We have a list of prepay mobile service providers in Ireland and all the ways you can top-up; online, within an app, by phone or text, through your bank (AIB only at present) or in a shop or post office.
Top-up online or in-app
You can top-up online by going to your mobile service provider’s website, inputting your mobile number and credit/debit card details, and then selecting the relevant top-up amount.
With this option, you can also top-up someone else’s account or set up a recurring payment option (depending on your provider) that will automatically top-up your mobile credit by a desired amount.
For in-app top-ups, you must have a smartphone and download your mobile provider’s App from the App Store (for iPhone) or Google Play Store (for Android) and complete the in-app instructions.
Top-up by phone
Mobile service providers may provide an over-the-phone top-up. You will need to call the dedicated number and have your credit/debit card on hand.
Depending on your provider, you may be asked if you want to top-up your own number or someone else’s. You will then be asked how much you want to top-up before you provide any card or payment details.
Top-up by text
Mobile service providers may provide a text top-up option. You will need to register a credit/debit card with your mobile provider. See links in the table below to the mobile provider top-up pages for more information on how to do this.
ATM & Internet Banking top-up
AIB customers can top-up with some service providers through their AIB app as well as at any of their ATMs. To do so customers will either have to download the internet banking app or visit a dedicated AIB banking machine.
Top-up vouchers
You can buy pre-paid vouchers in some service provider stores, retail stores or from any An Post office. Follow the instructions on the voucher or in the table below to complete the top-up process.
We have also included information on how to check your credit balance and contact your service provider if you need further help, with links, in the table below:
| How to Top-Up | 48 | An Post Mobile | eir | Lycamobile | Tesco Mobile | Three | Vodafone |
| By Website | Online | Online | Online | Online | Online | Online | Online |
| In-App | Download My48 app | | | Download Lyca Mobile app | Download My Tesco Mobile app | Download My3 app | Download My Vodafone app |
| By Phone | | | Call 1740 | Call 01 4372322 or 1923 from Lycamobile number | | Dial 1744 from Three number | Call 1741 and select option 2 |
| By Text | | | | | Register payment card, text top-up amount to 1745 (e.g. 10 to top-up by €10) | Register payment card, text TOPUP + top-up amount + last four numbers of registered card to 50100 (e.g. TOPUP 20 1234 to top-up by €20) | Register payment card, text TOPUP + top-up amount + last 4 digits of registered card to 50277 (e.g. TOPUP 30 1234 to top-up by €30) |
| By Bank | | | AIB online banking or mobile app | | AIB online banking or mobile app | AIB online banking or mobile app | AIB online banking or mobile app |
| By Voucher | | Buy from retailer or post office. Dial 1747 | Buy from retailer or post office. Dial 1741or text 50103 | Buy from retailer or post office. Dial 1747 or text *131*PIN# | Buy in Tesco Storeor from retailer that has payzone or postpoint. Dial 1740 | Buy in 3 Store or post office. Dial 1744 or text TOPUP + voucher code to 50272 | Buy in Vodafone store or from retailer or post office. Dial 1741 |
| Credit Balance | Dial *100# | Dial *200# or 1747 | Dial *#100# | Dial *131# or 1747 | Dial *100# | Dial 1745 | Text BAL to 50233 |
| Customer Care | Contact | Contact | Contact | Contact | Contact | Contact | Contact |
| | | | | | | |
(Information as of January 2024)
When to top-up
Many service providers will send you a reminder text message when your credit runs out and you must top-up to renew your benefits. Some service providers require you to top-up every 28 days while others ask you to do so every 30 days.
A recurring top-up can be a good option if you don’t want to worry about having to remember.
We also have more information you may find helpful:
- You can visit our comparison tool to compare the cost of prepay and bill pay mobile plans.
- See also our switching page for information about moving your service to a new provider.
- If you are visiting another country, within or outside of the EU, you may incur some additional costs. We have a dedicated webpage with more information on roaming.
FAQs
Top-up by phone
You will need to call the dedicated number and have your credit/debit card on hand. Depending on your provider, you may be asked if you want to top-up your own number or someone else's. You will then be asked how much you want to top-up before you provide any card or payment details.
Can you top up someone else's phone? ›
Topping up someone's phone from a distance
With most providers there are multiple options for how you can top up someone's call credit. In some cases you need to have direct access to their phone. For instance, you can call a phone number or send a text with the top up code.
