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:
- Switch on your phone it will connect automatically to the Tesco Mobile network
- Set a PIN code for your phone that you can remember easily
- Once connected, your phone's in standby mode and you're ready to start talking
- Make a chargeable call. You need to do this to activate your phone, otherwise you won't be able to receive calls.
Once your phone is activated we suggest 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.
Back to TopYour mobile or SIM card comes with its own number printed on the box, but you can still use your old number. That way you don't need to tell friends or family your number has changed.
Just follow these steps:
- Contact your existing network and ask for a PAC code (Port Authorisation Code).
- Once you have your PAC code give us a call at Customer Care on 0845 301 4455. It is only valid for 30 days, so please call before it expires.
- We'll then transfer your existing number to your Tesco Mobile.
How long does the transfer take?
Transferring your existing number to your Tesco Mobile takes about 2 working days. During this time, 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.
If you want to find out more information about using your phone abroad or calling abroad from the UK click here.
Ways to top-up
- Online - anytime: online or by text - automatically: weekly or monthly - with 10% discount on all Regular & Auto top-ups. Click here to top up online now.
- By Phone - Credit and debit card via the phone
- In Store - Vouchers & E vouchers from Tesco stores
- Retail Outlets (E top-up) - Search to find your nearest E top-up retail outlet with our Outlet Locator. 60,000 locations including Tesco stores. Click here for the Outlet Locator.
- ATM
Back to TopYou can check your call time balance anytime free from the UK just dial *#10# or quick dial 2#. If you receive a monthly bonus of free minutes or texts you can find out the balance of these by texting the word balance to 2112 we will then text you back the total of your remaining free allocation.
Answer your phone - or don't. It's your call
There are always times when you can't take a call - or you don't want to! With Tesco Mobile, you'll always get the message. Your mobile is set up to take messages as soon as you turn it on, so it's up to you whether or not you take a call.
- To activate your voicemail, quick key 4# - or call 2905
- To turn off your voicemail, quick key 5# - or call 2915
- To listen to messages, quick key 1# - or call 905
How to use the Main Menu and set your preferences
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:
Access the Main Menu by calling 905 and when voicemail answers press * key.
- Press 2 to listen to your messages
- Press 3 to manage or change your personal greeting
- Press 1 to listen to your active greeting
- Press 2 to record a new personal greeting
- Press 3 to record a temporary greeting
- Press 4 to record a name tag
- Press 0 for help
- Press 4 to manage your mailbox settings
- Press 1 to change your message notification method
- Press 2 to change the date and time stamp after each message
- Press 3 to change the menu options played after each message
- Press 4 to change security settings*
*To change your mailbox PIN - you need your PIN to pick up your message from a fixed-line. 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.
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.
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.
Back to Top- Get your 5 favourite numbers ready
- Sign-in to My Tesco Mobile (or you can call 282 FREE from your Tesco Mobile phone)
- Now simply follow the prompts.
If you have registered your 5 favourite numbers, you don't have to keep the same ones forever. Change them whenever you want. Simply call 282 from your Tesco Mobile and follow the prompts.
- Sign in to My Tesco Mobile with your Clubcard number to hand (or call 282 FREE from your Tesco Mobile handset). If you don't have a Clubcard, don't worry just ask for one in store.
- Your points will be added to your quarterly Clubcard statement.
Does anyone else in your family have a Tesco Mobile? Register their number to your Clubcard - and earn more Clubcard points. Simply call 282 from your Tesco Mobile and follow the prompts.
If you're with another network, it takes about 2 days to transfer your existing number to your Tesco Mobile. During this time, use up any airtime credits you have with your current network - and you won't lose any money.
Your phone has a unique IMEI number. Find it behind the battery or press *#06# and make a note of it. You can give it to the police if your phone is stolen.
You can access internet-style pages using WAP
It's an amazing thought, but you can access information on the internet 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, you simply:
- Select WAP, access internet or services from your phone menu
- Select Home
- Tesco Mobile home page appears. Now you can choose what you want to do.
- 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.
Remember: 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 handset, or you are getting started with a SIM card only. Check the functions your handset has by looking through its in-built menu, the user's guide, or letting us work it out for you.
Tesco Mobile settings will work out which settings you need and send them to your phone by text. You simply need to enter your handset model and follow the step-by-step guide online.
