F.A.Q.
3G is being switched off and I can't make calls. What do I need to do?
Last Updated: 10th October 2024. Three, iD Mobile’s network partner, is switching off their 3G network, so they can continue to invest in rolling out 4G and 5G. This article explains what the 3G switch off means for you, and what you need to do to continue using your services as normal: What do I need to do? Tap ‘Learn More’ and follow the steps for the phone you’re using: I’m using an iPhone. Make sure your iPhone software is up to date. Here’s how: Open ‘Settings’. Tap ‘General’. Tap ‘Software Update’. If you have an iOS update available, tap ‘Install Now’. If you see ‘Download and Install’ instead, tap it to download the update, enter your passcode, then tap ‘Install Now’. Having issues updating? Check out this Apple Support article for more information. If you see ‘iOS is up to date’ - you’re good to go! If you’ve confirmed that your iPhone is updated, yet can’t make calls, follow these steps to get back on track: Check signal strength & network outages. You can view the signal strength in your area with our helpful coverage checker and use the status checker to find out about any ongoing network maintenance activities or outages in your area. If you have an approved handset, enable Wi-Fi Calling for the best experience. *IMPORTANT* Enable 4G (LTE) and 4G (VoLTE) Calling. Before enabling 4G (VoLTE) Calling, 4G MUST be enabled. To check, simply follow the steps below: Open ‘Settings’. Tap ‘Mobile Service’. Tap ‘Mobile Data options’. If you have a 5G capable iPhone, tap ‘5G Auto’ or ‘5G On’. If you have a 4G capable iPhone, tap ‘4G’. If you have a ‘VoLTE’ toggle, ensure this is switched ON. *IMPORTANT* Re-enter your Mobile Number. In most cases, re-entering your Mobile Number on your iPhone can resolve issues with calls. Open ‘Settings’. Tap ‘Apps’. Tap ‘Phone’. Tap ‘My Number’. Enter your mobile number, using +44 instead of the first 0. Tap ‘Save’. Force restart your iPhone. The classic switch it off and switch it back on again. If you’re unsure how to force restart your iPhone, please refer to this Apple Support article. Toggle Airplane mode. Switch on Airplane mode for 60 seconds. After 60 seconds, switch Airplane mode off. Perform a Manual Roam. A manual roam resets your connection to our network, and can help with intermittent network problems. Here’s how: Open Settings. Tap ‘Mobile Service’. Tap ‘Network Selection’. Turn off the ‘Automatic toggle’. Choose a different network (Vodafone, EE or O2 - UK). Wait for 1 minute. Switch the automatic toggle back on. Clean your SIM card. If you’re still experiencing issues, you can also try removing, cleaning (with a microfibre cloth), and reinserting your SIM card. Dial this shortcode. Open your Phone app and dial the below number to deactivate any call barring: #33*0000#. Using multiple SIMs? Set your iD Mobile SIM to primary. For VoLTE to work, your iD Mobile SIM must be set as the ‘Primary’ SIM. Open Settings. Tap ‘Mobile Service’. Tap ‘Default Voice Line’. Select your iD Mobile SIM . Perform a Network Settings Reset. As a last resort, perform a Network Settings Reset on your iPhone. Here’s how: Open ‘Settings’. Tap ‘General’. Tap ‘Transfer or Reset iPhone’. Tap ‘Reset’. Select ‘Reset Network Settings’. Enter your passcode, then tap ‘Reset Network Settings’. Please note: Resetting network settings will erase saved Wi-Fi networks and VPN settings. After the reset, you will need to re-enter Wi-Fi passwords and configure any other network settings as needed. Test your SIM in another phone. Remove your SIM and pop it into another phone. If you can make or receive calls on the other phone, then your iPhone might have a fault and may need repair. Check out this article for information. Please note: Ensure the other phone you use to test is on our list of approved handsets. If you’re unable to make or receive calls on the other phone, pop your SIM back into your iPhone and contact us for further support. I’m using a Samsung Galaxy. Please note: Some phones may have regional or network-specific firmware that prevents VoLTE from working, even if they were purchased in the UK. To check, you can use free third-party IMEI websites to confirm if your phone is using unlocked firmware and shows ‘United Kingdom’ as the country. If either of these isn’t the case and you’ve tried all troubleshooting steps but still can’t make calls, this could be why. Make sure your phone software is up to date. Here’s how: Open ‘Settings’. Tap ‘Software update’. Tap ‘Download and install’. If new software is available, tap ‘Install now’. If you already have software up to date, latest update