How long does an inactive SIM last?

Some carriers provide their customers with a grace period after their phone number is deactivated. Others give users a grace period of 20 days within which they're allowed to reactivate your line. Once the grace period has elapsed, the SIM will be deactivated, and you won't be able to retrieve it.

How long can a SIM card stay inactive?

Most telecom providers will block your local SIM card after 6 or 12 months of inactivity to make the telephone number available for use again by a new customer.

What happens if SIM is inactive?

A SIM is in inactive mode before the activation process. Then, if active SIM cards remain dormant for a long time, they get deactivated. Once the active SIM card becomes disabled, it is impossible to use it again.

Can I recharge an inactive SIM?

But if you keep the SIM unused, it will expire after 100 days. If this is the case, both tele verification and recharge doesn't work for you. Your SIM has been deactivated for Calls, Data and SMS services.

What happens if SIM is not used for 3 months?

According to TRAI consumer handbook, a sim card is deemed to be deactivated in case of non-usage for over 90 days (about 3 months). The non-usage here means zero incoming or outgoing calls/messages, no data sessions, no use of value-added services, and any related payment.

Is it possible to reactivate a deactivated SIM card?

How do I revive an inactive SIM?

How do I activate my SIM card that is not used for long time?

Can an expired SIM be reactivated?

How to reactivate an expired SIM card? Almost all telcos don't offer any service that lets you reactivate an expired SIM card. Still, there's no harm in trying, as you can try reaching out to them via their customer service hotlines, email, social media pages, and other platforms.

Can a deactivated SIM receive messages?

No, they cannot. First of all, messages are not stored on SIM cards. Even if I gave you my SIM card, and you installed it in your phone, you could not access my messages. Period.

Does deactivating SIM card erase data?

No. SIM cards do not store data.

Can you see old messages without a SIM card?

Can You Recover Deleted Text Messages without a SIM Card? Yes, of course! Actually, as long as your deleted text messages had not been overwritten by new data, your deleted text messages can be recovered absolutely.

How do I know if my SIM card is still active?

What is this? The easiest way to check whether a SIM card is activated is to place it inside of a phone, and try calling the number associated with the SIM card. If the SIM card is activated, the phone will ring. If the phone doesn't ring however, stay on the line!

What happens after SIM expired?

This means, you will not be able to make or receive calls, including calls to emergency numbers. If your SIM expires, any remaining credit on the account will be lost and is not refundable.

How long does it take for an old SIM card to activate?

It can take anywhere between 1 hour to 24-48 business hours for your SIM Card to activate so we always recommend you keep using your old SIM Card in the meantime.

Can an inactive SIM be reactivated?

Once a SIM card has been deactivated, it's not possible to reactivate it. Moreover, deactivating the SIM card returns the phone number associated with it to the pool of available phone numbers. It is therefore impossible to keep the phone number associated with a deactivated SIM.

Can inactive SIM receive messages?

No, they cannot. First of all, messages are not stored on SIM cards. Even if I gave you my SIM card, and you installed it in your phone, you could not access my messages. Period.

How do I make my SIM card active?

How long is a phone number inactive?

How long does it take for a disconnected number to be recycled? Generally telecom providers reassign numbers within 90 days from when they had become deactivated but there is no specific time limit. In certain area codes with high demand for recycled numbers, the reassignment will occur much more quickly.

How do I know if a SIM card is still active?

The best way to see if the SIM is active would be to insert it into a device which has a compatible SIM card slot. The good news is inserting any older SIM card into a phone will not harm the phone in any way or change any of the settings.

How do you know if your SIM is expired?

The expiry date of an unused or inactivated SIM card is usually listed on the packaging it came with. So make sure you always check that out when buying a new SIM card.

How long until an old phone number is reassigned?

Phone number recycling is the industry term that refers to the event when that deactivated/disconnected number gets reassigned to someone else. Typically, it takes at least 90 days for this reassignment to take place but it can be faster in high-demand area codes (212, 310, etc.).

What does it mean when a mobile number is inactive?

An inactive number is a valid phone number, which is permanently or temporary not active and cannot receive SMS or calls. Examples: Phone is switched off. Phone has no reception.

How long before an old phone number is reused?

To reduce unwanted and intrusive calls intended for a phone number's previous owner, the Commission now requires service providers to regularly report permanent number disconnections and to wait a minimum of 45 days before reassigning a disconnected number to a new user.

How do I start an inactive SIM?

Armed with those two numbers and other account information such as your old PIN, password or account number, go to your carrier's activation page and follow the prompts. If it allows you to reactivate your SIM, your phone should be working within just a few minutes.

How long does a SIM take to activate?

A replacement SIM can take up to 24 hours to activate in busy periods, however it's usually much quicker.