Whether you're joining O2 or leaving for another network, it's a straightforward process to keep your existing phone number.
If you're leaving O2 to join another network, or if you're leaving another network in order to join O2, 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 O2 and joining another network
Transfer your O2 phone number onto a different mobile network. - I'm joining O2 from another network
Transfer your phone number from another mobile network to O2. - I'm upgrading my O2 phone or SIM card
Transfer your phone number from one O2 account to another O2 account.
Leaving O2 For Another Network
If you're leaving O2 to join another mobile network, you can take your phone number with you using a PAC Code from O2.
There are three ways to request an O2 PAC Code:
- Online: You can get a PAC Code from O2 by logging in to the My O2 website. Once you've logged in, go to My details > Thinking of switching from O2?.
- By Text Message: You can get an O2 PAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text PAC to 65075 to receive a PAC Code from O2.
- By Phone: You can get a PAC Code by calling O2. To do this, call them on:
- For O2 Pay Monthly, dial 202 (or 0344 8090202 from any other phone)
- For O2 Pay As You Go, dial 4445 (or 0344 8090222 from any other phone)
It's always free to get a PAC Code from O2, and it's your legal entitlement to be able to recieve one. If any cancellation fees apply to your O2 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 O2 should begin with TEL and should be 9 digits long (e.g. TEL 123 456).
Once you have your O2 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 O2 phone number? You can request a STAC Code from O2 instead.
O2 STAC Code (Leave O2 Without Keeping Your Number)
If you’d like to leave O2 without keeping your current phone number, you’ll need to request an O2 STAC Code rather than a PAC Code. There are three ways to get a STAC Code from O2:
- Online: You can get a STAC Code from O2 by logging in to the My O2 website. After logging in, go to My details > Thinking of switching from O2?.
- By Text Message: You can get an O2 STAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text STAC to 75075 to receive a STAC Code from O2.
- By Phone: You can get a STAC Code by calling O2. Call them on:
- For O2 Pay Monthly, dial 202 (or 0344 8090202 from any other phone)
- For O2 Pay As You Go, dial 4445 (or 0344 8090222 from any other phone)
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 O2 STAC Code.
Joining O2 From Another Network
If you're joining O2 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 O2.
After getting a PAC Code from your old network, you should order your new phone or SIM card directly from O2's website. For more information, please select the type of tariff you're wanting to move to:
For a full list of the latest O2 deals, please see this page on O2's website.
Get the Latest Deals from O2 →
If you're buying your new O2 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 O2, 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 O2's online form. Alternatively, you can also provide your PAC Code to O2 over the phone:
If you're joining O2 Pay Monthly, you can submit your PAC Code by calling 202 on your O2 handset. Alternatively, call 0344 8090202 from any other phone.
If you're joining O2 Pay As You Go, submit your PAC Code by calling 4445 (0344 8090222 if you're calling from another network).
Once you've provided your PAC code to O2, your phone number transfer will normally be scheduled for the next working day (Monday to Friday only, excluding English bank holidays).
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 O2 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 O2
If you're simply upgrading to a newer handset or tariff, it's not necessary to get an O2 PAC Code. You can simply upgrade via O2's website. For more information, please select the type of O2 price plan you're planning to move to:
More Information
For more information, please see the O2 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 O2 PAC Code or moving their phone number from another network to O2.
Loraine Mottershead said:
I have bought my new phone from Vodafone am leaving O2. I have got the pac code but I want to tell O2 I’m leaving – how do I do that
Ken replied:
Hi Loraine,
Thanks for your comment. There’s no additional need to tell O2 that you’re leaving their network – simply asking for a PAC Code and using it provides your notice for leaving O2.
Hope this helps,
Ken
Craig said:
I sent my PAC code from vodafone to O2 via their online form late Wednesday night at about 2130hrs. It is yet to transfer across? Is there any reason for this? Who do I contact about the issue O2 or Vodafone?
Thanks.
Ken replied:
Hi Craig,
Thanks for your comment. As you submitted your PAC Code to O2 on Wednesday night around 21.30, I would expect it to be count as Thursday (and to therefore be transferred on Friday as per the timetable here). For any delays with porting, you should always contact your new mobile network (so O2 in this case) to enquire and to find out the reasons for this. You may also be entitled to porting delay compensation from your new network.
Hope this helps,
Ken
graham said:
Hello – I started on Orange pay as you go back in 2001 with an old nokia 3310 – that phone became a nokia 1800 still on orange pay as you go and has now ended up on EE – same number all that time and a replacement SIM when the old one stopped working… always ‘pay as you go’. It’s an expensive year if it needs a top-up of £30!
The phone is used very infrequently and today I received a message from EE/BT amounting to ‘use it or lose it’. Fair enough.
That did prompt me to look at what EE charge and at 35p per min and 15p text, even though very low usage, your comparison chart on:
https://kenstechtips.com/index.php/compare-pay-as-you-go-networks
is making a switch to O2 look like better value.
I want to continue with the old phone as is but just change provider from EE to O2, but on your article about using PAC codes it says:
“After getting a PAC Code from your old network, the next step is ordering your new phone or SIM card from your new mobile network.”
Am I going to need a new SIM from O2 (is that even possible for such an old style phone!?) or should it be possible just to switch networks with existing phone and SIM?
Thank you.
Ken replied:
Hi Graham,
Thanks for your comment. Yes, you’ll need to order a new SIM card from O2, which can slot inside your existing Nokia 1800 providing it isn’t locked to Orange/EE. You’ll be glad to know that it’s still possible to use standard-sized SIM cards (also known as Mini-SIM/2FF) – just make sure you pop it out at the outermost groove when your O2 SIM card arrives in the post. Once you’ve activated your O2 SIM card, you can use the PAC Code to move your phone number from EE to O2.
One thing that’s worth noting is you won’t be able to move your credit from EE to O2. For this reason, it might be worth waiting if you have a large balance on your EE SIM card – it’s best to try and use this up before moving to O2.
Hope this helps,
Ken