We surveyed parents across the country and found that almost one in six (15%) are still paying for their adult child’s phone bills! With this in mind, we’ve created the ultimate guide for parents on how to find the best deals for the whole family.
Our research shows that half (50%) of adult children have a least one bill paid for by their elder relatives, with the most commonly covered expense being food (22%) and holidays (16%), closely followed by mobile phone bills (15%).
When looking for the best mobile phone plans for the whole family, there are a couple of options to choose from:
- Pay monthly phone plans
- SIM only deals
What is a pay monthly phone plan?
If your child is looking for the newest mobile phone, then our pay monthly phone plans could be ideal. They can enjoy the latest phone, while costs are spread over a 24-month period.
Depending on the type of handset they're leaning towards, we offer a range of no upfront cost phone plans that might be a great fit.
At iD Mobile. brought to you by Currys, our pay monthly plans are beneficial for families looking to purchase a phone with their plan, as 5G, Data Rollover and Roaming come as standard. Discover our range of fantastic deals on the latest launches and SIM only plans.
What is a SIM only deal?
If your child already has a phone and doesn’t want to replace it just yet, then a SIM only plan might be more suitable. As you’re skipping the cost of a shiny new phone, our SIM only deals are an affordable alternative for parents looking to keep their bills to a minimum.
Our SIM only plans offer true flexibility from 1 month, 12-month and 24-month contracts, depending on what you prefer. Each of our SIM only deals give you a monthly allowance of data, texts and minutes across your agreed plan length.
Our SIM only plans are special because we’ve fixed the price, meaning no annual price rises, giving you the peace of mind to relax, and focus on the things that really matter. This is ideal if you’re paying for multiple devices for your family, as you’ll never have to suddenly start splashing out higher fees across several plans.
To help you decide whether a SIM only or phone plan is right for you, our helpful guide can help.
If flexibility is key when it comes to the household bills, then our range of SIM only plans are a great choice, thanks to our workable time periods.
What else to consider with a phone plan?
Before deciding which plan is right for you and the family, there are a couple of things to consider. Choosing the right network is a good place to start, and with over 2 million people subscribing to our multi-award-winning network, there’s something for everyone at iD Mobile. With our SIM only price lock, you can rest assured that there’ll be no annual price rises. Choose from a one, 12-or-24-month contracts that can work to the needs of you and the family.
If a pay monthly plan is your preference, we have a diverse range of options, with the newest releases on a network you can trust. Inclusive Roaming and Bill Capping are just a couple of the perks we have on offer, which mean you don’t have to worry about a hefty bill at the end of the month.
To help you decide which phone is right for your children, check out our guide to the best phones for teenagers in 2025.