Switching from Orange to O2? It's a straightforward process to keep your existing phone number.
Step 1: Get a PAC Code from Orange
If you’d like to move your phone number from Orange to O2, the first step is getting your Porting Authorisation Code (or PAC Code) from Orange.
There are two ways to get a PAC Code from Orange:
- By Text Message: You can get an Orange PAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text PAC to 65075 to receive a PAC Code from Orange.
- By Phone: You can get a PAC Code by calling Orange. To do this, call them on:
- For Orange Pay Monthly, dial 150 (or 07973 100 150 from any other phone)
- For Orange Pay As You Go, dial 450 (or 07973 100 450 from any other phone)
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 Orange: it'll be closed automatically when your phone number is transferred to O2.
Don’t want to keep your Orange phone number? You can switch to O2 without taking your phone number with you. If you'd like to do this, get a STAC Code from Orange instead.
Orange STAC Code (Leave Orange Without Keeping Your Number)
If you’d like to leave Orange without keeping your phone number, you’ll need to request a STAC Code rather than a PAC Code. There are two ways to get a STAC Code from Orange:
- By Text Message: You can get an Orange STAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text STAC to 75075 to receive a STAC Code from Orange.
- By Phone: You can get a STAC Code by calling Orange. Call them on:
- For Orange Pay Monthly, dial 150 (or 07973 100 150 from any other phone)
- For Orange Pay As You Go, dial 450 (or 07973 100 450 from any other phone)
Once you’ve gotten your STAC Code from Orange, the rest of the process for joining O2 remains the same.
Step 2: Order your new phone or SIM card from O2's website
You should now order your new phone or SIM card using the O2 website. Please select the type of tariff you're intending to move to:
If you're looking for a SIM card from O2, the following deals from £8/month are currently most popular:
| Network | Data | Monthly Cost (will rise each April by RPI inflation plus 3.9%) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 40GB data | £8.00 per month 12 month contract | See deal |
| 60GB data | £9.99 per month 12 month contract | See deal |
| Unlimited data | £20.00 per month 24 month contract | See deal |
For a full list of available tariffs and the latest O2 deals, please refer to this page on O2's website.
Alternatively, if you're getting your O2 plan from a reseller, tap on their logo for more information:
O2 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 O2.
Step 3: Give the PAC Code to O2
Once your new phone or SIM card arrives from O2, 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 O2 and provide them with your PAC Code from Orange.
Your PAC Code should be entered on O2's online form. 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.
Alternatively, 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).
If you have a STAC Code from Orange rather than a PAC Code, this can be provided to O2 in the exact same way.
Remember:
- You must provide the PAC Code to O2 within 30 days of it being issued by Orange. If the PAC Code has already expired, you'll need to return to step 1 and request a new PAC Code from Orange.
- Orange Pay As You Go customers: Try to use up your remaining credit as it can't be transferred to O2.
Step 4: Phone Number Transferred (Next Working Day)
Once you've provided a 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).
On the day of the transfer, you'll momentarily lose coverage on both mobile networks. When this happens, restart your handset on O2. You should find that the O2 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 O2, your account on Orange will automatically be closed. You'll receive a final bill from Orange for any outstanding charges.
Get the Latest Deals from O2 →
Any Other Questions?
In case of any problems during the transfer of your phone number, you should contact your new mobile network (O2) 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"
abl said:
i gave 30 day notice to cancel my orange account, and asked for a PAC code to transfer to O2. About 28 days on I gave O2 the pac code, bu they missed the deadline for some unknown reason. Orange say that because I didn't use the pac code before it expired, then i have to give another thirty days on my account. Is this right? I went over this very carefully with orange at the time, and wanted to be sure that my account would be cancelled. Can they ignore my notice like this?
Ken said:
I want to keep my Orange mobile number & Orange email address but I am transferring to O2 will I still be able to access my Orange email even when I have transferred my old number to o2. I have to input my orange number to login to Orangemail.
Ken replied:
Hi Ken,
I guess your phone number is just like a username so I can't see any reason why this can't be possible in principle. That said, if your e-mail service was an additional feature of the mobile service, it's possible your e-mail account could be closed at the same time.
Ken
kelvin gaffin said:
hi i would like to know i switched my number from payg orange to payg o2 i got a text off o2 sayin once o2 uk cums back at th top of my phone that my number will be switch over, it says it will be active by the 4th may 2011 6pm latest but i text my number and it still hasnt received it could u help thanx kelvin
Hannah Collins said:
I’m trying to move from Orange to O2 and Orange staff are being very uncoperative by cutting me off etc.
Yesterday my mum went to the Orange shop and they put us through to a man in India. He said that he would phone us back between 12:30 and 1:00 p.m that day it is now 2:59 the following day and we have still not heard from him, when my mum was talking to him in the shop he said that there was a queue of 600 people waiting for PAC codes.
I have advice for people changing networks:
DO NOT CHANGE TO ORANGE
Liam said:
Hi, I got a new SIM with o2 and requested a PAC code from Orange so I could keep my number. Orange said they'd send it in the post for me.
I put the new o2 SIM in the mobile I'm using so that I could get it set up ready for when I receive the PAC code. The SIM said it had been activated and it appears that I now have signal and can use the SIM for calls and texts – but obviously on a new number that I dont want to use. Now that the SIM has been activated will I still be able to use the PAC code, SIM and keep my number? or have I screwed up by putting it in the phone?
Ken replied:
Hi Liam,
Nope! Spot on… that is exactly what you need to do. You need to activate your new SIM card & phone number before you can even use your PAC code! Once it arrives in the post, call O2 customer services and give them the PAC Code. They'll handle the porting for you.
Ken