Switching from EE to giffgaff? It's a straightforward process to keep your existing phone number.
Step 1: Get a PAC Code from EE
If you’d like to move your phone number from EE to giffgaff, the first step is getting your Porting Authorisation Code (or PAC Code) from EE.
There are three ways to get a PAC Code from EE:
- Online: You can get a PAC Code from EE by logging in to the My EE website. Once you've logged in, go to Menu > Account settings > Leave EE.
- By Text Message: You can get an EE PAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text PAC to 65075 to receive a PAC Code from EE.
- By Phone: You can get a PAC Code by calling EE. To do this, call them on 150 using your EE handset. Alternatively, dial 07953 966 250 from any other phone. You'll need to call during EE's opening hours (Monday-Friday 8am-8pm, Saturday 8am-6pm, Sunday 8am-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 EE: it'll be closed automatically when your phone number is transferred to giffgaff.
Still in contract with EE? If so, you may need to pay an early exit fee on your bill from EE. To find out how much this would be, text INFO to 85075.
Don’t want to keep your EE 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 EE instead.
EE STAC Code (Leave EE Without Keeping Your Number)
If you’d like to leave EE 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 EE:
- Online: You can get a STAC Code from EE by logging in to the My EE website. After logging in, go to Menu > Account settings > Leave EE.
- By Text Message: You can get an EE STAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text STAC to 75075 to receive a STAC Code from EE.
- By Phone: You can get a STAC Code by calling EE. Call them on 150 using your EE handset. Alternatively, dial 07953 966 250 from any other phone. You'll need to call during EE's opening hours (Monday-Friday 8am-8pm, Saturday 8am-6pm, Sunday 8am-6pm).
Once you’ve gotten your STAC Code from EE, 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2GB data | £6.00 per month 1 month rolling | See deal |
| 6GB data | £8.00 per month 18 month contract | See deal |
Offer ends 4th Dec | 60GB data | £10.00 per month 18 month contract | See deal |
Offer ends 4th Dec | 120GB data | £15.00 per month 18 month contract | See deal |
| 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 EE.
Your PAC Code should be entered on giffgaff's online form.
If you have a STAC Code from EE rather than a PAC Code, this can be provided to giffgaff in the exact same way.
Remember:
- You must provide the PAC Code to giffgaff within 30 days of it being issued by EE. If the PAC Code has already expired, you'll need to return to step 1 and request a new PAC Code from EE.
- EE 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 EE will automatically be closed. You'll receive a final bill from EE 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"
Jess said:
Hi Ken,
I want to move from my current contract with EE to a giffgaff SIM only deal. I’ve got the new SIM and have obtained a PAC code, but EE told me I have to give a month’s notice when I end my contract. My usage resets on the 2nd of the month. If I active the PAC code now, do you know if I’ll still be charged by EE for October?
Thank you!
Ken replied:
Hi Jess,
Thanks for your comment. You’re liable to pay 30 days worth of charges from the moment when you tell EE you’d like to leave their network. So for example, if you give them notice on September 16th, you’ll need to continue paying until October 16th. This is regardless of when your phone number gets ported over to giffgaff. So if you’d like to get the most of your EE contract, you could continue using it for the time being and you could then port your number over to giffgaff in the second-week of October.
On your final bill, EE will charge you a pro-rated amount. So it doesn’t really make a difference when your allowances refresh (you’ll just be charged for part of the final month).
Hope this helps,
Ken