Living outside the UK

Receive UK prison calls wherever you live

The prisoner calls a UK 01/02 number. You answer in the BluePhone app — in Amsterdam, Lagos, Dubai or anywhere else with an internet connection.

£15/month or £149/yeariPhone & AndroidIncoming calls only

Can I receive UK prison calls abroad?

Yes: after the prison approves your UK 01/02 number, incoming calls can ring in the BluePhone app on iPhone or Android wherever you have a working Wi-Fi or mobile-data connection. The prisoner calls a UK number; you do not need a second UK mobile number or an eSIM.

BluePhone costs £15/month or £149/year. Prison call credit is separate, and your own provider may charge for internet or roaming data. Keep app notifications enabled and remember that prison calling hours use UK time. See the setup steps or watch the 39-second explanation.

How it works abroad

A UK number at their end. An app at yours.

For the prison it is a call to a UK geographic number. For you it is a call in an app, over the internet, in whatever country you are in.

What it may cost youBluePhone does not charge an additional international reception fee. Your own mobile network, internet provider or roaming plan may still charge for the data the call uses.

Prison in England or WalesYour loved one dials your number from the prison phone.
Your UK 01/02 BluePhone numberA UK geographic number — their credit is charged at the prison’s landline rate.
BluePhoneRings the app signed in to your account, over the internet.
You, abroadThe app rings on your iPhone or Android phone. Answer over Wi-Fi or mobile data.

Your connection matters

Call quality depends on your internet. Wi-Fi or a stable 4G/5G connection works best. If calls drop, try switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data.

Mind the time difference

Prisons set their own calling hours, in UK time. Agree call times that work in your time zone.

No foreign-number rates

The prisoner calls a UK geographic number, so they are charged the prison’s rate for UK landlines — in public-sector prisons in England and Wales, 2.48p a minute on weekdays.

The app

The same app, wherever you are

BluePhone app home screen showing the account’s UK number and recent calls — **Your number, in the app**Your UK number and recent calls on the home screen.

Incoming call screen with Accept and Decline buttons — **A normal incoming-call screen**Full-screen, including from the lock screen.

Call in progress screen with mute, earpiece and end call controls — **During the call**Mute, earpiece or speaker, end call.

Screens from the BluePhone iPhone app, taken on BluePhone’s own test account. The Android app is available on Google Play.

Questions from families abroad

Can I receive UK prison calls outside the UK?

Yes, with BluePhone, wherever you have an internet connection. The prisoner calls your UK number; you answer in the app.

Are there roaming charges?

BluePhone does not charge an additional international call or reception fee. Your mobile network, internet provider or roaming plan may still charge for data. On Wi-Fi, the call uses your Wi-Fi connection.

Do I need a UK address or UK bank card?

No. You sign up with an email address and pay by card through Stripe, and cards issued outside the UK can be used. You do not need a UK landline.

Will the prison approve a number used from abroad?

The prison checks the number and decides, as for any number. BluePhone cannot guarantee approval. Staff may call the number to confirm who answers.

How BluePhone worksFrom your number to the call ringing in the app.Getting a number on the phone listWho asks, what is checked, what you can do.Prison call ratesPublished per-minute rates and where they apply.Calls stopped coming through?Checks for the prison side and the phone side.

Get your own UK number

£15/month or £149/year. iPhone and Android. No eSIM required. Incoming calls only. The prison decides whether to approve the number.

Get my UK number — £15/month Yearly — £149