Tesco Mobile Top Up Guide 2019

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Running out of credit is a pain. Luckily, mobile phone providers like Tesco Mobile offer multiple ways to check your existing balance and purchase new phone credit for your device. We’ll show you how to top up using the Pay As You Go app and My Tesco Mobile, as well as how you can go about doing it over the phone. We’ll also discuss checking your balance on a Tesco Pay As You Go SIM plan, plus so much more - read on for our comprehensive Tesco top up guide.

You’ll only need to top up your phone with credit if you’re not a pay monthly customer.

Tesco top up methods

As with all UK mobile network providers Tesco offers many different avenues through which to complete a mobile top up. Let’s take a look at the different ways you can top up and the steps you’ll need to follow.

First time topping-up?

If you’re a new Pay as You Go SIM only customer with Tesco Mobile your first top-up must be made in-store. The is done for online security reasons. An exception is made, however, for customers who purchase a Tesco Mobile phone on the internet - they can complete their first top-up either online or in-store.

Top up over the phone

Top up over the phone

To top-up over the phone just call 4444 free from your Tesco Mobile phone or 0345 940 0000 from a landline phone. Make sure to have your debit, credit card or card number handy as you’re going to need it to complete the process.

Top up on your web browser

You can easily add credit to your prepaid phone online by going to the Tesco Mobile site on your web browser. Select ‘Top up online’ from the ‘Shop’ dropdown menu. You can then either enter your username or email plus your password or, press the button that says ‘new user’ if you are new to topping up your phone in this way.

Top up on your web browser

You can easily add credit to your prepaid phone online by going to the Tesco Mobile site on your web browser. Select ‘Top up online’ from the ‘Shop’ dropdown menu. You can then either enter your username or email plus your password or, press the button that says ‘new user’ if you are new to topping up your phone in this way.

Top up via the app

Tesco customers can top up their phones via the Tesco mobile Pay As You Go app Make sure to have your mobile number handy as you’ll need to enter it to log in. From the app’s home screen, you can access the top up function by clicking on the menu tab on the top left hand corner of the screen and selecting ‘Top up’.

If it’s your first time using the app, you’ll need your debit/credit card details, which you can save for future use. It’s worth noting that topping up is not the only thing you can do on the app - checking your balance and locating your nearest store are among the app’s functionalities.

In-store: top up voucher

Top up in store

If you want to get your top-up sorted in-store you can head to any Tesco store to purchase a voucher. You’ll be given a receipt with a 16 digit voucher number which you can activate by calling the top up line on 4444 (free) or 0345 940 0000 from a landline. You’ll know for sure if your top up went through when you receive a confirmation text message showing your top up amount.

If you don’t have time to pop into a Tesco store, don’t worry, there are also digital top up vouchers available online. Keep in mind though that the range of online vouchers is quite limited: you can choose from a £10, £15, or £20 voucher only.

Top up with an E top-up card

You can order an E top-up card online via your Tesco mobile account. Once you have your card you must register it to your mobile number. When registered you can use the card at any Tesco Mobile store or in any store that displays the green top up sign. You’ll be given a receipt once your top up is complete and we recommend holding on to this for your records, just in case there are any issues with your top up.

Earn Tesco Clubcard pointsWhen you top-up your Tesco Mobile SIM you can earn Tesco Clubcard points! All you need to access this perk is to link your phone to your Clubcard by logging in to your Tesco account and adding your Clubcard details.

My Tesco mobile account: check your balance

My Tesco Mobile is yet another top up location that Tesco mobile provides. Not only can you top up, you can also check your balance to see exactly how many calls, texts and how much data you have left in your bundle. The best thing about choosing this particular top up method is that once you’re logged in, you'll be able to use other tools like the store locator, coverage checker or set parental controls.

To log in you’ll need to have your mobile number handy. If you need more information about accessing your account or what can be done once you’ve logged in, check out our dedicated Tesco mobile login page.

Check your balance over the phone

Not interested in logging in to your account to top up? No worries! Top ups can be completed from your device over the phone. To do this, all you need to do is dial 282 free from your Tesco mobile phone.

Alternatively, you can text the word BALANCE to 2112 for free and Tesco mobile will reply with your remaining data balance, and exactly how many minutes and texts you have left.

Tesco pay as you go sim charges

Tesco rocket packs are designed with mobile data lovers in mind, so that you can stream, post and pinterest to your heart's content. It’s worth noting that the first time you top up with a Rocket Pack you will need to choose between the core £10, £15 and £20 packs, but for your subsequent top ups there are more options available.

This is what you’ll get from each price point with Tesco’s Rocket Packs:

Tesco Rocket Packs
£5 £7.50 £10 £12.50 £15 £20
250MB, 100 mins, 100 texts 500MB, 250 mins, 500 texts 3GB, 500 minutes and 5,000 texts 4GB, 500 mins, 5000 texts 6GB, 1000 minutes and 5,000 texts 8GB, 2,000 minutes and 5,000 texts

Switching tariffs

Tesco Mobile Pay As You Go customers can change their tarrifs online via their My Tesco Mobile account, on the Tesco Mobile Pay As You Go app, or by calling 282 for free from their Tesco mobile handset. Keep in mind that you can only adjust your Pay As You Go tariff every 30 days.

Need assistance?

Need assistance?

If you’ve read the guide above and you’re still having trouble with the top up process, you can chat to a Tesco mobile expert online by using the provider’s web chat function. You’ll find the chat function on the Tesco Mobile Website if you click on Help and Support at the top of the screen. Once you’ve selected Help and Support, scroll down to the bottom of the webpage, there you’ll find a blue button that says ‘Click to chat’.

Want to speak to the Tesco mobile customer service team? Read our Tesco Mobile customer service article for all the information you need on how to navigate your customer service journey.

Need assistance?

If you’ve read the guide above and you’re still having trouble with the top up process, you can chat to a Tesco mobile expert online by using the provider’s web chat function. You’ll find the chat function on the Tesco Mobile Website if you click on Help and Support at the top of the screen. Once you’ve selected Help and Support, scroll down to the bottom of the webpage, there you’ll find a blue button that says ‘Click to chat’.

Want to speak to the Tesco mobile customer service team? Read our Tesco Mobile customer service article for all the information you need on how to navigate your customer service journey.

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