How to Pass a Credit Check for a Mobile Phone Contract

In our guide to mobile phone contracts and credit checks, thimbl explores the answers to some common questions, including:

• Do you need a credit check to get a phone contract?
• Do no-credit-check phone contracts exist?
• What credit score is needed for a phone contract?
• What’s a ‘good’ credit score in the UK?
• Can I get a phone contract with bad credit?
• Will a phone contract affect your credit score?
• Where can I check my credit score?
• Why would I fail a credit check for a phone?

We’ll also look at ways you could increase your chances of being accepted for a phone contract, including using a credit builder credit card to help you improve your credit score.

Do I need a credit check for a mobile phone contract?

Whether you need to undergo a full credit check, known as a creditworthiness assessment, will depend on the provider you apply with, as well as the type of contract you’re interested in.

While many mobile phone contract providers require you to undergo a credit check as part of the application process, others do not.

It could be possible to obtain a certain type of phone contract without the need to undergo a full credit check. We’ll explain more in the next section.

No credit check phone contracts

If you’re concerned that your credit score could hold you back when applying for a phone contract, you might look into other options.

• SIM-only

  This type of contract is for people who already own a phone but want to purchase a SIM card on a plan which includes a set allowance of minutes, texts, and data. VOXI is just one network provider that offers SIM-only deals without the need to undergo a credit check.

• Pay-as-you-go (PAYG)

  PAYG is similar to SIM-only in that you don’t pay for a new handset; however, rather than paying a monthly contract, you’ll simply pay for minutes, texts, and data as and when you need them. Provider giffgaff offers PAYG and SIM-only options without a credit check.

Before you make a decision, it’s important to shop around, do your research, and seek out the best option for you.

What credit score is needed for a phone contract?

If you decide to apply for a phone contract which requires you to undergo a credit check, you might ask, ‘what credit score do I need to get a phone contract?’

There is no one set answer to this question, as every provider will have their eligibility criteria.

Some providers could have a ‘benchmark’ minimum credit score range that they’ll consider, but it’s important to remember that your credit score isn’t the only thing they could take into account when assessing your application.

What’s a good credit score in the UK?

Each of the three credit reference agencies (CRAs) has its own scoring system, so what’s considered to be a ‘good’ credit score with one might place you in a lower bracket with another.

For context, here’s a breakdown of the credit scores considered ‘good’ or better, according to the three CRAs.

Equifax

Excellent: 811 – 1,000
Very good: 671 – 810
Good: 531 – 670

Experian

Excellent: 961 – 999
Good: 881 – 960

TransUnion

Excellent: 628 – 710
Good: 604 – 627

Can I get a phone contract with bad credit?

The good news is that it could still be possible for you to get a phone contract, even with bad credit.

Some providers specialise in contracts for people with bad credit, although you should be aware that these could come with higher prices, and your range of options for providers and handsets could be limited.

As discussed, not all providers will carry out a credit check, and some types of payment plans, such as SIM-only and PAYG might not require a credit check at all.

Before you take out a phone contract, you should consider how the monthly repayments will affect your current budget. You should never take on any expenses that you cannot afford, or that will leave you struggling to cover the cost of your essential outgoings, such as housing and bills.

Will a phone contract affect my credit score?

A phone contract is a type of credit agreement, so yes, it will affect your credit score.

If your repayments are made in full and on time each month, your credit score could improve over time, but this will also depend on how you handle any other active credit commitments.

If a mobile phone contract payment is made late or missed altogether, the default will be reported to the CRAs, and your credit score could suffer.

Where can I check my credit score?

You can check your credit score via any of the three CRAs in the UK:

• TransUnion
• Experian
• Equifax

You can access your credit score for free with TransUnion.

A free Experian account updates your credit score every 30 days, but if you’d like a more in-depth look at your credit report, you could opt for an Experian CreditExpert account instead, which costs £14.99 a month.

An Equifax account will cost £14.95 per month after a 30-day trial period.

