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Activating a spare/bonus SIM or a SIM bought in a shop or other online supplier
Activating a spare/bonus SIM or a SIM bought in a shop or other online supplier

Have a SMARTY SIM at hand and want to activate it? Here's how to do it.

Casey avatar
Written by Casey
Updated over a week ago

Follow these steps if you bought a SMARTY SIM in a shop, ordered it through an online supplier, or received a Refer a friend bonus SIM.

If you're old school, we've also listed the written steps below:

Via the web 💻

  1. Go to smarty.co.uk/activate

  2. Click Yes, let’s get started

  3. Enter your SIM number, it starts with 8944

  4. Choose a plan and enter your details

  5. Make a payment for your chosen plan

  6. Done! Your SIM should activate in just a few minutes, but could take up to 2 hours. We’ll send you an email and a text to your SMARTY SIM when your SIM is activated. 😁

Via the app 📱

  1. Tap Join SMARTY > Activate SIM

  2. Scan your SIM barcode or enter the SIM number manually

  3. Choose a plan and enter your details

  4. Make a payment for your chosen plan

  5. Done! Your SIM should activate in just a few minutes, but could take up to 2 hours. We’ll send you an email and a text to your SMARTY SIM when your SIM is activated. 🙌

FAQ's

Where can I buy your SIMs on the high street? 🛒

You can buy our SIMs on the high street and in supermarkets such as Argos, Tesco's, Sainsbury's, Poundland, Morrisons, small Co-op stores, Shell and BP Garages and many more including independent convenience stores and online partners such as Amazon. 🛒

I've ordered a SIM directly from your website, how do I activate this?

Activate my SIM

I'm having issues activating my SIM 😭

  • Please allow up to 2 hours for your SIM to activate.

  • Next, try restarting your device. We know this is the basics, but it's a good way to refresh settings and make sure SIM services are up and running.

  • Ensure your SIM is inserted correctly, we know they are small so check they are sat the correct way in the SIM tray.

  • Make sure that your phone is compatible 👇

    To use SMARTY, your device must be:

    • Unlocked to all networks

    • Phones: 4G VoLTE (most are compatible) or 5G enabled

    • Dongles & Mi-Fis: Minimum 4G

      Devices using 2G, 3G, or those listed here won't work. We've switched off 3G, learn more here.

If it’s been more than 2 hours and you’re still having issues, don't worry. Our Customer Care Experts are available via web-chat to help from 8am-8pm daily.

I want to transfer my number to SMARTY 📱

Click here for how to transfer your number to us

I want to cancel my old number with my previous provider

Click here for how to leave your old number behind

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