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Welcome to Tesco Mobile

How do I activate my phone?

When you use your Tesco Mobile for the first time, you will need to activate it to receive calls. It's easy to do, just follow these simple steps:

  1. Switch on your phone and it will connect automatically to the Tesco Mobile network.
  2. Set a PIN code for your phone that you can remember easily.
  3. Once connected, your phone's in standby mode and you're ready to start talking.
  4. Make a chargeable call to activate your phone, otherwise you won't be able to receive calls.

Once your phone is activated we recommend that you:

  • Register your phone's unique IMEI number at http://www.immobilise.com.
  • Put an ICE (In Case of Emergency) number into your phone's directory.
  • Set up your voicemail.

How do I unlock my phone?

Your existing phone may be `locked' to work on the network you're currently with. You can tell it's locked if it doesn't work when you put the Tesco Mobile SIM card inside.

To get it unlocked so it will work on Tesco Mobile, it's best to contact your current network. Some may charge you for this, but it does vary.

How do I keep my existing mobile number?

Keep your existing mobile number 

Your mobile or SIM card comes with its own phone number printed on the box, but if you’d like to keep your existing mobile number you need to transfer it from your current network. 

Just follow these steps, to port in your number: 

  1. Contact your existing network and ask for a PAC (Port Authorisation Code).
  2. Once you have your PAC code click on the image above. (Please note: Your PAC is only valid for 30 days, so please call before it expires.)
  3. We'll then transfer your existing number to your Tesco Mobile phone.
  4. Your Tesco Mobile takes about 1 working day, we'll send you an email confirming when the transfer will be completed.
  5. Ensure you either make a note of all your contacts, or copy them to your phone otherwise you may lose them.

On the day of your transfer, your phone number will be moved across to your new SIM card and you will loose network signal.  When this happens: 

  1. Switch off your phone
  2. Put the new SIM card into your phone
  3. Switch your phone back on

When I transfer to Tesco Mobile will I lose the credits I still have with my old network?

Whilst your number is being transferred, use up any airtime credits you have with your current network. You can also start using your Tesco Mobile SIM card to make and receive calls using the temporary number.

How do I browse the internet on my phone?

You can access internet-style pages using WAP via your Tesco Mobile. So even when you're out and about, you can get news and sports results, download cinema listings, check your lottery numbers - the list is endless.

You will need a phone that is WAP enabled. If you've got a Tesco Mobile with the SIM that came with it, then all the settings you need for using WAP are already set up.

To access WAP services, simply:

  1. Select 'WAP', access internet or services from your phone menu.
  2. Select 'Home'.
  3. The Tesco Mobile home page appears. Now you can choose what you want to do.
  4. Depending on which type of phone you have you will access the information either by 'dial-up' WAP which is charged by the minute, or by GPRS which is the faster service charged by mega bytes.

Please note: Surfing the internet via GPRS isn't available on the Value tariff.

Will I need extra settings?
You may need extra settings if you transfer your SIM to another phone, or you bought a Tesco Mobile SIM card on it's own. Check which functions your phone has by looking through its in-built menu, the manufacturer's user guide or you can use the
 Tesco Mobile phone settings service.

The Tesco Mobile phone settings service will work out which settings you need and send them to your phone by text. You just need to enter your Tesco Mobile phone number and follow the step-by-step guide online. 

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Pay monthly

How do I reset my account password?

If you've forgotten your password, please click on the forgotten password link on the site you are trying to access and follow the instructions. This will allow us to reset it for you.

We'll email and text you your new reset password. Please note: the text will be sent to the mobile number of the main account holder.

Alternatively for a quick step-by-step guide on resetting your password click here.

 

How do I view and print my contract?

For a quick step-by-step guide on viewing or printing your contract click here.

How do I view a summary of my Pay monthly usage?

You can check your usage summary by logging into your Pay monthly account online. You'll just need your username and password and you can log in by clicking here.

