Switching from Virgin Mobile to Tesco Mobile? It's a straightforward process to keep your existing phone number.
Step 1: Get a PAC Code from Virgin Mobile
If you’d like to move your phone number from Virgin Mobile to Tesco Mobile, the first step is getting your Porting Authorisation Code (or PAC Code) from Virgin Mobile.
There are three ways to get a PAC Code from Virgin Mobile:
- Online: You can get a PAC Code from Virgin Mobile by logging in to the Virgin Mobile Account website.
- By Text Message: You can get a Virgin Mobile PAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text PAC followed by your date of birth in DD/MM/YYYY format to 65075 to receive a PAC Code from Virgin Mobile.
- By Phone: You can get a PAC Code by calling Virgin Mobile. To do this, call them on 789 using your Virgin Mobile handset. Alternatively, dial 0345 6000 789 from any other phone. You'll need to call during Virgin Mobile's opening hours (Monday-Friday 8am-11.59pm, Saturday 8am-11.59pm, Sunday 8am-11.59pm).
Here are some key things to know:
- The PAC Code from Virgin Mobile should consist of six numbers with VRG at the start (e.g. VRG 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 Virgin Mobile: it'll be closed automatically when your phone number is transferred to Tesco Mobile.
Still in contract with Virgin Mobile? If so, you may need to pay an early exit fee on your bill from Virgin Mobile. To find out how much this would be, text INFO followed by your date of birth in DD/MM/YYYY format to 85075.
Don’t want to keep your Virgin Mobile phone number? You can switch to Tesco Mobile without taking your phone number with you. If you'd like to do this, get a STAC Code from Virgin Mobile instead.
Virgin Mobile STAC Code (Leave Virgin Mobile Without Keeping Your Number)
If you’d like to leave Virgin 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 Virgin Mobile:
- Online: You can get a STAC Code from Virgin Mobile by logging in to the Virgin Mobile Account website.
- By Text Message: You can get a Virgin Mobile STAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text STAC followed by your date of birth in DD/MM/YYYY format to 75075 to receive a STAC Code from Virgin Mobile.
- By Phone: You can get a STAC Code by calling Virgin Mobile. Call them on 789 using your Virgin Mobile handset. Alternatively, dial 0345 6000 789 from any other phone. You'll need to call during Virgin Mobile's opening hours (Monday-Friday 8am-11.59pm, Saturday 8am-11.59pm, Sunday 8am-11.59pm).
Once you’ve gotten your STAC Code from Virgin Mobile, the rest of the process for joining Tesco Mobile remains the same.
Step 2: Order your new phone or SIM card from Tesco Mobile's website
You should now order your new phone or SIM card using the Tesco Mobile website. Please select the type of tariff you're intending to move to:
If you're looking for a SIM card from Tesco Mobile, the following deals from £7.50/month are currently most popular:
| Network | Minutes | Texts | Data | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Unlimited | Unlimited | 2GB | £7.50 12 months |
| Unlimited | Unlimited | 12GB | £9.00 24 months |
| Unlimited | Unlimited | 60GB | £12.50 24 months |
| Unlimited | Unlimited | 100GB | £17.50 24 months |
| Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | £25.00 24 months |
For a full list of available tariffs and the latest Tesco Mobile deals, please refer to this page on Tesco Mobile's website.
Tesco 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 Tesco Mobile.
Step 3: Give the PAC Code to Tesco Mobile
Once your new phone or SIM card arrives from Tesco 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 Tesco Mobile and provide them with your PAC Code from Virgin Mobile.
Your PAC Code should be entered on Tesco Mobile's online form. Alternatively, you can give the PAC Code to Tesco Mobile by calling 4455 on your Tesco Mobile handset. You can also call 0345 301 4455 from any other phone.
If you have a STAC Code from Virgin Mobile rather than a PAC Code, this can be provided to Tesco Mobile in the exact same way.
Remember:
- You must provide the PAC Code to Tesco Mobile within 30 days of it being issued by Virgin Mobile. If the PAC Code has already expired, you'll need to return to step 1 and request a new PAC Code from Virgin Mobile.
Step 4: Phone Number Transferred (Next Working Day)
Once you've provided a PAC code to Tesco Mobile, your phone number transfer will normally be scheduled for the next working day (Monday to Friday only, excluding English bank holidays).
On the day of the transfer, you'll momentarily lose coverage on both mobile networks. When this happens, restart your handset on Tesco Mobile. You should find that the Tesco 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 Tesco Mobile, your account on Virgin Mobile will automatically be closed. You'll receive a final bill from Virgin Mobile for any outstanding charges.
Get the Latest Deals from Tesco Mobile →
Any Other Questions?
In case of any problems during the transfer of your phone number, you should contact your new mobile network (Tesco 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"
janette said:
Hi,Ken,will I be able to keep pictures after switching from Virgin to Tesco mobile?
Ken replied:
Hi Janette,
Changing your mobile network won’t affect the photos on your phone. If you’re upgrading to a new smartphone, you might need to copy your photos across. Take a look at my guides on transferring your data between Android devices. Alternatively, from iPhone to Android or from BlackBerry to Android.
Hope this helps!
Ken
Natty Lee said:
Hi Ken, my husband is getting an iPhone on a contract with orange and wants to port his number, and as his contract with tesco has another 9 months to run I'm going to use his phone and want to port my virgin number, I am not tied into a contract, my question is which number do we transfer first to avoid problems?
tony said:
Hi Ken
my wife has a PAYG phone with virgin (uk) and would like to switch to a tesco sim only monthly contract. but her phone is locked and virgin said it would cost £15 to unlock. does this Pac code unlock the phone or do we need to pay vigin the money first.
ps the phone is nearly 2 years old.
thanks tony
Ken replied:
Hi Tony,
No, a PAC Code will not unlock your phone – it only allows you to move your number. Your unlocking code costs £15 and unlocks the phone, the PAC Code is free and allows you to transfer your phone number.
Hope this helps!
Ken