Whether you're joining giffgaff or leaving for another network, it's a straightforward process to keep your existing phone number.
If you're leaving giffgaff to join another network, or if you're leaving another network in order to join giffgaff, it's super easy to keep your current phone number.
All you'll need to do is to request a PAC Code. It's totally free and the entire process of transferring your phone number should normally take no longer than one working day.
For detailed instructions, please choose the option that best applies to you:
- I'm leaving giffgaff and joining another network
Transfer your giffgaff phone number onto a different mobile network. - I'm joining giffgaff from another network
Transfer your phone number from another mobile network to giffgaff. - I'm upgrading my giffgaff phone or SIM card
Transfer your phone number from one giffgaff account to another giffgaff account.
Leaving giffgaff For Another Network
If you're leaving giffgaff to join another mobile network, you can take your phone number with you using a PAC Code from giffgaff.
There are three ways to request a giffgaff PAC Code:
- Online: You can get a PAC Code from giffgaff by logging in to the My giffgaff website. Once you've logged in, go to My profiles & settings > Get a giffgaff PAC Code.
- By Text Message: You can get a giffgaff PAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text PAC to 65075 to receive a PAC Code from giffgaff.
- By Phone: You can get a PAC Code by calling giffgaff. To do so, call them free of charge on their dedicated number, 43431.
It's always free to get a PAC Code from giffgaff, and it's your legal entitlement to be able to recieve one. If any cancellation fees apply to your giffgaff contract, they should also tell you what this will be at the same time as sending you a PAC Code.
The PAC Code you recieve from giffgaff should begin with GGF and should be 9 digits long (e.g. GGF 123 456).
Once you have your giffgaff PAC Code, you'll need to provide it to your new mobile network operator. For detailed instructions, please select your new mobile network from the following dropdown menu:
Don’t want to keep your giffgaff phone number? You can request a STAC Code from giffgaff instead.
giffgaff STAC Code (Leave giffgaff Without Keeping Your Number)
If you’d like to leave giffgaff without keeping your current phone number, you’ll need to request a giffgaff STAC Code rather than a PAC Code. There are three ways to get a STAC Code from giffgaff:
- Online: You can get a STAC Code from giffgaff by logging in to the My giffgaff website. After logging in, go to My profiles & settings > Get a giffgaff PAC Code.
- By Text Message: You can get a giffgaff STAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text STAC to 75075 to receive a STAC Code from giffgaff.
- By Phone: You can get a STAC Code by calling giffgaff. To do so, call them free of charge on their dedicated number, 43431.
Once you’ve gotten your STAC Code, the rest of the process for joining your new mobile network remains the same. You can choose your new provider from the dropdown menu above for instructions on how to use your giffgaff STAC Code.
Joining giffgaff From Another Network
If you're joining giffgaff from a different mobile network, you should ask your old mobile network to provide you with a PAC Code. The PAC Code will allow you to transfer your phone number to giffgaff.
After getting a PAC Code from your old network, you should order your new phone or SIM card directly from giffgaff's website. For more information, please select the type of tariff you're wanting to move to:
For a full list of the latest giffgaff deals, please see this page on giffgaff's website.
Get the Latest Deals from giffgaff →
When Your New Phone Arrives...
Once your new phone or SIM card arrives from giffgaff, switch it on and make sure everything's working correctly. If, for whatever reason, you need to return or change your handset or SIM card, it's best to do this before transferring your phone number.
Once you're happy to continue with the transfer, your PAC Code should be submitted through giffgaff's online form.
If your PAC Code is provided before 3pm, your phone number transfer will normally be scheduled for the next working day (Monday to Friday only, excluding English bank holidays). For PAC Codes submitted after the 3pm cut-off, you'll need to wait one extra working day for your number to be transferred.
Sometimes, you’ll be given the option to provide a PAC Code at the same time as when you order your new phone or SIM card. We’d typically recommend against providing your PAC Code at this stage. Instead, waiting for the new phone or SIM card to arrive from giffgaff first will allow you to make sure it’s working correctly and will make the process of cancelling or returning much easier.
Upgrading Your Plan On giffgaff
If you're simply upgrading to a newer handset or tariff, it's not necessary to get a giffgaff PAC Code. You can simply upgrade via giffgaff's website. For more information, please select the type of giffgaff price plan you're planning to move to:
More Information
For more information, please see the giffgaff website. You can also read our full guide to using a PAC Code. This answers a lot of frequently asked questions and provides some additional tips on transferring your phone number.
For discussion, please see the comments below on this page. They show other people's experiences using a giffgaff PAC Code or moving their phone number from another network to giffgaff.
Daniel said:
Hello Ken
I wish to port in my existing number with giffgaff to Lebara. I have received my Lebara sim & “temporary” number. I understand I have to obtain a PAC from giffgaff & give it to Lebara & that the PAC code will expire after 30days. However I still have £30 credit with giffgaff that I’d like to use before switching the number to Lebara. My question is: How long will the Lebara “temporary” number be available to be swapped over (is there any time limit?) ? Could I, say for example, use the Lebara “temporary” number for a few months (or until my giffgaff credit has almost been exhausted) & then request a PAC from giffgaff to transfer that number to Lebara, to replace the “temporary” Lebara number (i.e. several months after activating the Lebara “temporary” number).
Ken replied:
Hi Daniel,
Thanks for your comment. You can keep the ‘temporary’ phone number from Lebara for as long as you like. In other words, it’s absolutely fine to port your phone number in even if you’ve had your Lebara SIM card for 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, or even longer than that.
One thing to consider, however, is whether you might just be paying for two plans at the same time (i.e. if you’re paying for a plan on Lebara as well as paying for a plan on giffgaff). If this is the case, you might not actually be saving much money by doing this! One potential alternative would be donating your giffgaff credit to charity or using it another way.
Hope this helps,
Ken
Felicia said:
I want to change my Lyca mobile to giffgaff, do I need to retain the sim in the phone or I remove the sim and put the giffgaff sim to be effective
Ken replied:
Hi Felicia,
Thanks for your comment. You can continue using the Lycamobile SIM card until your number moves over. After that happens, you’ll need to swap it out for the SIM card you’ve received from giffgaff.
Hope this helps,
Ken
Dev said:
Giffgaff sim lost! Got new sim but unable to request PAC via old sim as you require the old sim to text and request your PAC to keep the old number. Any way around this please?
Ken replied:
Hi Dev,
Thanks for your comment. It shouldn’t be necessary to get a PAC Code as you’re simply swapping your number onto a different SIM card with giffgaff. You just need to follow giffgaff’s lost SIM process.
Hope this helps,
Ken