Switching from Lebara Mobile to Lycamobile? It's a straightforward process to keep your existing phone number.
Step 1: Get a PAC Code from Lebara Mobile
If you’d like to move your phone number from Lebara Mobile to Lycamobile, the first step is getting your Porting Authorisation Code (or PAC Code) from Lebara Mobile.
There are three ways to get a PAC Code from Lebara Mobile:
- Online: You can get a PAC Code from Lebara Mobile by logging in to the Lebara Mobile website.
- By Text Message: You can get a Lebara Mobile PAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text PAC to 65075 to receive a PAC Code from Lebara Mobile.
- By Phone: You can get a PAC Code by calling Lebara Mobile. To do this, call them on 5588 using your Lebara Mobile handset. Alternatively, dial 020 3059 0304 from any other phone. You'll need to call during Lebara Mobile's opening hours (Monday-Friday 9am-5.30pm, Saturday 9am-5.30pm, Sunday 9am-5.30pm).
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 Lebara Mobile: it'll be closed automatically when your phone number is transferred to Lycamobile.
Don’t want to keep your Lebara Mobile phone number? You can switch to Lycamobile without taking your phone number with you. If you'd like to do this, get a STAC Code from Lebara Mobile instead.
Lebara Mobile STAC Code (Leave Lebara Mobile Without Keeping Your Number)
If you’d like to leave Lebara Mobile 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 Lebara Mobile:
- Online: You can get a STAC Code from Lebara Mobile by logging in to the Lebara Mobile website.
- By Text Message: You can get a Lebara Mobile STAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text STAC to 75075 to receive a STAC Code from Lebara Mobile.
- By Phone: You can get a STAC Code by calling Lebara Mobile. Call them on 5588 using your Lebara Mobile handset. Alternatively, dial 020 3059 0304 from any other phone. You'll need to call during Lebara Mobile's opening hours (Monday-Friday 9am-5.30pm, Saturday 9am-5.30pm, Sunday 9am-5.30pm).
Once you’ve gotten your STAC Code from Lebara Mobile, the rest of the process for joining Lycamobile remains the same.
Step 2: Order your new phone or SIM card from Lycamobile's website
You should now order your new phone or SIM card using the Lycamobile website. Please select the type of tariff you're intending to move to:
If you're looking for a SIM card from Lycamobile, the following deals from £4.25/month are currently most popular:
Network | Data | Monthly Cost | |
---|---|---|---|
| 5GB data | £4.25 per month 3 months free 24 month contract | See deal |
| 88GB data | £8.00 per month 1 month rolling | See deal |
Offer ends 2nd Dec | 100GB data | £10.00 per month 1 month contract | See deal |
| Unlimited data | £18.00 per month 3 months free 24 month contract | See deal |
For a full list of available tariffs and the latest Lycamobile deals, please refer to this page on Lycamobile's website.
Lycamobile 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 Lycamobile.
Step 3: Give the PAC Code to Lycamobile
Once your new phone or SIM card arrives from Lycamobile, 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 Lycamobile and provide them with your PAC Code from Lebara Mobile.
Your PAC Code should be entered on Lycamobile's online form. Alternatively, you can give the PAC Code to Lycamobile by calling 322 on your Lycamobile handset. You can also call 020 7132 0322 from any other phone.
If you have a STAC Code from Lebara Mobile rather than a PAC Code, this can be provided to Lycamobile in the exact same way.
Remember:
- You must provide the PAC Code to Lycamobile within 30 days of it being issued by Lebara Mobile. If the PAC Code has already expired, you'll need to return to step 1 and request a new PAC Code from Lebara Mobile.
- Lebara Mobile Pay As You Go customers: Try to use up your remaining credit as it can't be transferred to Lycamobile.
Step 4: Phone Number Transferred (Next Working Day)
Once you've provided a PAC code to Lycamobile, 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 Lycamobile. You should find that the Lycamobile 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 Lycamobile, your account on Lebara Mobile will automatically be closed. You'll receive a final bill from Lebara Mobile for any outstanding charges.
Get the Latest Deals from Lycamobile →
Any Other Questions?
In case of any problems during the transfer of your phone number, you should contact your new mobile network (Lycamobile) 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"
Udita said:
Hi Ken,
I’ve been trying to port my number from Lebara UK to Lyca UK. Calls and internet were fine on my old network (Lebara), until it stopped working. I’m guessing the porting has been done. However, when I run a ‘find my mobile number’ on Lyca sim by *132# it still has the random Lyca number on it. This means anyone trying to reach me on my true number is unable to.
How long will this limbo last?
Best,
Udita
Ken replied:
Hi Udita,
Thanks for your comment. It sounds as if your number transfer is currently in progress – have you tried rebooting your Lycamobile handset? If at the end of the business day, incoming calls and texts are still failing to reach your handset, it might be worth giving Lycamobile support a call (322 from your Lycamobile handset or 020 7132 0322 from any other phone).
Hope this helps,
Ken
Udita replied:
Hi again,
So it’s all sorted now. Caled Lyca (had to hold for a half hour) but they assured me that it would be complete by the end of the day. And it finally got done at 07.13 AM this morning. So the ‘limbo’ lasted for about 17 hours, which is pretty bad if you’re expecting an urgent call, but quite okay otherwise.
Anyway, thanks for your help.
Udita
Ken replied:
Hi Udita,
Glad it got sorted in the end! It shouldn’t normally take as long as 17 hours (sounds like there could have been a problem at the Lycamobile end). As you say, it’s always a good idea to schedule the transfer for when you won’t need your phone urgently but it shouldn’t be the case you need to suffer a whole day of downtime.
Ken