Switching from giffgaff to Lebara Mobile? It's a straightforward process to keep your existing phone number.
Step 1: Get a PAC Code from giffgaff
If you’d like to move your phone number from giffgaff to Lebara Mobile, the first step is getting your Porting Authorisation Code (or PAC Code) from giffgaff.
There are three ways to get a PAC Code from giffgaff:
- Online: You can get a PAC Code from giffgaff by logging in to the My giffgaff website. Once you've logged in, go to My profiles & settings > Get a giffgaff PAC Code.
- By Text Message: You can get a giffgaff PAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text PAC to 65075 to receive a PAC Code from giffgaff.
- By Phone: You can get a PAC Code by calling giffgaff. To do so, call them free of charge on their dedicated number, 43431.
Here are some key things to know:
- The PAC Code from giffgaff should consist of six numbers with GGF at the start (e.g. GGF 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 giffgaff: it'll be closed automatically when your phone number is transferred to Lebara Mobile.
Still in contract with giffgaff? If so, you may need to pay an early exit fee on your bill from giffgaff. To find out how much this would be, text INFO to 85075.
Don’t want to keep your giffgaff phone number? You can switch to Lebara Mobile without taking your phone number with you. If you'd like to do this, get a STAC Code from giffgaff instead.
giffgaff STAC Code (Leave giffgaff Without Keeping Your Number)
If you’d like to leave giffgaff 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 giffgaff:
- Online: You can get a STAC Code from giffgaff by logging in to the My giffgaff website. After logging in, go to My profiles & settings > Get a giffgaff PAC Code.
- By Text Message: You can get a giffgaff STAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text STAC to 75075 to receive a STAC Code from giffgaff.
- By Phone: You can get a STAC Code by calling giffgaff. To do so, call them free of charge on their dedicated number, 43431.
Once you’ve gotten your STAC Code from giffgaff, the rest of the process for joining Lebara Mobile remains the same.
Step 2: Order your new phone or SIM card from Lebara Mobile's website
You should now order your new phone or SIM card using the Lebara Mobile website. Please select the type of tariff you're intending to move to:
If you're looking for a SIM card from Lebara Mobile, the following deals from £4.50/month are currently most popular:
| Network | Data | Monthly Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5GB data | £4.50 per month 12 month contract | See deal |
Offer ends 4th Dec | 10GB data | £7.00 per month £2.49 for 4 months 1 month rolling | See deal |
Offer ends 4th Dec | 20GB data | £8.00 per month £2.99 for 4 months 1 month rolling | See deal |
Offer ends 4th Dec | 30GB data | £9.00 per month £3.99 for 4 months 1 month rolling | See deal |
| Unlimited data | £22.50 per month 12 month contract | See deal |
For a full list of available tariffs and the latest Lebara Mobile deals, please refer to this page on Lebara Mobile's website.
Lebara Mobile 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 Lebara Mobile.
Step 3: Give the PAC Code to Lebara Mobile
Once your new phone or SIM card arrives from Lebara Mobile, 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 Lebara Mobile and provide them with your PAC Code from giffgaff.
Your PAC Code should be entered on Lebara Mobile's online form. Alternatively, you can give the PAC Code to Lebara Mobile by calling 5588 on your Lebara Mobile handset. You can also call 020 3059 0304 from any other phone.
If you have a STAC Code from giffgaff rather than a PAC Code, this can be provided to Lebara Mobile in the exact same way.
Remember:
- You must provide the PAC Code to Lebara Mobile within 30 days of it being issued by giffgaff. If the PAC Code has already expired, you'll need to return to step 1 and request a new PAC Code from giffgaff.
- giffgaff Pay As You Go customers: Try to use up your remaining credit as it can't be transferred to Lebara Mobile.
Step 4: Phone Number Transferred (Next Working Day)
Once you've provided a PAC code to Lebara Mobile, 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 Lebara Mobile. You should find that the Lebara Mobile 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 Lebara Mobile, your account on giffgaff will automatically be closed. You'll receive a final bill from giffgaff for any outstanding charges.
Get the Latest Deals from Lebara Mobile →
Any Other Questions?
In case of any problems during the transfer of your phone number, you should contact your new mobile network (Lebara Mobile) 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"
Daniel said:
Hello Ken
I wish to port in my existing number with giffgaff to Lebara. I have received my Lebara sim & “temporary” number. I understand I have to obtain a PAC from giffgaff & give it to Lebara & that the PAC code will expire after 30days. However I still have £30 credit with giffgaff that I’d like to use before switching the number to Lebara. My question is: How long will the Lebara “temporary” number be available to be swapped over (is there any time limit?) ? Could I, say for example, use the Lebara “temporary” number for a few months (or until my giffgaff credit has almost been exhausted) & then request a PAC from giffgaff to transfer that number to Lebara, to replace the “temporary” Lebara number (i.e. several months after activating the Lebara “temporary” number).
Ken replied:
Hi Daniel,
Thanks for your comment. You can keep the ‘temporary’ phone number from Lebara for as long as you like. In other words, it’s absolutely fine to port your phone number in even if you’ve had your Lebara SIM card for 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, or even longer than that.
One thing to consider, however, is whether you might just be paying for two plans at the same time (i.e. if you’re paying for a plan on Lebara as well as paying for a plan on giffgaff). If this is the case, you might not actually be saving much money by doing this! One potential alternative would be donating your giffgaff credit to charity or using it another way.
Hope this helps,
Ken