Alternatively for a quick step-by-step guide on viewing your usage summary click here.

How do I check my bills and payment details?

For a quick step-by-step guide on viewing your bills and payment details click here.

How do I view my Pay monthly usage?

You can check the amount of calls, texts and data you've used so far this month by logging into your Pay monthly account online. You'll just need your username and password and you can log in by clicking here.

Alternatively for a quick step-by-step guide on viewing your usage details click here

How do I make a one off payment when my normal payment method has failed?

You can make a one-off payment to pay a bill by logging in to your online account

What’s the high usage limit on my account?

Our standard Pay monthly tariffs have an account limit to prevent you from running up large unexpected bills. If your usage exceeds your monthly allowance of calls, texts or data, you may reach your account limit. We’ll text you to let you know if you’ve reached 90% of your limit and also if you reach your limit. If you do reach your account limit, your phone will be barred from making any calls and you’ll need to make a top-up. You can top-up using a credit or debit card at any time by calling 4444 free. Please note, it can take up to 6 hours for your call bar to be lifted following payment. See our Call Charges page to find out what your account limit is.

I’ve reached the high usage limit, how do I remove the bar on my account?

If you do reach your account limit, your phone will be barred from making any calls and you’ll need to make a top-up. You can top-up using a credit or debit card at any time by calling 4444 free. Please note, it can take up to 6 hours for your call bar to be lifted following payment.

How do I check charges on my account?

If you'd like to make a one off payment please log into your online account click here

How do I cancel an account request?

Pay monthly SIM only contracts

If you're on a Pay monthly SIM only contract and wish to cancel, please call our Customer Services team on 0845 301 44 55.

Pay monthly handset contracts
If you're on a Pay monthly handset contract purchased within 28 days, then please return it to the store it was purchased from or if the contract was taken out via our Telesales team, please call 0845 600 4411.
If you'd like to cancel a Pay monthly handset contract outside of the 28 days, please call our Customer Services team on 0845 301 4455.

How do I query a payment I've made?

If you'd like to make a one off payment please log into your online account click here

Pay as you go

How to check your top-up balance?

You can check your Pay as you go credit balance anytime you like, just call;

  • dialling *#10# 
  • or by using 'quick dial 2#'

(calls to these numbers are free from the UK)

To find out the balance of any free minutes or texts (you receive each month) by texting 'balance' to 2112.   We will then send you a text, to confirm the total of your remaining free allocation.

Free Bundles when you top-up £15 or more

From 1st May 2012, if you top-up £15 or more in a month on our Triple Credit tariff, we'll give you one of our £5 bundles for free. You can choose from 150 minutes, 5000 texts or 500MB to be applied on the same date as your monthly anniversary date.  Click here for full details.

 

What bundles can I buy?

We offer a range of bundles to allow you to get great value for money. The bundles include 150 minutes, 5000 texts, 500MB and 1GB. The bundles are applied on a monthly basis and are paid for using your real credit. Click here for full details.

Phone settings & help

How do I find my IMEI number?

Every mobile phone has a unique IMEI number. You can find out your phones IMEI by either:

  1. Looking behind the battery.
  2. or dialling *#06# from your mobile, and the IMEI will be displayed on the screen.

Make a note of your IMEI number, as you can give this to the police if your handset is stolen so your phone can’t be use the phone on the Tesco Mobile network.

How do I report my phone lost or stolen?

If your phone is lost or stolen, call our Customer Care team straight away on 0845 301 4455 so you phone can be blocked to prevent anyone else using it.

We'll also send you another SIM card and transfer your mobile number and credit, so you can continue to use your phone.

How do I find out what phone settings I need?

The Tesco Mobile phone settings service will work out which settings you need and send them to your phone by text. You just need to enter your Tesco Mobile phone number and follow the step-by-step guide online. 

To find out more about how to use your phone, please visit the web site of your phone manufacturer:

How do I unblock a Tesco Mobile phone or SIM card (request a PUK)?

