We rely on our mobile phone for loads of things in summer. Festival tickets, holiday snaps, maps, playlists, boarding passes - they’re with us every step of the way. To make this summer even better, we are giving away an incredible smart BBQ at the end of this article!But it’s not all good news. Summer is also the time when a lot of phones go missing or have a bit of a meltdown. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), 272,000 thefts were reported across the UK last year. They peaked in July, when festival season kicks off and summer getaways get underway.Then there’s the weather. Direct sunlight, hot sand and the occasional pool splash can all take their toll on your phone. Luckily, keeping it protected doesn’t take much effort. A few simple habits can help keep your phone (and everything on it) safe throughout the busiest weeks of summer. Lock it down before you leave the house. The best time to protect your phone is before anything goes wrong. Most theft protection fea

You might have seen the news that O2 is increasing its monthly prices again for lots of customers, with a new rise planned for April 2026.  So if you’re an O2 customer (or know someone who is), we're here to cut through the jargon, explain exactly what's happening, and show you what your options are.  By the end of this article, you'll understand your right to leave O2 penalty-free, and how you could switch to an iD Mobile plan that gives you great features at no extra cost.  What's happening with O2 prices?  O2 originally informed some customers that their airtime bills would increase by £1.80 per month from April 2026. However, a recent announcement confirms that many customers will now see a higher increase of up to £2.50 per month.On top of this, out-of-bundle charges (the cost for using minutes, texts, or data outside your allowance) are increasing by 5% from April 1st.  You have the right to leave. Because O2 is changing the specific price increase you agreed to when you signed u

We've all been there: five apps open at once and everything judders, a great photo ruined by a stranger walking through the back of it, and a battery that's on 12% by the time you've had your tea. Sound familiar?Upgrade your phone and all three of those niggles quietly sort themselves out. Here's what's actually going on under the bonnet, and how to get the most out of it. A phone that finally keeps up with you.  Every new Android phone comes with a newer chip and more RAM under the hood, and you feel it the moment you jump between WhatsApp, Maps and the camera without that half-second stutter. Games load quicker, photos process faster, and you can leave a dozen tabs open without your phone breaking a sweat.The camera hardware gets sharper too, so photos look cleaner straight out of the lens, before you've touched a single edit. And storage gets a proper boost, so you're not stuck deleting last summer's photos to make room for this summer's.In short, an upgrade usually means:A newer pr

Picture the familiar Christmas scene: the Christmas dinner is done, the same old repeats are on the TV and someone’s suggesting a three-hour game of Risk. Sound familiar? In all honesty, we’d probably rather be on our phones. The good news is that those same phones are actually a rich source of family games. And since everybody’s got a phone these days, everyone can get involved. We’ve rounded up some brilliant mobile games that are perfect for playing together. From “pass-the-phone” classics to multiplayer favourites. And the good news is that these picks are low-cost (or free!) and guaranteed to get everyone in on the fun. Pass-the-phone favourites.  Heads Up!The hilarious guessing game where you hold the phone to your forehead and guess the word on the screen while everyone else shouts clues. There are over 75 different rounds – celebrity head, singing, silly accents and much more. Choose family-friendly decks like Animals or Act It Out, and don’t miss the festive packs for extra se

 Legal DisclaimersFast Charging: Up to 50% charge in 20 minutes with 40W adapter or higher (available separately) paired with USB‑C charging cable. Pro Video Apps: Genlock enabled by compatible third-party hardware and software. ProRes RAW enabled by compatible apps. Apple Intelligence: Available in beta. Some features may not be available in all regions or languages. For feature and language availability and system requirements, see support.apple.com/en-gb/121115. Visual intelligence: Visual intelligence is available on any Apple Intelligence–enabled iPhone. Some capabilities may not be available in all languages and regions. For more details, see support.apple.com/en-gb/121115#visual-intelligence. Satellite Features: Satellite features are included free for two years with the activation of any iPhone 14 or later model. Connection and response times vary based on location, site conditions and other factors. Some satellite features require a mobile plan. SMS messaging via satellite is

