Your cookie preferences


We use cookies and similar technologies. You can use the settings below to accept all cookies (which we recommend to give you the best experience) or to enable specific categories of cookies as explained below. Find out more by reading our Cookie Policy.

Select cookie preferences

Skip to main content

Mobiles Guides

If you're looking for some help with your mobile phone, switching networks or getting the best from your next mobile deal, we're here to help.

Switching mobiles

Unsure of the best way to switch mobiles and networks? Here's what you need to know.

Text to switch with Sky Mobile

With its excellent perks, budget–friendly contracts and options to get a new phone mid–contract at no extra cost, Sky Mobile has built a reputation as one of the UK’s leading smartphone providers since it first burst onto the scene in 2017.

Learn more

End of contract notifications: everything you need to know

Not sure when your contract ends? No need to worry - your provider will send you a notification before your end date. Learn more about end of contract notifications.

Learn more

PAC Codes | How to keep and transfer your old number

Find out how to transfer your old mobile number to your new handset. Save yourself the needless hassle by keeping your old phone number.

Learn more

SIM only vs pay monthly - what’s the difference? - Uswitch

What’s the difference between SIM only and pay monthly plans? Should you go for a new handset or stick with your old phone?

Learn more

Text-to-switch: Everything you need to know

Soon changing mobile network will be as easy as sending a text message.

Learn more

Choosing a mobile phone

With so many handsets on the market, it can be difficult to know which smartphone is the right one for you. Our guides can help you decide.

What is an Android mobile phone? - Uswitch

Everything you need to know about Android. Learn which the best Android phones are, how much they cost and what mobile apps they have.

Learn more

Best mobile network coverage in the UK

Which network offers the best mobile coverage 2023? We take a look at the major mobile phone networks and the sort of coverage & connection speeds to expect.

Learn more

How to get a UK mobile phone and SIM card

If you're moving to the UK or just visiting, getting a UK mobile phone or SIM card will probably be at the top of your to-do list. Stay connected and get online as soon as possible with our how-to guide.

Learn more

Best phones for kids: our top 5 kids phones ranked - Uswitch

Are you ready to buy your child their first mobile phone? Uswitch has ranked the best kid phones in 2023 available to buy right now.

Learn more

Refurbished mobile phones - the ultimate buying guide

Should you buy a refurbished phone? This guide will answer the most commonly asked questions about buying refurbished mobile phones.

Learn more

4G mobile phones | 3G vs 4G speed, what's the difference?

Does your phone still use 3G signal? What's the difference between 3G vs 4G speeds? Here's what you need to know.

Learn more

Which mobile phone? | A buyers guide to choosing mobiles

Too much mobile choice? Help is at hand from our guide to choosing a mobile phone. Find the phone that suits your needs.

Learn more

Should I buy a refurbished iPhone?

The pros and cons of buying a refurbished iPhone

Learn more

iPhones

iPhones are some of the most popular smartphones available. Here's what you need to know about Apple's range of handsets.

Should I update my iPhone to the latest version of iOS?

What are the pros and cons of updating your iPhone to the latest iOS software?

Learn more

Transferring your data from Android to iPhone - the complete guide

Making the leap from Android to an iPhone? We have a few easy steps that’ll make the transition painless and stress-free.

Learn more

Best iPhones 2023: Which iPhone should I buy?

Unsure which iPhone you should buy? Uswitch has ranked the best iPhones in 2023 available including the new iPhone 15 series.

Learn more

Should I buy a refurbished iPhone?

The pros and cons of buying a refurbished iPhone

Learn more

Samsung handsets

Samsung has produced incredible smartphones for years, alongside its range of TVs and other top-end technology. Here's what you need to know about these fantastic smartphones.

Samsung Galaxy S10 vs S9: what’s the difference?

How does the Samsung Galaxy S10 compare with the S9? Here are all of the main differences between these two modern-classic Samsung phones.

Learn more

Transferring your data from Android to iPhone - the complete guide

Making the leap from Android to an iPhone? We have a few easy steps that’ll make the transition painless and stress-free.

Learn more

Best Samsung Phones in 2023: Which Samsung phone should I buy?

Are you a Samsung fan? The Android smartphone has a wide range of truly amazing smartphones, with specs and features that make those smartphone brands jealous.

Learn more

Money-saving tips

Keep an eye on your pennies with these money-saving tips and tricks.

What to do when your mobile contract’s price rises

Network raised the price of your phone or SIM only contract? Here's a guide to your consumer rights and what you can do to cut your costs.

