- 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
APN settings for Blackberry
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 pointwhich 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