The world just got a little bit smaller (and a lot more exciting) for iD Mobile customers. We are thrilled to announce that we’ve expanded our Roam Beyond line-up!Whether you are planning a backpacking trip through South America, a trip to Lagos, or a cultural deep-dive in Hanoi, staying connected is now easier than ever. We have added 10 brand-new destinations to our list, bringing the total count of Roam Beyond locations to 35.Forget about hunting for public Wi-Fi or coming home to a scary bill. With our flexible data add-ons, you can share your snaps, check maps, and stay in the loop for a fraction of standard roaming costs. Where can I go now? We’ve listened to your feedback and added some of the most requested travel hotspots from across the globe. We are now covering you all the way from the coffee regions of Colombia to the ancient cities of Jordan. Here are the 10 new places you can now Roam Beyond:🇦🇷 Argentina 🇧🇩 Bangladesh 🇧🇦 Bosnia & Herzegovina 🇨🇴 Colombia 🇨🇷

Sun’s out, and so are the savings. And as the season of holidays, festivals and spontaneous days out, things can quickly add up. Thankfully, your iD plan is packed with ways to help keep costs down.With a few taps on the iD Mobile app, you can discover all the deals in your plan. So whether you’re having a staycation or heading abroad, you can soak up the summer savings. Roaming sorted before you’ve even packed.  Heading off to Europe or one of 50 popular destinations? Inclusive Roaming means you can use your UK data, minutes and texts at no extra cost. And you don’t need to search through any hidden settings to switch it on.If you’re venturing further, like the USA or Australia, Roam Beyond has you covered. You can grab a simple add-on from just £5, which covers you for 1, 5 or 10 days.Setting it up is simple:Open the iD Mobile app Tap View Add-ons Choose Roam Beyond Pick your destination and confirmMake sure to sort it before you fly or connect to secure Wi-Fi when you land. That way

Got family spread across the globe? A best mate who moved to Australia? Or maybe you just need to ring a hotel in Tokyo before you land? Whatever the reason, calling abroad from the UK has always felt like one of those things that costs more than it should. So we've done something about it.Introducing Call Abroad add-ons: a new way to call international landlines and mobiles at a fixed monthly price, with no nasty surprises on your bill. What are Call Abroad add-ons? Call Abroad add-ons give you a monthly allowance to call international numbers from the UK, at a flat price. There are 3 tiers to choose from depending on where you're calling, so you only pay for what you need. Add-on Price Valid for Call Abroad 100 Minutes EU £5 1 month Call Abroad 150 Minutes Global Faves £7.50 1 month Call Abroad 75 Minutes Worldwide £12 1 month  Each add-on covers calls to landlines and mobiles in its included destinations. The cost gets added to your next monthly bill, and you can

Ever wished your phone could do more than just text and scroll? Imagine having an AI assistant in your pocket, ready to help you edit photos, organise your day, and find instant answers. Welcome to the era of everyday AI. Google Gemini is the game-changing AI assistant built right into the latest Android phones. It takes futuristic tech and turns it into something you can use effortlessly every single day.To celebrate the power of everyday AI, we are giving away a Google Pixel 10 Pro 128GB this month. We know how busy life gets, so we love how this tool stands ready to help you save time, snap flawless photos, and conquer your daily to-do list with zero fuss. What is Google Gemini?  Let's dive into how Google Gemini actually makes your day better. Think of it as a friendly, conversational AI assistant that goes way beyond standard voice commands. Standard voice features just search the web for you, but Gemini genuinely understands what you need. It reads text, processes your voice, and

We're excited to announce a new and easier way to access the iD Community... Sign in with iD Mobile!This new feature makes logging in simple. Instead of managing multiple accounts, you can now use your single set of iD Mobile login details, the exact same email and password you use for the iD Mobile app or my.idmobile.co.uk, to access the Community too.That means fewer passwords to remember and quicker access to all the help, support, and conversation.This guide walks you through how to use the new feature, whether you're an existing member or joining us for the first time. I already have an iD Community account. If you're already a member of the iD Community, you can link your existing account. This lets you use the 'Sign in with iD Mobile' button for all future visits.To link your accounts, the email address you use for the Community must exactly match the email address connected to your iD Mobile app. If... How to log in Your emails match For example: You use johnsmith@email

