Data only SIM: do you need one, or will your phone’s hotspot do?

Key takeaways

• A data only SIM is a SIM card that gives you mobile data and nothing else. There are no minutes or texts in the plan, so you're not paying for the data you need.
• A data only SIM suits devices that need the internet away from WiFi, such as tablets, laptops, mobile broadband routers, pocket WiFi devices and cars with built-in WiFi. It can also work as a backup when home broadband goes down.
• Before choosing one, check the data allowance, the coverage where you'll use it, whether there's a contract, and whether hotspotting is allowed.

 

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Your broadband drops out ten minutes before an important call. Or you've just bought a tablet with a SIM slot, and now it's looking at you expectantly.

Either way, a data only SIM might be the answer. Here's what it is, who needs one, and what to check before you pick one.

What is a data only SIM?

A data only SIM (or data SIM) is a SIM card with a mobile data allowance and no calls or texts. It looks like any other SIM and fits into any device with a SIM slot, as long as the size matches.

It does the same job as the SIM in your phone: it connects a device to a mobile network. It skips the parts a tablet or router doesn't need, so you're not paying for minutes you'll never use.

	Data only SIM	Standard phone SIM
What's included	Mobile data only	Calls, texts and data
Where it's used	Tablets, laptops, routers, pocket WiFi devices and cars	Phones
Best for	Getting a device online away from WiFi	Everyday calls, texts and data on a phone

Can you make calls or send texts on a data only SIM?

Not through the normal phone and text services. Apps that run on data still work, because data is exactly what the SIM provides. That includes WhatsApp, FaceTime and Messenger.

There's one catch worth knowing. Because texts are switched off, a code sent by text message won't reach a data only SIM. If a service sends you a verification code by text, use the number on your phone's SIM instead.

Who needs a data only SIM?

Anyone with a device that needs the internet but has no use for a phone number. The most common cases are:

• Tablet owners who want to get online without hunting for WiFi. Our guide to SIMs for tablets covers the setup.
• Laptop users who want a connection on trains, in cafes or on the road, without relying on public WiFi.
• Households that want a backup for when broadband goes down. A data only SIM in a router or pocket WiFi device keeps you online. Our guide to what mobile broadband is explains how it works.
• Drivers and campervan owners whose car has built-in WiFi.
• Anyone who wants a separate data allowance for a second device, so it doesn't eat into the data on their phone.

How to choose a data only SIM

Before you choose, check these five things:

1. Data allowance: Streaming video and video calls use far more data than email, maps and browsing. Pick an allowance based on the heaviest thing you'll do, and remember that a shared connection can be split between several devices.
2. Coverage: Check the signal where the device will be used, whether that's your home, your commute or a campsite. You can check SMARTY coverage here.
3. Contract and payment: Rolling monthly plans let you change or stop whenever you like. Longer contracts can look cheaper per month but tie you in. Paying in advance means no surprise bills.
4. Hotspot and speed rules: Check whether you can share the connection with other devices, and whether the plan slows your speeds after a certain amount of data, even if it's called unlimited.
5. Roaming and compatibility: If the device is going abroad, check the roaming limits. Also check that the device isn't locked to another network, or the SIM won't work.

Can you get a data only eSIM?

Yes. Some providers sell data only eSIMs, which work like a data only SIM but are downloaded to the device instead of being a card you put in. They suit devices that support eSIM, and many are sold for travel.

With SMARTY, you can choose a data only eSIM instead of a physical SIM if your device supports it, so you don't have to swap in a plastic card. You can check eSIM compatibility before you order.

Data only SIM plans with SMARTY

If you're thinking of SMARTY, here's how our data only plans work. They're rolling monthly plans with no contract, so you can change plan or pause it whenever you like. You pay in advance, like a pay-as-you-go SIM, so there are no surprise bills. Allowances start at 2GB for £5 a month and go up to Unlimited. Hotspotting is unrestricted.

The SIM keeps a phone number, but calls and texts are switched off. WhatsApp still works, because it runs on data. Have a look at our data only SIM plans to see the full range.

FAQs

Is there a SIM card just for data only?

Yes. A data only SIM includes mobile data but no minutes or texts, and it works in tablets, laptops, routers, pocket WiFi devices and any other device with a compatible SIM slot.

What is the best data only SIM?

The best data only SIM is the one that matches how much data a device uses, has good coverage where it will be used and doesn't tie the owner into a contract that isn't needed. Comparing allowance, coverage, contract length and hotspot rules gives a fairer picture than price alone.

Does WhatsApp work with a data only SIM?

Yes. WhatsApp, FaceTime and Messenger run on mobile data rather than on calls and texts, so they work over a data only SIM. Standard calls, texts and text message verification codes do not.