Skip to main content
New Contributor
Aug 18, 2025 6:44 PM UTC
Solved

Receiving Text Messages outside Roam Free Zone

Dear Sirs

I have got a question about iD mobile receiving SMS in a country outside the roam free zone like China. Is it free to receive SMS in China? More importantly, will it be considered as roaming and hence incur roaming surcharges?

The table below taken from iD official website says that “Texts to China” costs 60p per SMS, but it is not entirely clearly whether this “Texts to China” actually means “receiving texts in China” or “texting someone in China”.

Hope some expert can give an authoritative answer to my question.

Many thanks indeed.

RB

 

Roaming Pay monthly Pay-as-you-go****
Calls to UK* £2.40 £2.40
Calls to China* £2.40 £2.40
Calls received* £2.40 £2.40
Texts to China** £0.60 £0.60
Texts to UK** £0.60 £0.60
Picture message (MMS) sent** £0.60 £0.60
Internet and Data (per MB)*** £1.50 £1.50

 

    Tyler C
    Tyler CAnswer
    iD Mobile Employee
    Aug 19, 2025 8:02 AM UTC

    Hey there ​@ruijunbu, you would be charged to receive texts in China also, at the same costs as shown above for sending texts. So you will need to ensure roaming is on and your bill cap is high enough to allow the texts to come through.

     

    Thanks,

    Tyler

    Did my comment help answer your question? If so, don't forget to mark the response as the Most Helpful Answer.

    7 replies

    Tyler C
    iD Mobile Employee
    Tyler CAnswer
    iD Mobile Employee
    Aug 19, 2025 8:02 AM UTC

    Hey there ​@ruijunbu, you would be charged to receive texts in China also, at the same costs as shown above for sending texts. So you will need to ensure roaming is on and your bill cap is high enough to allow the texts to come through.

     

    Thanks,

    Tyler

    Did my comment help answer your question? If so, don't forget to mark the response as the Most Helpful Answer.
    ruijunbuAuthor
    New Contributor
    Aug 19, 2025 11:17 AM UTC

    Hi Tyler, thank you so much. RB

    Tyler C
    iD Mobile Employee
    iD Mobile Employee
    Aug 19, 2025 11:51 AM UTC

    Hey there ​@ruijunbu, no problem at all, glad I could help!

     

    Thanks,

    Tyler

    Did my comment help answer your question? If so, don't forget to mark the response as the Most Helpful Answer.
    Dec 16, 2025 12:25 PM UTC

    What about using Google messages to receive messages. Will they cost outside the free roaming area?

    Secondly, if I turn off roaming, will I receive text messages at all?

    Gemma M
    iD Mobile Employee
    iD Mobile Employee
    Dec 16, 2025 12:43 PM UTC

    Hi ​@edwhow01 

     

    Just to let you know, any services used outside of iD Mobile’s roaming destinations will be chargeable.

     

    Regarding roaming, if it’s turned off in your app, you won’t be able to use any iD Mobile services. To avoid any extra charges over your normal monthly line rental, we recommend setting your bill cap to £0.00.

     

    Regards,

     

    Gemma M

    The iD Mobile Social Media Team

    Did my comment help answer your question? If so, don't forget to mark the response as the Most Helpful Answer.
    New Contributor
    Oct 18, 2026 9:14 AM UTC

    If I need to receive a text whilst abroad (outside the free roaming zones) but have roaming turned off, will I be charged for roaming and the text message received, or just the text message alone?

    Gemma M
    iD Mobile Employee
    iD Mobile Employee
    Oct 20, 2026 11:19 AM UTC

    Hi ​@Sma1975,

     

    Thanks for your question. If roaming is switched off on your iD Mobile account, you won't be able to use iD Mobile services while abroad, including receiving text messages. If you're travelling outside our Inclusive Roaming destinations, receiving texts can be chargeable when roaming is enabled.

     

    To avoid unexpected charges, we recommend keeping your Bill Cap at £0.00 if you don't want to incur any additional costs. You can find more information about roaming charges here: https://www.idmobile.co.uk/help-and-support/roaming-charges

     

    I hope this helps clarify things.

     

    Regards,

     

    Gemma M

    The iD Mobile Social Media Team

    Did my comment help answer your question? If so, don't forget to mark the response as the Most Helpful Answer.