Lebara Mobile
Verified772 reviews
- Pre-Paid Sim Only
- ·
- Post-Paid Sim Only
- ·
- Post-Paid with Phone
I activated my service yesterday with a regular sim, and wanted to move to an eSIM. After doing this, neither SIM was working and the eSIM showed a different phone number. I eventually deleted the eSIM assuming I could just get a new one. Support told me I had to wait 12 hours to request a new SIM, this was not correct. A little over 24 hours… Read more
later I was finally able to request a new SIM, however I had to go through their identity verification procedure.
I made three attempts at the identity verification procedure, all of which failed. I phoned support after the second attempt, and of course (blaming the customer) they guided me through the process for my third attempt. Despite the website saying "wait up to 5 minutes" for the outcome of the identity verification, support told me to wait 20 minutes, and then 10 minutes. I've waited 45 minutes minutes now and it still hasn't progressed.
So now I have submitted the manual ID verification form, and they claim they'll take 2 business days to respond. Meanwhile, I have no access to my phone number, which concerns me from a security standpoint and causes issues with 2FA codes and the like.
I thought I could save a few bucks by going with Lebara. Big regret. I have now wasted countless hours trying to get my phone working again.
I was enquiring about new plans today, called several times (from19:15, and they have cut-off time at 19:30) and everytime I reached someone our call lasted a couple of minutes. It looks like they pretended not being able to hear anything like something is going on with connection and they consequently cut the call. I have no problem with… Read more
connection, I could hear them perfectly fine, it seems they just wanted to finish their shift and go home. Poor service.
- +1
I’m posting this as a reference for anyone considering Lebara’s 1-year prepaid plan. This happened last year. In early April, I bought a discounted Lebara Starter Pack from Woolworths. Then, in early October, I tried to activate it, but it did not work. When I contacted customer service, they told me that the Starter Pack had to be activated… Read more
within 2 months of purchase, and that my SIM had already expired. They kept telling me to buy another $2 SIM card.
After looking into it, I found that many other customers had been told the same thing, which made the whole situation feel even more frustrating. I had never experienced anything like this with other telecom providers, so it sounded unreasonable. I asked if they could simply send me an eSIM instead, but they refused. I then requested a refund.
Later, when I checked Lebara’s website, it clearly said that the SIM could be activated within 1 year of purchase. At that point, I considered going back to argue my case again, but I decided not to bother and just accepted the refund.
Thankfully, I later found a cheaper 1-year plan from another provider, activated it, and have been using it without any problems.
I used Lebara once about 7 or 8 years ago, and back then, the number transfer was very slow, and customer service was poor, which is why I stopped using them. When I saw this discount, I thought their service might have improved, so I made the mistake of buying it again. Clearly, nothing has changed. I will never buy Lebara again.
So, for anyone thinking of buying a 1-year plan in advance, be careful. If you do not activate the SIM within 2 months, it may expire, according to customer service, leaving you unable to use it when you need it most.
Reviews with attachments
Absolutely terrible. The activation process is a complete mess, multiple emails, unclear steps, confusing instructions, and nothing actually works properly. You follow everything and still end up stuck with errors. Why is something as simple as activating a SIM so complicated? The whole process is badly designed, inconsistent, and frustrating. Total waste of money.
Very dissatisfied that Croatia and Bosnia Hercegovina are not part of zone 1 or 2. You pay $160 for the $200 XS 360 Plan and get a dismal $5 international credit. Then you have to purchase $5 international credit at a time. The rates for an EU nation for Croatia is a ridiculous $0.49 per minute and $0.39 per minute for Bosnia Hercegovina. Show details
- +1
Update speed test at 10:40 pm 25/5/25 0.37mbps on 5G with no updates in background or any other network traffic please read this 0 stars Internet constant freezing snail downloads ever since new upgraded lines from 5G Vodafone network. Surf the web, watch a video and it downscales to low resolution 360p and blurry, listen to music on YouTube stops… Read more
constantly buffering, checking emails constantly disconnects from mail server saying offline. Snail download speeds stoping losing your file and have to re download wasting time, money, resources and energy, solution download manager. Signal bars change all the time from 1 to 4 bars sitting in same area. Tested every room in the place and on another phone and PC same issue was working before. Went outside of premises and works but continually freezes. Phone calls cut off and also other recipients say can’t hear you after some time into call. Have to go outside in all weather conditions, heat, rain, cold and night to get reliable reception and only in early hours of the morning when others are asleep. Visiting people in other Sydney suburbs same issue, no service, freezing disconnection. Disappointing service when you need it and should work reliably inside a Unit, town house, granny flat etc. Can’t finish downloading security updates for phone or PC constantly stops, freezing. Tried multiple OS windows, Android, Apple, different settings same issues and even another phone. Borrowed a friends phone same issues. I uploaded a screenshot of time required for a security update which is 1.2GB, the screenshot shows 5 hours to download then freezing needing to search for network connection, option, Lebara, auto and after 3 to 5 mins again as constant freezing connection, ridiculous. Tried different settings from 4G to 5G, allow more data on 5G and it is slower work that one out folks. The bonus data is a joke, you won’t even be able to use or access the standard data reliably in your package. Customer service is virtually non existent waiting 1/2 a hour minimum and have no knowledge or experience to address this issue. Constantly telling you to try the following instructions which do nothing but waste time, money and also causing headaches. The TIO support telcos providers not the users who subscribe. Do not trust the governments they work against everyday people. Don’t waste your money and avoid headaches with this telco as they are the least reliable.
