Nowadays, most mobile networks will run a credit check when you sign up for a mobile phone contract. Just like any financial agreement, this is because you are agreeing to pay a certain amount of money each month in exchange for a service (and also maybe a mobile phone).
Phone contracts that come with a new mobile phone and a payment plan that spans one to two years will usually require you to pass a credit check. Most of the major networks like EE, Vodafone, O2, and Three will conduct a credit check if you want to sign up to a contract.
But what if you know you have bad credit? Will this prevent you from getting a mobile phone? Luckily, even those of us with a poor credit history still have a way of getting a decent mobile phone deal. Here are some options.
What mobile phones are available with bad credit?
When you sign up for a mobile phone deal that includes a phone, data and minutes for a monthly fee, you’ll probably have to pass a credit check first. But did you know that the credit check will be harder to pass depending on the price of the phone?
If you currently have bad credit, this will likely mean you won’t be able to nab the latest and most expensive smartphone. This is simply down to the fact that newer smartphones typically come with more expensive payment plans.
You might find it easier (and cheaper) to go for an earlier release like the iPhone 12 or the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE. The cheaper the contract, the better chance you’ll have of passing the credit check.
What if I buy a phone separately?
If a pay monthly plan that includes a handset is not an option, you might think about saving up and buying one outright. Even Apple and Samsung make great phones at decent prices, like the iPhone SE, which costs £429, or the Samsung Galaxy A55 5G, which costs £439.
Purchasing a mobile phone separately means it won’t be included in your monthly costs, which therefore makes the credit check easier.
What about used and refurbished mobile phones?
If that’s still a bit too much, you could get a refurbished phone. These are used phones that have been rigorously tested to ensure they’re still fully functional and then sold at a fraction of their original price.
You might also want to look at getting a contract that includes a used handset as opposed to a new one. This could improve your chances of passing the credit check, since the monthly cost will be cheaper.
SIM only deals for people with bad credit
No matter how you get your phone, keep an eye out for SIM only deals that don’t require you to sign up for a phone contract at all, which is perfect for those with bad credit. Unlike pay-as-you-go deals, which usually don’t come with good perks or allowances, SIM only plans can still give you a good amount of data, calls, and minutes to use.
Networks with SIM only deals for people with bad credit
Pay monthly deals from major networks like EE, O2, and Vodafone will usually require you to pass a credit check. However, there are a number of networks that offer rolling monthly deals that don’t require a check. These rolling SIM only plans won’t come with a mobile phone, so they’re ideal if you’ve found a phone you’re happy to use.
giffgaff
You won’t need to pass a credit check to sign up to one of giffgaff’s SIM only deals, since they essentially work like a pay-as-you-go deal. You just sign up for a 30-day bundle, which includes data, texts and calls.
Once those 30 days are up, you’re free to choose a different plan if you don’t want to stick with the bundle you’re on. You can also choose add-ons and extra perks to add to your plan. The cheapest giffgaff SIM only deals start at £6 a month.
Check out our best giffgaff SIM only deals
VOXI
VOXI has a range of affordable SIM only deals that you can sign up to on rolling 30-day contracts. That means you can opt out of the deal after just one month. VOXI won’t perform a credit check for any of these deals.
VOXI plans also have the added bonus of not counting any social sites you visit as part of your data allowance. You can sign up to a SIM only VOXI plan starting at just £8 a month.
Check out our best VOXI SIM only deals
Smarty
Smarty’s rolling SIM only plans are another way of getting a phone deal without having to do a credit check. With plans that run on a month-to-month basis, if you need to stop at any point, you just have to give them 30 days’ notice.
Smarty’s deals range from 12GB of data with unlimited calls and texts for just £6 a month to unlimited data, calls and texts for £16 a month.
Check out our best Smarty SIM only deals
Lebara Mobile
Lebara Mobile is another network that offers a range of very affordable SIM only deals that don’t ask you to pass a credit check. Lebara also offers attractive rates for overseas calling, which can be useful if you need to get in touch with friends and family overseas.
Lebara deals start from as little as £4.95 a month, and it often runs promotions where you’ll get the first three months for even less.
Check out our best Lebara SIM only deals
What does it mean to have bad credit?
If you have failed a credit check, it can be due to several factors. You may have missed a number of bill payments, repeatedly made late payments, or even made too many credit applications at the same time. In addition, if you’re not on the electoral roll, this can also impact your credit score negatively.
How can you improve your credit rating?
There are a number of things you can do to improve your credit rating. Generally, the most important thing is to stay on top of your finances and pay your bills on time. If you take the following steps, you’ll be on the right track to getting good credit.
- Make sure you have a proper bank account
- Pay your outgoing bills on time, including your mobile bill
- Make sure you’re registered on the electoral roll
- Don’t share accounts or bills with someone who has bad credit
If you’re ever struggling to pay your mobile bill, it’s always worth getting in touch with your network if you ever need to make a late payment. They may be able to help out and allow you to stagger the payment, pay a smaller amount or pay at a later time.