It's a great way to get your messages noticed
Make your messages truly original by combining pictures, photos and texts with Tesco Mobile Media Messaging Service (MMS).
You will need a phone that is MMS enabled. If you've got a Tesco Mobile with the SIM that came with it, then all the settings you need for using MMS are already set up.
It's easy to create a media message, exact instructions may vary by phone but most are as follows:
- Take a picture, or choose one you've saved on your phone
- Go to 'options' and select 'insert'
- Select 'sound clip' and choose a pre-recorded sound clip to attach to the picture
- Send the message in the same way you send a text
Will I need extra settings?
You may need extra settings if you transfer your SIM to another phone, or you are getting started with a SIM card only. Check the functions your phone has by looking through its in-built menu, the user's guide, or letting us work it out for you.
Tesco Mobile settings will work out which settings you need and send them to your phone by text. You simply need to enter your phone model and follow the step-by-step guide online.
Can any phone receive an MMS message?
Some phones without a camera can receive, view and forward but not take pictures. And even if your phone isn't MMS compatible, you will get a text message with a web address and code. This allows you to view what has been sent to you on the web.
- Call 61818 FREE from your handset
- Set and verify a 4 digit PIN number of your choice (you will need this if you want to lift Parental Control).
- Your phone will now be unable to access adult content.
- To lift the bar, call 61818 and use your 4 digit PIN to return your phone to its default setting.
Back to TopA child or friend on Tesco Mobile can request that £1 is pinged from your phone credit to theirs.
To switch on any of these parental controls simply sign in to My Tesco Mobile and register your mobile(s) for this service.
If you forget your own mobile number, call the top-up line for free on 4444. It will be read out to you, so you can store it in your mobile's memory.
You may be entitled to an upgrade voucher. Click here for more information.
Can I use another SIM in my Tesco phone?
If you wish to use your Tesco Mobile phone on another network, 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 (which is not your PIN code). We will on request provide an unlatching code after 90 days starting from the date you activated your phone. If you activate your phone and use the Tesco Mobile network for less than 90 days before receiving an unlatching code, we will charge you a fee of £25 to unlock your phone.
If the phone has been active for more than 90 days there will be no charge as long as you have topped up by £25 since activation. If you haven't, you will need to top-up to reach this threshold before the code can be requested. The credit can then be used as airtime.
Please contact Customer Care on 0845 301 4455 or call 4455 from your Tesco Mobile for further information on the qualifying period, applicable conditions and charges.
Just dial your number, wait until Voicemail answers, press the * key and follow the prompts.
Tariffs
Pay as you go more info
Pay monthly more info
Call Charges
Pay as you go call charges more info
Pay monthly call charges more info
Existing tariffs call charges:
Standard plus more info
Extra more info
Value more info
Pay as you go Lite more info
Along with our partner O2 we cover 99 percent of the UK population and have access to over 150 countries worldwide.
Use our network coverage map which allows you to check network coverage anywhere in the UK click here.
3G phones give you entertainment, information, gaming, and browsing faster than traditional handsets. Please note not all 3G phones have video calling capability please check the handset manufacturers handbook.
Activate your Pay Monthly SIM - 800 022 4030
Switch Pay as you go tariff - 282 (Free)
Switch to Pay monthly tariff - 4455 (20p/call)
Clubcard, Favourite Numbers & E Top-up registration line - 282 (Free)
Voicemail - 905
How do I? - 2702 (Free)
Top-up from a UK landline - 0845 9400000
Top-up from Tesco Mobile - 4444 (Free)
Customer Care from a UK landline - 0845 3014455
Customer Care from Tesco Mobile - 4455 (20p/call)
Directory Enquiries - 118323
Tesco Mobile offers and promotions - 2701 (Free)
Call charges for when you're abroad - 280 (Free)
Traffic News - 2700
E-top-up card activation 282
Voicemail: quick key 1#
Calltime balance: quick key 2#
Top-up by credit or debit card: quick key 3#
Turn voicemail on: quick key 4#
Turn voicemail off: quick key 5#
Directory enquiries: quick key 6#
Customer care: quick key 7#
Tesco Offers: quick key 8#
How do I?: quick key 9#
To see a full list of our terms and conditions click here.
Click here to view our Code of Practice for Number Translation and Premium Rate Services.