By How to transfer & keep your phone number when switching to another mobile network: a step-by-step guide to using a PAC Code.
In the UK, it’s a straightforward process to transfer your phone number from one mobile network to another. This makes it easy to change mobile networks, whilst keeping the same phone number as before. It also ensures you won’t miss any incoming phone calls, and there’s no need to tell everyone a brand new number.
To move your phone number from one network to another, you’ll use something called a Porting Authorisation Code (or PAC Code for short). It normally takes one working day to transfer your phone number using a PAC Code and it’s always free to do so.
Step-By-Step Instructions: Transferring Your Phone Number
For a step-by-step guide on how to keep your current phone number, please select your current mobile network followed by the mobile network you’re planning to join:
PAC Code Finder
Find out how to move your phone number
Through the rest of this article, we’ll discuss the process for transferring your phone number in a little more detail. We’ll show you how to get a PAC Code from different mobile networks, and then how you can use the PAC Code on your new network. We’ll also discuss the validity and expiry of PAC Codes, before looking at some special cases (e.g. transferring your phone number within the same network).
Contents
What is a PAC Code?
In the UK, a PAC Code (or Porting Authorisation Code) is used to transfer your phone number from one mobile network to another.
There are three steps to transferring your phone number:
- Start by getting a PAC Code from your current mobile network. It takes less than a minute to get a PAC Code from your network, and there’s no need to speak to anyone on the phone. You can get your PAC Code either online or by text message – simply follow the instructions here for your network. There’s no cost and no obligation when getting a PAC Code.
- Order your new phone or SIM card. Once you have the PAC Code from your old network, you can order the new phone or SIM card from your new mobile network. To start with, you’ll be given a temporary phone number so you can make sure the service works correctly before transferring your phone number.
- Give the PAC Code to your new mobile network. Finally, you can give the PAC Code to your new network. Normally, you’ll be able to submit the PAC Code online. However, you can also give it to your new mobile network over the phone.
For step-by-step instructions on how to keep your phone number using a PAC Code, please select your current mobile network followed by the mobile network you’re planning to join:
If you don’t want to keep your phone number when changing mobile networks, you can request a STAC Code (Service Termination Authorisation Code) instead of a PAC Code. The form above will also help you to get a STAC Code from your network. Alternatively, you can use the standard cancellation process but an additional notice period fee may apply when you do this.
PUK Codes (Personal Unblocking Key Codes)
PAC Codes are sometimes confused with PUK Codes (Personal Unblocking Key Codes). However, the two codes serve totally different purposes. A PUK code is required if your handset becomes blocked (e.g. if you were to enter your PIN number incorrectly three times). When moving mobile networks, be sure to get a PAC Code instead of a PUK Code.
How Long Do Number Transfers Take?
Once you’ve given the PAC Code to your new network, you’ll need to wait one working day before the phone number is moved over (two working days if you submit the PAC Code late in the afternoon or evening).
Whilst you’re waiting for the transfer to take place, you’ll continue receiving a service from your old mobile network. This means you’ll still be able to receive incoming calls and texts whilst you wait.
On the day of the phone number transfer, you’ll momentarily lose coverage on both your old and new mobile networks. When this happens, you should restart the phone on your new network. That should complete the phone number transfer.
When Will The Number Transfer Take Place?
Phone number transfers normally take place on the next working day after you submit your PAC Code (or two working days if you submit the PAC Code late in the afternoon or evening).
It’s important to remember that phone number transfers will only take place on a working day. Transfers will not happen over the weekend or on English bank holidays. Therefore, assuming there are no bank holidays, the following table shows when you can expect the phone number transfer to take place:
| Day of Submitting PAC Code† | Day of Number Transfer |
|---|---|
| Saturday | Tuesday |
| Sunday | |
| Monday | |
| Tuesday | Wednesday |
| Wednesday | Thursday |
| Thursday | Friday |
| Friday | Monday |
† You’ll need to submit your PAC Code before the daily cut-off time (between 3pm and 5.30pm depending on your network). If the PAC Code is submitted after the daily cut-off time, you’ll need to wait an extra working day for the transfer to take place.
