Free Application for UK Giffgaff SIM Card with Zero Monthly Fee for Verification Codes
As phone manufacturers continue to improve security and anti-harassment features, domestic phones in China can hardly receive spam messages anymore. But something even more annoying than spam has arrived - public service messages, sometimes several per day, doubled with dual SIM, impossible to unsubscribe, driving people crazy.
Meanwhile, those very important verification codes get blocked and cannot be received. Feeling helpless, I decided to apply for a Giffgaff phone card with zero monthly fee. Giffgaff SIM cards have many plans, and you can choose the “Pay as you go” plan to achieve zero monthly fee - you just need to make one balance change within 180 days.
About Giffgaff
Giffgaff is a mobile phone company headquartered in the UK. As a mobile virtual network operator, Giffgaff uses O2’s network and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of O2, founded on November 25, 2009.
Giffgaff differs from traditional mobile operators in that its users can participate in some company operations, such as sales, customer service, and marketing. As compensation for participation, users receive rewards from the company’s “Payback” system.
Pricing
Data: £0.2/MB; Outgoing calls: £1/minute; Incoming calls: £1/minute; Sending SMS: £0.3/message; Receiving SMS: Free.
Advantages
- Free application: Free application, free shipping, can be shipped to most countries worldwide, including China.
- High value: Zero monthly fee, free SMS reception, one top-up can last over 20 years for receiving codes (only need to keep the number active every 6 months), possibly the most cost-effective physical verification code card in China!
- Secure: No need to worry about number being flagged for risk control with physical cards, plus you can change the number twice, better than Google Voice which often gets flagged.
- Roaming: Supports activation and roaming in mainland China.
- High stability: Unlimited validity, just send one SMS every six months to keep the number.
- Good compatibility: Supports most overseas apps/applications/banks, such as: TikTok, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LINE, WhatsApp, Telegram, ChatGPT, Apple ID, Amazon, PayPal, Citibank, Standard Chartered, Barclays, Deutsche Bank, UBS, WISE remittance, and some newly emerged virtual credit cards, etc.
Use Cases
Especially suitable for tourists going to the UK and students preparing to study in the UK. It supports global roaming, and you can send/receive SMS, receive calls, and access the internet in China (though it’s relatively expensive).
Application
I recommend applying through my referral link - both of us will receive an extra £5 credit, while applying through other methods won’t give you any bonus credit. Why not?
Application link (click the URL below↓↓↓):
https://www.giffgaff.com/orders/affiliate/admin33795_1703932610569
First, fill in the delivery information. If not using a private mailbox, it’s recommended to reverse your name order for easier mail collection; and fill in a domestic phone number in “Address line 2 (optional)”. After filling out, click submit.
Application successful, wait for mail delivery. This page indicates successful application, just wait for the letter. In my experience, it took 27 days from application to receiving the mail.
Activation
Activation requires a Mastercard or Visa credit card, or a domestic dual-currency or single-currency card. First activation requires a £10 top-up, approximately 78 RMB. First top-up doesn’t support PayPal, but future top-ups can use it.
Activation link (click the URL below↓↓↓):
https://www.giffgaff.com/activate
- Open the letter from Giffgaff and find the Activation Code on the SIM card;
- Open the activation URL and enter the Activation Code from the SIM card;
3. Enter email and password to create an account. If already logged in, go to the plan selection page, scroll to the bottom, and select the “Pay as you go” plan. 
- Select the top-up amount.
- Enter the payment page, fill in billing address and credit card information.
Wait for payment, robot verification may appear during the process.
Payment successful.
Insert the card and enjoy freedom - no more real-name registration required, no more public service messages or spam harassment.
Giffgaff has voicemail enabled by default. After manually rejecting a call, it will automatically connect to voicemail and incur charges. Enter ##002# in the dialer to disable the voicemail function.
Disable FaceTime, iMessage, and network SMS services, otherwise it will automatically send an SMS and charge £0.3.
For more settings to avoid charges, adjust the relevant settings according to your needs.
