Overview:

Giffgaff is a virtual mobile network operator in the UK that operates on O2’s network infrastructure. It is well-known for its flexible plans, affordable prices, and community-driven approach. You can opt for a no-plan SIM card to receive SMS for registering various foreign apps.

Purchase Options:

1. Register on the official website for free shipping to China, taking about 1 to 2 months. Click here for the official registration link.

2. Purchase directly on JD or Taobao for 27 yuan per card, with a delivery time of 2 days. It’s recommended to buy domestically!

Activation Process:

Preparation:

1. Have a VISA or MasterCard ready (a virtual credit card will suffice). The blogger used No Real Name 51vcard.

2. Insert the SIM card into your phone.

Activation Steps:

1. Open the activation link on the official website: https://www.giffgaff.com/activate

2. Enter the activation code on the SIM card (either 6 or 13 digits), then click the “Activate your SIM” button to proceed.

![SIM Card Activation Process]
3. Enter your email address for receiving order information and your phone number, then click “Next” to continue.

![SIM Card Activation Process]
4. Set a password for the website (at least 8 characters including uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special symbols). After setting, click the “Register” button to continue.

![SIM Card Activation Process]
5. Choose whether to receive promotional emails from the website. Select “No, thanks,” then click “Continue.”

![SIM Card Activation Process]
6. Select a plan. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and choose “Other Options” for a no-plan option.

![SIM Card Activation Process]
7. Choose the preloaded amount; select the minimum of 10. Then click “Pay now.”

![SIM Card Activation Process]
8. Fill in the address and credit card information. It’s best to find a UK address from Google Maps.

![SIM Card Activation Process]
![SIM Card Activation Process]
9. Once the credit card verification is complete, the number will be activated. You will see a confirmation screen with your number and the username for the website.

![SIM Card Activation Process]
You will also receive an activation success message in your email.

![SIM Card Activation Process]
Within a few minutes to tens of minutes, you will receive an activation success message on your phone as well.

![SIM Card Activation Process]
At this point, the entire activation process is complete. You can see that you’re connected to China Mobile’s network, so remember to turn off data.

Preservation Rules:

Giffgaff offers very low prices, making it one of the most affordable SIM cards in the UK. You can continue using the service for another 180 days by making any transaction within 180 days. That means a phone call or a text within 180 days will extend the expiration by another 180 days. Receiving SMS in China is free; calling costs £1/minute, receiving calls costs £1/minute, and sending SMS costs £0.3/message. Therefore, sending a text is the cheapest way to keep the number active. A £10 recharge allows you to send over 300 messages, which means you can extend the service for over 300 periods of 180 days. It’s very nice!

This concludes the Giffgaff activation process in the UK. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment for discussion. Let’s learn and improve together!