Short answer: On Lebara UK, your number is at risk after 90 days with no chargeable activity (you lose credit), with full disconnection later. Credit is lost at 90 days; the number is eventually disconnected. CONFIRM
How long you have on Lebara UK
That Lebara UK SIM you forgot about can stop being yours sooner than you'd think. On Lebara UK, the number is at risk after 90 days with no chargeable activity (you lose credit), with full disconnection later. Lebara reportedly tightened these terms around August 2025 — confirm the current Lebara UK terms before relying on any figure. This figure comes from a secondary source or isn't published as an exact day count by the carrier, so confirm it directly before relying on it.
A working SIM that still shows signal doesn't mean the number is still yours — on prepaid, the number is tied to activity, not to whether the card powers on. (See what happens when you stop using a prepaid SIM for the full lifecycle.)
Can you get your Lebara UK number back?
A refund of lost balance can be requested for a window after inactivity; the SIM survives longer before full termination. Credit is lost at 90 days; the number is eventually disconnected. Once a number has been released to the pool and reassigned to someone else, it's gone for good.
What counts as keeping it active
For almost every carrier the rule is the same: it has to be something they bill — an outgoing call or SMS, paid mobile data, or a top-up or paid add-on. Internet apps like WhatsApp, iMessage and FaceTime run over data and usually don't count, and incoming calls and voicemail often don't either. The cheapest way to stay active is one small billable action before the deadline — more in how to keep a prepaid SIM active without spending money.
Comparing carriers? See the full prepaid expiration policies table for the US, UK, Australia and Canada.
Don't lose your Lebara UK number by accident
KeepSim gives this line its own countdown, warns you on your Home Screen before the deadline, and lets you fire a keep-alive action in one tap. Local-first, no account.
Get KeepSim on the App StoreCommon questions
How long before Lebara UK recycles your number?
On Lebara UK, your number is at risk after 90 days with no chargeable activity (you lose credit), with full disconnection later. Credit is lost at 90 days; the number is eventually disconnected.
Can you get your Lebara UK number back?
A refund of lost balance can be requested for a window after inactivity; the SIM survives longer before full termination. Once the number has been released and reassigned, getting it back is almost never possible.
Does using WhatsApp keep the number active?
Usually no. WhatsApp, iMessage and similar apps run over data or Wi-Fi and don't count as carrier activity. You typically need a billable call, text, paid data, or a top-up.
Last verified June 2026 against Lebara UK Terms / Help. This figure comes from a secondary source or isn't published as an exact day count by the carrier, so confirm it directly before relying on it. Carrier policies change often and depend on your exact plan and country — treat this as a starting point, not legal advice, and confirm the current rule with Lebara UK before relying on it. KeepSim is a personal reminder tool; it does not provide telecom service or keep numbers active on your behalf.