If you have locked your phone or SIM card, you'll need to call the Customer Services team on 0844 879 5270, who will be able to provide a PUK (PIN Unlock Key ) to unblock it.

How do I unlock my Tesco Mobile phone to use on another network?

 

Using another network’s SIM in a Tesco Mobile phone
If you wish to use another network's SIM, you will need to arrange for it be unlocked. If this is the case, you must not insert another operator's SIM card into the mobile without an unlatching code (this is not your PIN code).

Our Customer Care team can provide you with an unlatching code. The service is free if you request an unlatching code from us, 12 months after the date you activated your handset. If you activated your Tesco Mobile phone less than 12 months ago, we will charge you a fee of £20 to unlock your handset.

Unlocking a Tesco Mobile iPhone

Pay as you go iPhone phones

iPhones on Pay as you go are free to unlock 12 months after activation. We don’t offer an unlocking service on iPhones that were activated less than 12 months ago.

Pay monthly iPhone phones

If you would like to use Apple iPhone 3G, 3GS or 4 on another network, you can to unlock your phone before the end of your contract but there will be a small fee to do this. The current charge to unlock your handset is £20. The new Apple iPhone 4S can be unlocked at the end of your contract 

Pay monthly handsets (excluding iPhone)

Our Pay monthly handsets are free to unlock at the end of the contract. If you’d like to unlock your handset before the end of your contract, then there’s a £20 charge to unlock it.

Please contact the technical support line on 0845 300 6660 or dial 4455 from your Tesco Mobile and select option 4 for further information on the qualifying period, applicable conditions and charges.

PLEASE NOTE:

  • If you remove your Tesco Mobile SIM card from your iPhone for 10 continuous days, you’ll lose your free data bundle.

Network settings & help

How do I set up and use voicemail?

Your mobile is set up to take messages as soon as you turn it on, so if you're not able to take a call, your voicemail will.

Switching voicemail on or off

  • To activate voicemail: quick key 4#;or call 2905
  • Turn off voicemail: quick key 5# or call 2915
  • Listen to voicemail: quick key 1#call 905

Managing your mailbox

  • Your mailbox can hold up to 40 messages.
  • Each message can be up to 4 minutes long.
  • All old and saved messages will be deleted after 30 days.

Using the main voicemail menu
You can set a range of preferences, such as whether you get a call or text when a message is waiting. You can also record your own message on voicemail for callers to hear. Here's a quick guide to using the Main Menu and to changing your preferences:

To access the Main Menu

  1. Call 905
  2. When voicemail answers press the * key.
  3. Then select one of the options, detailed below;

Press 2 to listen to your messages
Press 3 to manage or change your personal greeting

  • Select 1 to listen to your active greeting
  • Select 2 to record a new personal greeting
  • Select 3 to record a temporary greeting
  • Select 4 to record a name tag
  • Select 0 for help
Press 4 to manage your mailbox settings

  • Select 1 change your message notification method
  • Select 2 to change the date and time stamp after each message
  • Select 3 to change the menu options played after each message
  • Select 4 to change security settings

Changing your mailbox PIN

  • Your default PIN number is 8705.
  • You can change your PIN number the first time you access your voicemail.
  • If you forget your PIN, call customer care and they will reset it for you.

(PLEASE NOTE: You need your PIN to pick up your message from a fixed-line.)


Mailbox shortcut keys

  • Key 0 - Pause message
  • Key 1 - Play previous message
  • Key 2 - Save message (all messages are deleted after 30 days)
  • Key 3 - Delete message
  • Key 4 - Rewind 5 seconds (Useful if someone has left you a number which you need repeated)
  • Key 6 - Fast forward 5 seconds
  • Key 8 - Hear details of the message, such as who called you and when. You can choose to play this feature after each message.

Picking up your mobile messages from a landline phone

  • Just dial your mobile number.
  • Wait until Voicemail answers.
  • Then press the * key and follow the prompts.

