EE is axing service used by people with Apple devices and confirms end date

EE is axing its “smart number” service which allows you to use your phone number to make and receive calls and texts on Apple devices.

The service is currently available to EE pay monthly customers, having been launched in 2018 - but it will be switched off for good next month on December 9. “Smart number” allows you to make and receive calls and texts on Apple devices, including Apple Watch, iPads and Macbooks.

It means if your smartphone has run out of battery, or you leave it at home, you can still stay connected on these other devices. According to ISPreview, customers have received the following email from EE: "Hi, We wanted to let you know that, from December 9, you'll no longer be able to use your EE shared number service on MacBooks and iPads. We're sorry for any inconvenience caused by this update."

EE customers who still want to make and receive calls and texts across their Apple devices can continue to do so using iCloud Wi-Fi Calling - but you need to be connected to Wi-Fi to do this.

A spokesperson from EE said: "From December 9, 2024, the ability to use our shared number service on MacBook and iPad devices will no longer be available on the EE network. We're committed to offering a range of services for our customers so always review our portfolio on a regular basis. Any customers affected by this update have been notified via SMS."

It comes after O2 confirmed it is shutting down its pay-as-you-go data only SIM services on January 31. These SIMs allow you to connect to the internet with mobile data when you don’t have WiFi. The service provides a data allowance and a specific timeframe for how long your data will last. For example, customers could get 1GB for 24 hours for £3, or for £10, you get 2GB for 90 days, while £20 would get you 8GB for 90 days, and £30 would get you 12GB for a whole year.

If you’ve already purchased one of these longer-term options, you’ll need to use up your data before the service is discontinued or apply for a refund by contacting O2 customer services on 0344 8090222. If you want to stay with O2, you’ll need to switch to a pay monthly data SIM, either on a 30-day rolling contract, a 12-month deal, or a 24-month plan.

An O2 spokesperson said: “On 31 January we are removing our PAYG Mobile Broadband and iPad services, which have not been available for new customers since August. We have recently written to the small proportion of customers who will be impacted by this change and they can contact us directly should they require any further information or support. O2 customers can continue to benefit from a wide range of great-value PAYM SIMs across iPad, tablets and mobile broadband.”