Whether you're joining iD Mobile or leaving for another network, it's a straightforward process to keep your existing phone number.
If you're leaving iD to join another network, or if you're leaving another network in order to join iD, 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 iD and joining another network
Transfer your iD Mobile phone number onto a different mobile network. - I'm joining iD from another network
Transfer your phone number from another mobile network to iD Mobile. - I'm upgrading my iD phone or SIM card
Transfer your phone number from one iD account to another iD account.
Leaving iD For Another Network
If you're leaving iD Mobile to join another mobile network, you can take your phone number with you using a PAC Code from iD.
There are three ways to request an iD PAC Code:
- Online: You can get a PAC Code from iD by logging in to the iD Mobile Account website. Once you've logged in, go to My Account > End my plan.
- By Text Message: You can get an iD Mobile PAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text PAC followed by your date of birth in DDMMYY format to 65075 to receive a PAC Code from iD.
- By Phone: You can get a PAC Code by calling iD Mobile. To do this, call them on 7777 using your iD handset. Alternatively, dial 0333 003 7777 from any other phone. You'll need to call during iD's opening hours (Monday-Friday 8am-8pm, Saturday 8am-8pm, Sunday 8am-8pm).
It's always free to get a PAC Code from iD Mobile, and it's your legal entitlement to be able to recieve one. If any cancellation fees apply to your iD Mobile contract, they should also tell you what this will be at the same time as sending you a PAC Code.
Once you have your iD Mobile 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 iD phone number? You can request a STAC Code from iD instead.
iD STAC Code (Leave iD Without Keeping Your Number)
If you’d like to leave iD Mobile without keeping your current phone number, you’ll need to request an iD STAC Code rather than a PAC Code. There are three ways to get a STAC Code from iD:
- Online: You can get a STAC Code from iD by logging in to the iD Mobile Account website. After logging in, go to My Account > End my plan.
- By Text Message: You can get an iD Mobile STAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text STAC followed by your date of birth in DDMMYY format to 75075 to receive a STAC Code from iD.
- By Phone: You can get a STAC Code by calling iD Mobile. Call them on 7777 using your iD handset. Alternatively, dial 0333 003 7777 from any other phone. You'll need to call during iD's opening hours (Monday-Friday 8am-8pm, Saturday 8am-8pm, Sunday 8am-8pm).
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 iD STAC Code.
Joining iD From Another Network
If you're joining iD Mobile 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 iD Mobile.
After getting a PAC Code from your old network, you should order your new phone or SIM card directly from iD's website. For more information, please select the type of tariff you're wanting to move to:
For a full list of the latest iD deals, please see this page on iD Mobile's website.
Get the Latest Deals from iD Mobile →
If you're buying your new iD Mobile plan through a reseller, tap on their logo for more information:
When Your New Phone Arrives...
Once your new phone or SIM card arrives from iD Mobile, 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 iD Mobile's online form. Alternatively, you can give the PAC Code to iD Mobile by calling 7777 on your iD Mobile handset. You can also call 0333 003 7777 from any other phone.
If your PAC Code is provided before 6pm, 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 6pm 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 iD Mobile 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 iD
If you're simply upgrading to a newer handset or tariff, it's not necessary to get an iD Mobile PAC Code. You can simply upgrade via iD Mobile's website. For more information, please select the type of iD price plan you're planning to move to:
More Information
For more information, please see the iD Mobile 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 an iD PAC Code or moving their phone number from another network to iD Mobile.
Tsai said:
I wanted to change a pay as you go ID account to a pay monthly and keep my number but was told this is not possible. When I suggested I take my number to a new provider using a pac code and then transfer it back to an ID pay monthly account using a pac code again they said it wasn’t possible either. Is this true?
Ken replied:
Hi Tsai,
Thanks for your comment. There’s absolutely nothing to stop you from porting your iD Mobile phone number out to another network, and then back in to a new Pay Monthly account 🙂 You can get a free Pay As You Go SIM card for this purpose here.
Most good mobile networks should normally allow you to upgrade directly without needing to port your phone number to another network first, so I think this is simply a case of iD Mobile’s IT infrastructure being a bit behind the times!
Ken
B said:
I want to transfer to ID from EE. I have sent a disconnection request to EE, so my contract will end once this final month is up. I have obtained the PAC code from EE, and I was told I have to use this within 28 days otherwise my contact with them will automatically restart and I’ll have to wait another month. However, I am currently abroad – so I want to buy an ID sim (a sim only monthly deal), use the PAC code to transfer my number to the ID sim, and only later put the sim in my phone once I return home. Is this possible, or would I have to put the new ID sim in my phone first to activate it or something, before using the PAC code?
