Switching from Lycamobile to giffgaff? It's a straightforward process to keep your existing phone number.

Step 1: Get a PAC Code from Lycamobile

If you’d like to move your phone number from Lycamobile to giffgaff, the first step is getting your Porting Authorisation Code (or PAC Code) from Lycamobile.

There are three ways to get a PAC Code from Lycamobile:

  1. Online: You can get a PAC Code from Lycamobile by logging in to the Lycamobile Account website. Once you've logged in, go to Account Manager > Leave Lycamobile.
  2. By Text Message: You can get a Lycamobile PAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text PAC to 65075 to receive a PAC Code from Lycamobile.
  3. By Phone: You can get a PAC Code by calling Lycamobile. To do this, call them on 322 using your Lycamobile handset. Alternatively, dial 020 7132 0322 from any other phone. You'll need to call during Lycamobile's opening hours (Monday-Friday 8am-8pm, Saturday 9am-6pm, Sunday 9am-6pm).

Here are some key things to know:

  • A PAC Code is 9 digits long and follows the format ABC 123 456.
  • Your PAC Code is valid for 30 days. If you don't use it during this time, the PAC Code will expire and you'll need to request a new one.
  • You shouldn't close your account at Lycamobile: it'll be closed automatically when your phone number is transferred to giffgaff.

Still in contract with Lycamobile? If so, you may need to pay an early exit fee on your bill from Lycamobile. To find out how much this would be, text INFO to 85075.

Don’t want to keep your Lycamobile phone number? You can switch to giffgaff without taking your phone number with you. If you'd like to do this, get a STAC Code from Lycamobile instead.

Lycamobile STAC Code (Leave Lycamobile Without Keeping Your Number)

If you’d like to leave Lycamobile without keeping your phone number, you’ll need to request a STAC Code rather than a PAC Code. There are three ways to get a STAC Code from Lycamobile:

  1. Online: You can get a STAC Code from Lycamobile by logging in to the Lycamobile Account website. After logging in, go to Account Manager > Leave Lycamobile.
  2. By Text Message: You can get a Lycamobile STAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text STAC to 75075 to receive a STAC Code from Lycamobile.
  3. By Phone: You can get a STAC Code by calling Lycamobile. Call them on 322 using your Lycamobile handset. Alternatively, dial 020 7132 0322 from any other phone. You'll need to call during Lycamobile's opening hours (Monday-Friday 8am-8pm, Saturday 9am-6pm, Sunday 9am-6pm).

Once you’ve gotten your STAC Code from Lycamobile, the rest of the process for joining giffgaff remains the same.

Step 2: Order your new phone or SIM card from giffgaff's website

You should now order your new phone or SIM card using the giffgaff website. Please select the type of tariff you're intending to move to:

If you're looking for a SIM card from giffgaff, the following deals from £6/month are currently most popular:

Network Data Monthly Cost
giffgaff
  • O2 coverage
  • Unlimited mins
  • Unlimited texts
2GB
data
£6.00
per month
1 month rolling
See deal  
giffgaff
  • O2 coverage
  • Unlimited mins
  • Unlimited texts
6GB
data
£8.00
per month
18 month contract
See deal  
giffgaff
  • O2 coverage
  • Unlimited mins
  • Unlimited texts

Offer ends 4th Dec

60GB
data
£10.00
per month
18 month contract
See deal  
giffgaff
  • O2 coverage
  • Unlimited mins
  • Unlimited texts

Offer ends 4th Dec

120GB
data
£15.00
per month
18 month contract
See deal  
giffgaff
  • O2 coverage
  • Unlimited mins
  • Unlimited texts
Unlimited
data
£25.00
per month
18 month contract
See deal  

For a full list of available tariffs and the latest giffgaff deals, please refer to this page on giffgaff's website.

giffgaff will assign you with a temporary phone number during the transition process. This will allow you to test out the service before you finally transfer your phone number to giffgaff.

Step 3: Give the PAC Code to giffgaff

Once your new phone or SIM card arrives from giffgaff, switch it on and make sure everything's working properly. If, for whatever reason, you need to return or change the handset or SIM card, it's best to do this before transferring your phone number.

Once you're happy to continue with the phone number transfer, contact giffgaff and provide them with your PAC Code from Lycamobile.