You will need to be in the UK on the day of the phone number transfer.
Getting a PAC Code
The first step to transferring your phone number is getting a PAC Code from your old mobile network. The PAC Code authorises the transfer of your phone number to another network. It’s nine-digits long and consists of three letters followed by six numbers (e.g. ABC 123 456).
You can normally get a PAC Code instantly from your mobile network, either using their website or app or by sending a text message as follows:
| Current Network | How to Get a PAC Code | |
|---|---|---|
 | Log in to the My BT website and go to Mobile > Thinking of leaving BT or text PAC to 65075 to get a BT PAC Code by SMS text message (see other options) | |
 | Log in to the My EE website and go to Menu > Account settings > Leave EE or text PAC to 65075 to get a EE PAC Code by SMS text message (see other options) | |
 | Log in to the My giffgaff website and go to My profiles & settings > Get a giffgaff PAC Code or text PAC to 65075 to get a giffgaff PAC Code by SMS text message (see other options) | |
 | Log in to the My O2 website and go to My details > Thinking of switching from O2? or text PAC to 65075 to get a O2 PAC Code by SMS text message (see other options) | |
 | Log in to your Sky Account and go to My Account > Mobile > My Number or text PAC followed by your date of birth (in DDMMYYYY format) to 65075 (see other options) | |
 | Log in to your My3 Account to get your Three PAC Code or text PAC followed by your date of birth (in DDMMYY format) to 65075 (see other options) | |
 | Log in to your Virgin Mobile Account to get your Virgin PAC Code or text PAC followed by your date of birth (in DD/MM/YYYY format) to 65075 (see other options) | |
 | Log in to the My Vodafone website and go to Account settings > Mobile switching or text PAC to 65075 to get a Vodafone PAC Code by SMS text message (see other options) | |
| Show contact details for more networks... (e.g. iD Mobile, Plusnet, Tesco & Smarty) | ||
If you’re requesting a PAC Code online or by text message, your mobile network is legally obliged to give it to you within 60 seconds of your request.
If you prefer, it’s also possible to get a PAC Code by calling your current mobile network. In this case, you should expect it to take substantially longer as your mobile network will normally try to persuade you to stay with them. It’s certainly a lot more hassle getting your PAC Code this way, but it can give you the opportunity to negotiate a deal with them.
Once issued, your PAC Code will be valid for 30 days. You should write it down, keeping it somewhere safe and secure (treat it like you would a password). There’s no need to separately cancel your mobile contract as this will be done automatically for you when the PAC Code is used.
If any early exit fees apply to your contract, you should be told about these when you request your PAC Code. Alternatively, you can text INFO to 85075 to find out what the early exit fees are for ending your contract.
Using a PAC Code
After you get a PAC Code from your old network, the next step is ordering the new phone or SIM card from your new mobile network. To do this, select the mobile network you’re planning to join:
| Please select the network you're moving to: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| | | |
| Other Popular Networks: BT Mobile, giffgaff, iD Mobile, Plusnet Mobile, Smarty, Sky Mobile, Tesco Mobile, Virgin Mobile, VOXI | |||
During the online order process, you’ll sometimes be given the option to use your PAC Code straight away. We normally recommend declining this option as it can complicate things (e.g. if you wish to cancel or return your plan during the cooling-off period, or if there’s a delay before your new phone or SIM card arrives).
Unless you choose to use the PAC Code straight away, your new phone or SIM card will initially be given a temporary phone number. This will allow you to spend a little bit of time to make sure everything works correctly before you submit the PAC Code and complete the number transfer process. It isn’t possible to reverse a phone number transfer once it has taken place.