Why can't I make or receive calls and texts?

If you see a flashing envelope on your mobile - your SIM card memory is full. Please delete as many messages as you can and try again. Provided there are no network faults in your area and your mobile/SIM are not faulty, any undelivered SMS will come to your mobile within a few minutes (for information on how to do this, check your user guide).

How do I send multimedia messages (MMS)?

Make your messages extra special by combining videos, photos and texts with Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS).  You will need a phone that is MMS enabled to send picture messages.

If you've got a Tesco Mobile phone and are using the SIM card that came with it, then all the settings you need for using MMS are already set up.
It's easy to create a multimedia message.  Here's a guide that applies to most mobile phones;

  1. Take a video or photo (or select one already saved on your phone).
  2. Go to 'options' and select 'insert'.
  3. Select 'sound clip' and choose a pre-recorded sound clip to attach to the picture.
  4. Send the message in the same way you send a text.

Please note: these steps may for certain phone models, so you might need to refer to the manufacturers website or the guide that came with your phone 

Will I need extra settings?

You may need extra settings if you transfer your SIM to another phone, or you bought a Tesco Mobile SIM card on it’s own. Check which functions your phone has by looking through its in-built menu, the manufacturer’s user guide or you can use the Tesco Mobile phone settings service.

The Tesco Mobile phone settings service will work out which settings you need and send them to your phone by text. You just need to enter your Tesco Mobile phone number and follow the step-by-step guide online.

Can any phone receive an MMS message?

Some phones without a camera can still receive, view and forward multimedia messages, you just won’t be able to take any pictures. Even if your phone isn't MMS compatible, you will get a text message with a web address and access code. This allows you to view what has been sent to you on the internet.

How do I browse the internet on my phone?

You can access internet-style pages using WAP via your Tesco Mobile. So even when you're out and about, you can get news and sports results, download cinema listings, check your lottery numbers - the list is endless.

You will need a phone that is WAP enabled. If you've got a Tesco Mobile with the SIM that came with it, then all the settings you need for using WAP are already set up.

To access WAP services, simply:

  1. Select 'WAP', access internet or services from your phone menu.
  2. Select 'Home'.
  3. The Tesco Mobile home page appears. Now you can choose what you want to do.
  4. Depending on which type of phone you have you will access the information either by 'dial-up' WAP which is charged by the minute, or by GPRS which is the faster service charged by mega bytes.

Please note: Surfing the internet via GPRS isn't available on the Value tariff.

Will I need extra settings?
You may need extra settings if you transfer your SIM to another phone, or you bought a Tesco Mobile SIM card on it's own. Check which functions your phone has by looking through its in-built menu, the manufacturer's user guide or you can use the
 Tesco Mobile phone settings service.

The Tesco Mobile phone settings service will work out which settings you need and send them to your phone by text. You just need to enter your Tesco Mobile phone number and follow the step-by-step guide online. 

General

Useful numbers

 

800 022 4030  Activate your Pay Monthly SIM
282* Switch Pay as you go tariff
4455 (20p/call)   Switch to a Pay monthly tariff
282*  Registration line for:
Clubcard,
Favourite Numbers
E Top-up activation
905  Voicemail
2702* How do I?
0845 940 0000  Top-up from a UK landline
4444*  Top-up from Tesco Mobile
4455 (20p/call)
0845 301 4455
Customer Care
118323  Directory Enquiries
2701* Tesco Mobile offers and promotions
280 Call charges for when you're abroad 
2700 Traffic News

























Quick Keys
quick key 1# Voicemail
quick key 2# Call-time balance
quick key 3# Top-up by credit or debit card
quick key 4# Turn voicemail on
quick key 5# Turn voicemail off
quick key 6# Directory enquiries
quick key 7# Customer care
quick key 8# Tesco Offers
quick key 9# How do I?

Links to other useful information

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