Is prepaid mobile the same as pay as you go? ›
A prepaid mobile device, also known as a pay-as-you-go (PAYG), pay-as-you-talk, pay and go, go-phone, prepay, or burner phone, is a mobile device such as a phone for which credit is purchased in advance of service use.
How do I top up my mobile data? ›
Check your mobile plan and buy mobile data on Android
- Open your Settings app.
- Tap Google. Device plans. To check your plan: At the top, see your current data plan status. To buy more data: Under 'Buy data', tap the offer you want. Then tap Buy.
A pay-as-you-go (PAYG) SIM card is a flexible deal that allows you to transfer your SIM card between compatible handsets. You can either top up your PAYG SIM with credit or buy a bundle of minutes, texts and data. Once you've used up your allowance or it's expired, you'll need to top up your SIM again.
How do I top up my prepaid phone? ›
Recharge your way
- My Optus app. Download My Optus app to check usage, recharge and get support. ...
- Recharge online. Recharge online with your PayPal account, debit or credit card. ...
- Recharge via IVR. Call 555 to recharge, purchase a voucher & check your balance. ...
- Recharge via SMS.
Contact your mobile network for instructions on how to do each of these. You can also top up someone else's phone, which is very handy if you can't go round due to social distancing. All you'll need is their mobile number and your credit or debit card.
How to top up someone else's phone flow? ›
Online Top Up is Flow's enhanced top up solution which allows anyone to top up any Flow pre-paid phone from any location, through a credit card or PayPal account. Select the country code from the drop-down menu. Complete the phone number that you want to top up and press GO.
Can someone transfer data from one phone to another? ›
You can transfer data between two Android smartphones using a USB cable. You need to connect both smartphones to a computer and then transfer the files between the two devices.
What are the disadvantages of pay as you go phones? ›
Disadvantages
- Whenever you use up all your credit, you'll need to top-up again to keep using your favourite services.
- You won't always have access to the same subscriptions or services that you get with long-term contract phones.
- You'll need to own a phone already or pay for a new one.
While prepaid plans offer control, they're not without limitations. Drawbacks include: Limited service options compared to postpaid plans. The possibility of running out of credit at inopportune times. Potentially higher per-unit cost for services.
What's the difference between SIM free and pay as you go? ›
But, pay as you go phones are usually locked to one network provider and you are committed to using this network unless you pay to unlock your phone. Please note most SIM free phones are sold unlocked, allowing you complete flexibility to choose your mobile network.
How to top up 3 pay as you go? ›
Log in to My3, click Manage cards in the Top-up section and select Add card. Or you can call 444 from your Three phone. Choose Top-up with a card, then follow the instructions. To top-up and buy an Add-on, select Top-up your number and buy an Add-on.
Can I top up someone else's 3 phone? ›
Can I top-up someone else's Three number? To top-up someone else's Three number, all you need to do is enter their number instead of yours once you have selected the amount of top-up to send. Once you have purchased a PIN, go to three.co.uk/topup, enter their mobile number and the 16-digit PIN you purchased.
How do I add credit to my phone? ›
Depending on your provider, you can top-up your mobile phone at most Post Offices, Payzone retailers and major supermarkets. You can also top-up at most ATMs. To top-up at Post Office, Payzone store or a Supermarket, you will have to purchase E-voucher or swipe your E- top-up card supplied by your mobile Network.
How do I add minutes to my pay as you go phone? ›
Add airtime by USSD code
If you have a prepaid phone you can easily use a USSD method to enter the code. Dial *(code)* (airtime pin)# and then call from your phone dialler. This code comes from your mobile carrier but a quick Google search will help if you can't remember. Search for (Airtime code + service provider).
How do I prepay my phone? ›
There are multiple methods to pay for prepaid cell phone services, which allows even those without bank accounts to still have service. These payment options include: A debit card or credit card. A 'refill' or 'top-up' card at retail stores.
How to top up a prepaid SIM card? ›
digibank
- Login to DBS/POSB digibank. Login Now.
- Select “Pay” and "Top Up Mobile Prepaid"
- Select Telco and enter your mobile prepaid number.
- Select the topup denomination amount and click on submit to confirm.
When you choose a pay-as-you-go prepaid service, you receive a credit for your cellular service. Any phone calls, text messages, or data that you use are deducted from that credit. You only pay for what you intend to use. Once you run out of credit, you can't make phone calls, send text messages, or use your data.