How To Submit Your PAC Code
Once you’re happy to move your phone number over, you can provide the PAC Code to your new mobile network as follows:
| New Network | Contact Details for Providing a PAC Code | |
|---|---|---|
| Give your PAC Code to BT (bt.com) or call 150 from your BT handset / 0800 800 150 from another phone. See full contact details. | |
| Give your PAC Code to EE (ee.co.uk) or call 150 from your EE handset / 07953 966 250 from another phone. See full contact details. | |
| Give your PAC Code to giffgaff (giffgaff.com) The PAC Code must be submitted to giffgaff online. | |
| Give your PAC Code to O2 (o2.co.uk) or call 202 from your O2 Pay Monthly handset, 4445 from your O2 Pay As You Go handset from another phone: 0344 8090202 (Pay Monthly), 0344 8090222 PAYG). See full contact details. | |
| Give your PAC Code to Sky (sky.com) or call 03300 412 524 from your Sky handset / 03300 412 524 from another phone. See full contact details. | |
| Give your PAC Code to Three (three.co.uk) or call 333 from your Three handset / 0333 338 1001 from another phone. See full contact details. | |
| Give your PAC Code to Virgin (virginmedia.com) or call 789 from your Virgin handset / 0345 6000 789 from another phone. See full contact details. | |
| Give your PAC Code to Vodafone (vodafone.co.uk) or call 191 from your Vodafone handset / 03333 040 191 from another phone. See full contact details. | |
| Show contact details for more networks... (e.g. iD Mobile, Plusnet, Smarty, Tesco & VOXI) | ||
We wouldn’t recommend using your PAC Code if there’s still a chance you’ll want to cancel or return your new phone or SIM. This is because the number transfer process cannot be reversed once the PAC Code has been used.
PAC Code Validity & Expiry
Once issued, your PAC Code is valid for 30 days. For instance, if your PAC Code is issued on the 1st of November, it will expire on the 30th of November.
If your PAC Code isn’t used within the 30-day validity period, it will expire and nothing further will happen. The plan on your old mobile network will continue to run and you’ll still be charged for it, even if you’re no longer using it. If you still want to cancel your plan, you can use a different cancellation process such as the STAC Code or standard cancellation process.
If your PAC Code has already expired, you can get a new one if you’d still like to transfer your phone number to another network.
Special Cases
Transferring Within The Same Network
A PAC Code can only be used when you’re transferring a phone number between two different networks.
If you’re staying on the same mobile network but changing to a different phone or plan, it isn’t possible to use the PAC Code process. Instead, you should contact your mobile network directly to ask them to transfer your phone number to the new plan. You’ll need to provide them with details of both of your accounts.
| Please select your network and tariff type: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| | | |
| Other Popular Networks: BT Mobile, giffgaff, iD Mobile, Plusnet Mobile, Smarty, Sky Mobile, Tesco Mobile, Virgin Mobile, VOXI | |||
In some cases, mobile networks have been known to refuse a request to transfer your phone number to another plan on the same network. This will sometimes be the case if you’ve signed up on a ‘new customer’ deal, whereas the network would like to sell you an ‘upgrade’ instead (normally more expensive).
One potential workaround for this is to use a PAC Code to transfer your number to a different network (e.g. onto a Pay As You Go network such as giffgaff or ASDA Mobile). Once you’ve done that, you can always transfer your phone number back into the original network.
Transferring a Pay As You Go Number
You should follow the normal PAC Code process when transferring a Pay As You Go phone number.
However, one extra thing that’s worth being aware of is that you can’t transfer Pay As You Go credit from one mobile network to another. Any unused credit remaining on your old network will therefore be forfeited on the day of your phone number transfer. For this reason, it’s normally a good idea to use up your Pay As You Go credit before the phone number transfer.
If you have a large amount of money remaining on your Pay As You Go account, consider donating it to charity rather than spending it frivolously. You can donate unused credit by text message to charities like Cancer Research, the Red Cross and Save the Children. You can also check with your favourite charity to see whether they’re able to accept donations by text message.
Transferring Ownership Of Your Number
If you like, the PAC Code process can be used to transfer ownership of your phone number (e.g. to a friend or family member). This is because there is no requirement for the name on the old account and new account to be the same.
Please be aware of the possible privacy and security implications if you decide to transfer ownership of your phone number to someone else. This is because they might end up with access to your incoming phone calls and text messages (including verification codes from the bank, messages from friends, etc).
