Help & FAQs
This is where we try to help answer your questions about stuff. Hopefully, we've covered everything, but if what you are looking for isn't here, sorry dude. Just contact us and we'll sort it.
What handsets can I use on Skinny?
If your mobile device is 3G and compatible with WCDMA/UMTS 850MHz frequency you can use it on the Skinny network. That means that all handsets from Telecom XT will work, and some others. Yes, that includes iPhones, Apple fans.
You can check if your phone will work in 3 easy steps:
1. Get your phones IMEI number - look on the box, or dial *#06# and your phone will tell you it's IMEI number all by itself.
2. Chuck the details into this little app. (In typical Skinny fashion rather than spending heaps of cash on our own, because we use the XT network, we decided to bludge Telecom's instead).
3. Voila it'll tell you if your phone will work on Skinny.
You will need to buy a Skinny SIM card to connect to the Skinny network. If you bought the phone overseas - you'll also need to make sure it's unlocked.
If you want to use your iPad or other data only device, they aren't available just yet. You'll have to wait for a bit.
Voicemail
To set up your voicemail, or to change the setup, call 789. That call is free.
Your default PIN is 1234 - you should change it straight away. You can't access your voicemail while roaming or from other phones unless you change the PIN.
To access your voicemail dial 222, lookup 'voicemail' which is preprogrammed into your contacts, dial +64204864236 or on most phones just press and hold down the 1 button.
Like most mobile networks, on Skinny there is a cost associated with accessing your voicemail box to retrieve messages. It's charged at 1 included minute if you’ve subscribed to a Skinny Prepaid Plan, or 20¢ regardless of duration if you are not subscribed to a Skinny Prepaid Plan. Calling your voicemail while you're abroad is charged at normal roaming rates for a call to NZ.
Unlike most networks, we also make it easy for you to keep track of who has called you without using and paying for voicemail message retrieval. It's called the Skinny Answering Service.
The Skinny Answering Service lets you record a personalised message that callers will hear when you are not available, but they can't leave a message. Instead, we send you a text telling you that they have called and when, so you can call them back. And all of this is free. Genius.
Mobile data settings
If you've got a Skinny phone, it should be set up straight from the box.
The exception to that rule is our Nokia handsets, which need the data settings configured. The instructions for that are in the box, so don't panic. If you need a little hand holding, as some of us do with techy stuff, the best thing to do is to call us on 204 from your Skinny phone, or 0800 SKINNY (0800 475 4669).
If you've got a phone from another network you may need to tweak a few settings so you can get it working on Skinny.
Internet and email - Go to your phone’s settings and enter the details below:
Mobile data / cellular data
APN: wapaccess.co.nz
Username & password: Leave blank
Annnd, you're good. Hopefully ;-)
Nokia X3 data settings
1. Make sure your SIM is inserted. Turn the power on.
2. Select ‘Menu’.
3. Select ‘Settings’.
4. Select ‘Configuration’.
5. Select ‘Default Config. Sett’.
6. Press and hold ‘Bumblebee’ until options come up.
7. Select ‘Delete’.
8. When you see the ‘activated in some applications’ message, don’t worry. Select ‘Yes’.
9. You will now see an empty configurations screen. This is good.
10. Select ‘back.’
11. Select ‘Preferred access pt’.
12. Choose ‘My Access Point’.
13. Hit the ‘End’ Button.
Nokia C2 data settings
1. Make sure your SIM is inserted. Turn the power on.
2. Select ‘Menu’
3. Select ‘Settings’.
4. Scroll down and select ‘Configuration’.
5. Select ‘Default config. Sett’.
6. Select the ‘Bumblebee’ option and choose ‘delete’.
7. Select yes to confirm delete.
8. You will see an empty ‘Configuration’ screen. This is good.
9. Select ‘Back’.
10. Select the ‘Preferred access pt’ option.
11. Select the ‘My access point’ option.
12. Under the ‘Preferred access pt.’ heading the screen should now show ‘My access point’.
13. You are done. Hit the End call key (red) and you’re good to go….
iOS 5 data settings for your iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S
You can hook up data if you are running iOS 5 on your iPhone 4 or 4s in a coupe of easy steps.
