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How to use my giffgaff SIM card

In this tutorial, I will explain how to activate your SIM card giffgaff with a bank card from the UK or abroad.

All giffgaff SIM cards come without an assigned phone number, so if you've already received your card, you must activate it to get your number and to start using it.

If you do not live in the UK, I recommend you to activate your SIM from your country a few days before your trip to the UK.

Follow this guide step by step to activate your SIM card:

Step 1 - Activate your SIM

Go to giffgaff website and click the button “ACTIVATE YOUR SIM”

Activate your SIM

Step 2 - Enter the activation code

Enter the 6 characters activation code printed on the SIM (code) card and click on the yellow button “CONTINUE”.

Step 3 - Registration

Now you have to choose a unique user name, password and enter your e-mail. You can only register one SIM card per username. Once you have chosen your user name, you can't change it later.

The password must have a minimum of 8 characters and must contain at least one capital letter and a number.

Step 4 - Choose airtime credit or a goodybag

On this screen, you have to top up for the first time with a minimum of £10, either airtime credit or a monthly plan (goodybag).

The goodybags do not include international calling minutes, but with the £5 gift balance, you will be able to make international calls from the UK.

Step 5 - Load balance

If the £5 gift balance is not enough for your international calls or use your giffgaff SIM card roaming, in this step you can load more credit.

If you don't load balance in this step, don't worry because you will be able to top up credit whenever you want.

Step 6 - Payment

If you live in the UK, simply fill out this form

In case you do not have an address in the UK, you must enter the following data:

1 - Numbers of your bank card.

2 - Your name and surname.

3 - A Postcode that must belong to the United Kingdom, you can use any of these: E12 5HG, NW1 8PB, SW1V 1DN, NW1 0RR.

4 - Click on "Find Address", in the address list, select the last option "Property not listed", an additional field will be automatically displayed to add your address manually.

5 - ADDRESS LINE 1: Street name, number, floor, door, etc.

6 - ADDRESS LINE 2: Postcode, city, and province.

7 - TOWN: Country name in capital letters and English.

Only letters, numbers, commas, and periods are allowed when writing. Do not use special characters or accents.

Step 7 - Payment Verification

If your bank card has the active 3DSecure system, you will get a window, where you have to type the code that your bank will send to your mobile by text to confirm the payment.

This step depends entirely on your bank and not giffgaff.

Step 8 - Confirmation of payment and activation

Once accepted the payment, giffgaff will activate your card. Generally, this process only takes a few seconds.

Once you see the following screen, your card is already fully operational and you can start using it immediately.

Step 9 - Configuration and number assignment

You can click on "setup your account" button to set up your card. In the following steps, giffgaff asks you to enter the SIM in your phone, to check you have coverage and to set up the data connection. Having done all this, you can go to MY giffgaff, where you can see the mobile number that has been assigned to you with your selected goodybag and the £5 balance gift.

What is the PIN of my giffgaff SIM card?

When you first turn on your mobile with your new giffgaff SIM, you will see that it does not ask you for a PIN code, this is normal since it is disabled. We, therefore, suggest that you create a new PIN code to protect your SIM card.

To create your PIN code, we explain below how to do it according to your type of mobile:

On iPhone: Settings - Phone - SIM PIN, now put the set PIN 5555 and then your new PIN.

On Android: Settings - Security - Set up SIM card lock, now set the 5555 PIN and then your new PIN.

On Windows: Select Call Menu - press the 3 points icon in the lower right corner of the screen - Call Settings - activate SIM Security, now set the 5555 PIN and then your new PIN.

If you need to know the PUK, look at this guide: What is the PUK of my card?

Difference between PIN code and PUK code

PIN: “PIN” means Personal Identification Number. This is the four-digit code that you must dial each time you turn on your mobile phone. The PIN is the code of your SIM card and not the phone code.
PUK: This is the code that your phone demands when you have mistakenly entered your PIN code 3 times.

Here we explain everything you need to know about your giffgaff voicemail and how to use it:

- Video Tutorial.
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Set up your voicemail.
- Access to your voicemail from another phone
- Numeric commands.
- Activate/deactivate your voicemail.
- Traveling abroad.
- How to change the PIN.
- Set up text message notifications when receiving a voice message.
- To consider

Video tutorial about giffgaff voicemail

Frequently Asked Questions. FAQ

How to check my giffgaff voicemail?

