Honest by name…
I paid for 1 month, so I could give this a go, see if there was hidden fees, and it fitted my business:
✅ 500 Apps including WhatsApp, Messenger & Trams were included, which was perfect for me!
✅ Could be used as an eSIM
✅ Covered the countries I need, that most don’t.
✅ No hidden fees.
❌ Unfortunately I use a separate business/personal number & Honest uses a USA number, which can’t be changed. I felt that looked too dodgy in my business, so unfortunately it wasn’t going to work for me.
✅ I cancelled my recurring payment, and to my surprise, I was told that I would be refunded in the next 5 days, which was in less than 24 hours later.
It’s unfortunate that this doesn’t work for my business, but I would certainly trust them, when they do something like that, that they didn’t have to do, hence the 5 Stars.
Good luck in the future!
✅ 500 Apps including WhatsApp, Messenger & Trams were included, which was perfect for me!
✅ Could be used as an eSIM
✅ Covered the countries I need, that most don’t.
✅ No hidden fees.
❌ Unfortunately I use a separate business/personal number & Honest uses a USA number, which can’t be changed. I felt that looked too dodgy in my business, so unfortunately it wasn’t going to work for me.
✅ I cancelled my recurring payment, and to my surprise, I was told that I would be refunded in the next 5 days, which was in less than 24 hours later.
It’s unfortunate that this doesn’t work for my business, but I would certainly trust them, when they do something like that, that they didn’t have to do, hence the 5 Stars.
Good luck in the future!
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Falls short
The issues with the Smart SIM are obvious, and it's really quite poor that there are still so many.
Network: The multi-network system doesn't work well because iOS generally will not let your Smart SIM pick the strongest network. It will only connect to the last network it connected to - whether it works or not - unless that network is unavailable.
Email: While some email apps work, remotely hosted images do not. That means many authentication codes and ticket QR codes are blocked.
Calendar: There are no whitelisted calendar or to do apps.
Wallet: Passes generally can't be loaded because the necessary domains aren't whitelisted.
Stores: Stores apps aren't data-heavy but they are generally blocked. This is a real limitation since many offers rely on coupon activation now.
Whitelist: Some whitelisted apps are blocked at the other end, and should not be listed as working, like the Nintendo Store.
Usability: Manually changing the network the Smart SIM uses takes several minutes. This is really poor, but it's down to iOS. iOS presumes a signal means a connection, which has never been true. None of the automatic network switching routines in iOS work well so you will often have to switch manually.
Network: The multi-network system doesn't work well because iOS generally will not let your Smart SIM pick the strongest network. It will only connect to the last network it connected to - whether it works or not - unless that network is unavailable.
Email: While some email apps work, remotely hosted images do not. That means many authentication codes and ticket QR codes are blocked.
Calendar: There are no whitelisted calendar or to do apps.
Wallet: Passes generally can't be loaded because the necessary domains aren't whitelisted.
Stores: Stores apps aren't data-heavy but they are generally blocked. This is a real limitation since many offers rely on coupon activation now.
Whitelist: Some whitelisted apps are blocked at the other end, and should not be listed as working, like the Nintendo Store.
Usability: Manually changing the network the Smart SIM uses takes several minutes. This is really poor, but it's down to iOS. iOS presumes a signal means a connection, which has never been true. None of the automatic network switching routines in iOS work well so you will often have to switch manually.
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Falls short
I'll be seeking a refund for this, after less than a day. The issues are obvious. It's not well thought out.
Network: The multi-network system doesn't work well because iOS generally will not let your Smart SIM pick the strongest network. It will only connect to the last network it connected to - whether it works or not - unless that network is unavailable.
Email: While some email apps work, remotely hosted images do not. That means many authentication codes and ticket QR codes are blocked.
Calendar: There are no whitelisted calendar or to do apps.
Wallet: Passes generally can't be loaded because the necessary domains aren't whitelisted.
Whitelist: Some whitelisted apps are blocked at the other end, and should not be listed as working, like the Nintendo Store.
Usability: This is poor, but it's down to iOS. iOS presumes a signal means a connection, which has never been true. None of the automatic network switching routines in iOS work well.
Network: The multi-network system doesn't work well because iOS generally will not let your Smart SIM pick the strongest network. It will only connect to the last network it connected to - whether it works or not - unless that network is unavailable.
Email: While some email apps work, remotely hosted images do not. That means many authentication codes and ticket QR codes are blocked.
Calendar: There are no whitelisted calendar or to do apps.
Wallet: Passes generally can't be loaded because the necessary domains aren't whitelisted.
Whitelist: Some whitelisted apps are blocked at the other end, and should not be listed as working, like the Nintendo Store.
Usability: This is poor, but it's down to iOS. iOS presumes a signal means a connection, which has never been true. None of the automatic network switching routines in iOS work well.
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Misleading Facebook ads
Bought this eSIM as I was in a signal deadspot in Cornwall and needed to stay in touch back home. You can’t actually use most apps that you woood use to stay in touch with people at home and despite them saying otherwise WhatsApp didn’t work either. I cancelled the sim which was easy enough and got a refund, again easy. However, staff are extremely argumentative even after thanking them for a smooth and easy refund they still carried on about how it’s my fault for apparently skipping through small print.
So if you’re looking for this app hoping to have a signal boost please don’t waste your time, that’s not what you get. Claims to be useable over 500+ apps however, I couldn’t get on my bank or WhatsApp despite me also manually switching sims. For me it’s a 1 star I’d have give a few more because the refund was so easy but the attitude of the creators made the whole experience pointless.
