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Charge to Mobile - here's how it works

With Charge to Mobile, you can safely pay for ebooks, apps, movies, virtual currency in games and more without using a debit or credit card

Picture the scene: it’s a grey day outside and you’re curled up on the sofa, ready to download one of the latest video games. Or you’re excited to buy a buzzy new app, must-read ebook or blockbuster movie. The only problem? The wallet with your debit card is in another room.

Situations like these are where Charge to Mobile comes in handy. It’s the trusted, simple and secure method to buy digital goods – using only your mobile phone. Read on to learn more about what Charge to Mobile is and how it works.

What is Charge to Mobile?

It’s a simple way of paying for digital content (including virtual currency for games) via your mobile phone. You can spend up to £40 in a transaction, either as a one-off payment or a subscription (such as to a TV streaming service).

Where can Charge to Mobile be used?

Charge to Mobile can be used to pay for digital content in all app stores, such as Google Play Store, Apple App Store, PlayStation Store and Microsoft Store. If you are a Pay Monthly or Pay As You Go customer, you can use it. And it works across mobile web, desktop web, smart TV and game consoles.

What are the benefits of using Charge to Mobile?

First things first: it means you don’t have to spend ages finding your credit or debit card and typing in details. Not only that, but if you don’t have access to a bank card for whatever reason, you can still purchase online content.

Some people may also find Charge to Mobile a more reassuring way to pay. More than half (51%) of customers have security concerns around entering card details online, but with Charge to Mobile, you only need a mobile number to pay. Our research shows that users report very high levels of confidence in the security of paying with Charge to Mobile.

How are Charge to Mobile payments charged?

If you have an O2 Pay Monthly contract, the cost of any Charge to Mobile payments will just be added to your monthly bill. And if you’re on Pay As You Go, they’ll come out of your mobile credit.

Want to find details of any charges? You can find them, along with the names of the service providers, under “Things you’ve bought” on your monthly bill. Alternatively, sign in to My O2.

Are there any restrictions on Charge to Mobile?

You can spend a maximum of £240 per month on Charge to Mobile. For security reasons, whenever you make a purchase with Charge to Mobile, you’ll be asked to authenticate the payment. This will mean either going through two separate purchase pages, sending a text from your phone or using an account name and password.

How do you sign up to use Charge to Mobile?

On an Android device: Choose what you want to purchase on Google Play and click to buy. At the “Payment Methods” window, choose “Use O2 Billing”, enter your details and save as your payment method.

(If the “Payment Methods” window doesn’t appear automatically, go back a step to the “Buy” button and open the dropdown menu by tapping the arrow next to the price.)

On an iPhone: In the App Store, scroll to the bottom of the screen and tap your Apple ID. Tap “View Apple ID” and sign in. Under “Payment Information”, select “Mobile Phone” and tap “Use This Mobile Number”.

Find out more about Charge to Mobile.

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Published: 11 Sep 2023

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In relation to consumer credit, Telefónica UK Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Reference Number 718822)

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