Checks to make before using your phone abroad

Set up your phone for travel abroad

Before you head off, there’re a couple of steps to check in Your Account to make sure you can use your phone abroad.

1.

2.

Select Manage Services

3.

Find the Going Abroad section and set the slider to ON

4.

Make sure International call barring is switched OFF

Just so you know, it takes up to 24 hours for these settings to be updated, and then you’re good to go.

Access Point Name settings

Before you go, check the Access Point Name (APN) selected in your device is shown as Virgin Mobile, and not another network provider.

You can update the APN settings by selecting your mobile from our Virgin Mobile phone settings list, or just text 'All' to 789922 and your settings will arrive to your handset, ready to be saved. For some handsets you may also need to do this again the first time you go abroad, or if you've reset your phone.

If you have any problems with switching on roaming or with your APN settings, just text us the issue for free on 07533 016 422 ^ between 7am and 11pm Monday to Friday, 8am and 8pm Saturday to Sunday, and one of our team will be happy to help.

Check your costs and coverage

If you Pay As You Go you can use your phone in over 100 countries worldwide. If you're a Pay Monthly customer, you can use your phone in over 200 destinations worldwide.

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If you’re travelling in the EU

If you’re travelling to the EU, you can use your UK allowance of minutes, texts and data just as you would in the UK subject to fair use limits.

If you don’t have an allowance, or your allowance has run out, you can still use your mobile wherever you are in the EU and pay no more for your minutes, texts and data than you would in the UK, subject to fair use limits.

If you’re travelling outside the EU

If you’re travelling outside the EU, you won’t be able to use your UK allowances.

If you’ve switched on roaming, you’ll be charged for any calls, texts and data you use when abroad, and your data usage will be charged per Megabyte.

Secure Your Phone Secure Your Phone

Set up a password or PIN for your phone and SIM card, so if your mobile is lost or stolen abroad no one can run up a big bill.

If you’re unsure how to do this, check out Virgin Mobile phone support. Select your handset make & model from the guide, from there, click on security for step by step instructions.

Top - Up Top - Up

If you Pay As You Go, add credit before you leave. Check out Ways to pay Virgin Mobile - Pay As You Go for all the different payment options. It’s also a good idea to register your credit or debit card online before you go. You can do this by following these simple steps:

Login to virginmobile.co.uk/youraccount
Click on the Payments tab
Click on the Payment card tab
Click Add my payment card

Once you’ve registered your card, you can top-up While You're Away.

Set Up Voicemail Set Up Voicemail

If you want to use voicemail while you’re away, you’ll need to make sure it’s switched on before you go. Have a look at While You're Away for more information on voicemail costs abroad.

To switch on voicemail:

Log into virginmobile.co.uk/youraccount
Click on Plan and device
Click on Manage services
From there you can select the option to turn on voicemail

You’ll also need to set up a Voicemail Pin before you go. Find out more about Virgin Mobile Voicemail including how to set up & manage your PIN.

To set up or remove voicemail diverts, just dial your voicemail and choose Message settings then follow the instructions. To adjust the divert settings on your phone see Virgin Mobile phone support.

Find out how to pick up your voicemails While You're Away.

^The text is free for Virgin Mobile customers, or will be charged at your mobile provider’s standard rates.
°Please note standard charges apply, please check with your network operator for rates.

Having issues while you’re abroad?

Check out our troubleshooting page for help.

Troubleshooting

Helpful tips for travelling

If you want to avoid being slapped with a massive mobile bill when you come back from holiday its best to get roaming ready. Here are some things to watch out for.