Learn more

A guide to charges for premium rate and customer support numbers

What are premium changes? How will they affect you? Which numbers are classified as ‘premium rate’ or 'non-geographic'? Let us explain all.

Learn more

How to find a cheap mobile phone - Uswitch

Looking for a cheap mobile phone handset? Many cheap deals still come with excellent smartphones. Find out what you could get with our guide.

Learn more

Amazon Prime Day Deals and Offers 2023

Find out some of the latest Amazon Prime Day offers for 2023.

Learn more

Overcharged by your mobile phone network? Here's how to get your money back

Overcharged by your mobile network? In this step-by-step guide, you will learn how to go about it, what to look out for and what your rights are.

Learn more

How can I get the best price when I sell my phone? - Uswitch

Chances are you have an old phone or two knocking around in a drawer. Here we tell you how you can turn your old phone into cash.

Learn more

Roaming and international SIMs

How much does it cost to use your mobile overseas? And are there things you can do to get better coverage while travelling without paying too much? We've got all the information you need before you jet off.

What are mobile roaming and data roaming charges? - Uswitch

Using your phone while travelling overseas can result in some pretty serious charges if you're not careful. Here's what you need to know about mobile roaming and data roaming charges.

Learn more

International SIM card guide: how to make cheap overseas calls on your mobile phone

Learn how to make cheap overseas calls on your mobile phone and discover which networks specialises in cheap international calls.

Learn more

Best network for roaming 2024 - Uswitch

All networks have their own packages for those going away either on holiday or business. Here's we break them down & find the best.

Learn more

Sky Mobile international roaming FAQ

From 1st June 2017, Sky Mobile customers can use their UK data, calls and texts allowances in 36 overseas destinations for no extra charge.

Learn more

giffgaff international roaming FAQ

If you're with giffgaff and you're travelling abroad, find out about any roaming charges or packages you could select with the network.

Learn more

Three international roaming FAQs

Three’s Go Roam service allows you to unlock your UK allowance in 71 destinations, with new charges in place for Europe and Around the World.

Learn more

Vodafone international roaming FAQ

How much will you be charged when travelling overseas? We break down how Vodafone charges for roaming in the EU and around the world.

Learn more

O2 international roaming FAQ

From 15th June, all existing O2 pay monthly, pay as you go and business customers will get inclusive roaming in 47 European destinations.

Learn more

Plusnet Mobile international roaming FAQ

Plusnet's Roam Like at Home customers can use their monthly plan allowance for no extra charge in 52 European locations.

Learn more

Virgin Media international roaming FAQ

Virgin Media has merged with O2 and now offers inclusive EU roaming, as well as additional roaming options for 170 locations worldwide. Here's what's free and what extra charges you'll need to pay.

Learn more

EE international roaming FAQ

If you're with EE and you're travelling abroad, find out what your options are and what charges you might be faced with.

Learn more

eSIMs explained: how are they different to SIM cards? - Uswitch

Here's everything you need to know about eSIMs - how they differ to SIM cards, why you should choose one and how you could start using them in the UK.

Learn more

Tesco Mobile international roaming FAQ - Uswitch

Learn about Tesco Mobile's prices and monthly allowances of data, calls and texts while abroad in various destinations around the world.

Learn more

EU roaming charges explained - Uswitch

Since Brexit, UK networks have slowly begun reintroducing EU roaming charges. If you want to have access to data, calls and text during your next trip overseas, here's what you'll be charged.

Learn more

BT Mobile international roaming charges FAQ

BT's Roam Like Home scheme allows customers to use their UK allowances of calls, texts and data in 47 locations for no extra charge.

Learn more

SMARTY international roaming FAQ

Here's what SMARTY offers when travelling overseas in terms of international roaming.

Learn more

iD Mobile international roaming FAQ

From 15 June, iD Mobile customers will be able to roam like at home from anywhere in the EU.

Learn more

Staying safe online

The more time we spend online, the more we need to safeguard ourselves and our personal information. Here are a few guides on how to stay safe online.

How to keep your child safe on their smartphone

Keeping kids safe from the harmful side of the internet is a big task. Doubly so in a world where smartphones offer unmonitored access to everything from graphic adult content to gambling sites.

Learn more

Best mobile networks for kids and teens - Uswitch

Buying a mobile phone for your child can be a tough decision. In this guide, we take a good look at the best networks for kids and families.

Learn more

Smartphones and your health: the definitive guide for 2023

Smartphones and your health: the definitive guide

Learn more

Smartphone accessibility

Smartphone technology is constantly improving, with more and more features being added to help those with accessibility needs.

