Whether you're joining T-Mobile or leaving for another network, it's a straightforward process to keep your existing phone number.
If you're leaving T-Mobile to join another network, or if you're leaving another network in order to join T-Mobile, 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 T-Mobile and joining another network
Transfer your T-Mobile phone number onto a different mobile network. - I'm joining T-Mobile from another network
Transfer your phone number from another mobile network to T-Mobile. - I'm upgrading my T-Mobile phone or SIM card
Transfer your phone number from one T-Mobile account to another T-Mobile account.
Leaving T-Mobile For Another Network
If you're leaving T-Mobile to join another mobile network, you can take your phone number with you using a PAC Code from T-Mobile.
There are two ways to request a T-Mobile PAC Code:
- By Text Message: You can get a T-Mobile PAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text PAC to 65075 to receive a PAC Code from T-Mobile.
- By Phone: You can get a PAC Code by calling T-Mobile. To do this, call them on 150 using your T-Mobile handset. Alternatively, dial 020 7362 0200 from any other phone. You'll need to call during T-Mobile's opening hours (Monday-Friday 8am-8pm, Saturday 8am-6pm, Sunday 8am-6pm).
It's always free to get a PAC Code from T-Mobile, and it's your legal entitlement to be able to recieve one.
Once you have your T-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 T-Mobile phone number? You can request a STAC Code from T-Mobile instead.
T-Mobile STAC Code (Leave T-Mobile Without Keeping Your Number)
If you’d like to leave T-Mobile without keeping your current phone number, you’ll need to request a T-Mobile STAC Code rather than a PAC Code. There are two ways to get a STAC Code from T-Mobile:
- By Text Message: You can get a T-Mobile STAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text STAC to 75075 to receive a STAC Code from T-Mobile.
- By Phone: You can get a STAC Code by calling T-Mobile. Call them on 150 using your T-Mobile handset. Alternatively, dial 020 7362 0200 from any other phone. You'll need to call during T-Mobile's opening hours (Monday-Friday 8am-8pm, Saturday 8am-6pm, Sunday 8am-6pm).
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 T-Mobile STAC Code.
Joining T-Mobile From Another Network
If you're joining T-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 T-Mobile.
After getting a PAC Code from your old network, you should order your new phone or SIM card directly from T-Mobile's website. For more information, please select the type of tariff you're wanting to move to:
For a full list of the latest T-Mobile deals, please see this page on T-Mobile's website.
Get the Latest Deals from T-Mobile →
When Your New Phone Arrives...
Once your new phone or SIM card arrives from T-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 T-Mobile's online form. Alternatively, you can give the PAC Code to T-Mobile by calling 150 on your T-Mobile handset. You can also call 020 7362 0200 from any other phone.
If your PAC Code is provided before 5.30pm, 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 5.30pm 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 T-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 T-Mobile
If you're simply upgrading to a newer handset or tariff, it's not necessary to get a T-Mobile PAC Code. You can simply upgrade via T-Mobile's website. For more information, please select the type of T-Mobile price plan you're planning to move to:
More Information
For more information, please see the T-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 T-Mobile PAC Code or moving their phone number from another network to T-Mobile.
Donna said:
Hi,
I recently changed my payg EE (T-Mobile) number over to my new Vodafone contract and the actual change went smoothly.
I still however receive text messages from EE. I contacted EE to see how to stop these messages and was told the only way would be to reply with one of the STOP etc codes at the end of their messages. Surely though, these texts would cost me extra (outside of my Vodafone contract plan) to send to EE as they’re not Vodafone numbers. Is this correct?
Noeleen said:
I am with TMobile/ EE on a PAYG
I wanted to change to Tesco mobile. There is about £80 credit in my account will this money come with me when I get my pac code and change. I had requestd my money back but got refused thank you
Ken replied:
Hi Noeleen,
Thanks for your comment. Unfortunately, it isn’t possible to transfer your Pay As You Go credit from one network to another, so you’ll need to use up the £80 of credit before you leave T-Mobile and join Tesco Mobile. If it’s not easy to use up the credit, you could possibly consider using the credit to pay for applications or music. Alternatively, you can choose to donate your credit to charity.
Hope this helps,
Ken
Noeleen replied:
Ken thank you so much for replying to me
Alex said:
Hi Ken,
Apologies if this is stupid question or it has been asked before: my daughter has a Nokia phone on T-mobile monthly bundle – we want to get her a SIM Free Moto G and also transfer to a GiffGaff SIM so we can use their goodybags, which seem better.
I can see that it is straightforward to get a PAC from T-Mobile to do this but my question is: what happens if we buy the Moto G from Three – which is cheapest route according to your report – do we have to transfer from T-Mobile to Three and then from Three to GiffGaff?
If this is the case, would it be better to buy the phone SIM Free from somewhere else online?
Many thanks,
Alex
Ken replied:
Hi Alex,
Thanks for your comment. When purchasing the Moto G from Three, it’s provided to you on an unlocked basis. Hence, if you like, you can immediately use a SIM card from giffgaff inside the handset (there’s no need to actually use the Three SIM card). This way, you’re able to transfer your phone number directly from T-Mobile to giffgaff. If you’d like to use the SIM card from Three, then you can of course do a transfer from T-Mobile –> Three followed by another transfer from Three –> giffgaff.
Hope this helps,
Ken