I've been sent 4 x Rolling Plan sims, how to activate without putting in a phone?

[mmay]

I've been sent 4 x Rolling Plan sims, one for each of my family and I have my PAC codes which I'll use to transfer our old numbers to these sims.  I was told in the O2 show that I can activate these sims then get the old numbers across and as I explained, I absolutely do not want to put these into the existing phones until the numbers have been moved over as it causes all sorts of problems for things like WhatsApp etc.

I was told this was possible and that after activating, I'd get the numbers moved over and the existing (Three) sims will just stop working, at which point I can then install the sims in the phone(s).

My problem is, the guides I see are saying install the sim into the phone to activate. I'm not going to do that.

How can I get a sim activate?  If I have to place into my phone, this has been an enormous waste of my time and bad information from the O2 shop.

Could anyone help?

[jonsie]

We’re just customers like you but it sounds like you’ll need someone to access your account which can’t be done from here. If you message O2 using the links below, they should be able to help you with this

or give them a call on 202  or 0344 809 0202

[mmay]

I don't have an O2 account. I have 4 sims sent to my address.  I'm currently a Three mobile customer. My question was about how to activate a sim WITHOUT putting it in a phone.

If you don't know, that's fine but they won't be able to access my account, I don't have one.

[jonsie]

The sims can only be activated with the new number attached to them

Only then can the numbers be ported to the new sims

At some point you will lose service on your old sims, it's impossible for it to be a seamless change no matter what Virginmedia claim

[Enlli]

They are PAYG so will have to be topped up to activatr

[mmay]

> The sims can only be activated with the new number attached to them

I'm not sure what that means, specifically.

> Only then can the numbers be ported to the new sims

Yes, I understand that these need to be activated before I can request my old numbers to be moved from my old provider. The activation part is my question.

> At some point you will lose service on your old sims, it's impossible for it to be a seamless change no matter

I understand this and want to continue to use my existing sims in my existing phones. This is my point, I want to activate without using the new sims.

> They are PAYG so will have to be topped up to activatr
How do I do that?? I see no option on the O2 site for that at all and to note, I created an account which lets me log onto the web-site but won't work on the app and says it'll take 48 hours to activate which is bonkers.

I'd like to add that I'm not IT illiterate, I understand how these things work. I'm simply asking how on earth can I activate these sims without first placing them in a phone.

From what I've seen in the replies, that means calling the number above. I sure hope it's a UK call-center and not like the nighmare one from Three.

[jonsie]

Early morning shortly after 8.00am is the best time to get through to a call centre in the UK

After that time it's pot luck

As regards topping up 

Rolling Plans | Contract Free Sim Only Deals | O2

Pay As You Go Rolling Plan Tariff Details | O2

So yes, you can activate the new sims with the new number but porting your own numbers comes after

[mmay]

Tried ringing first thing this moring, sat in a queue for over an hour at standard UK call rate. What an absolute joke O2 are. Went into the O2 shop and they were not interested, they just want to sell you phones and/or a contract.

Their app also just doesn't work. It still won't let me log in despite me being able to do so on the web, saying it might take 48 hours. Looked on this community site and going back years, lots of reports of the same.

Dear me.

I'll be looking elsewhere, it really should not be this time consuming to do this. I've not had a single contact with anyone from O2 after 2 days of trying. It's like they don't need the business.

[Enlli]

And unfortunately we no longer have any advisors on here

https://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Welcome-News/O2-Support-advisor-update/m-p/1634920#M40122