What is a manual roam?
A manual roam basically means resetting your phones network connection so it can get a nice, shiny, new, fresh connection to giffgaff. It can solve lots of problems such as:
Poor or no signal
Inability to send or receive SMS messages (SMS service centre number)
Slow data speeds
Intermittent data
Inability to connect to data while roaming
Generic method
Go to Settings
Then go to Mobile networks and select a network other than O2-UK, giffgaff, Tesco Mobile or other O2 MVNOs. For example, try Vodafone, EE or 3
When you exit the menu the phone should lose the network
Repeat the process and select giffgaff (or select O2-UK if giffgaff is not showing) as your mobile network unless you're abroad in which case you should select "select automatically"
Important: While abroad, setting your phone to "select automatically" might connect you to a non-EU network if you're near the border of a non EU/EEA country. This means roaming charges could get pricey. Take a look here to see how you can stop that from happening.
This procedure will also force the update of the message centre number. You can verify it in your message settings.
The SMS Service Centre number is +44 78020 02606 which can be usually checked from your device settings.
Manufacturer specific guides
Apple
Apple
Go to Settings and then Carrier (or Mobile Data -> Network Selection for newer versions of iPhone)
Toggle OFF the automatic mode and manually change the carrier to something other then O2-UK
Leave the menu and wait until it fails to connect to another carrier
Once it fails, repeat the process and this time choose giffgaff (or select O2-UK if giffgaff is not showing) or toggle ON automatic (preferable), unless you’re abroad in which case you should select “select automatically”
Important: While abroad, setting your phone to "select automatically" might connect you to a non-EU network if you are near the border of a non EU/EEA country. This means roaming charges could get pricey. Take a look here to see how you can stop that from happening.
Android
Android
Go to Settings and then Wireless networks
Go to Mobile networks and then Network operators
Search for networks
Select a network other then O2-UK
Wait until it fails to connect
Repeat the process and this time choose giffgaff (or select O2-UK if giffgaff is not showing) as your network or "select automatically" (preferable), unless you’re abroad in which case you should select “select automatically”
Important: While abroad, setting your phone to "select automatically" might connect you to a non-EU network if you are near the border of a non EU/EEA country. This means roaming charges could get pricey. Take a look here to see how you can stop that from happening.
Windows
Windows
From the Start screen, swipe to the left
Scroll to and tap Settings
Tap Network & wireless
Tap Mobile & SIM
Tap SIM settings
Tap Search for networks & wait whilst the device searches for available networks
Tap the Select a network dropdown
Choose any network other than giffgaff or O2-UK & Tap OK
Wait until it fails to connect
Repeat the process and this time choose either giffgaff (or select O2-UK if giffgaff is not showing) as your network, unless you’re abroad in which case you should select “select automatically”
Important: While abroad, setting your phone to "select automatically" might connect you to a non-EU network if you are near the border of a non EU/EEA country. This means roaming charges could get pricey. Take a look here to see how you can stop that from happening.
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