Use your mobile phone in the UK

All mobile phones in the UK require a SIM card to connect to a mobile network. A SIM card allows you to make calls, send messages and use mobile data. 

If you are an international student and plan to bring a mobile phone to the UK on an international contract, you could run up large charges due to using data overseas. You should check with your network provider and disable data roaming when you arrive in the UK to avoid running up large charges. 

Emergency calls

Anyone can call 999 during an emergency in the UK, or 112 (the standard European emergency number). 

You can use a phone with an international SIM or eSIM to call 999 or 112 in an emergency. However, if the SIM is not connected to a UK mobile network or cannot receive calls in the UK, the emergency services may not be able to contact you again if the call ends.

Non-emergency calls

To call any of these non-emergency numbers, you need a UK SIM or eSIM, or a valid roaming agreement that supports calls to UK numbers with your mobile network: 

• NHS24: 111
• Police: 101

These services won't work if your phone doesn't have a SIM or if roaming isn't active.

Check that your phone is unlocked

Before getting a UK SIM, you may need to unlock your phone. Some phones are locked to the network that the phone is currently using.

To check if your phone is unlocked, try using your phone with a SIM from a different network to the one you normally use. If you can make a call, it is unlocked.

If your phone is locked, you can contact your network provider for information on how to unlock it. The unlocking process varies from network to network. 

You may find it helpful to read some general guidance on how to unlock a phone on the Save the Student website.

SIM cards and mobile networks

There are many mobile phone providers in the UK and they offer a variety of SIM card deals to their customers. You’ll typically find SIM-only and pay as you go deals.

SIM-only: a mobile network gives you a SIM card and charges you a monthly fee for data, texts, and minutes. 

Pay as you go: a mobile network gives you a SIM card that includes bundles of data, texts and minutes, or allows you to top up your credit.

Some mobile networks offer an eSIM, a digital SIM card built into your phone, for selected phone models.

There are four main mobile networks in the UK:

• EE
• O2
• Three
• Vodafone

You can check which one offers the best signal in your area by entering your postcode on the OFCOM mobile signal checker. You can often get cheaper deals with other companies that use these networks, so you should do some research to decide on the best option for you.