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:

  1. 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?.
  2. 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.
  3. 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)
    You'll need to call during O2's opening hours (Monday-Friday 8am-9pm, Saturday 8am-8pm, Sunday 8am-6pm).

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:

  1. 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?.
  2. 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.
  3. 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)
    You'll need to call during O2's opening hours (Monday-Friday 8am-9pm, Saturday 8am-8pm, Sunday 8am-6pm).

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:

NetworkMinutesTextsDataMonthly Cost
(may rise during contract)
EEUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£16.00
24 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimited125GB£24.00
24 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£27.00
24 months

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.

Providing your PAC Code to EE
The PAC Code should be submitted through a form on EE's website.

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"

Your Comments 1,963 so far

We'd love to hear your comments on transferring a phone number from O2 to EE. The comments below are from people who've made the same transfer. You can add your own comments here.

To view all 1963 comments about transferring a phone number, please visit the main PAC Code article.

  • 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

  • Agnes said:

    Hi.
    I transferred my existing number from O2 to EE.the men from O2 who was given me my PAC Code told that my new phone must be unlocked.Is that true?

    • Ken replied:

      Hi Agne,
      Thanks for your comment. It depends on how you’re planning to use the EE network. If you’ve bought a new handset from EE, it’s not necessary for that phone to be unlocked (it will work straight away on the EE network). If you’re planning to use an EE SIM card in your existing O2 handset, you’ll need to make sure your handset is unlocked. For more information, see my guide on mobile phone unlocking as well as the articles on unlocking an iPhone and unlocking a Samsung Galaxy.
      Hope this helps!
      Ken

  • Steve said:

    Hi there,
    I am transferring my number to EE from O2 but it is for an iPhone 5. Will the PAC Code allow this or do I need to unlock the iPhone? I seem to remember that iPhones lock to the first network they are on unless you unlock them through apple. Please help.
    Thanks
    Steve

  • Sly said:

    Hi. I just asked about my PAC code from O2 as want to move to Orange network. I have found in a meantime that this will not be the best idea, and EE itself will be a better option to take. May I use the same PAC code for a different network than what I told O2 it was for (in fact the same as Orange is a part of EE)? It’s going to be the same kind of monthly pay as you go…

  • Wendy said:

    I bought a new phone and my current provider is O2 and wanted to change my number to EE so phoned O2 got the PAC code phoned EE this was on a Saturday afternoon who told me the phone transfer would take place Tuesday so Tuesday came and nothing had changed over, I phoned them Wednesday midday and the customer service put me through to a technition who said he would do the transfer manually and to turn both phones off and within 3 to 4 hours everything would be working correctly, well it wasn’t. I phoned them back 5 hours later and customer services told me that it had taken place and I was phoning from my old O2 number (I as using my new phone) this seemed strange as my old O2 phone was still working. I can phone out on my new phone with my O2 number and text but when people phone me it connects to my old phone ,and text, both phones are using the same number, after many hours of frustrating phone calls to EE nothing had changed, please help

  • Jim said:

    Good morning Ken, Great article btw extremely helpful. I am in the process of migrating 4 of our business phones from o2 to EE via carphone warehouse. I was contacted by Carphone warehouse this morning telling me our main number (the bosses num for 20+ years) is not supported by EE as it is an “0777” number, and we need to change it? I then contacted EE direct and they seem to think all they need is a PAC code and any number is fine, my question is have you heard of this problem before? and what one of these companies is likely to be telling me porkies?

    Jim

    • Ken replied:

      Hi Jim,

      Thanks for getting in touch. As far as I’m aware, there is no reason why EE couldn’t support a number beginning with 0777. If you take a look at this link (it’s the OFCOM database for mobile numbering), you’ll see that numbers beginning with 0777 are just normal mobile numbers like any other. Indeed, Orange (now part of EE) was even assigned the 07772, 07773 and 07779 number ranges for their own customers. Given this, I believe I believe it’s highly unlikely that EE would have any problems using an 0777 phone number.

      Ken

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