Switching from O2 to EE? It's a straightforward process to keep your existing phone number.
Step 1: Get a PAC Code from O2
If you’d like to move your phone number from O2 to EE, the first step is getting your Porting Authorisation Code (or PAC Code) from O2.
There are three ways to get a PAC Code from O2:
- Online: You can get a PAC Code from O2 by logging in to the My O2 website. Once you've logged in, go to My details > Thinking of switching from O2?.
- By Text Message: You can get an O2 PAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text PAC to 65075 to receive a PAC Code from O2.
- By Phone: You can get a PAC Code by calling O2. To do this, call them on:
- For O2 Pay Monthly, dial 202 (or 0344 8090202 from any other phone)
- For O2 Pay As You Go, dial 4445 (or 0344 8090222 from any other phone)
Here are some key things to know:
- The PAC Code from O2 should consist of six numbers with TEL at the start (e.g. TEL 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 O2: it'll be closed automatically when your phone number is transferred to EE.
Still in contract with O2? If so, you may need to pay an early exit fee on your bill from O2. To find out how much this would be, text INFO to 85075.
Don’t want to keep your O2 phone number? You can switch to EE without taking your phone number with you. If you'd like to do this, get a STAC Code from O2 instead.
O2 STAC Code (Leave O2 Without Keeping Your Number)
If you’d like to leave O2 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 O2:
- Online: You can get a STAC Code from O2 by logging in to the My O2 website. After logging in, go to My details > Thinking of switching from O2?.
- By Text Message: You can get an O2 STAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text STAC to 75075 to receive a STAC Code from O2.
- By Phone: You can get a STAC Code by calling O2. Call them on:
- For O2 Pay Monthly, dial 202 (or 0344 8090202 from any other phone)
- For O2 Pay As You Go, dial 4445 (or 0344 8090222 from any other phone)
Once you’ve gotten your STAC Code from O2, the rest of the process for joining EE remains the same.
Step 2: Order your new phone or SIM card from EE's website
You should now order your new phone or SIM card using the EE website. Please select the type of tariff you're intending to move to:
If you're looking for a SIM card from EE, the following deals are currently most popular:
| Network | Data | Monthly Cost (will rise each March by £1.50) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 50GB data 100Mbps max speed | £18.00 per month 24 month contract | See deal |
| 150GB data 100Mbps max speed | £20.00 per month 24 month contract | See deal |
| Unlimited data 10Mbps max speed | £27.00 per month 24 month contract | See deal |
For a full list of available tariffs and the latest EE deals, please refer to this page on EE's website.
Alternatively, if you're getting your EE plan from a reseller, tap on their logo for more information:
EE 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 EE.
Step 3: Give the PAC Code to EE
Once your new phone or SIM card arrives from EE, 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 EE and provide them with your PAC Code from O2.
Your PAC Code should be entered on EE's online form. Alternatively, you can give the PAC Code to EE by calling 150 on your EE handset. You can also call 07953 966 250 from any other phone.
If you have a STAC Code from O2 rather than a PAC Code, this can be provided to EE in the exact same way.
Remember:
- You must provide the PAC Code to EE within 30 days of it being issued by O2. If the PAC Code has already expired, you'll need to return to step 1 and request a new PAC Code from O2.
- O2 Pay As You Go customers: Try to use up your remaining credit as it can't be transferred to EE.
Step 4: Phone Number Transferred (Next Working Day)
As long as you've submitted your PAC Code to EE before 5.30pm, your phone number transfer will normally be scheduled for the next working day (Monday to Friday only, excluding English bank holidays). After 5.30pm, 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 EE. You should find that the EE 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 EE, your account on O2 will automatically be closed. You'll receive a final bill from O2 for any outstanding charges.
Get the Latest Deals from EE →
Any Other Questions?
In case of any problems during the transfer of your phone number, you should contact your new mobile network (EE) 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"
Victoria Jones said:
Hi Ken
I apologise for picking up on an old threat, but you seem to be so knowledgeable so I am hoping that you can help my confusion!
I am out of contract on O2 and would like to get a new phone/contract with EE.
My question is whether it is necessary to have an overlap of a full month with both contracts running in order to keep my number?
This seems to be the case from what I have read, because I seem to have to request my PAC from O2 and provide that to EE before I can terminate my contract with O2. This would mean that for one month, I will have to pay almost £40 to O2 for the one month’s termination notice, in addition to £35 for the new contract with EE.
Is there any way to avoid this duplicate cost that you know of? I really want to keep my number, but feel hesitant in having to pay £40 to do it!
Many thanks in advance
Victoria
Ken replied:
Hi Victoria,
Thanks for your comment. On your current contract from EE, you need to provide 30 days notice before leaving the network. There are two ways you’re able to minimise the overlap between your old and new contracts:
1) You can ask for a PAC Code today and you can start your contract with O2 in about 2 or 3 weeks time (this is to minimise the 30 day overlap). You can then give your PAC Code to O2 once the contract there has started. In general, I wouldn’t choose to leave it too close to the end of the 30 days (the reason being you’ll probably want to test out things on O2 before moving your number over e.g. in case the coverage on their service isn’t exactly what you’re expecting… it’s much easier to cancel your O2 contract if you haven’t yet moved your number over).
2) You can give EE some advance notice about the date on which you’d like to end your current contract. You can then time the start of your new O2 contract about one or two weeks before your EE contract ends. You’ll need to obtain and use a PAC Code before your contract on EE ends.
Hope this helps,
Ken
Jess said:
I missed a payment on my 02 contract and they seemed to have terminated it, I went online to sort it out and the website says that my account for that phone/number is no longer there, which also means I can’t pay that bill. I wanted to move to EE but keep my number, but if 02 don’t have that account anymore is there any way of doing this?
I fear if I phone the customer services and get through to an advisor, I will get an earful about not paying the latest bill, despite them giving me no way to actually pay it (I can’t pay a bill if the account is no longer there)
Thank you
Ken replied:
Hi Jess,
Thanks for your comment. In this situation, I’d really recommend giving a call to O2 Customer Service (dial 0344 809 0202 from a landline if you aren’t able to use your O2 mobile). The important thing is getting up-to-date with payments as soon as possible so you’re then able to take your phone number to EE.
Ken
Gemma said:
I tried to transfer my number from 02 to EE on Friday 7th august, it was after 17.30pm so I new I would have to wait until Tuesday’ish for it to switch. The problem is it still hasn’t changed over. I have tried turning both phones on and off, tried turning my iMessage and FaceTime off and on again to see if they helped but nope still nothing….
Any help or suggestions would Be great.
Thank you
Ken replied:
Hi Gemma,
Your best bet is to call EE Customer Services on 150. They should hopefully be able to give you an update on this changeover.
Ken