How to get the Bigme Hibreak Pho phone to work on the iD Mobile network?

If it’s not on this list of approved handsets then iD are unable to offer support sorry.

• What phones are compatible with the iD Mobile network? F.A.Q.

That’s a hugely disappointing reply, and one that may come to haunt iD Mobile if this type of phone takes a sizeable part of the market. I gather from colleagues that 1p Mobile and SMARTY support this phone in this country.

I am just an iD customer like yourself. ​@Tyler are you able to help this customer? You could also try google or the handset manufacturer themselves?

Wow, this situation seems to betray very much an anti-innovation attitude on the part of iD Mobile. “If a handset isn’t on the list, we won’t help you.” So how does a handset that was released in March 2025 get on the list if the vendor isn’t Apple, Samsung or Google etc? I’m getting the strong impression that iD Mobile is a shoestring company with perhaps zero support staff, dependent therefore on a user community for self-help.

What makes you so sure that it’s iD Mobile at fault here? iD Mobile doesn’t even sell the phone, and you expect them to provide you with support using it? 

That's the trouble with Android phones today. They come with a variety of firmware revisions, many of which have been altered or customised to work with specific networks or for use in specific regions. If the Bigme Hibreak Pro doesn’t work with the iD Mobile network, then it doesn’t work. If you want support with setting up or using your phone, then go ask Bigme.

If you want to use that device you’re going to have to switch to a network that supports it!

I’m in daily contact with Bigme over this matter, in a race against time because if it is to be returned, the handset has to be returned within a week. I’m also in touch with Kit Betts-Masters, who has been advocating so strongly for the phone in his YouTube videos, for example:

So either the handset or the network has to go.

Are you getting a signal at all with the phone?

WiFi signal is fine. Mobile signal I would have to say No, but then I’m no expert at interpreting the parameters on the *#*#4636#*#* readout.

You only need to look at the signal strength located in the top right of the phone screen to know if you have a cell signal. If you don’t, then that’s not good. Lack of cell signal probably means it doesn’t support the bands used by the THREE network.

Can you post a screenshot of the parameters on *#*#4636#*#* readout? Just hide your mobile number and IMEI number if displayed.

As requested: 

Thanks

Thanks for looking into this. The physical SIM card will be 4-6 years old. It continues to work in my Pixel 6a. Given iD Mobile’s lack of interest in my problem, I doubt whether they would send me a replacement SIM card to help resolve this.

I sent the two photos to Bigme earlier  today, so I’ll see what their interpretation is.

If the SIM card is six years old, then that may be the problem. My advice would be to replace it. Call in to any Curry’s store and pick up a free replacement. I would do this as a matter of urgency as you only have a short time to return the device!

Hey there ​@Gravitino, thank you for reaching out and for your question.

As kindly advised by ​@MZone, if the phone isn’t on the list of approved devices, then we cannot say for sure whether our SIM card or features will work in the desired phone I’m afraid. 

We’re always looking for ways to improve and adding more devices to our approved list as much as possible, however, I cannot provide any information on whether this device will be added to the list, or when it would if it were to be, our sincere apologies for that.

If you’re in need of a replacement SIM card, please see how to get on here:

• How do I get a replacement SIM or eSIM? F.A.Q.

Thanks,

Tyler

Ah, all is now solved. The clue was in the comment that the signal strength (RSSI) was very poor. It turns out that the pull-out tray has slots for two SIM cards, and I needed to put my SIM card in the slot on the other side of the tray.   Of course I didn’t suspect this was the problem until after I’d driven to Currys to get a new SIM card!

Thanks for all your help.

You want to return the phone ​@Gravitino! Either the phone has a backlisted IMEI or it’s faulty. 

Your phone has two IMEI numbers; slot 1 uses IMEI 1 and slot 2 uses IMEI 2. Your SIM should work in either slot! If the SIM doesn't work in slot 1, but it does when inserted into slot 2 (or vice versa), then that’s either because of a fault with the handset or one of its IMEI numbers has been blacklisted.