Cancelling Your Old Mobile Contract
If you’re using a PAC Code to transfer your phone number to another network, the account on your old mobile network will be closed automatically. This will happen when the PAC Code is used and when the phone number transfers to another network.
If you simply request a PAC Code but never actually use it, your account will remain open, even after the PAC Code expires. To cancel it, you’ll need to start the PAC Code process again, or you can follow the STAC Code or standard cancellation process:
- If you’re moving to another network but don’t want to keep your current phone number, follow the STAC Code (Service Termination Authorisation Code) process. You can get a STAC Code online in the same way you’d get a PAC Code, or you can text STAC to 75075. Once you have a STAC Code from your old network, you can use it in the same way you’d use a PAC Code.
- If you’re not moving to another network, follow the standard cancellation process. However, a 30-day notice period might apply for this on some Pay Monthly plans. It can therefore be advantageous to use the PAC Code or STAC Code process instead as the notice period will not apply for this.
Other Things To Know
There are several other things worth knowing about a PAC Code:
- You cannot swap phone numbers between two accounts. When you port your phone number onto another network, the original phone number on that SIM card is lost. Therefore, it isn’t possible to swap phone numbers between two mobile networks.
- You cannot transfer a phone number that has already been lost. For instance, if you’ve already cancelled your contract, or if your phone number has expired due to Pay As You Go inactivity. In both cases, the phone number will have already been lost and can therefore no longer be transferred elsewhere.
- Businesses can transfer up to 25 phone numbers using a PAC Code. Businesses can use a PAC Code to transfer up to 25 phone numbers from one mobile network to another. Larger businesses wanting to transfer more than 25 phone numbers should contact their account manager at the network instead to arrange a transfer.
- A different system exists for transferring landline phone numbers. A PAC Code can only be used for transferring mobile phone numbers in the UK (these are UK phone numbers starting with 07). If you’d like to transfer a landline number, see our guide to switching broadband or home phone provider.
Troubleshooting
Instant Messaging Apps
If you’re using an instant messaging app (e.g. WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger or Snapchat), your temporary phone number may continue to show even after you’ve used your PAC Code. To fix this, you should use the ‘number change’ feature that’s built into your messaging application:
- WhatsApp: Changing your phone number
- Facebook Messenger: Changing your phone number
- Snapchat: Setting your phone number
- WeChat: Change linked mobile network
- LINE: Changing your phone number
iMessage & FaceTime on iPhone
If you’re using an iPhone, you may experience problems with iMessage and FaceTime after transferring your phone number with a PAC Code.
If you’re moving your phone number to a new iPhone, you might see your temporary phone number continuing to show in iMessage and FaceTime. To resolve this, you’ll first need to disable iMessage and FaceTime (you can do this by going to Settings > Messages > iMessage and Settings > FaceTime on your iPhone). After doing this, go to Settings > Phone > My Number and enter your correct phone number there (this should be the phone number that you want to keep). You should then restart your iPhone, after which you can re-enable iMessage and FaceTime.
If you’re moving your phone number from an iPhone to a non-Apple device (e.g. Android), you may find that you stop receiving messages from people with an iPhone. To fix this, you’ll need to de-register your old iPhone from iMessage and FaceTime. If you still have access to your old iPhone, go to Settings > Messages > iMessage and switch it off. You should also go to Settings > FaceTime to turn FaceTime off. Alternatively, if you no longer have access to your iPhone, you can de-register iMessage through the Apple website.
Other Number Transfer Issues
If you have any other issues relating to your phone number transfer (e.g. if your phone number didn’t move over as planned, or if you’re having problems using your phone after the transfer), it’s the responsibility of your new mobile network to resolve this. You should contact their customer services team about the issue you’re having.
If your phone number transfer gets delayed for any reason, you may be eligible for compensation from your new provider.
