End of contract
Your phone contract just ended. What now?
When the minimum term ends you’re free to switch, but most people keep paying the same — including the cost of a phone they’ve already paid for. Here is what to do instead.
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Will my network tell me?
Yes. Ofcom requires providers to tell you 10 to 40 days before your contract ends, with their best deals.
Do I need to return the phone?
No. Once the contract ends, the phone is yours.
Can I keep my number?
Yes. Text PAC to 65075 and give the code to your new network.
No price rise- Runs on Three
- 30-day rolling plan
- No credit check
- EU roaming included, 12 GB
£6 a month
Get this dealSMARTY review →The cheapest 30-day SIM with 10GB+ and no annual rise — a typical move at the end of a contract.
Your three options
- Move to SIM onlyIf your phone works, this is almost always the cheapest choice. Keep the phone and pay only for airtime.
- Ask your network for a better dealNetworks must show you their best deals at the end of the contract; you can ask for a SIM only price on the same network.
- Upgrade to a new phoneCompare the true total of a new contract with buying outright and keeping a SIM only plan.
Why staying put costs you
On many contracts the monthly price includes paying off the phone. Once the term ends, that part is done — but unless your network splits device and airtime, the bill doesn’t drop by itself. Switching to SIM only removes it.
Updated 26 October 2026 · bemobiles editorial team · How we compare
End of contract in brief
- Your network must tell you 10 to 40 days before your contract ends.
- On a combined contract the bill usually stays the same — you keep paying for a phone you own.
- Moving to SIM only, on the same network or a new one, usually cuts the bill the most.
- Switching takes one free text: PAC to 65075.
What happens when the minimum term ends
Nothing changes on its own. Your contract rolls onto a monthly basis at the same price, and you can leave with 30 days’ notice. What happens to the price depends on how the contract was built:
| Contract type | What happens at the end |
|---|---|
| Split (device plan + airtime plan), e.g. O2, Sky Mobile | The device plan ends, so the bill drops to the airtime price automatically. |
| Combined (one price for phone and airtime) | The bill usually stays the same. Part of it was paying off the phone, so you overpay until you act. |
Out of contract, your network must also send a yearly message with its best deals for you.
Your options, compared
| Option | Best if… | How |
|---|---|---|
| SIM only on a new network | Your phone works well and you want the lowest bill | Text PAC to 65075, order a SIM, give the code |
| SIM only on your network | You like your network and don’t want to switch | Ask for a SIM only price; compare it with our deals |
| Upgrade | Your phone is failing or no longer gets updates | Compare the new contract’s total with buying outright |
| Do nothing | Never the cheapest on a combined contract | — |
A timeline that saves money
- About two months before: text INFO to 65075 to confirm your end date. Check how much data you use in your phone’s settings.
- When the end-of-contract message arrives: compare your network’s offer with 30-day SIM only deals and, if you want a new phone, run our upgrade or keep calculator.
- On or after the end date: order the new SIM and text PAC to 65075 — no exit fee applies.
Before you switch
- Unlocking: phones sold in the UK since December 2021 must be unlocked. An older phone bought from a network may still be locked — ask the network to unlock it.
- Back up: contacts, photos and chats live on your phone or cloud account, not your SIM, so they move with the phone.
- Old phone: if you upgrade, selling or trading in the old one lowers the real cost of the new phone.
FAQ
Common questions
How do I find out when my contract ends?
Text INFO to 65075 for free to get your contract end date and any early exit fee.
Is there a fee to leave at the end?
No. After the minimum term you can leave with 30 days’ notice, and switching networks by text ends the old contract for you.
Should I upgrade straight away?
Only if you need a new phone. Otherwise SIM only saves money every month.