If your SIM is lost, damaged, or if you have upgraded and need a new SIM to fit your new device. You can get a replacement SIM card by clicking here and following the directions on screen, or by popping into your nearest Three store. If you're popping in store, please be aware that you'll need to bring valid photo ID to complete the SIM replacement.
Did you know that the quickest way to replace your SIM is with eSIM? Click here for steps on how to activate and eSIM.
Please be aware that you can request a new SIM card 2 ways:
- Place an online order for an eSIM, here.
- Visit your local Three Store if you require a physical SIM card. Use our Store Locator tool by clicking here to find your local store. (Important: remember to bring photo ID with you if you are planning to purchase a SIM in a Three store.)
*You can avail of up to two free replacement SIM cards in a year. After that, each new SIM costs €15.24, ex. VAT.
Keeping your contacts, videos and photos
Contacts: First off, do you have an Android phone? Then you should remove your contacts from your old SIM, as this is going to be deactivated. Android smartphones allow for both importing and exporting contacts from your SIM, however, with iPhones, you can only import from your old SIM.
Back up: There are a few ways to do this, and it is all down to a matter of preference. I’m an Android user and find that syncing and backing up my phone with my Google account works like a charm. For iPhone users, it’s as easy as syncing to iCloud. Even moving from Samsung to iPhone, or any type of phone, is a simple task, as all of the instructions come with your new phone on start-up.
Another handy tip here is to connect your old phone to your PC/laptop and transfer all of your photos and videos over there.
You are almost there!
Activating your new SIM card on Three couldn’t be simpler. Just go online and activate your new SIM card by clicking here. (If you are a Three Business customer, you will need to contact our Web Messaging team by clicking here, who are available from 9 AM - 7 PM Monday - Friday, and 9 AM to 6:30 PM on Saturday.)
There are three straightforward steps to activating your SIM. You will need to set up your account type, security questions, and contact details. To do this, you will need the long serial number from the SIM card packaging, and this will begin with 89 353.
SIM card replacement normally takes 2-4 hours to fully process, and if you request the SIM replacement after 8 PM, it will not be processed until the following morning. You will have service on your old SIM until the new SIM is active. In some cases, when the service on your old SIM drops, you will need to restart the phone with the new SIM in it.
Why hasn’t my new SIM activated?
Sometimes you might have a typo in your details, and this will create an error, meaning that your SIM card activation won’t go through. You will receive a notification of this, and you will need to submit the online form again.
Other times, especially around Christmas and new phone launches, there might be a delay due to the number of SIM activation requests that we get. The length of time can vary between 24-48 hours. But remember, you will have service on your old SIM until the new one kicks in
