How To Unblock Smart Sim via *888 (also works for TNT, Sun)

Did you experience enabling your mobile data on your phone with Smart Prepaid Sim, then the signal 3G/H+/HSPA+/4G/LTE is not showing, or the icon with the up and down arrow is not flashing? When you try to browse, your web browser displays a "no internet connection" error. For USB dongle or Pocket WiFi users, when you try to connect to the dashboard, you'll be prompted for "redial connection." Well, your Smart sim might be blocked. The common reason for this is heavy downloading on your data plan or bypassing connection through VPNs or proxies with almost 1.5GB-2GB of download because Smart has its Fair Usage Policy, a daily limit of 1.5GB.

To verify that your Smart sim is really blocked, using a Smart or Openline USB Dongle, go to the dashboard, navigate Tool > Diagnostics > Network Status (the menu may vary depending on the USB dongle model), and you will see the same like this:

Blocked Smart Sim Network Status:

PS network registration: Registration denied

PS network attachment: Not attached

Good news! You can still use your blocked Smart Sim again and unblock it for free. The unblocking sim tutorial below will work depending on the status of your sim. For those who experienced it for the first time, there's a higher chance of success. Users unblocking their Sun SIM can now also do this unblock Smart Sim tutorial since Sun is now Smart.

Do you prefer Unblocking Smart Sim Online? See How To Unblock Smart Sim via Smart Help Ticket. But if you prefer using your phone only, just proceed with the procedure below.

How to Unblock Smart Sim, Prepaid, Jump-in, Kickstart, and Bro via *888 (Also Works for TNT and Sun)

Requirements: phone/any device with a SIM slot, your blocked Smart Sim preferably zero load balance, pen, and paper.

Procedure:
1. Insert your blocked Smart Sim on your phone. Dial *888 and wait for the automated voice response to speak. The following is the number sequence to get through their customer service representative:

> press any key - to proceed to the main menu

> press 2 - for other concern

> press 4 - for concerns related to call, text, and data experience

> for the initial validation of your account - enter your current airtime load without the decimal number

Note: The number sequence may change when Smart updates its system or its USSD code, but the step-by-step process will likely be the same, so just remember it.

2. Then, your call will be redirected to a Smart customer representative.

Tell your concern that you lost the 3G/4G/HSPA+/LTE/5G signal because when you're enabling your mobile data, the 3G/4G/HSPA+/LTE/5G signal is not showing or flashing, and when you try to browse, there's no internet connection. Don't tell them anything about 3rd party apps like the VPN or proxy.

If the agent requires you to provide legal documents like a government-issued ID and complaint letter, you can send them to Smart Facebook Page or whatever method the agent told you. Otherwise, do the other recommended procedure in unblocking Smart SIM, which is loading 100 pesos and texting ROAM OFF to 333. Don't worry; your load will not be deducted. But in case you didn't encounter a scenario like this, the next step will be more likely the questions to be asked by the agent.

3. These are some of the following questions that the customer representative will ask, so be sure to prepare information regarding these questions:

> What is the number of your Sim that has a problem?

> What is your name?

> What is your location?

After asking about your location, there are times that the Cust. Rep. will first check the status of the cell site tower in your location to check if it's the cause of the problem. If the Cust. Rep. found out that the cell site is not the problem; he/she will proceed to ask for other info below.

> What is the model of your phone?

> What is the date/time you've successfully connected to the internet?
> Website last accessed.

> What is the date/time you cannot connect to the internet?

After that, the Cust. Rep. will contact Smart Tech Supports to assist you with your concern and will ask the following:

> Our tech support agents will contact or message you regarding the status of your concern. What is your available time?

4. After you have given all the vital information, the Cust. Rep. will provide an SRN (Service Request Number) for you to be able to follow up on your concern, so PREPARE PEN AND PAPER to record your SRN.

5. Done! Just wait for 24-48 hours, and you will receive a message that your connection is activated.

Optional 1: If you don't receive any activation message within 24-48 hours, contact the Smart customer service hotline at *888 again. Below are the steps to follow up on your concern.

> press any key - to proceed to the main menu

> press 4 - for concerns related to call, text, and data experience

> for validation - enter your current airtime load without the decimal number

Provide your SRN (Service Request Number) to the customer service representative.

After that, you'll be asked for same questions again.

Optional 2: If the unblocking sim via *888 didn't work for you, choose one of these 4 alternative ways.
Option 1. Load 20 Pesos or above, and avail of Smart Internet Promos with 20 Pesos and above price.
Option 2. Load 100 Pesos and text ROAM OFF to 333 (don't worry, the 100 Pesos load will not be deducted). If the keyword doesn't work for you, try the other way around, go to SIM SETTINGS > International > Roaming > Deactivate Text Roaming.
Option 3. Buy another Smart Prepaid Sim Card for 40-50 Pesos depending on the store price.
Option 4. Upgrade Smart SIM to LTE.

REMEMBER these tips to avoid being blocked again by Smart:

* Avoid downloading large files. As much as possible, your download limit must be 1GB below only.

* If you're using a USB dongle on a PC/laptop with Windows 10 OS, you can set a data limit, and Windows will warn you when you're going close to it. To do so, click the Start (Windows icon) button, then select Settings (cog icon) > Network & Internet > Status > Data Usage > Choose a network > Enter limit.

* If you're using a smartphone, especially Android, you can set a limit for mobile data usage; just go to Settings > Data Usage (Under Wireless and Networks) > Tap on "Set mobile data limit" > Adjust the red line to set a hard data-usage limit or Adjust the orange line to set an alert data-usage amount.

* Have an extra sim card and make a cycle of sim card replacements in your modem/phone in a timely manner.

Below are the previous solutions or OLD TRICKS of unblocking Smart Sim, which DOESN'T WORK anymore today:

* The ROAM OFF Trick & other related tricks (Zero Balance required)

ROAM ON send to 333

ROAM OFF send to 333

PROTECT ON send to 9999

SET send to 211

* The MySmart International Roaming Deactivation Trick (Internet connection required)

1. Go to https://my.smart.com.ph

2. Register your number (the one that was blocked and you want to unblock).

3. Then go to the Phone & SIM option and select International Roaming.

4. Choose Deactivate Service, then Submit.

The International Roaming module was already removed from the My Smart account panel. This trick will work again anytime if Smart re-enables this feature.

What method works best for you to unblock your Smart SIM? Let us know in the comment section below.