Switching from O2 to Lycamobile? 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 Lycamobile, 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 Lycamobile.

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 Lycamobile 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 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 £5.90/month are currently most popular:

NetworkMinutesTextsDataMonthly Cost
LycamobileUnlimitedUnlimited10GB£5.90
£1.49 for 3 months
1 month
LycamobileUnlimitedUnlimited20GB£7.90
£2.39 for 3 months
1 month
LycamobileUnlimitedUnlimited88GB£8.00
1 month
LycamobileUnlimitedUnlimited100GB£20.00
£10 for 6 months
1 month
LycamobileUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£25.00
£9.99 for 6 months
1 month

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 O2.

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 O2 rather than a PAC Code, this can be provided to Lycamobile in the exact same way.

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

Remember:

  • You must provide the PAC Code to Lycamobile 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 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 O2 will automatically be closed. You'll receive a final bill from O2 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"

Your Comments 1,963 so far

We'd love to hear your comments on transferring a phone number from O2 to Lycamobile. 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.

  • Hi I’m currently with O2 and my monthly contract is finishing in the next few weeks. If I got the PAC number today off O2 would it be possible to switch my number to a lyca pay as you go sim today? If so what would happen to my currently existing O2 sim?

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