There are plenty of reasons to cancel a SIM-only contract early. But before you do, it’s a good idea to know what your options are. These can vary from provider to provider. And there’s always usually some caveat you’ll have to meet to cancel things early…
Can you cancel a SIM-only contract?
Yes, you can cancel SIM-only contracts before they end. But chances are you’ll have to shell out some cash to cut it short. Most SIM-only deals charge a cancellation fee that covers the remainder of your contract. And you’ll have to pay it all in one go if you want out - which might be a hefty drain on your bank account. There are a couple of ways you can cancel a SIM-only contract for free though.
How to cancel a phone contract without paying
To cancel a SIM-only contract without paying a fee, you’re going to have to meet some pretty specific requirements…
14 days to cancel your phone contract
Can you really cancel a phone contract within 14 days? With most SIM-only deals that you buy online, you’ll find you’ve got a 14-day cooling off period after taking out your contract. This means you have 14 days to cancel it if you change your mind. This doesn’t apply to phones bought in person from an actual mobile phone store.
Network provider raises the price
If your network provider suddenly bumps up the price every month - and there wasn’t anything in your contract about this - then you might be able to complain. You’d basically be saying that the terms and conditions of your mobile contract weren’t clear enough when you signed up.
Mobile contract ending soon
Cancelling a phone contract early is easier if you’re near the end of it. You might even be able to cancel without having to pay any pricey exit fees as well! You’ll be able to if you’ve got a month or less left on your contract (as 30 days is the standard amount of notice needed to cancel most of them).
Your current network provider will probably get in touch to see if you’d like to upgrade and start a new deal with them. But you’re fully within your rights to say no and look somewhere else for the best SIM-only deals. So, don’t feel like you have to say yes!
Reasons to cancel a phone contract
Depending on your situation and what you need, there are loads of reasons why you might want to cancel a SIM-only contract early…
You want a phone upgrade
Phone envy is real. And if you’ve got your eye on something new with better specs and features - that make your current phone look like a useless lump of plastic – then you’ll find it hard not upgrading your phone contract early. This can be expensive though. As you’ll probably have to pay off your current deal on top of setting one up for the new phone.
You want a better mobile phone deal
If you’ve seen better deals somewhere else, you might want to make the switch and cut down on your phone costs. Again, you’ll have to pay out some money to your current network provider if you cancel early, so bear that in mind. You might also be able to keep your phone number when switching to a new network if you want to. Just make sure to check out all your options first.
Looking for a better deal because you can’t afford your current contract? Have a chat with your network provider to see if they can help you out. They might be able to make things easier by charging you less every month. Meaning you’ll then pay smaller, more affordable amounts over a longer amount of time.
They could also lower your monthly allowances so that you don’t overspend. And they might even be able to switch you to a cheaper contract of their own. This all depends on your situation and who your provider is though. Remember - your phone contract is a legal agreement that you have to honour. So, if paying it is hard, contact your network provider straight away and let them know.
Mobile tariff increase
Mobile tariffs usually go up. And these rises tend to be covered in the terms and conditions on your contract. Your network provider has to legally give you at least 30 days’ notice if your tariff increases. And if you’re unhappy with the contract, you have the right to cancel - free of charge. Happy days. You won’t be able to exit for free though if they told you about the price rise when you signed up.
Poor phone signal
Rubbish phone signal is a common reason for people to cancel. It could keep cutting out. Or maybe your network coverage just isn’t up to scratch. Your network provider is only liable if they’re directly to blame for your signal going down. Whether that’s to do with a dodgy mast or one they’ve got rid of entirely.
They might have actually given you a guarantee for a certain level of network coverage in your contract. But this isn’t offered by every provider so make sure you check. In this case, you may be able to cancel early, it just tends to be a long process. You won’t be allowed to cancel for free if the signal is lost because of your own actions though. Like if you move house to somewhere with naff coverage.
Leaving the country
If you’re leaving the UK to go and live in another country, you’ll probably have a to pay a fee to end your contract. But there are a few ways to avoid having to pay. You might want to carry on using your current phone when you’re abroad. Especially if you have a good deal on international roaming costs.
Or you could keep your current account going if you’re planning to move back to the UK soon or come back a lot. You’ll still be tied to your monthly contract as usual, but it’s always worth checking in with your network before you move to discuss the best options.
FAQs
How can I find out how long I have left on my contract?
You can check when your contract ends by contacting your network provider. Just speak to them on the phone or log in to your account online. You can also text INFO to 85075 to find out how long you have left (and see if you’d have to pay any charges to exit early). Or you can always take advantage of our upgrade checker if you have a Vodafone or iD Mobile contract.
Can you cancel a rolling contract for SIM-only?
You might be able to cancel a SIM-only rolling contract early, but this all depends on why you’re cancelling, and the terms of the contract you signed up for. Check your contract and if you’re unsure, get in touch with your network provider.
What happens when a SIM-only contract ends?
When your SIM-only contract ends, you’ll have a few options to help decide what to do next. If you do nothing, the contract will carry on with the same provider, phone, and tariff. If you want to change things up, you can get a new contract with a different deal, like a SIM-only upgrade.
Or it could be an upgrade to a completely new phone if that’s what you want. If this is something you’re thinking about, it’s good to know the difference between SIM-only and pay monthly before you take the plunge. Or you could just cancel your contract altogether. It’s really up to you!
Thinking about a new phone then? Apple recently launched the brand new iPhone 15 family. And we’ve also picked out some of the best phones of 2023 too. Whether it’s Android or Apple, we’ve got them all!