Your PAC Code should be entered on giffgaff's online form.

If you have a STAC Code from Lycamobile rather than a PAC Code, this can be provided to giffgaff in the exact same way.

Providing your PAC Code to giffgaff
The PAC Code should be submitted through a form on giffgaff's website.

Remember:

  • You must provide the PAC Code to giffgaff within 30 days of it being issued by Lycamobile. If the PAC Code has already expired, you'll need to return to step 1 and request a new PAC Code from Lycamobile.
  • Lycamobile Pay As You Go customers: Try to use up your remaining credit as it can't be transferred to giffgaff.

Step 4: Phone Number Transferred (Next Working Day)

As long as you've submitted your PAC Code to giffgaff before 3pm, your phone number transfer will normally be scheduled for the next working day (Monday to Friday only, excluding English bank holidays). After 3pm, you'll need to wait one extra working day for your number to be transferred.

On the day of the transfer, you'll momentarily lose coverage on both mobile networks. When this happens, restart your handset on giffgaff. You should find that the giffgaff phone or SIM card will now associated with your original phone number.

  • If you see an error message (e.g. "SIM card registration failed"), this means it's time to restart your phone.
  • Once the phone number has been transferred to giffgaff, your account on Lycamobile will automatically be closed. You'll receive a final bill from Lycamobile for any outstanding charges.

Get the Latest Deals from giffgaff →

Any Other Questions?

In case of any problems during the transfer of your phone number, you should contact your new mobile network (giffgaff) with details of the problem.

If you have any other questions on using a PAC Code, please see my in-depth guide to transferring your phone number between networks. You can also read the comments below from other visitors to this website.

← Full Article: "PAC Codes - How to transfer your mobile number when switching networks"

Your Comments 1,966 so far

We'd love to hear your comments on transferring a phone number from Lycamobile to giffgaff. The comments below are from people who've made the same transfer. You can add your own comments here.

To view all 1966 comments about transferring a phone number, please visit the main PAC Code article.

  • 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

  • Andrew Smith said:

    hey Ken, very helpful. I had no idea you could just text lycamobile and get your PAC code immediately. It came.

    If I did the process again I’d make sure I registered my Giffgaff SIM card 2 working days BEFORE the end of my monthly allowance.

    Silly me. I registered my Giffgaff SIM card the evening before my 30 day allowance is up. It’s not terrible ….but tomorrow I will not have my Lycamobile allowance (so can’t use my Lyca easily without topping up) and don’t want to use my GiffGaff number yet because in calling people I’ll confuse them with my strange number because the number won’t have been ported for another 2 days. Ah well. You live and learn! 🙂 No big deal.

  • Suluxshan Singam said:

    Hi, I have been having troubles trying to contact Lycamobile about my PAC code and they are just keeping me on hold every time I call them. I am trying to move to Giffgaff but I want to keep my old number but Lycamobile are just making things very hard. Is there any way that I could possibly do to receive my code. I have called different Lycamobile numbers as well but the result never changes. I hope you can help.

    Thank You!

  • Heather said:

    Hi I’m waiting for my giffgaff sim problem I’ve rang lyca up and they will not give me a PAC number I’m fed up with lyca constantly phoneing them holding on for ages and they keep refusing to give me PAC number they have scammed me out of money on my bundles is their any other way that I can keep my number when I go to giffgaff !!! Please if u know of any other way I’d be most greatfull

    • Ken replied:

      Hi Heather,
      As per Ofcom’s General Conditions of Entitlement, Lycamobile are legally required to issue you with a PAC Code within two hours of your request. If they’re unwilling to do so, please remind them of the legal responsibility. If you’re still having problems getting the PAC Code, please do drop me another comment with the reason they’ve specified for refusing the request. I’ll then try to investigate a bit further!
      Ken

    • Ken replied:

      Hi Dian,

      Yep! If you transfer your phone number from LycaMobile to Giffgaff then your current giffgaff number will be "deleted" and replaced with your Lyca number.

      Hope this helps,

      Ken

  • Dian said:

    Hi
    If I am using giffgaff (after activating and using it as sim normally), can I transfer my lycamobile number to my giffgaff sim? So I only have 1 sim activated (giffgaff)

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