Switching from Lycamobile to iD Mobile? It's a straightforward process to keep your existing phone number.
Step 1: Get a PAC Code from Lycamobile
If you’d like to move your phone number from Lycamobile to iD Mobile, the first step is getting your Porting Authorisation Code (or PAC Code) from Lycamobile.
There are three ways to get a PAC Code from Lycamobile:
- Online: You can get a PAC Code from Lycamobile by logging in to the Lycamobile Account website. Once you've logged in, go to Account Manager > Leave Lycamobile.
- By Text Message: You can get a Lycamobile PAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text PAC to 65075 to receive a PAC Code from Lycamobile.
- By Phone: You can get a PAC Code by calling Lycamobile. To do this, call them on 322 using your Lycamobile handset. Alternatively, dial 020 7132 0322 from any other phone. You'll need to call during Lycamobile's opening hours (Monday-Friday 8am-8pm, Saturday 9am-6pm, Sunday 9am-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 Lycamobile: it'll be closed automatically when your phone number is transferred to iD Mobile.
Still in contract with Lycamobile? If so, you may need to pay an early exit fee on your bill from Lycamobile. To find out how much this would be, text INFO to 85075.
Don’t want to keep your Lycamobile phone number? You can switch to iD Mobile without taking your phone number with you. If you'd like to do this, get a STAC Code from Lycamobile instead.
Lycamobile STAC Code (Leave Lycamobile Without Keeping Your Number)
If you’d like to leave Lycamobile 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 Lycamobile:
- Online: You can get a STAC Code from Lycamobile by logging in to the Lycamobile Account website. After logging in, go to Account Manager > Leave Lycamobile.
- By Text Message: You can get a Lycamobile STAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text STAC to 75075 to receive a STAC Code from Lycamobile.
- By Phone: You can get a STAC Code by calling Lycamobile. Call them on 322 using your Lycamobile handset. Alternatively, dial 020 7132 0322 from any other phone. You'll need to call during Lycamobile's opening hours (Monday-Friday 8am-8pm, Saturday 9am-6pm, Sunday 9am-6pm).
Once you’ve gotten your STAC Code from Lycamobile, the rest of the process for joining iD Mobile remains the same.
Step 2: Order your new phone or SIM card from iD Mobile's website
You should now order your new phone or SIM card using the iD Mobile website. Please select the type of tariff you're intending to move to:
If you're looking for a SIM card from iD Mobile, the following deals from £6/month are currently most popular:
| Network | Data | Monthly Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20GB data | £6.00 per month 1 month contract | See deal |
| 40GB data | £7.00 per month 1 month contract | See deal |
| 60GB data | £8.00 per month 1 month contract | See deal |
| 150GB data | £10.00 per month 24 month contract | See deal |
| Unlimited data | £15.00 per month 1 month contract | See deal |
For a full list of available tariffs and the latest iD Mobile deals, please refer to this page on iD Mobile's website.
Alternatively, if you're getting your iD Mobile plan from a reseller, tap on their logo for more information:
iD 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 iD Mobile.
Step 3: Give the PAC Code to iD Mobile
Once your new phone or SIM card arrives from iD 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 iD Mobile and provide them with your PAC Code from Lycamobile.
Your PAC Code should be entered on iD Mobile's online form. Alternatively, you can give the PAC Code to iD Mobile by calling 7777 on your iD Mobile handset. You can also call 0333 003 7777 from any other phone.
If you have a STAC Code from Lycamobile rather than a PAC Code, this can be provided to iD Mobile in the exact same way.
Remember:
- You must provide the PAC Code to iD Mobile within 30 days of it being issued by Lycamobile. If the PAC Code has already expired, you'll need to return to step 1 and request a new PAC Code from Lycamobile.
- Lycamobile Pay As You Go customers: Try to use up your remaining credit as it can't be transferred to iD Mobile.
Step 4: Phone Number Transferred (Next Working Day)
As long as you've submitted your PAC Code to iD Mobile before 6pm, your phone number transfer will normally be scheduled for the next working day (Monday to Friday only, excluding English bank holidays). After 6pm, 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 iD Mobile. You should find that the iD 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 iD Mobile, your account on Lycamobile will automatically be closed. You'll receive a final bill from Lycamobile for any outstanding charges.
Get the Latest Deals from iD Mobile →
Any Other Questions?
In case of any problems during the transfer of your phone number, you should contact your new mobile network (iD 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"
Faith said:
Hey,
I was on Pay + Go with LycaMobile but I went to Carphone Warehouse on Thursday and saw iD contract was cheap, and I choose iD. But I want to keep the same number from my lyca to iD. And the woman that worked there say that it would be easier to change my number online or on the app. So I waited for lyca to send me a message of the PAC code in the evening but it didn’t send. However, on Friday morning when I woke up, I saw the PAC code message has been delivered, so I made an account on the iD app and changed my number and Hopi that the number will change within that day. But they didn’t. I contacted the iD department on twitter hoping that they will help me and they said that number will change on Monday because they don’t work on the weekend. I was a bit angry hoping that I can go out and use my contract whenever I need it with my number. And today is Monday, the number hasn’t changed, so what do I do? (Ps. I’ve contacted iD on twitter but they are not answering my questions, wondering if you could help me)
From Faith
Ken replied:
Hi Faith,
Thanks for your comment. There’s more information here on the expected timeframes for a phone number transfer. In short: if you make your request before the cut-off on Friday, your phone number will transfer some time on Monday. Today, I’d keep both of the SIM cards with you (it’s likely you’ll lose coverage at some point on Lycamobile, after which your iD Mobile SIM card will take over that phone number).
Hope this helps!
Ken