How to Connect to Free WiFi hotspots across the UK

— Juliet Edjere

Hey, who doesn't love free WiFi?

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With giffgaff, you can connect to thousands of free WiFi hotspots across the UK using the app. Magic right?

Use WiFi on the London Underground and secure public hotspots across the UK. WiFi on the London Underground is provided by Virgin Media. Giffgaff has teamed up with O2 to provide access to about 8,000 secure hotspots around the UK.

There are no top-up requirements to use WiFi Extra. All you need is an active giffgaff SIM card and WiFi Extra settings installed, and you're good to go.

It's free, and using it won't affect your goodybag allowances or credit balance.

So let’s get into it.

Get a giffgaff Sim

With Maze, you can order a free giffgaff SIM and get £5 extra credit when you activate your SIM card.

Get a free giffgaff Sim

Joining giffgaff is easy:

  1. Order before 5 pm, Mon-Fri to get your SIM delivered the next day
  2. Activate your SIM

Giffgaff SIMs come in 3 sizes and fit any phone.

The plans can be used in the EU and selected destinations just like you use them at home and at no extra cost. Enjoy low rates when calling outside the EU and selected destinations.

Download the giffgaff app

Next, let’s get the giffgaff app. The giffgaff app allows you to:

  • Check your allowance on the go
  • Buy a goodybag and add credit with ease by card, Paypal or with a giffgaff voucher
  • Add multiple accounts and switch seamlessly between different giffgaff accounts with the tap of your phone
  • Access thousands of UK hotspots with WiFI Extra
  • and a whole heap more

To download the app you'll need:

  • Android 4.4 or above
  • iOS 10 or above

You can download it from the App StoreGoogle Play and Huawei. It’s a breeze to use and fits right in your pocket.

Switch on WiFi Extra

Now let’s follow the steps below to switch on WiFi Extra on your giffgaff app.

Are you using an iPhone?

  1. Launch the giffgaff app and log in. You can log in using your giffgaff member name and password.
  2. Tap Account at the bottom on the right
  3. Tap WiFi Extra in the App settings area
  4. Tap Download now on the app to download the WiFi Extra configuration profile. Tap "Allow" when prompted
  5. Go to your phone's settings and choose: General > Profile > WiFi Extra, and then "Install" to set up the profile

Got an Android 11?

If using Android, WiFi Extra is only supported when using version 5 or higher. You'll need to configure your WiFi settings manually. Here's how:

  1. Open Wi-Fi settings
  2. Click Add network
  3. Set Network name/SSID: Wifi Extra
  4. Set Security: WPA/WPA2 or WPA3-Enterprise
  5. Choose EAP method: SIM
  6. Click Save

The WiFi settings will be installed automatically on your phone, meaning future connections will be seamless. You're good to go. When a hotspot is available your phone should auto-connect to WiFi Extra.

So that’s how you can use giffgaff WiFi Extra hotspots or get WiFi on the London Underground.

It's a piece of cake!


Maze provides an end-to-end platform that disrupts the traditional relocation model.

We connect people relocating with service providers, reduce cost and enable the personalization of customer journeys to the UK.

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