Kiwi Mobile join FAQs

On the Choice plan you only pay for more max speed mobile data when you need it. We've created a handy online calculator to give you an idea on what you could expect to pay with us.
Kiwi Mobile you get all the fast data you need, but only pay for what you use.

You start with 5GB of fast data for $1.30 a day.

You can level up to the next data tier when you need more max speed data OR stay at the current daily rate to keep using Endless Data at 1.2mbps until the end of your data cycle. Either way, you'll only pay for higher max speed data tiers if and when you need them!

You can choose to ‘level up’ to max speeds on the next data tier at any time before the end of your data cycle. Each tier has a small increase in your daily price which comes into effect from the day you level up. At the start of each new data cycle, you'll return to max speeds on the 5GB tier.

The tiers are:
  • 5GB at $1.30 per day
  • 10GB at $1.60 per day
  • 20GB at $1.90 per day
  • 40GB at $2.00 per day
  • ∞GB at $2.10 per day

If you add buddies to your account, you'll receive a discount on both your own and your buddies' rates.

On the Choice plan there are 2 modes: Max Speed or Slow Down. When you join you're defaulted to ‘Max Speed’ mode.

> In Max Speed mode, you get unlimited max speeds. Just before you reach each data tier allowance, you'll automatically level up to the next tier to stay at max speeds. At the start of each new data cycle, you'll return to max speeds on the 5GB tier.


> If you want to have more control over your data usage or spend, you can choose Slow Down mode. In slow down mode, you can choose your max speed data tier limit. When you reach your tier limit allowance you'll get Endless Data at reduced max speeds of 1.2mbps and your daily rate will not increase.


For more info, including some real life examples check out our page on How It Works.
If you've checked out our page about how the Choice Plan works and are still unsure - have a read of our blog that delves a little deeper into the detail.
Kiwi Mobile customers can add up to 4 buddies to their account. Every buddy gets their own call, text and data allowance, and everyone's usage can be different and change month to month.

> With two of you, you both save 15c per day

> If you have 3 or 4 buddies on your account, you'll all save 30c per day

Sign up yourself, and then you can add your buddies. Check out our buddies section for more details.
Handily enough, we have a specific buddies page for this. Scroll to the bottom of the page if you want to get into the finer details.

Once you're ready to add buddies, just log into your account through the website or app to provide your buddy's name and email, and we'll send them an invite to join your account.
We're hooked up to the reliable 2Degrees network, which has coverage in 98.5% of the places Kiwis are based.
Yup! You can select that option during the sign up process online. For more info, see our page around porting. Otherwise, we can supply a brand new number (this will begin with 02665)
Kiwi Mobile customers can take their Choice plan with them for just $8/day in over 100 destinations, which is automatically applied when we detect roaming usage in those countries.

Plus we offer data packs for a number of other locations.

Use the search function on our roaming page to see what's on offer for your next trip abroad.
It's super easy - just log into your account on the website or app and you'll see the option to give Kiwi Mobile a test drive.
Sure can! But be sure to check out our offers for broadband and power too.
At this stage we don't offer prepay, but you can choose what payment date works for you whether it's weekly, fortnightly or monthly (you can even pick the day that works for you).

If you want to have more control over your mobile data usage or spend, you can choose Slow Down mode. In Slow Down mode, you choose your preferred tier limit. When you reach your tier limit you'll get Endless Data at reduced max speeds of 1.2mbps and your daily rate will not increase.

You can still choose to ‘speed up’ to max speeds on the next data tier at any time in the app. You'll only pay the higher data tier daily rate for the remaining days of your data cycle.
Though we definitely offer this on our broadband service - it's not something we do for mobile 4G connections at this stage.
Your data cycle is your monthly plan cycle.

It starts the day you got connected with us.

Throughout each data cycle, your usage & tiers tick upward as you use more max speed data.

At the start of each new data cycle you return to max speeds on the 5GB tier.

Data cycles are different than billing cycles.

For example, if you get connected on the 6th of June, your data cycle will restart on the 6th of each month. The length of each cycle will vary slightly (depending on the length of the calendar month), but you'll always have 12 data cycles in a year (not 13 like some sneaky providers with 28 day data cycles).

With us, you can choose to pay weekly, fortnightly or monthly on the day that you choose, so your data cycle functions independently of your billing cycle.

Kiwi Mobile General FAQs

We take a pretty firm stance when it comes to this sort of behaviour, check out our page around this for details on what you should do, and how we can help.
Our standard rates and charges page should cover anything out of the ordinary not covered by your regular Choice plan.

Premium SMS also has it's own full dedicated page.