1 . You need to get this file onto your phone. The easiest way is either transferring it through iTunes, or by emailing it to yourself and picking it up via e-mail over Wi-Fi.
2. Once you have managed that, open the file and it will install a Skinny profile in the settings on the phone.
3. This sets up the skinny APN (Access Point Name) and you are good to go. If you decide to back-track and want to remove it, hit up Settings / General / Profile, select the Skinny profile and delete it.
Activating a Micro SIM to use in an iPad or tablet
The key thing when activating a SIM to be used in a data only device is to keep all of the packaging your SIM came in, especially the plastic card type surround thing that the SIM card pops out of. You may need the numbers printed on it.
As we can't send texts with activation codes to a iPad or tablet, we need to do this differently. You have 2 options to activate your micro SIM:
1 . Put your SIM in an iPhone 4 / 4S or other mobile that uses micro SIMs, and call 456 to activate it, then pop it in your iPad or tablet. You can ignore the stuff about setting up voicemail ;-)
2 . Call the Skinny reps on 0800 4 SKINNY and ask them to activate your MicroSIM. You will need to tell us the MicroSIM's mobile number and PUK1 code, which are written on either side of the white plastic card surround type thing that your SIM card popped out of.
INQ Chat e-mail setup
Is your Chat not very chatty? If you need to get your Yahoo! Xtra e-mail working on your INQ Chat handset, select the POP3 e-mail account type setup option, and use the settings below.
Incoming Mail Server : pop3.xtra.co.nz
Incoming Mail Port : 995 (with SSL)
Outgoing Mail Server : send.xtra.co.nz (requires authentication)
Outgoing Mail Port : 465 (with SSL) (use authentication)
Account Name/Login Name : Xtra Username (e-mail address without the "@xtra.co.nz")
E-Mail Address : Xtra E-Mail Address e.g. username@xtra.co.nz
Password : Xtra Password
Skinny Mobile Menu
When you first see Skinny's Mobile Menu (sometimes known as USSD), don’t freak out. It’s not Skynet taking over your phone. It’s just a free way to do things like Top-up, check your balances and your set up, without calling or texting.
How to do it
1. Dial *888# into your phone and hit the call button
2. In a couple of seconds things will happen, and a menu will appear on your screen
3. Choose an option
Shortcuts
To make your life easier there are shortcuts to parts of the menu. One of our favourites is the Balance function, which is #2 on the menu. Type in *888*2# and hit the call button, it'll take you straight there. Save it to your contacts for extra easiness.
Here's a list of some other handy shortcuts:
- To enter a Top-up voucher *888*1*1# and then hit "Call"
- To Top-up by registered credit or debit card *888*1*2# and then hit "Call"
- To view your balance *888*2# and then hit "Call"
Credit transfer
On Skinny you can share the love with other people who are living Skinny, by sending them credit. You can do it via the Skinny Mobile Menu when you are out and about, and it's free. Really.
It's kinda handy if you are still bludging off your parents, as your mum can top up your phone.
On the other side, if you have run up a tab with your mates and have no cash to sort them out with, you can send them credit instead. Sweet.
To jump straight to credit Transfer, all you do is dial *888*8*1# and then hit call, and go from there.
That's it. Send credit. Receive credit. Capiche?
Use your iPhone on Skinny
Your iPhone 3G, 3GS, 4, 4S or even 5 (whenever that launches LOL) will work just fine on Skinny.
The only difference is that you’ll probably end up paying heaps less for it.
Grab a Skinny SIM (for 3G / 3GS) or a MicroSIM (for iphone 4/4S/5) for free for a limited time here.
