Switching from Vodafone to Tesco Mobile? It's a straightforward process to keep your existing phone number.
Step 1: Get a PAC Code from Vodafone
If you’d like to move your phone number from Vodafone to Tesco Mobile, the first step is getting your Porting Authorisation Code (or PAC Code) from Vodafone.
There are three ways to get a PAC Code from Vodafone:
- Online: You can get a PAC Code from Vodafone by logging in to the My Vodafone website. Once you've logged in, go to Account settings > Mobile switching.
- By Text Message: You can get a Vodafone PAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text PAC to 65075 to receive a PAC Code from Vodafone.
- By Phone: You can get a PAC Code by calling Vodafone. To do this, call them on 191 using your Vodafone handset. Alternatively, dial 03333 040 191 from any other phone. You'll need to call during Vodafone's opening hours (Monday-Friday 8am-9pm, Saturday 8am-9pm, Sunday 8am-9pm).
Here are some key things to know:
- A PAC Code is 9 digits long and follows the format ABC 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 Vodafone: it'll be closed automatically when your phone number is transferred to Tesco Mobile.
Still in contract with Vodafone? If so, you may need to pay an early exit fee on your bill from Vodafone. To find out how much this would be, text INFO to 85075.
Don’t want to keep your Vodafone 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 Vodafone instead.
Vodafone STAC Code (Leave Vodafone Without Keeping Your Number)
If you’d like to leave Vodafone 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 Vodafone:
- Online: You can get a STAC Code from Vodafone by logging in to the My Vodafone website. After logging in, go to Account settings > Mobile switching.
- By Text Message: You can get a Vodafone STAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text STAC to 75075 to receive a STAC Code from Vodafone.
- By Phone: You can get a STAC Code by calling Vodafone. Call them on 191 using your Vodafone handset. Alternatively, dial 03333 040 191 from any other phone. You'll need to call during Vodafone's opening hours (Monday-Friday 8am-9pm, Saturday 8am-9pm, Sunday 8am-9pm).
Once you’ve gotten your STAC Code from Vodafone, 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 Vodafone.
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 Vodafone 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 Vodafone. If the PAC Code has already expired, you'll need to return to step 1 and request a new PAC Code from Vodafone.
- Vodafone Pay As You Go customers: Try to use up your remaining credit as it can't be transferred to Tesco 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 Vodafone will automatically be closed. You'll receive a final bill from Vodafone 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"
Paul Cullen said:
Hi Ken
Thanks for your excellent description of the old number to new phone process.
I have just completed the same, from Vodafone to Tesco with no problem.
However the number displayed in my new phone (moto G) status is still the temporary number allocated by Tesco. Will this update automatically, can I update it or will the phone always display the original number?
Ken replied:
Hi Paul,
Thanks for your comment. Could you kindly elaborate on which feature of your new smartphone is showing the old number? If it’s an instant messaging app (e.g. WhatsApp), you’ll need to re-register the app under the new phone number. If it’s an outgoing call still showing the old number, this would be a problem to discuss with Tesco customer support (call 4455 using your Tesco handset and ask them to check the caller ID). Finally, if it’s a problem in the Android interface (e.g. the wrong number showing on the About screen) you can normally resolve this by restarting your handset.
Hope this helps,
Ken
Mairi said:
Hi Ken
I have transferred my number using a PAC code from Vodafone to Tesco mobile. The number appeared to transfer successfully as I am receiving texts to my old number on my new phone, but when I send messages it is my temporary tesco mobile number that is appearing on the receiver’s phone. Will this disappear once my vodafone contract finally ends in 30 days?
Ken replied:
Hi Mairi,
Thanks for your comment. It looks as if there’s a problem on Tesco Mobile’s side. They haven’t yet updated your Caller ID number which is why it’s showing your old temporary number. I recommend getting in touch with their Customer Services team: dial 4455 on your Tesco Mobile handset. Fingers crossed they should be able to fix the problem for you!
Ken
Linda Smith said:
i received my pac code from Vodafone, gave it to Tesco, waited a whole day. what has happened now is i can ring out but nobody can ring in or receive text. Tesco have said Vodafone have not released everything after two more days and calls to Tesco still no further on. What can i do?