Switch Up Process

[MaxWilkesUK]

I was finally allowed to upgrade from SIM Only (it originally said at time of ordering that I could upgrade from SIM Only to a phone plan after 3 months however even with a positive payment history I was still declined the past few months). However today, at the 6th month mark, I got the message “you are likely to pass the credit check” instead of the usual oops there’s a problem we can’t process your order whenever I’ve got to the eligibility check part of the order process.

Currently my order is “Processing” on my account. And the checkout completed successfully including the credit check part so I’m hoping it’s all gone through. All going well I should be the happy owner of a brand new iPhone 17 Pro Max 512GB in Cosmic Orange tomorrow (was previously on an unlimited £22/month sim only plan). I mostly use WiFi so figured I don’t need unlimited since it wanted me to pay an absurd amount for unlimited data (think it was nearly £40 a month!). So I went with the 50GB Plus plan which was the closest I could find to my current plan while still offering a reasonable amount of data (tho still think they should offer more data for the price tbh). Anyway I chose a plus plan purely because of Switch Up…but how does this work exactly?

Is it a whole new credit check gamble every year or is it virtually guaranteed as long as you have a positive payment history? (As in can you be declined?). Can it be done online or only in store? If, against all odds, you were to drop your phone and get an insurance replacement or repair from apple care for example (I didn’t get O2s insurance as Apple care is cheaper) would that be eligible still? I’m hoping it’s a guaranteed upgrade every year similar to the Apple Store Barclays option.

Could I switch up to a cheaper plan if I wanted to? Or only a plan of a similar type/value? (E.g. are there any limitations and, if so, what are they)?

Thanks in advance for all the help.

[MaxWilkesUK]

I still haven't received a definitive response yet however I did receive my new phone today.

I spent a good hour or so reading the small print on my credit agreement however I am still confused by the switch up process.

Now that my device plan is active there is a link to commonly asked questions relating to switch up on the device plan page so I've managed to find some answers to the above questions regarding condition of the handset, you can switch up once every 11 months to any plan/phone you choose, etc. but I can't seem to find anything relating to what happens (if anything) regarding credit checks?

It does mention that you need to go to an O2 store and trade in your current handset and they write off the remaining of your existing contract and set you up with a new one. But is that credit checked? And, if so, what happens if you fail? Do they give you your old phone back? Or do you walk out of the shop without any phone at all? (Because that would be devastating!). Has anyone had any issues with the switch up process?

[MI5 · Accepted solution]

@MaxWilkesUK 

Yes, you are soft credit checked and as long as you haven't defaulted on any payments, you will not fail, no one has ever reported so on here.

Main issues with switch up are if NOT done in store.

All in store switch ups appear to go through OK.

Guide:Switch Up - What's involved?