You’re stood in a tiny taverna, the menu’s entirely in Greek and the waiter’s waiting. No one around you can help and the last time you saw a foreign language dictionary was a battered copy at school. Not to worry.Translation tools have come a long way from frantically miming ‘chicken’ at a confused waiter. Your phone can now read a menu through the camera, hold a two-way conversation and do it all offline. So you’re not burning through data abroad.And it gets better! Some earbuds even translate live as the other person talks. Set up a few free tools before you fly and you’ll order, ask for directions and chat with locals anywhere you end up. And no eating into your precious roaming allowance.We’ll show you how…. Download your languages before you fly.  This one’s the big one, and it’s the easiest thing to forget. Both Google Translate and Apple Translate let you download language packs to use completely offline - no signal needed at all.Here’s the thing though: each pack is around 90M

Row 34. Six hours to go. A seatback screen with a headphone jack last seen in 2009. And your AirPods sat there useless in your pocket. We’ve all been there. The good news? The best travel tech doesn’t need to be flashy to be brilliant. It’s the low-key stuff that quietly fixes the annoying bits, smooths out the journey and lets you enjoy your trip. From clever gadgets that sort the flight, to gear that upgrades the holiday itself, here’s the kit that definitely earns its place in your bag. Sorting the journey out there. Let’s start with the plane. Because that’s where travel either kicks off perfectly or immediately starts testing your patience.First up, getting your earbuds talking to the screen in front of you. Most in-flight entertainment systems are still clinging to that old 3.5mm headphone jack, which your wireless earbuds obviously won’t work with. That’s where something like the Twelve South AirFly Pro 2 comes in. You plug it into the screen, pair your AirPods, and suddenly you

Your phone is brilliant at the obvious stuff. Calls, texts, the camera, the morning alarm you snooze three times. But some of the cleverest tricks on a modern Android sit just under the surface, waiting for you to find them.Three are worth knowing about. One helps you get things done across your apps without the faff. One translates whatever's on your screen on the spot. And one tracks down that outfit you spotted and can't stop thinking about.Here's how each one works, and why it's worth a play around. Get more done with Gemini and your favourite apps.  Gemini is Google's built-in assistant, and the handy part is that it doesn't work in a silo. On your Android phone it talks to Google apps like Gmail and Maps, so you can set a reminder, start a list, or pull up directions just by asking.Say a few of you are getting together to watch the match. Ask Gemini to find the nearest public viewing spot, then share the details with your mates, all in one go. No flicking between four apps to sor

Apple's WWDC 2026 keynote landed on Monday 8th June, and the big news is a rebuilt Siri AI coming to iOS 27 this autumn. Here's everything worth knowing, and what your iPhone needs to run it.Siri's about to get a lot smarter. At WWDC this week, Apple gave its assistant a proper AI brain, and it's coming to your iPhone this autumn.The headline is a rebuilt Siri AI arriving in iOS 27 this autumn. It's a free update, and it reaches iPhones going back to the iPhone 11. So if you've got an iPhone in your pocket, this one's worth a read.Here's what's coming to your iPhone and Apple Watch later this year, what you'll need to run the clever bits, and whether it's worth thinking about an upgrade. Meet Siri AI, the big one.  Siri is now a proper conversational assistant, powered by Apple Intelligence. You can ask follow-up questions, go back and forth, even brainstorm, and it keeps up.The clever part is context. Ask it to dig out a photo from your 2023 holiday, find a buried email, or pull up th

From the neon lights of New York to the bustle of Mexico City, the 2026 World Cup is set to be huge. And that means a packed schedule, different time zones and a whole lot of streaming. So, you don’t want your tech to let you down right when it matters most. That’s where we come in! Whether you’re supporting from your sofa or a stadium across the Atlantic, our guide will help you stay connected and stress free. Unless England head to penalties again.Right, let’s get stuck in. Handling late kick-offs (and avoiding spoilers).  Here’s the big thing fans in the UK need to know – some matches won’t be on at convenient times. Scotland vs Haiti, we’re looking at you.Because games are being played in the USA, Canada and Mexico, kick-offs will usually land somewhere between 8pm and 3am (BST). So, some are perfect for an evening watch. But others will mean staying up very late, and stumbling into work bleary eyed the next day. If you need your 8 hours, you’ll be catching up the following morning

