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 O2-UK as your mobile network unless you're abroad in which case you should select "select automatically"
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:
Method for iPhones
Method for iPhones
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 O2-UK or toggle ON automatic (preferable)
Method for Android
Method for 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 O2-UK as your network or "select automatically" (preferable)
Method for Windows
Method for 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 O2-UK as your network or "select automatically"
Did this solve your problem? If not, pop over to our friendly community for a quick response. Or ask one of our helpful agents for an answer within 24 hours.