Cannot port my number. It has been about a month and I still cannot port my number. The process to port the number has system errors. When I call the customer support, they merely tell me to go through the original steps. Then they say that they will escalate to their technical department, and to merely wait for them to resolve the issue. It's been weeks and there is no resolution. Show details
Latest follow-ups
Best mob I have used yet,started off paying $25 per month now it's $22.41 $25 GB, unused data rolls over up to 200gb, it is run thru Vodafone ( I only just discovered, after 15 mths with them) only ever had one issue to call them and that was my… Read more
fault, I forgot to change card details, never had a problem with service works as well if not a bit better than my wife's Amaysim. Highly recommend, great value for money and service
Follow-up · Discovered they don't send you a reminder for recharging and as my card was recently replaced and payment obviously didn't go thru, so instead of sending message to warni me all I got was your phone /data has expired, rang them to pay and retrieve my data and was told by the female at the time to renew it and the saved data WILL come up, ( 75 … Read more
I bought a lebara sim with 10 GB data, but still very bad slow connection always buffer and stop working and I have to switch the phone off and on again but still same problem. I am going to another company. The speed test show over 5 where as they promise up to 100 Show details
Follow-up · I bought the sim from woolwotth store to check the service first, but because it was a slow data speed i decieded to not use it anymore. I didn't get buthered to contact them becuse i know what the answer would be.
Positive reviews
With Lebara since 2014 – Today I had a little issue due to my mistake while recharging and the customer service fixed it nice and simple in about 30 mins (after about 15 mins of waiting - which is still reasonable). I am surprised to see so many bad reviews. I have been with Lebara for about 11 years now and never ever had a problem. Reception is not the best, but still you can manage to use it pretty much everywhere. Also, the price has always been very competitive. Show details
Great Customer Service for Me – Found them very helpful. I had issues activating me esim with Lebara and the agent walked me thru it and I was up and running in no time. I normally am here bagging companies but not this time. Dunno if I just got lucky but I had no problems with Lebara. Show details
Fantastic customer service when I needed help – Just want to thank Lesia for her help and amazing customer service over the phone. I never write reviews and I dont know her but because she went above and beyond I couldn't help but say so. Thanks Lesia! Show details
Find out how Lebara Mobile compares to other Mobile Phone Service Providers
Know better, choose better.
Negative reviews
Worse service ever! Poor customer service; asking for two different IDs. Very frustrating and despicable. The online activation doesn't work then you have to call lebara support to try and activate. I will taking my service else where.
Terrible customer service. Bought a SIM pack at Australia Post however when opened pack, it stated the SIM had expired. Contacted their call centre and was advised there was nothing they could and I had to send my receipt via the online chat. I tried but they never ever ever answered chat. So I sent the receipt via email and days later they… Read more
respond and say I have to contact chat for a refund. Aaarrrgh… they never answer chat. I managed to get a refund via Australia Post. Do not deal with Lebara!
First time I bought SIM card, the SIM card was already registered so I couldn’t use it. Gave it another go with lebara mobile and keep on getting incorrect verification code though I typed it correctly. I’m through with Lebara. I’m going for another network.
Recent reviews
Worst and terrible customer support! Support has no idea of how to help. All they do is provide links to their website. If someone is trying to get the service, please do not!
Absolutely disgraceful rip off clandestine operation indeed, spoke to Grace whom took my money for the monthly prepaid voucher, as she told me it would take minutes to transfer my new number to my new phone, 2 days later I was constantly told she could not come to the phone, whilst other operators after numerous calls over 2 weeks could not do the… Read more
simple process for me after proving all credentials, very scammy characters in that Fiji Call Centre. Especially after being told I would get a refund, tho this never came, also losing over 120gig of banked data. Decided to completely abandon the Lebara Network, would advise all not to use such a dodgy company, as they also had consistent drop outs all over greater Sydney and in the CBD aswell.
