Switching from O2 to Sky Mobile? It's a straightforward process to keep your existing phone number.
Step 1: Get a PAC Code from O2
If you’d like to move your phone number from O2 to Sky Mobile, the first step is getting your Porting Authorisation Code (or PAC Code) from O2.
There are three ways to get a PAC Code from O2:
- Online: You can get a PAC Code from O2 by logging in to the My O2 website. Once you've logged in, go to My details > Thinking of switching from O2?.
- By Text Message: You can get an O2 PAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text PAC to 65075 to receive a PAC Code from O2.
- By Phone: You can get a PAC Code by calling O2. To do this, call them on:
- For O2 Pay Monthly, dial 202 (or 0344 8090202 from any other phone)
- For O2 Pay As You Go, dial 4445 (or 0344 8090222 from any other phone)
Here are some key things to know:
- The PAC Code from O2 should consist of six numbers with TEL at the start (e.g. TEL 123 456).
- Your PAC Code is valid for 30 days. If you don't use it during this time, the PAC Code will expire and you'll need to request a new one.
- You shouldn't close your account at O2: it'll be closed automatically when your phone number is transferred to Sky Mobile.
Still in contract with O2? If so, you may need to pay an early exit fee on your bill from O2. To find out how much this would be, text INFO to 85075.
Don’t want to keep your O2 phone number? You can switch to Sky Mobile without taking your phone number with you. If you'd like to do this, get a STAC Code from O2 instead.
O2 STAC Code (Leave O2 Without Keeping Your Number)
If you’d like to leave O2 without keeping your phone number, you’ll need to request a STAC Code rather than a PAC Code. There are three ways to get a STAC Code from O2:
- Online: You can get a STAC Code from O2 by logging in to the My O2 website. After logging in, go to My details > Thinking of switching from O2?.
- By Text Message: You can get an O2 STAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text STAC to 75075 to receive a STAC Code from O2.
- By Phone: You can get a STAC Code by calling O2. Call them on:
- For O2 Pay Monthly, dial 202 (or 0344 8090202 from any other phone)
- For O2 Pay As You Go, dial 4445 (or 0344 8090222 from any other phone)
Once you’ve gotten your STAC Code from O2, the rest of the process for joining Sky Mobile remains the same.
Step 2: Order your new phone or SIM card from Sky Mobile's website
You should now order your new phone or SIM card using the Sky Mobile website. Please select the type of tariff you're intending to move to:
If you're looking for a SIM card from Sky Mobile, the following deals from £10/month are currently most popular:
| Network | Minutes | Texts | Data | Monthly Cost (may rise during contract) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Unlimited | Unlimited | 5GB | £10.00 12 months |
| Unlimited | Unlimited | 30GB | £12.00 12 months |
| Unlimited | Unlimited | 75GB | £16.00 12 months |
| Unlimited | Unlimited | 100GB | £28.00 12 months |
For a full list of available tariffs and the latest Sky Mobile deals, please refer to this page on Sky Mobile's website.
Sky Mobile will assign you with a temporary phone number during the transition process. This will allow you to test out the service before you finally transfer your phone number to Sky Mobile.
Step 3: Give the PAC Code to Sky Mobile
Once your new phone or SIM card arrives from Sky Mobile, switch it on and make sure everything's working properly. If, for whatever reason, you need to return or change the handset or SIM card, it's best to do this before transferring your phone number.
Once you're happy to continue with the phone number transfer, contact Sky Mobile and provide them with your PAC Code from O2.
Your PAC Code should be entered on Sky Mobile's online form. Alternatively, you can give the PAC Code to Sky Mobile by calling 03300 412 524 on your Sky Mobile handset. You can also call 03300 412 524 from any other phone.
If you have a STAC Code from O2 rather than a PAC Code, this can be provided to Sky Mobile in the exact same way.
Remember:
- You must provide the PAC Code to Sky Mobile within 30 days of it being issued by O2. If the PAC Code has already expired, you'll need to return to step 1 and request a new PAC Code from O2.
- O2 Pay As You Go customers: Try to use up your remaining credit as it can't be transferred to Sky Mobile.
Step 4: Phone Number Transferred (Next Working Day)
As long as you've submitted your PAC Code to Sky Mobile before 5pm, your phone number transfer will normally be scheduled for the next working day (Monday to Friday only, excluding English bank holidays). After 5pm, you'll need to wait one extra working day for your number to be transferred.
On the day of the transfer, you'll momentarily lose coverage on both mobile networks. When this happens, restart your handset on Sky Mobile. You should find that the Sky Mobile phone or SIM card will now associated with your original phone number.
- If you see an error message (e.g. "SIM card registration failed"), this means it's time to restart your phone.
- Once the phone number has been transferred to Sky Mobile, your account on O2 will automatically be closed. You'll receive a final bill from O2 for any outstanding charges.
Get the Latest Deals from Sky Mobile →
Any Other Questions?
In case of any problems during the transfer of your phone number, you should contact your new mobile network (Sky Mobile) with details of the problem.
If you have any other questions on using a PAC Code, please see my in-depth guide to transferring your phone number between networks. You can also read the comments below from other visitors to this website.
← Full Article: "PAC Codes - How to transfer your mobile number when switching networks"
Claire said:
I requested the PAC from O2 and switching via the SKY site seemed relatively straight forward. I was mailed with a date the switch would take place which was 2 working days from completing the form, all as advised so far. On the day of the switch, my O2 phone stopped working however, whilst I can make calls from my new Sky phone with my old number that has been imported, I can’t receive calls. When anyone calls my number, they receive a voice message saying the number is incorrect.
SKY customer service are telling me the issue is being looked at by their porting team. The porting team must be based on Mars as it seems the customer service agent isn’t able to contact or talk to the porting team and find out what is going on. When I asked, I was told it was an issue at O2’s side. I’ve contacted O2 and they can see the number was moved at 11am the previous day. I’m now getting really frustrated with Sky as it’s been 48hrs and I’m still none the wiser what is happening.
Anyone else experienced a similar issue or know how to contact the porting team directly?
Any advise welcome, Sky aren’t being very helpful. I’m just being told to expect a text when complete
Layla replied:
I’m having the same issue. They’ve told me to wait 72 hours for the switch. As if people can bc wait for that long time for a switch which normally takes a couple of hours. I’m stuck here myself they just said wait to me aswell.
barbara said:
We once I’ve activated my sky SIM card can I put my old 02 SIM card back in my phone until the day of sky make my old numer active
Ken replied:
Hi Barbara,
Yes – you are more than welcome to continue using your old O2 SIM card until the date your phone number finally moves over to Sky.
Ken
Terry said:
Hi Ken,
Firstly, thank you for the helpful and easy to understand guides.
I am looking to transfer my current O2 number to a Sky mobile deal. I have no issue with the normal process but I have lost my current O2 mobile, so to port a number from O2 to Sky, would my old (lost) mobile need to be powered on?
I know I can gain the PAC over a landline.
Regards
Terry
Ken replied:
Hi Terry,
The PAC Code is generated on the mobile network side, and doesn’t relate at all to your handset. So there’s no need to power on your old mobile phone (you just need to be able to contact O2 Customer Services and clear security with them to obtain the PAC Code).
Ken