Earlier this month, we launched Make It a Call, our new campaign with Mental Health UK, calling on the nation to swap texts for real conversations this Mental Health Awareness Week. If you missed it, give that a read first. But there's plenty more to share. The growing hesitation around phone calls. Our research shows that despite people wanting to connect, many of us are increasingly avoiding phone calls. Around 33% of Brits are making fewer calls than they did 10 years ago, with 51% feeling anxious about making one and 55% worried they'd be interrupting someone's day.It's easy to see how we've got here. Messaging apps, voice notes, and social media make staying in touch quick and effortless. But this growing phone call anxiousness can fuel feelings of isolation and lead to less meaningful interaction with the people we care about most.  Why hearing a voice matters. Hearing someone's voice gives you tone, emotion, and the kind of laughter that's impossible to fake over text. And there

That stomach-drop moment when you pat your pocket and your phone isn't there. Most of us have been there, and it's not a good feeling.Modern Android phones have come a long way. Whether you're after something dependable and no-fuss like the Google Pixel 10a, or a proper flagship like the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, the latest phones do a proper job of keeping your digital life safe, and they do it without asking much of you in return. Built to protect: the modern Android experience. Android has shifted. Where older phones waited for something to go wrong, newer ones get ahead of it.This works across the board. A solid everyday phone still comes with strong security features straight out of the box. A flagship adds more on top, with smarter AI integrations running quietly in the background, no constant tinkering required.And none of it drains your battery or needs you to babysit it. Stay connected to what matters with Find Hub.  If you've ever done the full frantic-search routine (patted

Pack your bags, avid explorers and holidaymakers — the world just got even more accessible for iD Mobile customers! We are thrilled to announce that we’ve massively expanded our Roam Beyond line-up once again.Whether you’re planning a trek to Machu Picchu, a business trip to Taiwan, or a wildlife adventure in Uganda, staying connected is now easier and more affordable. We have added 14 brand-new destinations to the list, bringing our total coverage to 49 locations worldwide.Say goodbye to hunting for hotel Wi-Fi or worrying about coming home to a shock bill. With Roam Beyond, you can navigate maps, translate menus, and share your journey in real-time for a fraction of standard roaming costs. Where can I go now? We’ve listened to your feedback and added a fantastic mix of cultural hotspots, tropical paradises, and off-the-beaten-track gems. From the rugged landscapes of the Faroe Islands to the vibrant streets of Santiago, here are the 14 new places covered by Roam Beyond:🇰🇭 Cambodia

Did you know laughing offers more than just a bit of fun? Science proves this reaction releases endorphins, lowers stress, and gives your immune system a little boost too. People do not call laughter the best medicine for nothing!On Sunday 3rd May 2026, we celebrate World Laughter Day. People founded this global event to promote peace, wellbeing, and positivity through the power of humour. To help you celebrate in style, we are also launching a massive new giveaway this month! We all know the dangers of doomscrolling, but we can also use our phones to reconnect with loved ones, boost our mood, and produce a surprising amount of joy.When you use it the right way, your phone becomes a pocket-sized comedy club. We have put together five simple ways you can transform your phone into a goldmine for giggles, plus details on how you can win an amazing new gaming console. Bring face-to-face fun back with video calls.  Texting feels quick, and voice notes offer great convenience. But when you w

Contents:Gemini everywhere. Personalisation and digital wellbeing. Security and privacy. Sharing and creating. Staying connected. What's coming your way. The Android Show 2026 has wrapped up, and Google had a lot to say. This year's event set a clear direction: Android is moving from a traditional phone OS to something closer to a background intelligence layer, with Gemini AI woven directly into the system rather than sitting in a standalone app. There are also meaningful updates to security, personal wellbeing, and how Android connects to the wider tech world.Here are the 17 features from the showcase worth paying attention to. Gemini everywhere. Google's biggest push this year is taking Gemini off the app launcher and embedding it into the OS itself. Across these 5 features, you'll see it handling background tasks and reading screen context in ways that change how the phone feels to use. Gemini as a system layerGemini can now run multi-step tasks in the background without you managin

