Frequently asked questions
My phone number is correct, but I cannot log in to the website, or the app says the number format is wrong
A UK mobile number is 11 digits long. The international code is 0044 (also written +44), the national prefix 0 takes one digit, the 7 that marks UK mobile numbers takes one digit, and the remaining 9 digits are the number itself. So a giffgaff phone number is written +44 07xxxxxxxxx.
When using the phone number on the giffgaff website or in the app, drop the +44 and keep the national prefix 0 in front, so the format to enter is 07xxxxxxxxx. Please pay special attention to this.
Also remember:
When signing up for apps with a giffgaff number, choose UK or +44 as the country code. Here you drop the national prefix 0 and enter the 10-digit number 7xxxxxxxxx.
To text a UK mobile number from China, use the format 0044 7xxxxxxxxx; note that the 0 after 44 is dropped.
Why can't my SIM send texts or make calls?
In the phone's settings, turn off automatic operator selection, switch to China Mobile by hand, restart the phone and try again.
The format for texts and outgoing calls: 0086 + Chinese number, or country code + mobile number abroad; for the UK that is 0044 7xxxxxxxxx.
Many users have found that even on the China Mobile network, if the other person has a China Mobile number, they usually do not receive your international text because of anti-fraud measures in China. For now, China Unicom and China Telecom numbers still receive texts sent from a giffgaff SIM normally.
Why doesn't my SIM receive verification codes when signing up for apps?
The most common cause is that the network used to sign up for the app is of poor quality and gets flagged by the app. The next is using the wrong sign-up channel: Telegram, for example, cannot be registered from the desktop client, and cracked versions of TikTok do not receive the code either.
Another cause is that Google's system requires some apps to send verification codes over RCS. A Chinese-market Android phone has no built-in Google services, so the code never arrives. The Google version of the giffgaff app will also use Google's RCS service for verification texts from now on, and SMS/MMS in the traditional sense will no longer be sent. The move started on 10 October 2023; after it, a Chinese-market Android phone without Google Mobile Services (GMS) properly installed will very likely stop receiving login verification texts. This change does not affect iPhones.
Why doesn't my SIM receive SMS? (very rare)
Leaving aside hardware, the only likely cause is that the local operator where you are restricts roaming numbers from abroad. To fix it, go to your phone's Settings - Mobile network - select your giffgaff SIM - Operator, turn off automatic selection and choose China Mobile or China Unicom. After a restart you should receive texts.
Cannot log in to the giffgaff website
This is mainly a problem with your network route. Switch your proxy node to the UK and turn on global proxy mode, and you can usually log in. The website: https://www.giffgaff.com/
No signal after inserting the SIM
After the SIM is inserted, the phone reads it and uploads the data to the operator to register for roaming. Roaming between an overseas operator and Chinese operators involves many steps and checks, so wait patiently for 1-5 minutes and the signal will appear.
Cannot get online
Turn on mobile data for this SIM on your phone, and turn on data roaming. (Note: using roaming data in Greater China is generally not recommended; data is very expensive at £0.20/MB.)
What is my number?
After the SIM is first inserted and activated, you receive a text confirming activation that contains your phone number. Please keep it safe.
Can I roam in China long term?
Yes. As long as you have credit and keep the number once every six months (a change in balance), you can use it long term.
Which phones are supported? How is the signal?
All current mainstream phones are supported. The giffgaff SIM uses FDD-LTE; apart from a very few old China Telecom CDMA 3G phones, there are no problems. In China it roams on China Mobile or China Unicom by default and supports 5G; call quality, data quality and coverage are all very good.
Is real-name registration needed?
No real-name registration is needed.
What should iPhone users watch out for?
After inserting the SIM and switching on, do not accept the system pop-up to turn on iMessage/FaceTime. Once you confirm, Apple's system quietly sends an international activation text in the background and you are charged £0.30.
How do I check my balance? How do I check that calling works?
The best way is to log in to the website or the giffgaff app; you can also dial *100# on the dial pad to check the balance. Dial 443 to reach your own voicemail; if it connects and you hear the voice prompt, calling works fully.
Can I choose the number of my SIM?
The number is assigned at random by the system after your first top-up. If you are not happy with it, you can request a free change on the website afterwards (twice at most; the new number is also assigned at random).