Only one star as I can't give less. I purchased a 30 day pre-paid SIM for use while in holiday in Australia. The Woolworth's shop staff spent an hour trying to help me get activated (simple to do, says the blurb). I then spent another half an hour online the following day with Lebara chat (not open Sundays) I still had no mobile reception and chat… Read more
had gone offline by then (they are in NSW time) so i contacted chat again this morning to be told my phone was not compatible. Nothing on the SIM I bought suggested this might be an issue. We then had a fun (that was sarcasm) hour and a half trying to sort out a refund as Lebara will only refund to an Australian bank account. What a truly dreadful company. Use at your own risk. Oh and the times to answering on chat are laughably inaccurate.
Don't do it! Swapped from Optus network and this Sim on Vodafone network apparently won't work on my phone! I was told I needed volte and I was already on a phone supporting LTE same as the new phone I just purchased. So Sim was never activated properly! Waste of time and money, can't even receive calls 10 days after successfully porting number!… Read more
Paid for new phone and will now have to test if volte is the issue??? New phone features LTE same as current phone. Tech support is nonsense!
Seems I was forced to go to 5G! I was given the wrong info on first contact & told to speak with… Read more
Bought a $2 prepaid SIM card from a shop, it has stated on front of package that the Sim card is no connect fee and has 365 day expired, when I tried to activate the Sim online and I have to choose a plan and add funds to account at least $10, that means it has $12 connect fee at least otherwise it can't activate the Sim, what a misleading… Read more
conduct! Call the customer service, they needed my full name otherwise won't answering any my questions or offering any help.
Very disappointing network. It says 5G network. But not working at all. Even if you select 4G its not working. [Content Removed] NETWORK. DO NOT GO WITH THEM. Show details
Find out how Lebara Mobile compares to other Mobile Phone Service Providers
Know better, choose better.
Contacted customer service twice via chat to change the ringing time before goes to voicemail. Both times they said they changed but no actual change. Still the default 30 seconds. If it is not possible just let us know. I had another provider just told me they couldn't do. Rather than we keep wasting our time.
PLEASE DON'T BUY THEIR SERVICE !!!!! Probably the worst service out there, i would rather use public wifi than have their service. It's disgusting and worthless. Switched my device and tried to transfer my eSIM, it's been a week now, and yet they haven't been able to transfer it. i hope they go out of business soon, so fewer people will get scammed. PLEASE DON'T BUY THEIR SERVICE !!!!! Show details
Worst customer service – I have called Lebara customer service for valid concern and find them very rude as do not care what customer is saying. They just wanted to end the call without any solution. Worst provider Show details
Terrible customer service. I requested for an esim replacement of my lost sim, It took more than a week to get the esim activation. Pathetic service, I rang them more than 20 times with a week to fix. Show details
The unresolved issue with my Lebara eSIM. My previous phone, which used the eSIM, is no longer functional. I have repeatedly requested a QR code to transfer my service to my new iPhone 14. Despite numerous attempts, this matter has remained unaddressed for several days. The delay in resolving this seemingly straightforward request is highly unsatisfactory.
If you’re considering an eSIM, avoid Lebara. Yesterday, I ported my number to Lebara and tried to switch to an eSIM, but an issue occurred during the process. When I contacted customer service through live chat, they informed me that I could only reapply online after 24 hours, so I followed their instructions. I verified my identity more than… Read more
eight times, but nothing progressed, and I was then told to complete and submit another form for the TPG Privacy team. As of now, there’s still no indication of when this will be resolved.
I’ve already been without a working phone for two days, and I have no idea how much longer I’ll be unable to use my number. Over the past two days, I’ve spent more than 10 hours waiting and chatting with support, but nothing has been resolved; it was just a complete waste of my time.
Through this experience, I realised just how terrible Lebara’s service is. If your SIM card has any issues, you won’t get any real help from their customer support. Don’t make the same mistake I did. Don’t choose Lebara to save a bit of money. Once this problem is resolved, I plan to switch to another provider. Regardless of the promotions they offer, I will never use Lebara again.
The customer service is so bad you can't imagine never buy this product. I would not even like to give 1star also if there is available I would give 0 star....never purchase this peoduct
Wish I could rate 0 star. Just have been trying to activate a SIM card for 3 days and still no success. Terrible customer service, they say they will return my call from the correct department in order to activate the SIM card but nobody calls me. I finally got to talk to someone and the person hung up the phone during the call, when I call them… Read more
again it says out of service hours. What a waste of time and money. Do yourself a favour, don’t use this provider.
ProductReview.com.au has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence our content moderation policies in any way, though ProductReview.com.au may earn commissions for products/services purchased via affiliate links.
IIRC my service was restored Monday evening following this review. Ever since then things have been… Read more