Smartphone accessibility: a comprehensive guide

Advice on how to use accessibility features on your smartphone to make life a little easier.

Learn more

Screen reader accessibility - everything you need to know

Smartphone accessibility continues to improve, and a core component is screen readers. Here's what you need to know.

Learn more

Smartphone assistants guide - everything you need to know

How to use your phone without the need for physical buttons or complicated hand gestures.

Learn more

Hearing accessibility guide - everything you need to know

If you have hearing loss, there are a number of smartphone features you can use to make your experience better.

Learn more

Perks and benefits

From free subscriptions for streaming services to early access to ticket sales, you can get all sorts of valuable perks and benefits from your mobile network.

Vodafone VeryMe Rewards: everything you need to know

Vodafone mobile customers can get cheap cinema tickets, days out and discounts at cafes & restaurants with Vodafone VeryMe Rewards.

Learn more

Which mobile network offers the best perks?

Which mobile networks offer the best extras? And which ones will suit you best? Read on our guide to find out.

Learn more

Sky Mobile Swap contracts: everything you need to know

Discover the benefits of Sky Mobile Swap and how it compares to similar offers from rival networks too.

Learn more

How to guides

Advice and tips on how to make the most of your smartphone.

How to spot a mobile phone scam

Don't get caught out by mobile scams, read this guide to learn more about the things you need to look out for to protect yourself

Learn more

What to do if your iPhone is overheating

What should you do if your phone gets too hot? This guide explains how to cool it down and how to prevent overheating from happening again.

Learn more

Back up your iPhone in a few simple steps

Learn how to back and restore your iPhone

Learn more

How to stop nuisance calls and block unwanted numbers

Read on and discover the number of things you can do to block nuisance calls and texts on your mobile or landline.

Learn more

Mobile phone recycling explained

Recycling an old mobile phone could earn you up to £200. Turn your old mobile phones into cash with the help of our guide.

Learn more

How to pay your friends using your mobile

How to make quick payments between friends on your mobile phone.

Learn more

Transferring your data from Android to iPhone - the complete guide

Making the leap from Android to an iPhone? We have a few easy steps that’ll make the transition painless and stress-free.

Learn more

How to unlock my phone | A guide to unlocking any phone

Want to unlock your mobile phone? We take you through the benefits, the risks and most importantly - how to do it with minimal hassle.

Learn more

What is data rollover and which networks offer it?

If you pay for more than you use but you’re wary of opting for less data in case you go over your limit, a data rollover plan might be a good solution for you.

Learn more

How to cancel your mobile contract early

If you cancel your mobile phone contract early, you'll likely have to pay an early exit fee. Here are the alternatives to cancelling early.

Learn more

How to fix a water damaged phone

Dropped your phone in water? We show you how to fix a water damaged smartphone.

Learn more

How to save money on your mobile phone

Tips and tricks to help you cut your mobile phone costs

Learn more

How to compare mobile phone tariffs - Uswitch

Working out which mobile phone tariff is right for you can be tough. Our handy guide to tariffs is all the help you need.

Learn more

UK MVNOs: a guide to virtual networks

Want to know what an MVNO, also known as a virtual network is? We explain what an MVNO is and talk you through their pros and cons.

Learn more

How to choose a mobile phone contract - Uswitch

With so many great value deals on phone contracts, it can be tough choosing the right one. This guide will help you find the best mobile phone contract for you.

Learn more

How to switch mobile phone providers

Switching phone providers? You don't have to compare every deal yourself. We do the work for you and make it easy. Just follow the simple steps in this guide.

Learn more

Third party smartphone repairs

Discover everything you need to know about third-party repairs and whether you should take the risk.

Learn more

How to make your phone battery last longer - Uswitch

Out for the whole day and worried your battery will run out? Here's how to improve your phone's battery life to stay connected all day.

Learn more

How to connect to the internet on a mobile

Find out how to get connected to the internet on your mobile phone.

Learn more

Using your phone in hospital

Here's how you can keep in touch and entertained on your mobile if you're in hospital.

Learn more

What is a mobile network? And which network's best?

Find out everything you need to know about UK mobile phone networks in our networks guide. We take a network-by-network look at what's on offer.

Learn more

What are smartphones?

Our guide delves into the the features of a smartphone and explains how to use them. Learn about smartphone technology.

Learn more

The complete guide to buying your first smartphone - Uswitch

If you're looking into buying a smartphone for the first time, or want to buy your kids' first phone, here's what you need to know.

Learn more

Live Caption accessibility - everything you need to know

Here's how to enable live caption for videos you watch on your smartphone.