One Time Passcodes
Once your phone number transfer is complete, you may be subject to some additional security checks when shopping or banking online. This extra security will last for a couple of days after your phone number transfer. It’s an anti-fraud mechanism that is designed to stop scammers from intercepting one-time passcodes (OTPs) to your mobile phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
| What is a PAC Code? | In the UK, a PAC Code (Porting Authorisation Code) is used to transfer your phone number from one mobile network to another. |
|---|---|
| How long does it take to transfer a phone number? | It normally takes one working day to transfer your phone number between mobile networks (two working days if you submit your PAC Code late in the afternoon or evening). You’ll continue receiving coverage from your old mobile network whilst you waiting so the downtime should be minimal. |
| How do I get a PAC Code? | You can get a PAC Code through your mobile network’s website or app, or by texting PAC to 65075. Once you’ve requested it, a PAC Code should be sent to you within 60 seconds. You can also get a PAC Code by calling your network, but this is likely to involve a lot more hassle. |
| What do I do with a PAC Code once I have it? | Once issued, your PAC Code will be valid for 30 days. You should give it to your new mobile network once you’re happy to move your phone number over. Find out how to use your PAC Code. |
| Does using a PAC Code automatically cancel my old plan? | Your old mobile plan is cancelled automatically once the PAC Code is used and once the phone number transfer is complete.
If you simply request a PAC Code but never actually use it, your old account will remain open, even after the PAC Code expires. |
| Can I transfer my phone number to the same network using a PAC Code? | No. It isn’t possible to use a PAC Code to transfer a phone number to the same network. Instead, you’ll need to contact your mobile network directly. Alternatively, you can always port out to a different network before porting your phone number back in. |
| How long is a PAC Code valid for? | Once issued, your PAC Code is valid for 30 days. For instance, if your PAC Code is issued on the 1st of November, it will expire on the 30th of November. |
| What happens if the PAC Code expires? | If your PAC Code isn’t used during the 30-day validity period, your plan will continue to run and you’ll continue being charged for it. You can either request a brand new PAC Code, or you can cancel your contract another way (e.g. using the STAC Code or standard cancellation process). |
| What is a STAC Code? | A STAC Code (Service Termination Authorisation Code) is used when you’re moving to another network but when you don’t want to keep your current phone number. You can get a STAC Code online in the same way you’d get a PAC Code, or you can text STAC to 75075. |
More Information
For a step-by-step guide that takes you through the process of transferring a mobile number, please use our PAC Code Finder.
Phil said:
Hi Ken
I’ve recently signed up to Smarty mobile. Now that I’m happy with how it’s all set up I’d like to do a couple of things.
I’m currently using a STAC to leave my old number with EE. It should terminate tomorrow. I have another number with O2 which I’d like to transfer to the Smarty sim with a PAC once the EE number it’s closed down. Is it possible (or would there be any objection from a network) to do the PAC once the STAC is completed?
Phil
Ken replied:
Hi Phil,
Many thanks for your comment. As far as I know, there shouldn’t be any problem using a PAC Code from O2, once the STAC code from EE has been actioned 🙂
Ken
Alan Taylor said:
Hi i’ve just gone threw this process as listed above, coming from Plusnet to Asda Mobile.
But its all gone south, im now 6 days into the port, the number has still not come over and the number from Asda has now been disconnect.
I’ve spoke to Asda technical people at Asda say Plusnet has not given them the right file, whatever that means
So i now find myself with my number on Plusnet has been disconnected, and my temporary number from Asda has also been disconnected.
The guy from Asda mobile assures me that my number wont be lost, but could another week or more to transfer over, apparently my number supposedly with plusnet is on an Orange account.
I took this account out with Plusnet back in 2017 but had know idea i was with Orange, and i had not renewed this contract since.
So my number port could take weeks, or maybe will never happen 🙁
Steve Sawyer said:
Hi Ken
Great site!
Would you be able to update the info related to the ‘transferring’ from a mobile network to that same network? For example, this used to be a real pain (port out and back in), but it looks like at least 1 network (Vodafone) has addressed this. I guess this now means an existing Vodafone customer can buy a third party Vodafone deal and ‘transfer’ their number: this is really useful as there are many good third party Vodafone deals, unlike say EE
Michael replied:
This allows Vodafone -> Lebara -> Vodafone again?
Is this now live for other networks like EE as well as Vodafone?