Dial 443 and press the Submit button.

How to turn off your giffgaff voicemail?

Dial 1626 or #004# and press "Send"

Is it free to check my giffgaff voicemail?

IS NOT FREE. With goodybag, you consume 1 minute and with balance (Airtime Credit) 8p / min

Set up your giffgaff voicemail

Voicemail will be activated from the moment you start using your SIM giffgaff.

With your giffgaff mobile, dial the numbers 443 to access your voicemail.

If you have an iPhone, you can directly access your mailbox from the "Carrier file", simply by pressing the "Voicemail" button, for more information: What is and how to use the Carrier file

You will be able to check your messages and:

Leave a personalized message with your voice, to say to the people that are calling you that you are not available to get the call, and you will call them back later.
Set a PIN code to protect your voicemail. After dialing 443, you will be prompted to enter a new 4 digit PIN code. Choose one that you remember easily. With this PIN you can access your voicemail from another phone, even from abroad.

How do I access my giffgaff voicemail from another phone?

Call your giffgaff mobile number.
After listening to your voicemail message, press on the keyboard of your phone the asterisk (*).
You will be prompted to enter your PIN followed by the pad (#).
You will hear the standard welcome message to your voicemail.

Numeric commands for your giffgaff voicemail

Dial the following numbers when you have listened to a voice message:

Dial 1: Listen again to your message.
Dial 2: save the message you just heard.
Dial 3: Permanently delete the message.
Dial 8: Listen to the phone number, date and time of the message call.

Enable / Disable your voicemail giffgaff

Your voicemail will be activated as soon as you start using your giffgaff SIM card.

To activate or deactivate your voicemail, you will have to dial the following numbers and press the "Send" button:

To activate: dial 1616 or *004# and press "Send"
To deactivate: dial 1626 or #004# and press "Send"

To make sure you have set up your voicemail correctly, dial *#004# and press the "Send" button.

Traveling abroad

If you are traveling outside the UK, you can divert all incoming calls directly to your voicemail. To do this, we advise you two things:

Record a personalized message saying that you are outside the UK and if you have something important to communicate, please leave a voice message.
Set your PIN code for your voicemail before you travel, so you will avoid having to listen to the instructions to set your PIN when you check your voicemail, as they will charge you every minute with the roaming charges.

How to access my giffgaff voicemail from abroad?

Call your giffgaff mobile number.
After listening to the message, press on the keyboard of your phone the asterisk (*).
You will be prompted to enter your PIN followed by the pad (#).
You will hear the standard welcome message to your voicemail.

When you check your voicemail from abroad, giffgaff will charge you as if you made a 1-minute call with the international roaming tariff. Check the international roaming rates.

How to change the PIN of my giffgaff voicemail

To change your PIN simply dial 443 with your giffgaff mobile and press the asterisk (*), then dial 4 - 4 - 1. Now you will be prompted to enter your old PIN to establish your new PIN.

I forgot my Giffgaff voicemail PIN, How do I get it back?

To recover the PIN you have forgotten, simply send a text message with the word “RESET” and send it to the number 802443.

Set up giffgaff notification via text message when you receive voice messages

Your mobile giffgaff is configured in a standard way so that when you receive a new voice message, an icon appears on your screen. If you prefer giffgaff to send you a text message for each new voice message, follow these steps:

Call 443, when you hear the voicemail message, press asterisk (*).
Dial 4 to go to voicemail settings.
Dial 1 to access the different notification options.
Dial 1 to choose the notification option via text message.

To consider

Voice messages will be deleted after 30 days.
If you do not access into your voicemail for 60 days, the configuration and your PIN will be erased.

How do I unblock my giffgaff SIM card?

If you have incorrectly entered your PIN code 3 times, you have blocked your card. Do not worry because there is a solution, you have to get the PUK code of your SIM giffgaff to unlock it.

This PUK code is different for each giffgaff SIM card.

To know your PUK code:

Step 1 – Access to your giffgaff profile

Go to giffgaff's website and Log in to access your profile.

Step 2 – Click on “Unblock my SIM”

Place the mouse over the word "Help" in the horizontal menu bar at the top, you will see that a series of links are displayed. Click on the link "Unblock my SIM" that you will find at the end of "Your phone" section.

Step 3 – Know your PUK code

When you click on "Unblock my SIM" in the previous step, it will take you to your profile settings page, and it will just show you the part of your profile that shows a yellow button with the phrase "Get my PUK". Click on this button to get it.