information will appear. Check your APN settings. All phones bought from us should arrive with the right settings already configured. But if you’ve moved over to iD Mobile on a SIM Only Deal and kept your old phone, you may need to review the settings to get things like VoLTE to work. Our network (APN) settings are listed below: Name iD APN id Username <leave blank> Password <leave blank> MMSC http://mms.um.idmobile.co.uk:10021/mmsc MMS Proxy mms.idmobile.co.uk MMS APN Username <leave blank> MMS APN Password <leave blank> MMS Port 8799 You can check and update your APN settings by following these steps: Open Settings. Tap ‘Connections’. Tap ‘Mobile Networks’. Tap ‘Access Point Names’. Tap the plus icon. Enter the APN settings above. Once complete, tap the menu icon. Tap ‘Save’. Tap the circle next to your new APN settings to select it. *IMPORTANT* Enable 4G (LTE). Before enabling 4G (VoLTE) Calling, 4G MUST be enabled. To check, simply follow the steps below: Open ‘Settings’. Tap ‘Connections’. Tap ‘Mobile Networks’. Tap ‘Network Mode’. Choose 5G/LTE/3G/2G. *IMPORTANT* Enable 4G (VoLTE) Calling. First, double check your phone is compatible with 4G (VoLTE) Calling, by checking our list of approved handsets, then, follow the steps below: Open ‘Settings’. Tap ‘Connections’. Tap ‘Mobile Networks’. Tap ‘4G Calling’. Make sure the 4G Calling is set to ON. Look for the 4G or LTE icon on the top of your screen when you’re on a call. If it shows as 4G or LTE, you’re making a 4G (VoLTE) Call. Please note: If your phone is not compatible, you MUST upgrade to a phone that supports 4G (VoLTE) Calling . All phones currently ranged on the iD Mobile website are compatible with 4G (VoLTE) Calling. Find out how to upgrade your phone online. If you’ve confirmed that your phone is updated and your settings are correct, yet can’t make calls, follow these steps to get back on track: Check signal strength & network outages. You can view the signal strength in your area with our helpful coverage checker and use the status checker to find out about any ongoing network maintenance activities or outages in your area. If you have an approved handset, enable Wi-Fi Calling for the best experience. Force restart your phone. The classic switch it off and switch it back on again. If you’re unsure how to force restart your phone, please refer to your Device Manual for more information, or simply Google it! Toggle Airplane mode. Switch on Airplane mode for 60 seconds. After 60 seconds, switch Airplane mode off. Perform a Manual Roam. A manual roam resets your connection to our network, and can help with intermittent network problems. Here’s how: Open ‘Settings’. Tap ‘Connections’. Tap ‘Mobile Networks’. Tap ‘Network Operators’. Turn off the ‘Automatic toggle’. Select a different network (Vodafone, EE or O2 - UK). Wait for 1 minute. Switch the automatic toggle back on. Clean your SIM card. If you are still experiencing issues, you can also try removing, cleaning (with a microfibre cloth), and reinserting your SIM card. Dial this shortcode. Open your Phone app and dial the below number to deactivate any call barring: #330*0000# Using a Dual SIM device? Follow these steps. For VoLTE to work, your iD Mobile SIM MUST be in SIM Slot 1 and set as the ‘Primary’ SIM. Remove your SIM tray. Pop your iD Mobile SIM is in SIM Slot 1 (this will be indicated on the SIM tray itself). Reinsert your SIM tray. Please note: If you’re using an eSIM, you’ll need to set it as the ‘Primary’ SIM on the phone. To check if your iD Mobile SIM is set as ‘Primary’, simply follow these steps. Open ‘Settings’. Tap ‘Connections’. Tap ‘SIM Card Manager’. Tap ‘Calls’, ‘Text Messages’ and ‘Mobile data’. Tap SIM 1. Perform a Network Settings Reset. As a last resort, perform a Network Settings Reset on your phone. Here’s how: Open ‘Settings’. Tap ‘General management’. Tap ‘Reset’. Select ‘Reset Network Settings’. Please note: Resetting network settings will erase saved Wi-Fi networks and VPN settings. After the reset, you will need to re-enter Wi-Fi passwords and configure any other network settings as needed. Test your SIM in another phone. Remove your SIM and pop it into another phone. If you can make or receive calls on the other phone, then your phone might have a fault and may need repair. Check out this article for information. Please note: Ensure the other phone you use to test is on our list of approved handsets. If you’re unable to make or receive calls on the other phone, pop your SIM back into your phone and contact us for further support. Most other Android phones. Make sure your phone software is up to date. Here’s how: Open ‘Settings’. Tap ‘System’. Tap ‘Advanced’. Tap ‘System Update’. You’ll find your update status. Follow any steps on the screen. Check your APN settings. All phones bought from us should arrive with the right settings already configured. But if you’ve moved over to iD Mobile on a SIM Only Deal and kept your old phone, you may need to review the settings to get things like VoLTE to work. Our network (APN) settings are listed below: Name iD APN id Username <leave blank> Password <leave blank> MMSC http://mms.um.idmobile.co.uk:10021/mmsc MMS Proxy mms.idmobile.co.uk MMS APN Username <leave blank> MMS APN Password <leave blank> MMS Port 8799 You can check and update your APN settings by following these steps: Open Settings. Tap ‘Network & Internet’. Tap ‘Internet’. Tap the settings cog. Scroll down and tap ‘Access Point Names’. Tap the plus icon. Enter the APN settings above. Once complete, tap the menu icon. Tap ‘Save’. Tap the circle next to your new APN settings to select it. *IMPORTANT* Enable 4G (LTE). Before enabling 4G (VoLTE) Calling, 4G MUST be enabled. To check, simply follow the steps below: Open ‘Settings’. Tap ‘Network & internet’. Tap ‘SIMs’. Tap ‘Preferred Network Type’. Tap 5G or LTE. *IMPORTANT* Enable 4G (VoLTE) Calling. First, double check your phone is compatible with 4G (VoLTE) Calling, by checking our list of approved handsets, then, follow the steps below: Open ‘Settings’. Tap ‘Network & internet’. Tap ‘Internet’. Tap the settings icon. Make sure the 4G Calling is set to ON. Look for the 4G or LTE icon on the top of your screen when you’re on a call. If it shows as 4G or LTE, you’re making a 4G (VoLTE) Call. Please note: If your phone is not compatible, you MUST upgrade to a phone that supports 4G (VoLTE) Calling . All phones currently ranged on the iD Mobile website are compatible with 4G (VoLTE) Calling. Find out how to upgrade your phone online. If you’ve confirmed that your phone is updated and your settings are correct, yet can’t make calls, follow these steps to get back on track: Check signal strength & network outages. You can view the signal strength in your area with our helpful coverage checker and use the status checker to find out about any ongoing network maintenance activities or outages in your area. If you have an approved handset, enable Wi-Fi Calling for the best experience. Force restart your phone. The classic switch it off and switch it back on again. If you’re unsure how to force restart your phone, please refer to your Device Manual for more information, or simply Google it! Toggle Airplane mode. Switch on Airplane mode for 60 seconds. After 60 seconds, switch Airplane mode off. Perform a Manual Roam. A manual roam resets your connection to our network, and can help with intermittent network problems. Here’s how: Open ‘Settings’. Tap ‘Network & Internet’. Tap ‘Mobile network’. Tap ‘Advanced’. Tap ‘Network operators’. Select a different network (Vodafone, EE or O2 - UK). Wait for 1 minute. Switch back to Automatic selection. Clean your SIM card. If you are still experiencing issues, you can also try removing, cleaning (with a microfibre cloth), and reinserting your SIM card. Dial this shortcode. Open your Phone app and dial the below number to deactivate any call barring: #330*0000# Using a Dual SIM device? Follow these steps. For VoLTE to work, your iD Mobile SIM MUST be in SIM Slot 1 and set as the ‘Primary’ SIM. Remove your SIM tray. Pop your iD Mobile SIM is in SIM Slot 1 (this will be indicated on the SIM tray itself). Reinsert your SIM tray. Please note: If you’re using an eSIM, you’ll need to set it as the ‘Primary’ SIM on the phone. To check if your iD Mobile SIM is set as ‘Primary’, simply follow these steps. Open ‘Settings’. Tap ‘Network & Internet’. Tap ‘Calls’, ‘Text Messages’ and ‘Mobile data’. Tap SIM 1. Perform a Network Settings Reset. As a last resort, perform a Network Settings Reset on your phone. Here’s how: Open ‘Settings’. Tap ‘System’. Tap ‘Advanced’. Tap ‘Reset options’. Select ‘Reset Network Settings’. Please note: Resetting network settings will erase saved Wi-Fi networks and VPN settings. After the reset, you will need to re-enter Wi-Fi passwords and configure any other network settings as needed. Test your SIM in another phone. Remove your SIM and pop it into another phone. If you can make or receive calls on the other phone, then your phone might have a fault and may need repair. Check out this article for information. Please note: Ensure the other phone you use to test is on our list of approved handsets. If you’re unable to make or receive calls on the other phone, pop your SIM back into your phone and contact us for further support.