Why would I fail a credit check for a phone?

There are several reasons why you might fail a credit check for a phone contract.

When assessing your creditworthiness, the provider will look into your financial history to see how you’ve managed past credit commitments.

If your credit record shows that you’ve previously struggled to keep on top of your repayments, this could affect your application.

You might also fail a credit check if you’ve declared bankruptcy or have an active county court judgement (CCJ) or an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA).

A history of poor money management isn’t the only factor that can contribute to a bad credit score; if you have no credit history at all – which is sometimes referred to as a ‘thin’ credit file – your credit score is likely to be on the lower side. This is especially common in younger people who have never paid bills in their name or used credit before.

How to improve your credit score to get a phone contract

While access to credit can never be guaranteed, in general, the better your credit score, the better your chances of being considered for financial products, including a phone contract.

No matter how bad your credit score currently is or how much you’ve struggled with credit in the past, there are things you can do that could help you move towards an improved credit position over time, starting today.

• Try to limit the number of credit applications you make. When you apply for credit, the provider will complete a creditworthiness assessment, which could include a hard search. A hard search will be visible on your credit file to other providers for up to 12 months.
• Make sure you’re on the electoral roll. This will enable credit providers to quickly verify your current address.
• Ensure all your bills and any current credit commitments are paid on time and in full.
• Get into a habit of regularly checking your credit report and contact your credit provider or chosen CRA if you spot any outdated or incorrect information.
• Limited credit history? You might consider doing some research into a credit builder credit card.

What’s a credit builder credit card?

Looking for a credit card for bad credit? Credit builder credit cards are specifically designed to help people with poor or limited credit history work their way towards a healthier credit position. This, in turn, could improve your chances of being considered for other credit products in the future.

A better credit score could also help you access lower interest rates.

How does a credit builder credit card work?

1. Use your credit builder credit card to make a necessary purchase that you can afford to repay.
2. Make at least the minimum repayment amount off your balance each month.
3. Your repayments will be reported to the CRAs.
4. While using your credit builder credit card, be sure to also keep on top of any other bills or credit agreements.
5. Over time, you could see an improvement in your credit score.

Five facts about the thimbl Credit Builder Credit Card

1. The thimbl Credit Builder Credit Card comes with a manageable starting credit limit between £200 and £2,000.
2. If approved, you could access your virtual thimbl Credit Builder Credit Card the same day, subject to additional checks.
3. Since launching in 2017, thimbl has said ‘yes’ to over 150,000 customers!
4. As of July 2025, thimbl is rated ‘excellent’, with over 4,500 positive customer reviews.
5. The thimbl credit card is powered by Zable, a trading style of Lendable Ltd, and any credit obtained upon successful application will be provided by Lendable Ltd.

Who can apply for a thimbl Credit Builder Credit Card?

You can check your eligibility for a thimbl Credit Builder Credit Card if you:

• Are between the ages of 18 and 70;
• Are a UK resident with at least 1 year's UK address history;
• Are employed, with a monthly net income of at least £800;
• Have an active credit account that has been open for a minimum of 12 months; and
• Do not already hold a Zable credit card.

Lendable Ltd is unable to consider applications from anyone who has declared bankruptcy or is on an individual voluntary agreement (IVA).

I’m struggling to handle my finances; who can help me?

We’re sorry that you’re in this position and would like to reassure you that no matter how bad you think things are, help is available, and you deserve to access it.

Thimbl and debt charity StepChange have worked together to put together the Money Health Check quiz. The quiz should take less than five minutes to complete and will ask you some questions about your current financial situation. The answers you provide will generate advice on the next steps you could take to help you through this difficult patch.

Talking to family and friends about money can sometimes feel uncomfortable, but please know that you don’t have to deal with this burden on your own. You may wish to consider reaching out to any of the following charities and organisations for free, confidential support:

• StepChange
• MoneyHelper
• Citizens Advice
• National Debtline