If you want to use your iPad or any other 'data only' device, they aren't available just yet. You'll have to wait for a bit.
Our data coverage
With Skinny, you get great network coverage right across NZ, and you'll pay the same low rate for national data, no matter where in NZ you are. Check out our coverage here
Data measurement and pricing
Skinny gives you a data allowance with our Loose Lips and Busy Fingers pepaid plans, plus if you have an active plan you are able to purchase a prepaid data Add-on.
Data Charges
Skinny’s Standard data rates apply when you do not have a current Skinny Prepaid Plan that has data MBs included (e.g. you don’t have a current Busy Fingers, Loose Lips, data Add-on or any other Skinny Prepaid Plan that has data included).
If you’ve subscribed to a Skinny Prepaid Plan, such as a Combo, Skinny’s Overage data rates apply if you consume all the included data MBs in your plan before your plan’s renewal date.
Data is charged in increments of 5KB with a minimum of $0.01 per session. You can view our Standard and Overage Data rates here.
Skinny’s Standard and Overage data rates are calculated based on usage and charged as follows:
- Billed in 5KB blocks;
- Rounded up at the end of each session or every 15 minutes, whichever comes first, and
- A minimum charge of 1c per session applies.
Skinny’s data rates for included data in a Skinny Prepaid Plan is calculated based on usage and charged as follows:
- Billed in 5KB blocks;
- Rounded up at the end of a data session or every 15 minutes, whichever comes first, and
- A minimum charge of 20KB applies.
Data measurement units
In the wierd world of data, 8 bits (b) = 1 Byte (B); 1024 Bytes = 1 Kilobyte (KB); 1024 KB = 1 Megabyte (MB), 1,024 MB = 1 Gigabyte (GB).
Useful info when using data
To get the best value when you have a smartphone and use data on Skinny, it is highly recommended that you subscribe to a plan and get our data Add-on.
Many smartphones and other data devices, with mobile data switched on, may be set to consume data without user interaction. This can result in unexpected charges. If you do not wish to use data you may need to switch this off in your phone or data device.
Skinny provides a text notification when you are nearing the end of your included data on a Skinny Prepaid Plan, however, it is your responsibility to manage your data usage and any associated costs.
You can also monitor your data consumption of the included data on your Skinny Prepaid Plan through the Skinny Mobile Menu (*888*2*3#) or by calling 0800 4SKINNY. In both cases the data balance remaining will only be accurate when mobile data is switched off, as there may be open data sessions running on your phone or data device if it is left on.
Please also note that data, or mobile broadband, is not intended or designed for prolonged intensive data downloads or uploads (including file sharing and long duration streaming videos). Fixed broadband services are much more suited to intensive data transfer applications.
Please note that at the current time Skinny does not offer data roaming services.
Unlocking your phone
If you want to leave Skinny (boo) and you want to take your SIM locked Skinny phone along for the ride, you might need to unlock your phone.
If it's more than 9 months since you purchased your SIM locked Skinny phone, unlocking your phone is free. If it's less than 9 months since you bought your phone, there is a cost. But dont panic, it's only $30 (including GST) - peanuts compared with the amount you saved on your phone.
How to unlock your phone:
You need to give us a call on 0800 4SKINNY (0800 475 4669) or call 204 from your Skinny mobile, or fill in this form and we'll be in touch with the info you need. We'll give you a code to enter into your phone, and once you have entered it correctly, it's done. Be careful to enter the code correctly - you have a limited number of chances to get it right.
We can only help with unlocking handsets purchased from Skinny. If you bought yours from Parallel Imported, off the back of a lorry or from some bloke down the pub, try Google, use the force or get in touch with the handset maker.
SIM Unlocking terms
A $30 fee (including GST) applies if network locking is removed from any Skinny SIM Locked Mobile Phone within the first nine months after purchase . After that time, it is free to unlock your phone.
