Whether you're joining TalkTalk Mobile or leaving for another network, it's a straightforward process to keep your existing phone number.
If you're leaving TalkTalk to join another network, or if you're leaving another network in order to join TalkTalk, 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 TalkTalk and joining another network
Transfer your TalkTalk Mobile phone number onto a different mobile network. - I'm joining TalkTalk from another network
Transfer your phone number from another mobile network to TalkTalk Mobile. - I'm upgrading my TalkTalk phone or SIM card
Transfer your phone number from one TalkTalk account to another TalkTalk account.
Leaving TalkTalk For Another Network
If you're leaving TalkTalk Mobile to join another mobile network, you can take your phone number with you using a PAC Code from TalkTalk.
There are three ways to request a TalkTalk PAC Code:
- Online: You can get a PAC Code from TalkTalk by logging in to the TalkTalk account website. Once you've logged in, go to Switching.
- By Text Message: You can get a TalkTalk Mobile PAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text PAC to 65075 to receive a PAC Code from TalkTalk.
- By Phone: You can get a PAC Code by calling TalkTalk Mobile. To do this, call them on 2883 using your TalkTalk handset. Alternatively, dial 0345 172 0044 from any other phone. You'll need to call during TalkTalk's opening hours (Monday-Friday 8am-8pm, Saturday 8am-8pm, Sunday 8am-8pm).
It's always free to get a PAC Code from TalkTalk Mobile, and it's your legal entitlement to be able to recieve one. If any cancellation fees apply to your TalkTalk 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 TalkTalk 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 TalkTalk phone number? You can request a STAC Code from TalkTalk instead.
TalkTalk STAC Code (Leave TalkTalk Without Keeping Your Number)
If you’d like to leave TalkTalk Mobile without keeping your current phone number, you’ll need to request a TalkTalk STAC Code rather than a PAC Code. There are three ways to get a STAC Code from TalkTalk:
- Online: You can get a STAC Code from TalkTalk by logging in to the TalkTalk account website. After logging in, go to Switching.
- By Text Message: You can get a TalkTalk Mobile STAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text STAC to 75075 to receive a STAC Code from TalkTalk.
- By Phone: You can get a STAC Code by calling TalkTalk Mobile. Call them on 2883 using your TalkTalk handset. Alternatively, dial 0345 172 0044 from any other phone. You'll need to call during TalkTalk'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 TalkTalk STAC Code.
Joining TalkTalk From Another Network
If you're joining TalkTalk 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 TalkTalk Mobile.
After getting a PAC Code from your old network, you should order your new phone or SIM card directly from TalkTalk's website. For more information, please select the type of tariff you're wanting to move to:
For a full list of the latest TalkTalk deals, please see this page on TalkTalk Mobile's website.
Get the Latest Deals from TalkTalk Mobile →
When Your New Phone Arrives...
Once your new phone or SIM card arrives from TalkTalk 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, You can give the PAC Code to TalkTalk Mobile by calling 2883 on your TalkTalk Mobile handset. You can also call 0345 172 0044 from any other phone.
If your PAC Code is provided before 4pm, 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 4pm 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 TalkTalk 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 TalkTalk
If you're simply upgrading to a newer handset or tariff, it's not necessary to get a TalkTalk Mobile PAC Code. You can simply upgrade via TalkTalk Mobile's website. For more information, please select the type of TalkTalk price plan you're planning to move to:
More Information
For more information, please see the TalkTalk 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 a TalkTalk PAC Code or moving their phone number from another network to TalkTalk Mobile.
Tony said:
I have two sim only i phone 4 ( my own phones ) contract with TalkTalk. Each phone has its own number.
I like to cancel one of the phone ( I use WhatsApp with this phone) contract and transfer the number to the phone ( no WhatsApp is installed) I am going to keep.
Please tell me what I need to do.
Ken replied:
Hi Tony,
Many thanks for your comment. In the first instance, I’d probably get in contact with TalkTalk customer support to see if they’re able to arrange this for you. If they aren’t, you can achieve the same outcome using a PAC Code but you will need to port your phone number out to another mobile network before porting it back in (e.g. grab a free SIM card from another mobile network, port your phone number out to that and then back into your new TalkTalk Mobile SIM).
Hope this helps,
Ken
Nigel Aplin said:
Ken
Thank you for publishing these pages – It had partially helped me. I have recently transferred a mobile number from TalkTalk to Talkmobile using their PAC. Unfortunately it then took 3 months of fighting TalkTalk for them to close my account as they claimed the number hadn’t been disconnected…
My currently problem is the opposite. I transferred the number from TalkTalk to Three, but Three claim the PAC is not linked to a mobile number. TalkTalk has disconnected the number, saying it was successfully transferred. This is my ex-business number, so I was keen to keep it. Who is responsible for ensuring the PAC is linked to the number? Both parties blame each other…
Ken replied:
Hi Nigel,
Sorry to hear about the problems you’ve faced transferring phone numbers from TalkTalk Mobile to Talkmobile & Three. It looks like some really strange things are happening over at TalkTalk (whether this is due to problems with their system or with their customer service, I’m not sure).
Typically, I’d say the destination network (in this case, Three) is responsible for the number moving over successfully to their network. Hence, I normally advise people to contact their new mobile network first. In your case, it sounds like you’ve already done and they’ve told you it was a problem with the original PAC Code from TalkTalk Mobile. In this case, the responsibility would fall with TalkTalk as it’s their legal obligation to provide you with a PAC Code that works!
Unfortunately, if the two networks continue blaming each other for this mistake, I’m unable to really help you out much further except from to suggest you make a formal complaint in writing to both parties. But hopefully this gives you a good idea of the responsibilities held by each party, and best of luck resolving it with TalkTalk & Three.
Ken
Nigel Aplin replied:
Hi Ken
Many thanks for this – I have now raised formal complaints with these providers, but am not hopeful that TalkTalk will sort this out. Their customer service is very poor.
Nigel
Jim Donald replied:
Hello,
Did you manage to sort it out then?
Jim
Harry Orchard said:
I have recently transferred from Tesco to Talktalk mobile (last Monday) and for 2days I could make phone calls but not receive them. Dialing my number from my landline gave varying results from “You have dialed an incorrect number” to 2 ring tones then disconnected tone then “this number is not receiving calls at the moment”.
Due to 2days of frustration I demanded the PAC code back and Transferred back to Tesco but the problem remained even with Tesco.
Now a further 2 days without incoming calls (except from a friend with a Tesco SIM) I am again totaly frustrated.
I have complained bitterly to tesco but still waiting. can you make any suggestions
Regard
Harry