Once you have your PUK code, put it on your phone to unblock your SIM.

Types of products and giffgaff plans

Before explaining how to recharge your mobile phone, we'll explain the 3 types of products you can buy, so you know the right one to choose:

Goodybag: A goodybag is a plan that provides a fixed number of call minutes, SMS and internet connection for a 30 days period. After this time, your account will be reset to zero, and you will have to buy another goodybag, even if you didn't run out your monthly call minutes, SMSs or Data.
Gigabag: This is a monthly internet data plan with the 4G connection that is specifically designed for iPads, tablets, and dongle (USB data).

This plan allows you to connect to the Internet with your iPad, tablet or dongle within the UK. You can also share an Internet connection from your main device with others, including mobile devices.

Remember that the "gigabag" plans don't offer call minutes or SMS messages, only 4G internet connection.

Airtime credit: This is the classic "Pay as you go" plan. This option is suitable for users who don't normally use their mobile phone and only have it for emergencies or very specific situations.

Airtime credit doesn't expire over time and is spent when you call, send messages or connect to the Internet.

The drawback means that the price per call minute, message or internet data, is higher in comparison to the goodybag plans.

All products can be automatically or manually renewed every month, and below we'll explain the recharging process.

How to top up your giffgaff SIM online

1 - Log in to your giffgaff account.

2 – Click on "My giffgaff" on the top horizontal menu of the giffgaff website.

Payment options

With a Voucher: click on "Top-up by voucher" then enter the 16-digit code you'll find at the top of your Voucher and click on the yellow button that says "Redeem".

With debit or credit card: click on "Top-up by credit or balance," then select the option you want to buy: goodybag, gigabag or airtime credit.

Now you only have to choose the type of product and follow the indicated steps, until you have to pay by entering your user data and card numbers. You'll finish your payment by clicking on the yellow button "Order & Pay".

Once you have selected your giffgaff plan, you can click on the option "yes, I would like my “selected product” to recur Automatically every month", which will automatically renew your plan, and charge it directly to your bank card every 30 days.

Of course, you'll be able to halt or cancel this option once you no longer need it from your giffgaff account page. Automatic payments are charged on the 4th of every month.

Internet Settings

We recommend you to download "My giffgaff" App from iTunes, to automatically configure your APN and check your giffgaff balance.

APN settings for iPhone IOS system with giffgaff:

1 – Go to Settings > Mobile Data > Mobile Data Networks

Remember: in Mobile Data, you'll have to activate the options "Mobile data" and "Data Roaming"

2 – Complete the information required for the new APN with the following information:

APN – Access Point Name: giffgaff.com

User name: giffgaff

Password: - (leave it blank)

If your mobile is updated

Go to Settings > Wireless & Networks > More > Mobile Networks> APN (Access Point Name): and select giffgaff

If your phone isn't updated or continues to fail to connect to the Internet

1 – Go to Settings > Wireless & Networks > More > Mobile Networks > APN (Access Point Name)

2 – Create a new APN

3 – Complete the information required for a new APN with the following data:

APN – Acces Point Name: giffgaff.com

Password: - (leave it blank)

Proxy: - (leave it blank)

MCC: 234

MNC: 10

If your phone has the Windows Phone 8 system, giffgaff will be automatically configured. If you have an older Windows version, you'll have to follow one of these methods to configure your giffgaff Internet connection:

Through the "The Mobile Network app"

Download the App "The mobile Network" which will allow you to configure your phone manually.

APN manual configuration

Go to Settings> Mobile network and SIM, "Mobile data" and "data roaming" have to be activated> Go back to Settings, and select "Access Point", click on the (+) symbol and enter the following information:

Connection Name: giffgaff

APN (Access Point Name): giffgaff.com

User name: giffgaff

First, to avoid any errors between different APN configurations, we suggest deleting those that have already been configured on your phone and just leave a single one with the following data:

APN – Acces Point Name: giffgaff.com

Password: - (leave it blank)

Proxy: - (leave it blank)

MCC: 234

MNC: 10

Be careful not to confuse "proxy" and "MMS proxy". You have to leave the first one blank, and the MMS Proxy is 82.132.254.1

Phones using WAP

If your mobile uses WAP, you'll have to add the following configuration:

Internet Proxy: 193.113.200.195

Internet Port: 8080

£5 Bonus credit on your first Top UP

Get for free your giffgaff SIM card with £5 Bonus credit.

