Switching from Tesco Mobile to Vodafone? It's a straightforward process to keep your existing phone number.
Step 1: Get a PAC Code from Tesco Mobile
If you’d like to move your phone number from Tesco Mobile to Vodafone, the first step is getting your Porting Authorisation Code (or PAC Code) from Tesco Mobile.
There are three ways to get a PAC Code from Tesco Mobile:
- Online: You can get a PAC Code from Tesco Mobile by logging in to the Tesco Mobile account website. Once you've logged in, go to Request a PAC.
- By Text Message: You can get a Tesco Mobile PAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text PAC to 65075 to receive a PAC Code from Tesco Mobile.
- By Phone: You can get a PAC Code by calling Tesco Mobile. To do this, call them on 4455 using your Tesco Mobile handset. Alternatively, dial 0345 301 4455 from any other phone. You'll need to call during Tesco Mobile's opening hours (Monday-Friday 8am-9pm, Saturday 8am-8pm, Sunday 10am-6pm).
Here are some key things to know:
- The PAC Code from Tesco Mobile should consist of six numbers with TSC at the start (e.g. TSC 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 Tesco Mobile: it'll be closed automatically when your phone number is transferred to Vodafone.
Still in contract with Tesco Mobile? If so, you may need to pay an early exit fee on your bill from Tesco Mobile. To find out how much this would be, text INFO to 85075.
Don’t want to keep your Tesco Mobile phone number? You can switch to Vodafone without taking your phone number with you. If you'd like to do this, get a STAC Code from Tesco Mobile instead.
Tesco Mobile STAC Code (Leave Tesco Mobile Without Keeping Your Number)
If you’d like to leave Tesco Mobile 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 Tesco Mobile:
- Online: You can get a STAC Code from Tesco Mobile by logging in to the Tesco Mobile account website. After logging in, go to Request a PAC.
- By Text Message: You can get a Tesco Mobile STAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text STAC to 75075 to receive a STAC Code from Tesco Mobile.
- By Phone: You can get a STAC Code by calling Tesco Mobile. Call them on 4455 using your Tesco Mobile handset. Alternatively, dial 0345 301 4455 from any other phone. You'll need to call during Tesco Mobile's opening hours (Monday-Friday 8am-9pm, Saturday 8am-8pm, Sunday 10am-6pm).
Once you’ve gotten your STAC Code from Tesco Mobile, the rest of the process for joining Vodafone remains the same.
Step 2: Order your new phone or SIM card from Vodafone's website
You should now order your new phone or SIM card using the Vodafone website. Please select the type of tariff you're intending to move to:
If you're looking for a SIM card from Vodafone, the following deals from £7/month are currently most popular:
| Network | Minutes | Texts | Data | Monthly Cost (may rise during contract) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Unlimited | Unlimited | 6GB | £7.00 12 months |
| Unlimited | Unlimited | 30GB | £8.00 12 months |
| Unlimited | Unlimited | 50GB | £10.00 12 months |
| Unlimited | Unlimited | 150GB | £25.00 24 months |
| Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | £30.00 6 months half price 24 months |
For a full list of available tariffs and the latest Vodafone deals, please refer to this page on Vodafone's website.
Alternatively, if you're getting your Vodafone plan from a reseller, tap on their logo for more information:
Vodafone 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 Vodafone.
Step 3: Give the PAC Code to Vodafone
Once your new phone or SIM card arrives from Vodafone, 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 Vodafone and provide them with your PAC Code from Tesco Mobile.
Your PAC Code should be entered on Vodafone's online form. Alternatively, you can give the PAC Code to Vodafone by calling 191 on your Vodafone handset. You can also call 03333 040 191 from any other phone.
If you have a STAC Code from Tesco Mobile rather than a PAC Code, this can be provided to Vodafone in the exact same way.
Remember:
- You must provide the PAC Code to Vodafone within 30 days of it being issued by Tesco Mobile. If the PAC Code has already expired, you'll need to return to step 1 and request a new PAC Code from Tesco Mobile.
- Tesco Mobile Pay As You Go customers: Try to use up your remaining credit as it can't be transferred to Vodafone.
Step 4: Phone Number Transferred (Next Working Day)
As long as you've submitted your PAC Code to Vodafone 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 Vodafone. You should find that the Vodafone 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 Vodafone, your account on Tesco Mobile will automatically be closed. You'll receive a final bill from Tesco Mobile for any outstanding charges.
Get the Latest Deals from Vodafone →
Any Other Questions?
In case of any problems during the transfer of your phone number, you should contact your new mobile network (Vodafone) 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"
Neil said:
Is there such a thing as secondary pac numbers?
I’m in the process of moving from Tesco mobile to Vodafone, I’ve been given a pac number by Tesco but Vodafone claim that they have given me a secondary number instead of a primary.
Could this be true?
Ken replied:
Hi Neil,
Thanks for your comment. I’ve never heard of a “secondary PAC number” – I’m also unable to find any reference for this in the mobile number portability manual. Does your PAC Code match the expected nine-digit format (e.g. ABC 123 456)? If not, it’s possible you’ve been given a PUK2 (used to gain access to your SIM card if you enter the PIN number incorrectly three times).
Ken
Dave said:
Hi I have received a PAC code from Tesco Mobile, but Vodafone says that it’s invalid. I’ve talked to each company several times. Tesco say they can’t generate a new PAC code until this one expires. I’ve triple-checked the number and the code, but now I’m at an impasse.
What can I do?
Ken replied:
Hi Dave,
I’m sorry to hear your problems about transferring a phone number. I’m not really sure what the solution is to this. As you mention, you can double-check the PAC Code making sure it’s in the right format (nine-digits long, in the format ABC 123 123). Also make sure that characters haven’t been mis-read (e.g. a 1 for an I or a 0 for an O). Aside from that, there’s no reason why your PAC code shouldn’t work. In order to generate the PAC, Tesco should have registered it on a central database that all of the mobile operators use. I’d ask them to double-check that this has been completed. In my view, the problem is more likely to have originated on Tesco’s side as they would be responsible for putting your request in the central database, etc. As long as the PAC was correctly given to Vodafone, there’s unlikely to be any problems on that side.
Ken