Switching from Orange to Vodafone? 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 Vodafone, 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 Vodafone.
Don’t want to keep your Orange phone number? You can switch to Vodafone 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 Vodafone remains the same.
Step 2: Order your new phone or SIM card from Vodafone's website
You should now order your new phone or SIM card using the Vodafone website. Please select the type of tariff you're intending to move to:
If you're looking for a SIM card from Vodafone, the following deals from £7/month are currently most popular:
| Network | Data | Monthly Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6GB data | £7.00 per month 12 month contract Monthly cost will rise each April by £1 | See deal |
| 40GB data | £8.00 per month 12 month contract Monthly cost will rise each April by £1 | See deal |
| 60GB data | £10.00 per month 12 month contract Monthly cost will rise each April by £1 | See deal |
| 200GB data | £28.00 per month 24 month contract Monthly cost will rise each April by £1.80 | See deal |
| Unlimited data 10Mbps max speed | £30.00 per month 24 month contract Monthly cost will rise each April by £1.80 | See deal |
For a full list of available tariffs and the latest Vodafone deals, please refer to this page on Vodafone's website.
Alternatively, if you're getting your Vodafone plan from a reseller, tap on their logo for more information:
Vodafone 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 Vodafone.
Step 3: Give the PAC Code to Vodafone
Once your new phone or SIM card arrives from Vodafone, 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 Vodafone and provide them with your PAC Code from Orange.
Your PAC Code should be entered on Vodafone's online form. Alternatively, you can give the PAC Code to Vodafone by calling 191 on your Vodafone handset. You can also call 03333 040 191 from any other phone.
If you have a STAC Code from Orange rather than a PAC Code, this can be provided to Vodafone in the exact same way.
Remember:
- You must provide the PAC Code to Vodafone 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 Vodafone.
Step 4: Phone Number Transferred (Next Working Day)
As long as you've submitted your PAC Code to Vodafone before 5pm, your phone number transfer will normally be scheduled for the next working day (Monday to Friday only, excluding English bank holidays). After 5pm, 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 Vodafone. You should find that the Vodafone 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 Vodafone, 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 Vodafone →
Any Other Questions?
In case of any problems during the transfer of your phone number, you should contact your new mobile network (Vodafone) 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"
Suzy said:
Hi, I’ve recently transferred from Orange to Vodafone and kept my new number using the PAC code – that has all gone smoothly but when friends are texting me they are using my old number that I kept from Orange and it’s coming through to my new Vodafone phone as it should but when I reply to them the message or the phone calls appear on their phones as the new Vodafone number that came on the sim rather than my actual number. Could you give some advice as to why this is happening and if there is a solution? Thanks.
Ken replied:
Hi Suzy,
Thanks for your comment. Are you by any chance using an iPhone? If so, your text messages may continue to show a temporary phone number after the transfer takes place. There’s more information here on how you can resolve the problem. If you’re using another device and your SMS text messages are showing the wrong number, you should contact Vodafone Customer Services about the problem you’re having.
Hope this helps,
Ken
mike said:
Hi Ken, I have been with Orange about 22 years( almost since they started) always with the same number.I had an old Nokia and my son recommended switching to a Samsung Galaxy s 4 on a monthly contract.I went with him to Brentwood in Essex and we chose Vodaphone as the best plan for me.I live out in the wilds some 30 miles from Brentwood and when I tried to use the phone discovered there was no Vodaphone network coverage, so the phone was useless.I signed the contract on Sat 19th October and by the time I had tried to use the phone it was too late to report. So it was the 21st when I rang the shop to cancel the contract.My son had already rung Vodaphone with the PAC and because I was going abroad transfer had been agreed for November 4th.I went to Spain on the 21st returning late on the 31st and took the phone back to the phone shop in Brentwood on 1st November.They were very apologetic and gave me a special deal with EE. While I was in the shop they rang Orange to cancel the transfer to Vodaphone and I arranged to go in on the 4th for them to handle the transfer to EE as things were a bit complicated.On the 4th the assistant who dealt with me had the day off and the manager was sick.I was in Brentwood overnight so went to the shop on the 5th.My PAYG was cut off and the shop Manager rang Orange to transfer to EE only to be told that they had transferred the number to Vodaphone and there was nothing that could be done by them.Vodaphone refused to give the PAC unless I honoured their original contract and paid off the full amount of 24 x £32 (£768) .I was in the shop over 2 hours and I think Vodaphone may have acted illegally.I am considering going to their compliance dept but would appreciate your thoughts .Thanks in advance,your site is very informative and I have bookmarked it and will definitely recommend it.
Ken replied:
Hi Mike,
Sorry to hear about your experience with Vodafone. When joining Vodafone, there should be a 7-day cooling off period. Hence, as you signed your contract on the 19th October, you should have until the 26th October to cancel your contract. There are no extra charges or early termination fees for cancelling your contract in the first seven days.
As mentioned in your comment, you called to cancel on the 21st October. This was within the original 7-day period so there shouldn’t have been any problems. However, I believe your cancellation request wasn’t processed until after the seven day period. Your Vodafone account would still have been active on the 4th November as a number transfer took place on this date (the 4th November is 15 days after the contract was signed so would be outside of the cooling off period). As your contract was still active after seven days, this is why they’re asking you to pay off your contract.
My recommendation is to argue things out with Vodafone. Let them know that you asked to cancel your contract within the original 7 days. Perhaps the request got lost somewhere within the shop or within Vodafone’s systems: if they made a mistake then they should cancel your contract at no additional charge. Escalating things to the CEO’s office can sometimes be effective.
I wish you the best of luck in resolving the situation with Vodafone. In case things can’t be resolved, the worst-case scenario would be buying a Vodafone Sure Signal box. This will give you 5-bar coverage at home but there is an extra cost when you buy the box. Still, it would be much cheaper than paying the full £768 for a service you’re unable to use.
Ken
daniel homer said:
my orange pay as you go sim has been terminated is there any way of me getting it back to use as vodafone pay as you go sim number
Ken replied:
Hi Daniel,
Once your account has been closed, the phone number will have unfortunately been returned to the network. However, if it’s simply a case of your SIM card not working, then your account may still be open with Orange. If you contact Customer Services, they should be able to send you a replacement SIM card.
Ken
Rouge said:
Hi, im going to change my networks over from orange pay as you go to vodaphone iphone. Did this pac code work?/ Anyone care to share? thanks . And how long did it take to switch
Ken replied:
Hi Rouge,
It takes up to 24 hours to change your network from Orange to Vodafone. You'll still have access to your Orange phone until the moment that the number moves over the Vodafone, so you shouldn't miss any calls/texts during that time. And yes, lots of people have done this switch – it works!
Ken
Sarah W said:
Hi ken
I’m planning on moving from Orange PAYG. to Vodafone PAYG and I wish to keep my existing number which I’ve had since 2000. I understand that Vodafone will need the PAC code but wouldn’t they also need the SIM card number? Because how else are they to know which SIM to transfer it to?
Ken replied:
Hi Sarah,
Yep – let Vodafone know your PAC code and the number that you'd like to transfer over to them (though I'm sure this is uniquely linked to your PAC code anyway). You'll also need to let them know which Vodafone account to transfer it (e.g. your temporary phone number or something).
Hope this helps,
Ken
Manzil said:
Hi,
I had an orange contract that just finished on 23-11-2011. I have a new vodafone contract since last 3 months and the new number is active since last 3 months. Orange have issued me a pac code on request. But now because my vodafone number is already 3 months old, I wonder if I can still use the pac code and get my Orange number again. Thanks for all replies.