There may be a limited number of times an unlock code can be entered and attempted in a Skinny SIM Locked Mobile Phone, so care must be taken to ensure the unlock code is entered correctly and in accordance with our authorised unlocking process. Any attempts by any person to unlock a Skinny SIM Locked Mobile Phone without using our authorised unlocking process will render any applicable warranty associated with that Mobile Phone void, and may cause technical issues and damage to the Mobile Phone or Services for which we will not be responsible or liable.
If you have a Mobile Phone that is SIM locked to our Network (a “Skinny SIM Locked Mobile Phone”), it is to be used exclusively on our Network and must not be unofficially unlocked, interfered with, or disassembled without our prior written approval. A Skinny SIM Locked Mobile Phone may only be unlocked by obtaining the manufacturer’s unlock code from Skinny by calling us on 0800 4 SKINNY (0800 475 4669), 204 from your Skinny Phone or online here.
Bringing your old number with you to Skinny
You can bring your old number with you, so all those lovely people in your life don’t have to learn how to reprogram their contacts. It doesn't matter where it's from – 021, 022 or whatever – we take all NZ network numbers. Just go here and give us your details and we’ll be in touch.
Leaving us
You can leave us if you really must – and you can take your nice shiny new Skinny phone and phone number with you too. Your new network will help you move your number over so it works on them. To use your phone on another network you may need to unlock it. Just go here and give us your details and we'll sort that out for you.
Lost or stolen phone or SIM
If you have lost your phone, or if you think it’s been stolen, you want to act fast.
We can block your phone temporarily so no one can use it and cost you dollar while we figure out if it’s really goneburger. If you find it we can reactivate it, and if it's definitely gone for good we can get a new phone or SIM out to you.
Give us a call on 0800 4SKINNY (0800 475 4669), call 204 from your Skinny mobile phone or contact us here and we can do that for you.
Changing your plan
Your Skinny phone comes automatically subscribed to our Loose Lips plan (we call it a Weekly Combo), which is great for people who like the sound of their own voice, or someone elses.
Weekly combos renew each week unless you cancel them or you don't have credit in your account. If you are short on credit, Add-on’s drop off first, them your combos.
If you have an active Weekly Combo and you use all the included natonal prepaid calling minutes, texts or data on your combo don't worry, we won't shut you down. You'll just be charged at our overage rates for any extra usage.
You can change your Weekly Combo at any time, or add another combo, or an Add-on - just give us a call on 0800 4SKINNY (0800 475 4669) or call 204 from your Skinny mobile phone.
Changing your Add-on's
To buy the 120MB data add-on you’ve got to be subscribed to a Weekly Combo.
If you don’t buy the add-on on the day your Weekly Combo renews, you’ll only be charged for the remainder of that week. So, if you buy an Add-on the day before your Weekly Combo renews, for example, you’ll only pay for a day’s worth of data.
Data is issued pro-rata. You receive and are charged for the proportion of a week (i.e. it is matched to the start / end date parameters of your seven day weekly combo) and its corresponding allotment of data for that period. For example, if you purchase the Add-on the day before your plan renews, you get charged for 1/7th of the weekly cost, plus you receive 1/7th of the data.
You can remove it by calling us on 0800 4SKINNY (0800 475 4669) or by calling 204 from your Skinny mobile phone. It’ll terminate at the end of the week.
If you exceed your weekly data allowance you'll then be charged at our overage rates for any extra usage.
Not found what you are looking for?
Best you get in touch then. We're around 9am to 5.30pm, 7 days. And yes we're in NZ.
- If what you are trying to find out about isn't here, please contact us and we'll help out.
- You can e-mail us via support@skinny.co.nz anytime.
- Give us a call on 204 from your Skinny phone, or 0800 4 SKINNY (0800 475 4669)
- Check us out on Facebook – facebook.com/skinny
- Follow us and stay up to date with what we are up to via Twitter - @skinnymobile