Ken replied:
Hi B,
Thanks for your comment. You’re right in saying that a PAC Code is only valid for 30 days (which means you’ll need to give it to your new mobile network several days before this to ensure your phone number is moved over during this time). If it expires, you’ll need to request a new PAC Code from EE.
With regards to your iD Mobile SIM card, it should be possible to transfer the phone number to it providing it has been activated. However, I don’t know enough about the specifics of how iD Mobile works (e.g. whether the SIM cards are automatically activated, or whether it depends on you putting the SIM card in your phone first). This is probably something best answered by iD Mobile Customer Services!
Ken
Melv said:
My daughter has been with virgin mobile for 4 months now I have taken over the phone and she has a new phone and I have been with I’d my question is can I now ask virgin to keep my old number from my old phone which was with id
Ken replied:
Hi Melv,
Thanks for your comment. Is this simply a matter of transferring your phone number from iD Mobile to Virgin? If so, there shouldn’t be a problem doing this regardless of how long the existing contract on Virgin Mobile has been held.
Hope this helps,
Ken
alan said:
I have transferred to id from ee. I have today received a text saying my old number has transferred to id, but calls to that number are still going to my old phone. Please advise
Ken replied:
Hi Alan,
Many thanks for your comment. Is this problem now resolved? Sometimes, you may receive your confirmation message before the switch is complete, but typically this will be resolved by end of day (so at least by 6pm).
Ken
Keith said:
I have changed form 02 to id mobile I have entered my pac code on line to keep my number I did it Monday about 9.30 how long before my number changes over.
Ken replied:
Hi Keith,
The timeline for a normal phone number transfer is described in the table here. As you submitted your PAC Code to iD Mobile on a Monday before the daily cut-off time, I’d typically expect your phone number transfer to take place on Tuesday. If it hasn’t completed by the end of the day, I’d recommend giving iD Mobile Customer Services a call to check up on this.
Hope this helps,
Ken
Faith said:
Hey,
I was on Pay + Go with LycaMobile but I went to Carphone Warehouse on Thursday and saw iD contract was cheap, and I choose iD. But I want to keep the same number from my lyca to iD. And the woman that worked there say that it would be easier to change my number online or on the app. So I waited for lyca to send me a message of the PAC code in the evening but it didn’t send. However, on Friday morning when I woke up, I saw the PAC code message has been delivered, so I made an account on the iD app and changed my number and Hopi that the number will change within that day. But they didn’t. I contacted the iD department on twitter hoping that they will help me and they said that number will change on Monday because they don’t work on the weekend. I was a bit angry hoping that I can go out and use my contract whenever I need it with my number. And today is Monday, the number hasn’t changed, so what do I do? (Ps. I’ve contacted iD on twitter but they are not answering my questions, wondering if you could help me)
From Faith
Ken replied:
Hi Faith,
Thanks for your comment. There’s more information here on the expected timeframes for a phone number transfer. In short: if you make your request before the cut-off on Friday, your phone number will transfer some time on Monday. Today, I’d keep both of the SIM cards with you (it’s likely you’ll lose coverage at some point on Lycamobile, after which your iD Mobile SIM card will take over that phone number).
Hope this helps!
Ken
Steve said:
Hi, I want to leave Vodaphone & had asked them for a pac code, they sent me an email with a 20 digit code. As I have never dealt with this situation before I assumed this was the code, I joined ID & set up my app I D account. I went into my ID account & set about transferring my original number over to ID.
When I tried to input the code ID said there was a problem. I have now googled the problem & found out a pac code is only 9 digits ! What was the 20 digit number Vodaphone sent me & can I still get my original number transferred to my new phone ?
I’m grateful for any advice.
Regards
Steve.
Ken replied:
Hi Steve,
Thanks for your comment. That’s a very good question: I actually have no idea what the 20-digit number is (most frequently, the PAC Code is confused for a PUK code but that would only be 8 digits long rather than 20 digits long). My guess is it’s probably an account number or something along those lines, but you’ll need to check directly with the team at Vodafone.
To get your phone number transferred to iD Mobile, you’ll need to contact Vodafone customer support once again to request a new PAC Code. This should be nine-digits long with three letters followed by six numbers (e.g. VOD 123 456).