Goodybags, our SIM only deals.

Forget about contracts, giffgaff sim only deals give you the flexibility to choose each month the number of minutes, data and texts you need. Change your deal whenever you need it. You will enjoy 4G conexión at no extra cost

+ Frequently asked questions about giffgaff goodybags

+ Frequently asked questions about giffgaff goodybags

What is included in goodybag plans?

What is included in gigabags?

Do goodybags have a 4G connection?

Can I use giffgaff goodybag plans on my 3G phone?

What happens if I spend all the navigation data or calls from my goodybag plan?

What does "Always On" mean in the goodybag of 25‎£?

What do I have to do when my goodybag expires?

Is it possible to share my data (tethering) with another device?

Giffgaff

Why choose our SIM card?

1 The giffgaff SIM card and shipment to the UK are free. Also, by activating your card, you will receive £5 of balance for free, so you can call abroad.

2 Surf at high speed with our 4G connection. If your mobile isn't from the latest generation, you'll be able to navigate quickly with 3G and 2G connections.

3 Its prepaid rates are the lowest in the UK, just like the price for international calls, calls to France cost 2p/min. Your prepaid plans are called "Goodybags" and last for 30 days.

4 Enjoy the flexibility of choosing the monthly plan (goodybag) that suits you best, based on how you're going to use it, or simply top up your balance and use it as you make calls, SMS or surf the internet.

5 It's a pay as you go SIM card, without contracts, permanence, or maintenance costs.

6 Giffgaff uses O2 network coverage, one of the largest in the UK, offering the best coverage both indoors and outdoors, to call and surf the internet.

7 Calls with other giffgaff users are free.

8 You can activate it from abroad, with a foreign address and bank card.

Giffgaff Coverage and Network status in the UK

Giffgaff international rates to contact overseas from the UK

How to use my giffgaff SIM card

+ Activate your SIM

+ Activate your SIM

Step 1 - Activate your SIM

Step 2 - Enter the activation code

Step 3 - Registration

Step 4 - Choose airtime credit or a goodybag

Step 5 - Load balance

Step 6 - Payment

Step 7 - Payment Verification

Step 8 - Confirmation of payment and activation

Step 9 - Configuration and number assignment

+ PIN code

+ PIN code

What is the PIN of my giffgaff SIM card?

Difference between PIN code and PUK code

+ Voicemail

+ Voicemail

Video tutorial about giffgaff voicemail

Frequently Asked Questions. FAQ

How to check my giffgaff voicemail?

How to turn off your giffgaff voicemail?

Is it free to check my giffgaff voicemail?

Set up your giffgaff voicemail

How do I access my giffgaff voicemail from another phone?

Numeric commands for your giffgaff voicemail

Enable / Disable your voicemail giffgaff

Traveling abroad

How to change the PIN of my giffgaff voicemail

Set up giffgaff notification via text message when you receive voice messages

To consider

+ PUK, unblock my SIM

+ PUK, unblock my SIM

How do I unblock my giffgaff SIM card?

+ How to Top Up

+ How to Top Up

Internet Settings

+ For iPhone

+ For iPhone

+ For Android

+ For Android

+ For Windows

+ For Windows

+ Other Mobile Phones

+ Other Mobile Phones

What are you waiting for to join giffgaff?

1
The giffgaff SIM card and shipment to the UK are free. Also, by activating your card, you will receive £5 of balance for free, so you can call abroad.

2
Surf at high speed with our 4G connection. If your mobile isn't from the latest generation, you'll be able to navigate quickly with 3G and 2G connections.

3
Its prepaid rates are the lowest in the UK, just like the price for international calls, calls to France cost 2p/min. Your prepaid plans are called "Goodybags" and last for 30 days.

4
Enjoy the flexibility of choosing the monthly plan (goodybag) that suits you best, based on how you're going to use it, or simply top up your balance and use it as you make calls, SMS or surf the internet.

5
It's a pay as you go SIM card, without contracts, permanence, or maintenance costs.

6
Giffgaff uses O2 network coverage, one of the largest in the UK, offering the best coverage both indoors and outdoors, to call and surf the internet.

7
Calls with other giffgaff users are free.

8
You can activate it from abroad, with a foreign address and bank card.