If you're still unsure, just reach out to us on live chat.
You can call 111 even if your account has been barred for non payment or any other reason. Our emergency calls page covers calling 111, how we share your location to help the right people reach you faster, non emergency situations where 105 may be more appropriate to call, and setting up 111 TXT service for those who have difficulties hearing or talking on the phone.
It's important you know how to keep yourself safe from scammers, and phishing attempts are unfortunately growing more and more common. For info on how to keep yourself safe from these pesky fraudsters, check out this page.
We do pretty much everything on our phones these days, so it makes sense to keep it as safe as possible. This page covers setting up a PIN for your phone, keeping safe when using WiFi, what to do when your phone has been stolen, plus some other ways to keep your identity safe.
A Personal Unlocking Key (PUK code) is an eight digit code, used as an added security measure for your SIM card. This can be needed when porting your number to a new provider, or if you have set up a SIM PIN and locked yourself out. Full details on this and what to do if you are receiving a message saying "PUK Blocked" can be found here.
Contact the team on live chat as soon as you find out, and we can bar your Kiwi Mobile SIM. More info is also available here.
WiFi calling is a way to make and receive calls, texts and multimedia messages anywhere in the world using a suitable WiFi connection - even if there is no mobile coverage. Full details are on our WiFi calling page.

Voice over Long Term Evolution (VoLTE) is making high-definition (HD) calls from your mobile using a 4G network. Our VoLTE page has all the nuts and bolts on if this is availale for you and how to get it set up.

Want to quickly check if your device is WiFi calling or VoLTE capable? We thought of that too, and here's the current list.
Our mobile settings page has details on what changes you may need to make, as well as some straightforward steps on changing your APN (Access Point Name) if it's needed.
New customers will be sent an SMS when their account is active to get this set up by calling 6789, but for all the info check out our voicemail page.
Your best first port of call is our troubleshooting page. You'll be able to check for any outages in your area, run through some basic steps to resolve the issue, and check that your settings are all right. Still no luck? Reach out to the team on live chat and they'll do their best to get you back up and running.
Endless Data: After reaching your max speed allowance, you can continue to browse the internet without extra charges - but with reduced speeds. The reduced speed is suitable for basic tasks like browsing and messaging. With Kiwi Mobile you can stay at your current tier after hitting your cap at and browse at 1.2mbps speeds, or level up to get more max speed data for a small increase in daily price.

Unlimited Data: Enjoy unlimited high-speed data for streaming, gaming, and browsing throughout the month. It means no worries about hitting a cap, but also tends to come with a higher price tag.

In summary, Endless Data lets you stay connected without extra charges but at reduced speeds after reaching a limit.
The 'Total GB usage' for mobile shown in the app does not include endless data used during Slow Down mode. It only records max speed data usage. If there is a current data session, that usage may not be available to view in real time - so there may be a slight delay.
Nope, once you're at a tier you have two options once you run out of max speed data. Either:

> Keep using endless data at
a slower speed (1.2mb/s)

Or

> Level up to get more max speed data for a small increase in daily price.

You can keep leveling up for max speed data for that cycle if you need to!
Definitely not - you each have your own data allowance and can select whether you'd like to go up to the next data tier. Check out our buddies page for more info.
5G stands for the 5th generation mobile network. It means speedier and more dependable connections for everyone, both at home and on the go. We break down how to use 5G, how to know if your device supports 5G, and address any rumours around safety on our dedicated page.

Kiwi Mobile SIM FAQs

Nope, you'd need to grab either physical or eSIM online from us. If you opt for the physical one, it'll be sent via courier - which can take up to 5 business days. An eSIM should have you connected within 24 hours.
We do, as long as your phone is eSIM capable you can select this option during sign up. For more info on eSIMs, plus a list of capable devices, see our eSIM page.
Your SIM card will be automatically activated on your selected connection date. If you want to get going sooner, drop us a line on live chat. If you've selected a new Kiwi Mobile number, just pop the new SIM in your phone and you're good to go. If you're bringing your old number across, it's a little different. See our SIM setup page for more info.

If you opted for an eSIM - our dedicated eSIM page is the one for you.
You're welcome to bring your current NZ number across if you'd prefer. But the SIM itself will need to be replaced with a physical Kiwi Mobile SIM card, or you can opt for an eSIM. If you do select a new Kiwi Mobile number it will begin with 02665.
If you join with an eSIM, you can normally be connected the same day. If you want to bring your old number this can be completed between 9-5pm.
We keep an up to date list of these devices on our dedicated eSIM page. At this stage we only support phones, so no tablets, iPads, watches, or modems.
The SIM card we send is a 3in1. Basically this will allow you to 'pop out' the SIM to whichever size you need, where it's nano/micro/regular.
For sure! We'd recommend an eSIM either way, but you'd definitely need to select that option if you have a physical SIM currently and want to keep using it alongside your Kiwi Mobile account.
This isn't something we support at this stage.
No worries - just contact the team on live chat and we'll get you sorted.
eSIM (embedded SIM) is a digital SIM that's built into your phone or device. Instead of popping a physical card in and out, you can switch carriers or plans with a few taps on your screen. It's super convenient for travelers or people who like to change things up often. It also means one less piece of plastic going into the world.

On the other hand, a pSIM (physical SIM) is the traditional SIM card we've all been using for years. It's a small, removable chip that you insert into your phone. You still need to physically swap it out if you want to change carriers or plans.

We'd recommend the eSIM option as long as your phone supports it.