Can someone explain pay as you go phones to me?

[MrsFogi]

I'm looking at mobile phones for dd. I'm not inclined to get a contract yet but I have never had payg mobile so am getting a bit muddled with the info. Can I check if I've understood how it works?
I buy a phone and I can either choose an unlocked one and then get a sim card (I think this is where I get the phone number from?) or I can get a phone that is linked to a mobile phone provider - I take it that I then have to buy top ups from the same provider from then on or can I move? If dd1 runs out of credit I take it she can't make calls etc, but can she receive calls? Can you use wifi if you're on payg?
Do most year 7s have payg or a contract? I'm a bit concerned about getting stuck with a rubbish phone for 24 months with a contract (and I'll be due an upgrade in 7-8 months so would be able to give my old phone to dd then) but on the other hand I have no idea how far payg credit will stretch with dd no doubt using data rather than minutes.
Last question - can you move your number from a payg with one provider to another?
All guidance gratefully received because I have been left behind somewhere along the line .

[AlexanderHamilton]

Dd & ds used to have payg phones with Vodafone. I started off buying top up cards then moved into a monthly bundle where for £10 per month you got x amount of calls, texts & data

They now have phones with another provider & are on a rollzing 1 month contract as they get more for less. This means I'm only tied in for 1 month if the phone is lost or stolen & it's capped so they can't overspend by more than £2

You can use wifi if you have no credit & you can receive calls.

[AlexanderHamilton]

You can move your number - you have to phone your current provider & get a code from them to do so.

[LoniceraJaponica]

Don't get PAYG. In year 7 she will use up her credit on texts pretty much straight away. You can get some really cheap monthly SIM card deals. GiffGaff starts at £5 a month for 500 texts and 150 minutes talk time. It is a monthly contract that you can cancel at any time.

[Loopsdefruits]

I would also recommend a giff gaff plan, you can spend more or less each month based on usage, so say you get the £10 plan and she uses much less than her allowance they would recommend the cheaper plan the following month. You can set the monthly bundle (goodybag) to automatically recur, or you can choose which one to get at the end of each month. You can also top up in addition to that 'for emergencies'

[MrsFogi]

Thanks for all the guidance so far. If anyone has suggestions on cheap phones to buy I'd be grateful for them too .

[BackforGood]

My dd is on PAYG.
Her £10 credit lasts for months (I mean over a year). She is with her friends at school, and in the evening, they message on FB Messenger, or WhatsApp, or Snapchat.
She doesn't have data - everywhere has wi fi now, unless you are outside (when she would be with her friends anyway, so no need to message them).
If she wants a lift needs me for any reason, she rings me, I don't answer, but then I ring her back.
Yes, you can receive calls without credit.

[LoniceraJaponica]

"She is with her friends at school, and in the evening, they message on FB Messenger, or WhatsApp, or Snapchat."

When DD was in year 7 most of those social media accounts didn't exist, and she wasn't allowed Facebook until she turned 13 (sorry, I sound a bit sanctimonious there).

[haba]

Alexander and backfg, may I ask which provider you use?

[RibenaMonsoon]

Vodafone do something called Vodafone family.only works if you are both on vodafone but the idea is you pay £5 a month and then you can nominate 4 other vodafone numbers and you can all call each other for free. Even if she runs out of credit she can still get hold of you in an emergency.

[AlexanderHamilton]

The kids are on Plusnet at the moment because we got a discount as we have our home broadband with them.

[BackforGood]

Lonicera - no, my dd is older now, but then, messaging has moved on, so, if OP's dd stays off FB (as mine did until 13) she could still use WhatsApp.

haba my 2 dds are on Giff Gaff - I forgot to add it also means they can text each other for free and call each other for free (at the momnet - apparently you have to top up by £5 once every 3 months to keep that part of it). However she has only recently moved there and was on similar PAYG with EE before, I think it was.

[haba]

Thanks bfg and Alexander. We're on plusnet actually, so that may work for us.
I have seen giffgaff recommended quite a bit on MN before though. DS is only 8, so he won't be having a phone for some time yet, DD's friends will probably be across a lot of networks.
Do you think there'll be many Y7s with smartphones? I was going to get a brick phone, so calls/texts only, no camera (I hate the idea of children having cameras in schools, particularly in changing rooms...)

[AlexanderHamilton]

They will all have smartphones or if they don't, they will by Easter!