Hope this helps,
Ken
Steve replied:
Hi, never got to the bottom of this. I have had to cancel my contract with Vodafone & buy a new phone that was unlocked to any network. Vodaphone were a nightmare to deal with , never ever deal with them again !.
Lisa said:
Hi Ken
Hope you can help me. I took out 2 contracts with Carphone Warehouse last weekend upgrading to a new phone with ID. When I was charging the mobiles I noticed that my boyfriend’s mobile had already been used. There were emails on from last July and data had already been used. I went back to CW had told the man who had sorted the contracts what he’d done and the reply I got was he didn’t realise it was a shop phone he’d given me and said I had to get in touch with ID to sort the data out. He gave me a new mobile but with the same sim card. They weren’t helpful at all. I rang ID the next day and told the lady what had happened and she said they should have given me a brand new phone and sim card. She was very apologetic and said if I go back to CW and tell them to ring ID they will change my contact to a better deal at the same price. During the week I got the pac code and transferred the old numbers onto the new mobiles. I went into CW today and told them I’d spoken to someone at ID and they told me they had to ring ID to get the deal changed over. While I was waiting they cancelled both contracts before they rang ID and took the phones off me. I asked if they were going to ring them and I think it was the manager , rang the number but gave me the phone as they don’t speak to ID about upgrades! So I had to sort new contracts out but because our old numbers had already been transferred we had to have new numbers! If they hadn’t cancelled the contracts beforehand and explained what had to be done to keep the numbers we wouldn’t have lost them. I’ve made a complaint against the CW store with ID and CW. The regional manager should be getting in touch with me next week. Do you know if there is any way of keeping the numbers without changing networks and cancelling the contracts again? If I have to do that we have to send the mobiles back to ID and will be without a phone again. I have never come across customer service as bad as this before. Hope you can help. Thank you.
Ken replied:
Hi Lisa,
Sorry to hear about the problems you experienced on iD Mobile. Unfortunately, I’m not able to help with the complaint as I don’t know all of the details of the situation. However, with regards to keeping the phone number, this is something you’ll need to ask iD Mobile to do for you. Sorry: I know this probably isn’t very helpful, but the only other alternative would be asking for a PAC Code and moving your phone number over to another network.
Ken
Michael said:
Yeah I’m also with ID mobile wanting to change to a better tariff to which they are not capable of doing, its just crazy you have to leave to come back to change your plan………
All in all the network is fine but when it comes to changing your plan good luck!! So frustrating.
Raised a complaint and you will simply get no where, as they just simply repeat they do not have the facility to change plan.
Laura said:
Hi Ken,
I was wondering if you could shed some light on my situation…
I have been with iD mobile for a few months on a sim only contract when I noticed they were offering a much better deal for the same money so I wanted to switch within the same network. I was told that they don’t have the abilities to do this yet as they are relatively new, so would have to end my contract, port my number out to a different network, and then port it back in to a new contract.
So I cancelled my initial iD contract, with 30 days notice and got my PAC code which I used to port my number out to 3 mobile on a pay-as-you-go sim card. Once this had gone through, I then requested a PAC code from 3 mobile to transfer my number back to iD.
I set up a new, much better tarrif contract with iD mobile and attempted to use the PAC code 3 mobile had given me to transfer my old number from 3 to iD. This was done via their website, but I immediately got an error message. I then called up iD mobile to query the error message and they suggested it was because it was a Friday and it would go through after the weekend. Needless to say, it never transferred, so I called them again, this time they suggested it may be a problem with the PAC code, and I should contact my old provider (3 mobile) to check the PAC code was correct. So next I contact 3 mobile, who said they couldn’t provide a new PAC code as the code had already been used and the account was closed. I relayed this message back to iD mobile and their next suggestion was that my number had somehow been ported back to my old account, which is now closed, and that there is not much chance of me getting my number back. Their IT department are now looking into the matter, but may take up to a week to get back to me with any further detail.
I’m confused as to how this can have happened, surely if I ported my number out of iD to 3mobile then the old account would have been closed – how could someone then port the number back to a closed account?
Any help/advise would be very much appreciated!
Ken replied:
Hi Laura,
Thanks for your comment. Sorry, this isn’t something I’m able to help with, as it’s an account-specific question relating to your port. I’m not really sure how the systems are set up at iD Mobile and how your number might have accidentally been ported in to the wrong account. So sorry – though please do keep me updated as I’m sure other readers of this website could also find this info useful.
