Get up and running with BT Mobile

Unlock your phone

If you bought your phone from another mobile provider, it might be locked. This means, while it's locked, it would only work with one of their SIM cards but not a BT one.

To find out if your phone is locked, put your BT Mobile SIM into the phone and restart it. It's likely to be locked if you see a message saying something like:

• SIM Network Unlock PIN
• Enter Network MEP code
• Invalid SIM Card - Network locked SIM card inserted
• SIM not Valid

If you're not sure, you can get in touch with your old provider, who'll be able to help.

Click the link below for more information and how to find a number for your old provider.

Your BT ID

You'll need to set up a BT ID and password so you can log in to access your account. If you already have one, but are new to BT, you may have an email from us asking you to activate it. If you're already a BT customer but you've forgotten your ID or password, we can help you retrieve it.

If you don't have a BT ID you'll need to create one using your email address.

Keep your old number

If you've given us your PAC code when you ordered your BT Mobile SIM and received your order, just pop your new SIM card into your phone. Your old number will be moved over to your BT service within 1 working day.

Alternatively log in to keep your number and enter your PAC code there. If you're using a handset that's not from BT, you'll need to make sure it's unlocked first.

Save your contacts

Make sure you don't lose any of your contacts, pictures, videos or music.

Here are some tips for moving stuff from your old SIM to your new one.

Voucher claim

Don't forget, you can use the £50 discount code we sent to you in your order confirmation email against selected mobile phones from the BT Shop.

If you placed your BT Mobile order online and qualified for gift card vouchers, you can claim them once your service is activated.

How to insert your SIM

The SIM we'll send you will fit every type of phone. You'll just need to punch out the correct size from the SIM card we send you.

Your phone might have come with a tool to help you with putting in the SIM. Use this if you've got one. You can also use something like a paper clip, but be very careful not to damage your phone. Check out our phone guides for specific help with your mobile

Activate your SIM

You'll need to activate your SIM to start using your mobile.

If you've bought SIMs for your family, you'll need to activate them first before giving them out. You should have a welcome pack that you can give to your family to help them get set up.

Keep your old number

If you've given us your PAC code when you ordered your BT Mobile SIM and received your order, just pop your new SIM card into your phone. Your old number will be moved over to your BT service within 1 working day.

Alternatively log in to keep your number and enter your PAC code there. If you're using a handset that's not from BT, you'll need to make sure it's unlocked first.

Upload your contacts

Now your mobile's working, you can upload all your contacts, pictures, videos and music. Here are some tips for moving everything that's important to you to your new SIM.

Set up voicemail

What you need to know about setting up and using your voicemail on BT Mobile.

Personalise your SIM

Once you've activated your SIM you can personalise it, so it's easy to recognise when you log in to My Mobile.

If you'd like to give a SIM to someone else, you can send them an invite to take control and set up a BT ID. This will let them see what they've used plus get access to millions of BT Wi-fi hotspots.

Find out how to do this and what levels of control are available by watching this video.

Set your own spend caps

No one likes big bills they weren't expecting. So, with BT Mobile you can manage how much you spend each month by setting a spend cap for anything outside your plan. You can cap what you spend to as low as £5 over and above your monthly plan charge.

If someone else pays the bill but you've been given full control of your SIM, you'll be allowed to do this too. Just accept the invite to take control of your SIM and log in to manage your settings. However, if you've only been given some control of your SIM then you'll need to ask the bill payer to do this for you.

Get the BT Mobile app

The BT Mobile app is an easy way to keep track of what you're using and see how much data, minutes and texts you've got left in your plan. You'll also find a summary of any extra charges so you'll know what to expect for your next bill.

Free data with BT Wi-fi

The BT Wi-fi app gets you online in a flash, for free, without eating into your data allowance. By using it, you'll only ever need to log in once. After that it'll connect to a hotspot for you whenever you're in range. We'll nudge you to download the BT Wi-fi app when you join BT Mobile or you can find it yourself in your app store.

If someone else pays the bill you'll need to log in with your own BT ID. Just ask the bill payer to give you control of your own SIM. They can do this by logging in to My Mobile and clicking “Personalise my SIMs”.

Set up parental controls

You can control what content you see using BT's parental controls. We've automatically turned your settings to “light” but you can log in at any time to change them.

If someone else pays the bill but you've been given full control of your SIM, you'll be allowed to do this too. Just accept the invite to take control of your SIM and log in to manage your settings. However, if you've only been given some control of your SIM then you'll need to ask the bill payer to do this for you.

Invite other SIMs onto your account

Family SIMs could be the perfect solution for you and your family.

The more you add, the more you save - every time you add a SIM, you get a bigger monthly discount

If someone you know has a BT Mobile SIM which isn't currently on your account you can invite them to join your plan. If they accept, we'll move their SIM to your BT Mobile account and you become responsible for paying all the charges for that SIM.

Login to invite others onto your Family plan

Get the BT Sport App

You can get the BT sport app with BT Mobile, head to the app stores and download the app.

If you've been given control of your SIM then you'll need to check with the person who pays the bill if they've subscribed to BT Sport. Good news, if they have, then you'll be able to get the app too.

When you will get your bill

If you're already a BT customer you'll get your bill on the day you normally do. You'll see some mobile charges and allowances which are worked out from the point you order mobile to the date of the bill. You'll also see the full monthly charge for the following month.

The best way to check your BT Mobile bill, allowances, usage and account is via the app.

You can find it on Google Play, in the iPhone App Store, or Windows Phone Store. Just search for "BT Mobile" or text BTmob to 81192 and we'll send you the link.

If you've got no other products with us, you should get your first BT Mobile bill around 30 days from when you ordered it.

Understanding your first bill

All the help you should need to help you understand things like "out of plan" charges or "international roaming".

Managing your Mobile account

The best way to check your BT Mobile bill, allowances, usage and account is via the app.

You can find it on Google Play, in the iPhone App Store, or Windows Phone Store. Just search for "BT Mobile" or text BTmob to 81192 and we'll send you the link.

You can also log in to My Mobile to see your bill, check what you've used and buy any add-ons.

You can also do things like check and change your spend caps and parental controls.