SMARTY SIM in Australian Iphone not working

[LeeMilw_1924688]

Hi,

I have a Smarty SIM that worked fine in my iPhone until the 3G switch off here in Australia.

I purchased and Australian iPhone and inserted my SMARTY sim and made the necessary network changes yet still I still only have SOS connectivity.

I split my time between Australia and the UK each year and therefore need my UK mobile number to function whilst in Australia.

If anyone has any suggestions I would be greatly appreciative.

Thanks.

[ShaneOMZ]

Has anyone got to the bottom of this yet?

I shall be in Australia for 3 months next year, and can't afford not to have 2FA working correctly on my UK sim.

[MSF]

@ShaneOMZ Nothing seen to date (other than people having the same problem only in Australia).

It is linked to their governmental decision.

Although it doesn't help with 2FA, an Esim certainly leaves you with a level of connection.

[ShaneOMZ]

Having googled this again yesterday, it seems that the majority of  UK users having problems roaming in Australia since the 3G switch-off are smarty users, but also there have been few reports of this problem since March.

What is not clear is whether this is 100% a Smarty problem (i.e. no Smarty users with any kind of 'phone can get their Smarty sim working in Australia), or whether it is a combination of 'phone type/age and Smarty. As I reported earlier my Smarty sim fitted in my iPhone 12  wouldn't work in Australia but my wife's O2 sim fitted in her same-age iPhone worked fine.

It would be good to hear from any Smarty users that have successfully used their Smarty sims in Australia in 2025, with info on the phones used..

[MSF]

@ShaneOMZ I do think that because of the huge cost of roaming while in Australia, there won't be that many people who can report accurately.

I fully understand your 2FA issue, but cost of calls and data preclude much roaming for most people.

[ShaneOMZ]

That's true, it may be; but then that should be something Smarty can sort out.

[MSF]

@ShaneOMZ Smarty have the issue in the UK (I'm not sure that they are the only network with the issue) and it has not been sorted out. For that reason, I do not foresee them doing anything about roaming issues quickly.

[ShaneOMZ]

This seems to be a Smarty problem as identical phones with other UK sims work fine here

[MSF]

@ShaneOMZ  It may be linked to the protocol that smarty use for VoLTE.

[SmartyTrousers · Accepted solution]

Assuming the Australian iPhone isn't network locked (I believe most Australian phones aren't, with the exception of those bought on a prepaid plan), and assuming you have added some additional credit to your Smarty account, where specifically did you purchase the Australian iPhone?

I ask as, from what I've read, some of the Australian networks are now blocking phones from connecting to their networks that weren't purchased direct from them.

Here's a video explaining the chaotic situation over there.