Learn more

How to transfer contacts from Android to Android or Android to iPhone

Want to move your phone contacts on to a new handset? Learn how to swap over details from any phone, whether it's an Android or iOS device.

Learn more

Keeping safe while using your smartphone

From changing your settings to downloading some important apps, there are lots of simple things you can do with your smartphone to help improve your safety.

Learn more

How to use Dark Mode

Bringing Dark Mode into the light, how to turn on your phone's dark mode settings and reduce the impact of your smartphone on your sleep and health.

Learn more

What is 5G? Everything you need to know about 5G | Uswitch

What’s so special about 5G? How much does it cost? Is it available in your area? What are the best 5G phones? We explain everything you need to know about 5G.

Learn more

How to stop your gadgets from overheating

Discover key tips and tricks that could stop your favourite tech products from over heating, and ultimately keep them in better health for longer.

Learn more

How to help someone set up a phone remotely

Your essential guide to getting someone started with a mobile phone.

Learn more

How to back-up your data and restore your Android smartphone to factory settings

Learn how how to save your data on your Android smartphone.

Learn more

Tech explained

Learn more about the latest tech, gadgets and smart devices with our tech-explained guides.

What is a VPN and why do I need it? | Uswitch

What is a VPN? How do they work? Why use one? We cover all the basics and how to set up a VPN so that you can browse the web securely.

Learn more

What is mobile tethering? Which networks allow you to tether?

How does tethering work? Compare the major networks' policy and pricing structure for mobile phone tethering on iPhone and Android.

Learn more

What is Wi–Fi calling?

Everything you need to know about Wi-Fi calling. How it works and how you can get started.

Learn more

Guide to mobile phone radiation

Want to know why mobile phones emit radiation and whether you need to worry? Our guide will tell you all you need to know and how to reduce any risk.

Learn more

The future of mobile phones - what will the smartphone look like?

Technology in mobile phones has changed extremely rapidly in the last decade. So what's in store for us in the future?

Learn more

Magnification and Zoom accessibility guide - everything you need to know

Read on to find out what Magnification and Zoom are, who they can help, and how you can get the best use out of these features.

Learn more

Understanding mobile phone jargon

If you're muddled about megapixels or baffled by Bluetooth, we'll get you up to speed with our layman's guide to smartphone terminology.

Learn more

History of mobile phones | What was the first mobile phone?

Mobile phones have only been around in the last 25 years but a lot has changed.

Learn more

What is O2 Refresh? 5 key facts you need to know

Freedom always comes at a price. But is this one worth paying?

Learn more

What is Virtual Reality? VR headsets explained

What is VR? How does it work? And what options are available to you? Strap on your VR headset, all will be explained.

Learn more

Christmas gadget gift guide

Christmas gadget gift guide

Learn more

Mobiles studies

Read our latest mobiles studies. From screen time reports and coverage data to the cost of making TikTok’s most loved Starbucks iced coffees at home.

UK Mobile Phone Statistics 2024 - Stats Report

We’ve collated the latest UK mobile phone statistics and trends for 2023, covering mobile phone ownership statistics, hours spent on the phone and more.

Learn more

Children's social media and mobile safety report

For this report, Uswitch looked at the safety issues parents face when their children gain access to a mobile phone and social media for the first time.

Learn more

UK SIM only Statistics 2023 - SIM only Facts and Stats Report

Uswitch have collated the latest UK SIM only mobile statistics and trends for 2023, covering SIM only take-up rates, sales, usage and the most popular providers.

Learn more

Travel SIMs

We’ve analysed eSIM savings for top travel destinations, revealing how to slice data roaming costs and select the best networks abroad.

Learn more

Mobile Fraud

We’ve analysed Action Fraud and ONS data to discover the prominence of mobile fraud in England and Wales in 2023, from annual crimes to affected areas.

Learn more

How does mobile phone use impact our health?

We've surveyed mobile phone users across the UK to highlight the most common usage injuries and their impacts on our health.

Learn more

Most Reliable Mobiles

We’ve analysed the most popular mobile phones, across Apple, Samsung and Google to reveal the most reliable overall.

Learn more

Mobile Emissions

We’ve analysed e-waste quantities in the UK and around the world, to reveal how e-waste has changed over time and how it is expected to increase in the future.

Learn more

How much of your time is Screen Time?

Uswitch reveals what percentage of our lives we spend looking at screens and the effects it has on our wellbeing.

Learn more

The Top Selling Electric Cars Around The World - Uswitch

We’ve rounded up the best places to go completely off grid, looking at areas with poor internet connectivity, limited phone signal and bad transport to major cities

Learn more