A low credit score can make it harder to get a pay monthly phone contract, but it doesn't rule out every option. This article explains which types of mobile deal usually involve a credit check, what networks look at, and the other ways to get a phone and airtime.

Networks named below are examples only, based on information on their own websites when we checked in October 2026. This article doesn't cover the whole market, and other providers may work differently.

ClearScore is a credit broker, not a lender.

Do all mobile networks run credit checks?

Not for every type of deal. It depends on what you're applying for:

• Pay monthly contract with a phone: networks usually run a credit check when you apply. These contracts are often split into two parts: a device plan, where you pay off the phone in monthly instalments, and an airtime plan for your calls, texts and data. The device plan is a form of borrowing and is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). O2 and Vodafone, for example, set up their phone contracts this way.

• SIM-only monthly plans: these often involve a credit check, because many networks bill monthly for a service you've already used. Vodafone, for example, says it runs a credit check whenever you apply for pay monthly plans, including 30-day plans. Providers that take payment upfront each month may not run a credit check (see below).

• Pay as you go: you pay before you use your airtime, so there's generally no credit check.

What's the difference between a soft and a hard search?

A soft search may be used to confirm your identity or check your eligibility. It shows on your own credit report but isn't visible to lenders.

A hard search is a fuller look at your credit history when you apply. It covers the credit you've applied for, the agreements you hold and whether you've paid on time. Official records such as county court judgments (CCJs), individual voluntary arrangements (IVAs) and bankruptcy are also visible. A hard search leaves a footprint on your report that other lenders can see. EE, for example, says this stays on file for 12 months. Several hard searches in a short period can lower your score for a time and can suggest to lenders that you're relying heavily on credit.

What credit score do I need to get a mobile phone contract?

Networks don't publish a minimum credit score. They look at the information on your credit report, such as how you've managed credit and bills in the past, and apply their own lending criteria.

There are three main credit reference agencies (CRAs) in the UK: Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. Each uses its own scale:

• Experian uses 0–1,250, where 861–1,000 is "Good".

• Equifax uses 0–1,000, where 531–670 is "Good".

• TransUnion is moving from a 0–710 scale to a 0–999 scale between late September 2026 and June 2027. On the new scale, 653–785 is 'Good'.

A score from one agency can't be compared directly with a score from another. EE, Vodafone and Three each say they may use data from all three agencies.

You can check your credit report with each CRA directly (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion). You can also check your Equifax credit report and score for free with ClearScore. Checking your own report doesn't affect your score. Read more in What is a credit score?

Can missed phone bills affect my credit report?

Yes. Networks share information about how you run your account with the CRAs. EE, for example, says it reports to the agencies every month, including late payments, and that a default is recorded if a bill is paid late for six months in a row. Missed payments and defaults can stay on your credit report for up to six years.

What options are there if I have a low credit score?

Options for getting a phone and airtime include:

• A pay monthly contract with a lower-cost handset. This means borrowing a smaller amount, but a credit check will still normally apply, and the outcome depends on the network's own criteria.

• A SIM-only plan with a phone you already own. SIM-only plans cover data, minutes and texts but no handset. They're available as rolling 30-day plans or on fixed terms. Vodafone, for example, offers 30-day, 12-month and 24-month SIM-only plans. Whether there's a credit check depends on the provider, not on how long the plan lasts.

• Pay as you go. You buy airtime upfront, either as top-ups or as monthly bundles, so there's generally no credit check.

• Buying a handset outright, new or refurbished, and pairing it with a SIM-only or pay-as-you-go plan. Buying outright doesn't involve credit. Since 17 December 2021, UK mobile companies haven't been allowed to sell locked handsets, but an older or second-hand phone may still be locked to its original network, which can unlock it.

Spreading the cost of a handset is a form of credit and normally involves a credit check, even when the airtime plan has no contract. giffgaff, for example, says phones bought on a loan are credit-checked by Klarna. VOXI says phones on monthly payments are financed through PayPal Credit and are subject to a credit check.

Eligibility and acceptance are decided by each provider and depend on its own criteria and checks. Checking your eligibility does not guarantee that you'll be accepted.

Are there mobile providers that don't run credit checks?

When we checked their websites in October 2026, these providers said they don't usually credit-check their SIM plans:

• Lebara: describes its 12-month SIM plans as having "no contract or credit checks".

• Smarty: says its SIM plans have no credit check because you pay upfront.

• giffgaff: says that "in most cases" it doesn't run credit checks on plans and SIM-only contracts. Phones bought on a loan are checked.

This list isn't exhaustive, providers' terms can change, and other providers may offer similar plans.

Why do networks run credit checks?

With a pay monthly contract, the network provides a handset, a service or both before you've paid in full. A credit check helps it assess how likely you are to keep up the repayments. The handset part of a contract is usually a regulated credit agreement and the airtime is billed monthly. Both are normally reported to the CRAs.

Read more in Do I need a credit check for a mobile phone deal? and Phone contracts vs pay-as-you-go.