So if you’re looking for this app hoping to have a signal boost please don’t waste your time, that’s not what you get. Claims to be useable over 500+ apps however, I couldn’t get on my bank or WhatsApp despite me also manually switching sims. For me it’s a 1 star I’d have give a few more because the refund was so easy but the attitude of the creators made the whole experience pointless.
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Great idea, but simply doesn’t work
Smart SIM sounds brilliant in the advertising, access to all four UK networks and “unbeatable signal” but unfortunately my experience has been very different. Despite installing everything correctly and following Honest Mobile’s troubleshooting, including changing APN settings at their suggestion, the service simply doesn’t work. I’ve since discovered other customers reporting very similar problems. The concept is excellent, but the reality feels a long way from the seamless, reliable service the advertising suggests. Very disappointing.
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Bad Experience
I was definitely attracted by the idea and marketing. Paid. Installed. Multiple issues. My eSIM was assigned a US number? (I selected UK). Then it wanted me to switch my data to use the new eSIM to complete the setup. I’d prefer to use my primary and manually enable eSIM data when I needed it. Uninstalled, deleted eSIM. Not a great setup experience. Idea is great, execution is poor.
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Very sporadic and poor coverage
I have had this for almost 1 year on an iPhone. It is great that they do so many countries. When abroad, I disable my own SIM for roaming so it should use Honest Mobile only and have even made Honest Mobile the primary SIM. However, the coverage and ability to use apps is sporadic at best. The only reliability was on Wi-Fi when available and turning on my data roaming. That was in both France and the Caribbean.
EDIT: changed 2 star to 4 star. Very helpful support agent Milo. My SIM was not working at all. Needed deleting and a new one to be installed in order to work.
EDIT: changed 2 star to 4 star. Very helpful support agent Milo. My SIM was not working at all. Needed deleting and a new one to be installed in order to work.
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Response from developer
Hey, sorry to hear this! If you get in touch at support@honestmobile.com or via live chat in the app we'll be able to investigate why your connection was sporadic, and get your SIM up and running in no time. Thanks!
Useless
I got the smart sim in the hopes that it would augment the dreadful O2 network, unfortunately it keeps locking on to O2 and even if it didn’t I often have full signal on O2 so the smart sim never kicks in. If you have difficulty with your mobile network, switch as the smart sim is a good idea, however it is locked to select apps and data only. It needs to be improved so it can replace a standard sim and act as a main sim that uses SIP to forward calls to the app to allow calls on any network on a single number, and unrestricted data.
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Response from developer
Hey, sorry to hear this! If you get in touch at support@honestmobile.com or via live chat in the app we'll be able to help you get your SIM connected to other networks in no time. The SIM does currently work on our 500+ supported apps, but we're also looking into introducing some new features soon. Thanks!
Poor data connection and speed
Although on paper this looks ideal, I have found it to be very unreliable on both occasions I have used it for successive days in one country - most recently Morocco and Tunisia. Each time the signal just completely drops out for hours on end and when it returns it is slow beyond slow. Yes it is data capped in terms of speed but the overall experience is poor. I switched to another provider which cost more money but was significantly more reliable and faster.
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Not good
Simply just does not work as well as they state it will. Tried it in Spain and it’s useless. It’s also useless at home in England. Not good. Useless product but great customer service.
Apps broken
App is not updated to match what is held on your account, failed to recognise my new bank card and cancelled my SIM.
Can’t complain
Never had issues with Honest, it’s cheap enough and takes the guilt out of using mobile data for me. Used it in different countries without problem, customer support is friendly.
Poor service and no option to contact
Can’t even get onto the app. You sign up they take your money straight away and can’t even access the app. All you get is a log in link that takes to a green screen and does nothing. Can’t contact anyone all you can do is request a new link that does nothing!! I was going to try out the new smart E sim as I work away a lot and sick of bad reception but this seems to be the wrong way of doing it. I’ve seen their adverts for a while so I finally bit the bullet and I regret doing so!!
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Not Straightforward
What is sold as a simple one minute solution turns out to be a complicated set up and you can only communicate with a BOT. Took hours then cancelled due to constant issues on set up. Sad
but no service, no point, no business!
but no service, no point, no business!
Rubbish but cheap
I’with O2. When O2 had no signal this has no signal. Same on the twij
Impossible
It does not work can’t even make the sim work and I work with computers all day refunded with in 30 mins. Great idea does not work.
Nice idea, poor implementation
It has been few weeks since the eSIM stopped working. No resolution and from the support yet. Had to get another eSIM to keep ok roaming abroad.
Backup only!
This service does not work with VPN. Seems to work when it wants to. Not reliable enough if connectivity is a must.
Just wow!
I bought this before cruising the Caribbean, hoping to keep access to certain apps, without using my regular providers data charges. It has worked superbly. It will also help when in busy areas in UK where access is restricted by the volume of people accessing online, but that will just be a bonus. Heading to remote France in a couple of months so hopefully access will be better than our last visit.
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Does as intended, but the intention isn’t useful
It works. And the value is there. But it’s kinda useless. Abroad none of my banking apps work on Honest, whereas they boot straight up on my Three GoRoam sim. And some apps/website types should just be added. You need to be able to look at random online forums whilst traveling, whether it be for tips, tricks or tourism notes and whatnot. Spotify should be included and apps like Snapchat are essential. Especially when traveling as the maps and when active feature are great whilst with a group that are separated. I ended up getting a Saily eSIM on this trip, as I couldn’t do so many basic things like backup google photos, book campsites on their websites and maps apps were patchy. I won’t be renewing, as my Three sim has never lost signal at home and for the few times I go abroad it’d work out cheaper spending a couple of quid on a use-all eSIM.
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