Ken
Kae replied:
Hello Laura,
Just read about you’re issue with ID mobile.
I am in the same situation, they have been messing me around for almost 3 weeks. They keep saying they are trying to retrieve my number.
Did you get your number back?
I’m considering taking the matter to court because I need that number.
I’ve had it for 20years.
Please let me know the outcome of your case.
Cheers Kae.
Laura replied:
Hi Kae,
Yes! Good news…I finally got it back after about a month. Was a very long process of not much information and calling the customer service team daily but got there in the end. I also found contacting them on Twitter got a better response.
Hawwa Haide said:
Hi Ken
ID mobile seems to have lost my number during porting in process !!!! 5th November !!!
Nightmare situation! I have had my number over 10 years and changed networks several times with no problems transferring my number. The PAC code from ee was not accepted on ID website when I first tried it in October so ee sent me another PAC code a couple of weeks later and I had same problem with it not being accepted. I therefore decided to wait until end of November to try again (as I was in contract with ee until 4th December) However my ee network stopped working on 4th November and ee told me that the new provider had in ported my number. I called ID 7777 on 6th November to confirm when number will be up and running and they said they would send a ‘ticket’ to tech dept and contact me to confirm.
I have called customer services 7777 on numerous occasions and been into carphone warehouse and also completed 2 complaint forms on their web site. NOTHING has happened I still have not got my number back and I have been promised that I will get a call from management but they have not been in touch.
This is big problem for me as so many people in business and personal contacts have my old number. PLEASE ADVISE
Mike said:
Hi,
In respect of your piece above on upgrading or changing an ID Mobile plan, I’ve just called them to do just this and the only option they provided was to cancel my contract and apply for a new sim on the plan I want to change and port the number.
Bonkers.
Mike
Gerry said:
Hi Ken, I wonder if you could tell me where I stand regarding the problem I’m having with porting my number over to iD.
I got my pac code from O2 and used id’s online porting facility on July 1st to transfer on July 2nd, my O2 sim went dead on the 2nd but iD where having network problems so I couldn’t check for 4 days, when I find it didn’t go through?
I have contacted iD CS numerous times to resolve this, but they say next day, three to five days, I am getting nowhere with them, any ideas?
Kind regards,
Gerry.
Ken replied:
Hi Gerry,
Thanks for your comment. It’s iD Mobile that’s now responsible for the provision of your service (your phone number has already left the O2 network). Unfortunately, this means you need to further liaise with iD Mobile to resolve the problem. I know this response won’t provide you with much comfort (it’s just that iD Mobile are the only people who are actually able to see your account). If you want to escalate the issue, I recommend you make a formal complaint in writing to iD Mobile. This should hopefully help you in getting the situation resolved as quickly as possible.
Best of luck,
Ken
Gerry replied:
Hi Ken, Thanks for your prompt reply and links.
I am waiting on them getting back to me by this evening.
But if they have lost my number ( I don’t understand why it hasn’t gone over ? ), do I have any legal entitlement?
Kind regards,
Gerry.
Ken replied:
Hi Gerry,
I’m afraid I can’t advise on legal entitlements with regards to a phone number (there isn’t a set rule or compensation scheme for things such as this). You could probably check directly with the Ombudsman or Ofcom but I’m also not totally sure if they can give you an answer. Your best bet would probably be to complain directly to iD Mobile – if necessary, you can escalate the issue upwards from there. Really sorry I can’t give you any more detailed advice than that! 🙁
Ken
Don said:
iDmobile mistakingly cancelled my contract then lost my mobile and can’t re-enable it to issue me a PAC for my business mobile number…..
I ported my number from Vodafone to iDmobile, everything worked fine until the line disconnected one evening. I rang iDmobile and visited carphonewarehouse who both confirmed that between them they’d accidentally cancelled my contract, lost my number, and now I’m stuck without a business mobile. Vodafone confirm the number was ported across to the 3 network, and also advise that re-enabling the number and then generating the PAC is something that can be done normally in their experience – yet iDmobile seem unwilling to even discuss it and carephonewarehouse aren’t making much progress.
Ken replied:
Hi Don,
Sorry to hear about the problems moving your phone number from Vodafone to iD Mobile. I recommend making an official complaint to iD Mobile as quickly as you can – they should assign you a person to deal with the case. Unfortunately, there’s isn’t any more help I’m able to provide but I hope the problem can be resolved quickly and in your favour.
Please do keep us updated if you hear any more from iD Mobile.
Ken