Having a bad credit rating can stop you signing up for a mobile phone contract, but it doesn’t have to, as there are still options, which we’ll explain below.
Plus, once you’ve got a SIM Only contract it can actually be a great way to improve your credit rating, opening up more options to you over time.
So read on for everything you need to know about getting a SIM Only plan with a poor credit rating.
Yes. Aside from Pay As You Go, which is always an option, you can also opt for a SIM Only plan with no credit check, which is offered by certain networks. You can see exactly which networks offer no credit check plans below.
Of course, depending on how bad your credit is you might well be able to pass the credit check anyway, especially for a SIM Only deal, as credit checks for these are usually easier to pass than Pay Monthly plans, where you’re also getting a phone.
That largely depends on your credit rating. If you’ve been refused a SIM Only contract before then a no credit check SIM Only deal could be an ideal option. If your credit is good enough to pass a SIM Only credit check then of course opting for a no credit check deal isn’t necessary and you’re free to choose any network.
That said, there’s still no downside to opting for a plan with no credit check, as long as you’re happy with the network, price, and allowances.
VOXI, Lebara, Giffgaff, SMARTY, Spusu, Lyca Mobile, Talkmobile, and 1pMobile all offer SIM Only deals with no credit check. Sky Mobile meanwhile only carries out an identity check (sometimes known as a soft credit check) – that is, one of your details and address.
With the exception of Sky, all these no credit check plans are available as 30-day rolling plans, so you have the flexibility to change or cancel your plan every month. In some cases longer plans may also be offered, but those typically will require a credit check, so stick to the 30-day ones.
Beyond that, each network stands out in its own ways, as highlighted below.
|
Network |
Plan |
Price |
|
Uses EE's network |
5GB data Unlimited mins & texts 1-month contract |
£1 a month |
|
Uses O2's network |
60GB data Unlimited mins & texts 18-month contract |
£10 a month |
|
Uses Vodafone's network |
45GB Unlimited mins & texts 1-month contract |
£10 a month |
|
Uses Three's network |
100GB Unlimited mins & texts 1-month contract |
£12 a month |
VOXI’s 30-day SIM Only plans are all pre-paid, so there’s no need for a credit check, there’s 5G, and the network even has an unlimited data plan.
Plus, if you opt for a plan that doesn’t have unlimited data you will get unlimited use of Snapchat, Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook, X, Pinterest and Facebook Messenger without it coming out of your data allowance. Many plans also allow you to use YouTube, Netflix, Prime Video, My5, TikTok, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Tidal, Deezer, Napster and Primordial without it using up your data.
And VOXI is owned and operated by Vodafone, so you’ll get signal in all the same places as you would on that network.
Lebara also offers 30-day SIM Only plans with no credit checks, and while it doesn’t offer a huge range of plans, it does have unlimited data on some, and it stands out through offering free international calls to numerous countries. So if you have friends or family abroad it could be a strong choice.
Lebara also offers free roaming not just in the EU, but also India and China, which few other networks allow. Lebara uses Vodafone’s infrastructure, so when using your phone in the UK you’ll get signal in all the same places – meaning at least 99% 4G population coverage and rapidly improving 5G coverage.
Giffgaff has a range of plans, but its standout one is an unlimited data option, which – along with all its other plans – includes 5G.
Giffgaff also has competitive prices, allows you to use your data allowance for tethering, and offers free roaming across the EU. The network runs off O2’s infrastructure, which means it currently has 4G coverage for around 99% of the UK population outdoors, as well as a growing 5G service.
SMARTY stands out by ensuring that you don’t waste your data, by refunding you for what you don’t use on select plans, so you’ll only ever pay for what you actually use.
Beyond that, SMARTY also has an unlimited data plan (which is exempt from the data refunds). It lets you use your data allowance to tether (with no limits, even on an unlimited data plan), and it runs off Three’s infrastructure, so it has over 99% UK population coverage for 4G and impressive 5G coverage.
Lyca Mobile uses EE’s network, which means coverage with both 4G and 5G is extensive. It stands out mostly though by including international minutes with its plans.
Beyond that, you can get up to unlimited data, and roam at no extra cost in the EU – and in some cases in India too, and like most plans that don’t credit check you, these are rolling 30-day ones.
Talkmobile is a cheap, basic network run by Vodafone, and it offers SIM Only plans with no credit checks.
It also offers 5G at no extra cost and inclusive EU roaming. It doesn’t have any features that really help it stand out above other networks, but it is competitively priced.
1pMobile offers no credit check plans using EE’s coverage, and as with a lot of other networks you can get unlimited data here.
5G is available too, coverage is good, and prices are very reasonable. But this is another network that aims to stand out primarily through its low prices rather than any extra features.
Spusu – a small network powered by EE – won’t credit check you for any of its plans, all of which are 30-day SIM Only ones.
Highlights of these plans include international minutes bundled with your general allowances, plus up to unlimited data, inclusive EU roaming, and the promise of a price freeze until 2026. Spusu also supports 5G, eSIMs, Wi-Fi Calling, and 4G Calling.
Sky Mobile is the odd one out here, as it does carry out checks on SIM Only plans, but only identity checks (sometimes referred to as soft credit checks). These are used to confirm your address and other identity details, as explained on Sky Mobile’s credit file page.
Sky is also the odd one out because its SIM Only plans are typically 12 months long, though you can also get a ‘credit builder’ plan, designed to help you build up a payment history with the network over six months, so that you might then get approved for a phone on contract even if you have a poor credit rating. However, these credit builder plans are only available over the phone.
Yes. A SIM Only deal involves a credit agreement (whether or not there’s a credit check), so by keeping up with your SIM Only payments you can actually build up your credit rating.
That means even if you have to opt for a no credit check plan now, doing so may ultimately bring your credit to a point where you can switch to any plan of your choice.
Once you’ve ordered your new SIM card you just need to call up your old network and ask for your PAC code. Alternatively you can text ‘PAC’ to 65075.
Then wait for the new SIM card to arrive, activate it, and fill in the number transfer form for your new network (usually found on their website). It will ask for the PAC code that you requested, as well as your old number and your new temporary number. Once that’s filled in your number should be transferred soon afterwards.
Most networks will send you a SIM card with multiple sizes in it. This is usually called a combi, multi or trio SIM, the idea being that you just select the size you need once it arrives (comparing it to your current SIM card if you’re not sure).
However, you can also find out what size you need by Googling the make and model of your phone, but chances are if you’ve bought a new smartphone in the last few years you’re using a nano SIM, which is the smallest size and is used by the majority of recent handsets.
Some phones and networks also support eSIMs, and if you want to use one of these you’ll typically have to select it at checkout, but an eSIM is never a requirement with conventional networks.
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1pMobile .png)
Asda Mobile 
EE 
GiffGaff 
iD Mobile 
Lebara Mobile 
Lyca Mobile 
O2 
Sky Mobile 
Smarty 
Spusu Mobile 
Talkmobile 
Tesco Mobile 
Three 
Vodafone 
Voxi 
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