This Mental Health Awareness Week, running from the 11th to the 17th of May, we're proud to partner with Mental Health UK to launch our new campaign, ‘Make It A Call’. We've designed this initiative to support your mental wellbeing by championing better, more meaningful connections. Staying in touch might feel easier than ever today with messaging apps at our fingertips, but many of us are actually feeling less connected. 33% of Brits admit to making fewer phone calls than they did 10 years ago! While text messages, voice notes, and social media give us incredible convenience, they often lack the depth we need to feel truly heard and supported. Growing hesitation around phone calls Our recent research reveals a growing hesitation around making a phone call. In fact, 51% of Brits admit that making a phone call makes them feel anxious and 55% worry about interrupting a loved one's day with a call! Mobile calls are facing a huge decline across the UK as people increasingly favour messagin

Mid-range phones are in a really good place right now. You can pick up something fast, reliable, and packed with useful features - without stretching your budget too far.The gap between “affordable” and “flagship” is smaller than ever. In this guide, we’re comparing some of the best sub-£500 picks right now: the Google Pixel 10a, Samsung’s Galaxy A37 and A57, and Apple’s iPhone 17e.We’ve also added two strong contenders you’ll find on iD Mobile: the Motorola Edge 70 and the HONOR 400 Pro.The aim here is simple. We’ll give you a clear, easy-to-follow breakdown so you can figure out what actually suits you. Whether that’s better photos, longer battery life, or just a phone that won’t feel outdated in a year or two. Let’s dive in! Google Pixel 10a: the smart photography champion.  If you’re the kind of person who just wants to point, shoot, and get a great photo every time, the Google Pixel 10a is a really easy recommendation - especially at £499.It runs on Google’s Tensor G4 chip, which

Pop the kettle on! In the five minutes it takes to brew a proper cup of tea, you could set up a feature on your smartphone that might just save your life.We all use our mobiles for scrolling social media, streaming shows, and snapping photos, but they are also incredibly powerful safety lifelines. Hidden away in your settings is an Emergency SOS system. Once it is set up, it can instantly contact the emergency services, share your exact location, and ping your closest loved ones to let them know you need a helping hand.It sounds serious, but getting it sorted is an absolute breeze. Read on for your jargon-free guide to setting up these crucial safety features across Apple, Samsung, and Android devices, as well as their smartwatches. We will also share a few easy tips on helping your friends and family get their own tech sorted too. The Lifesaving Power of Emergency SOS. The core idea behind an SOS trigger is brilliantly simple but incredibly effective. It completely bypasses your lock

Contents:5 iPhone tricks you’ll wish you knew sooner. 5 Android tricks you’ll actually use. Still using your £1,000 pocket supercomputer as a glorified alarm clock or an endless scroll machine? It’s time to find out what your phone is really capable of. Welcome to PhoneMaxxing. Modern smartphones are packed with clever, time‑saving features tucked away in settings menus that most of us never touch. Whether you’re juggling uni deadlines, battling notification burnout, or just trying to survive the group chat, these hidden gems will help you level up your phone habits. 5 iPhone tricks you’ll wish you knew sooner.  1. The secret button on the back of your iPhone.That Apple logo isn’t just for looks, it’s also a button. Head to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap and assign actions to a double or triple tap.You could use it to:Open your camera instantly so you never miss a moment Turn on the torch when your keys vanish in the dark Take screenshots without finger gymnastics

The average UK household is hiding nearly 30 unused tech items in drawers and cupboards, making electronic waste the fastest‑growing waste type on the planet.Because April is Earth Month, we have the perfect opportunity to rethink our tech habits and make choices that help cut down on e-waste. At iD Mobile and Currys, we’re committed to keeping tech off the scrapheap. From tackling the UK’s growing e‑waste problem to empowering communities with accessible technology, we work hard to put tech in the hands of people who really need it.In this article, we’ll walk you through our biggest recycling initiatives, show you how your old gadgets could put money back in your pocket, and share simple day‑to‑day habits that make a real difference. Plus, to celebrate Earth Month, we are giving you the chance to win a brand-new MacBook Neo! Let's dive in… Leading the charge against e‑waste.  Currys is the UK’s number one tech recycler, processing an average of 60,000 tonnes of unwanted tech every yea