EE UK to Withdraw Mobile Shared Number Service from Apple Devices
Mobile operator EE last week began informing users of their Smart Number (Shared Number) service that they will discontinue support for Apple’s iPad and MacBook devices on 9th December 2024. The service gives customers the ability to make and receive calls and texts using the same number across multiple devices.
The Smart Number service was originally launched back in June 2018 (here), although users of this feature were recently surprised when they received the following message (credits to one of our readers, Charles, for sharing): “We wanted to let you know that, from 09 December, you’ll no longer be able to use your EE shared number service on MacBooks and iPads. Watch functionality, along with the Apple-provided iCloud number-sharing function, won’t be affected. We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused by this update.”
ISPreview understands that individual users and call volumes for this service have been low for a number of years, which probably helps to explain why EE might wish to move away from it. Customers affected by the change may of course be able to use the iCloud service, housed within Apple, as an alternative.
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An EE spokesperson told ISPreview:
“From 9th December 2024, the ability to use our shared number service on MacBook and iPad devices will longer be available on the EE network. We’re committed to offering a range of services for our customers so always review our portfolio on a regular basis. Any customers affected by this update have been notified via SMS.”
Mark is a professional technology writer, IT consultant and computer engineer from Dorset (England), he also founded ISPreview in 1999 and enjoys analysing the latest telecoms and broadband developments. Find me on X (Twitter), Mastodon, Facebook, BlueSky, Threads.net and Linkedin.
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I am on EE, but I was not aware of this service offering. I get by quite happily with Apple’s iCloud-based sharing service.
I also didn’t know this was available. I’m unsure how it would work as iPads don’t really allow phone calls or SMS – they’re a data only system.
Calls via FaceTime app, texts via Messages app. Exactly how it works when your iPhone is on the same WiFi network, except you didn’t need your iPhone to be nearby.
I am guessing there is some sort of VoIP like software that is connecting to some service where this all is/was happening.
The information is shared using an iCloud service.
It rarely worked properly anyway. It’s a shame EE are choosing to drop the feature rather than providing proper support for it, because it was very convenient when it worked. It was nice knowing I could take my iPad or MacBook anywhere, even without my iPhone nearby, and still know I could get calls or texts.
What EE are retiring support for here is what Apple call ‘Wi-Fi Calling on supported iCloud-connected devices’, and they were not just the only UK network to support this feature, but as far as I can tell, the only network in Europe to support it.
Whereas users of any mobile network can make and receive calls on their mobile number using their iPads and Macs *if their iPhone is switched on and is on the same WiFi network (because the calls are being relayed via the iPhone)*, this feature enabled calling using iPads and Macs even if your iPhone was switched off or not on the same WiFi network.
I have this service, with Orange in Poland. My main SIM, plus three additional SIMs, with the same phone number.
@kyle That’s a different thing. That’s a feature to let you ostensibly have the same number across multiple SIMs.
The feature EE are retiring allowed iPads and Macs – without SIMs – to make/receive calls on the customer’s mobile number over the internet.
Very well explained Dan. Thank you for the clarification.
Just to add here’s the link from Apple’s website explaining how this feature works for those that may need further clarification: https://support.apple.com/en-gb/108066
@Dan have to disagree there. What you’ve linked to is the default “allow calls on nearby devices” feature that has been part of the apple eco system for god knows how long now.
The article in question relates to the esim service of one number over many devices i.e. iWatch, iPad, Macbooks sharing a primary mobile number with its data and SMS services.
The connecting feature with these devices is they use an Eid (baked in SIM card) that links to the network and “clones” the Number so you don’t need the main phone on you all the time.
The problem with the service is, many people have iWatches, iPads and Macbooks that don’t take esims, so customers are using the “calls on nearby devices” service instead as these devices very rarely leave their homes, in the case of iPads and Macbooks, or they always use their phone as the hotspot for tethering and for calls and messages.
@McLeish
1) I haven’t linked to anything, Sam has.
2) The feature EE will no longer be supporting is detailed under the heading ‘Make and receive Wi-Fi calls from another device’, part way down the page Sam has linked to.
3) EE are *not* retiring the ability to ostensibly share the same number using an eSIM on another device. We know this because:
a) EE are quoted as saying: ‘Watch functionality…won’t be affected’.
b) There is no such thing as a Mac with SIM or eSIM support.
Wish EE (and other networks) supported Pixel, Samsung and other android phones with all their more nuanced features.
E.g. on EE you can’t use visual voicemail on Android.
maybe becasue visual voicemail is an iOS feature..m
@M not entirely. O2 have it working for some pixels and Verizon and Google Fi have it working in the USA.
this is ridiculous and the main reason I was with EE as no other networks support the feature. It was great when your phone is out of battery or left it at a different location to be able to make calls and texts. surely it can’t be costing much of anything to maintain this on backend, I’d even gladly pay extra per month to have this seeing as no other UK network has support for the feature.
every network that has had a similar feature eventually kills it off. I wonder why? O2 used to have an app that would let you use your mobile minutes on a tablet/computer/other phone and then they killed it as well. I really like this feature, it’s a shame they’re going to remove it. Bump up the price, remove features.
O2’s app never worked properly, neither did Three’s inTouch app.
I disagree, in my own personal experience I used TuGo many times without issue.
I think it’s because it just becomes a cost base, not many people use it, it’s not flawless so doesn’t get advertised much.