Switching from Orange to giffgaff? It's a straightforward process to keep your existing phone number.
Step 1: Get a PAC Code from Orange
If you’d like to move your phone number from Orange to giffgaff, the first step is getting your Porting Authorisation Code (or PAC Code) from Orange.
There are two ways to get a PAC Code from Orange:
- By Text Message: You can get an Orange PAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text PAC to 65075 to receive a PAC Code from Orange.
- By Phone: You can get a PAC Code by calling Orange. To do this, call them on:
- For Orange Pay Monthly, dial 150 (or 07973 100 150 from any other phone)
- For Orange Pay As You Go, dial 450 (or 07973 100 450 from any other phone)
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 Orange: it'll be closed automatically when your phone number is transferred to giffgaff.
Don’t want to keep your Orange phone number? You can switch to giffgaff without taking your phone number with you. If you'd like to do this, get a STAC Code from Orange instead.
Orange STAC Code (Leave Orange Without Keeping Your Number)
If you’d like to leave Orange without keeping your phone number, you’ll need to request a STAC Code rather than a PAC Code. There are two ways to get a STAC Code from Orange:
- By Text Message: You can get an Orange STAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text STAC to 75075 to receive a STAC Code from Orange.
- By Phone: You can get a STAC Code by calling Orange. Call them on:
- For Orange Pay Monthly, dial 150 (or 07973 100 150 from any other phone)
- For Orange Pay As You Go, dial 450 (or 07973 100 450 from any other phone)
Once you’ve gotten your STAC Code from Orange, the rest of the process for joining giffgaff remains the same.
Step 2: Order your new phone or SIM card from giffgaff's website
You should now order your new phone or SIM card using the giffgaff website. Please select the type of tariff you're intending to move to:
If you're looking for a SIM card from giffgaff, the following deals from £6/month are currently most popular:
| Network | Data | Monthly Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2GB data | £6.00 per month 1 month rolling | See deal |
| 6GB data | £8.00 per month 18 month contract | See deal |
Offer ends 4th Dec | 60GB data | £10.00 per month 18 month contract | See deal |
Offer ends 4th Dec | 120GB data | £15.00 per month 18 month contract | See deal |
| Unlimited data | £25.00 per month 18 month contract | See deal |
For a full list of available tariffs and the latest giffgaff deals, please refer to this page on giffgaff's website.
giffgaff 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 giffgaff.
Step 3: Give the PAC Code to giffgaff
Once your new phone or SIM card arrives from giffgaff, 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 giffgaff and provide them with your PAC Code from Orange.
Your PAC Code should be entered on giffgaff's online form.
If you have a STAC Code from Orange rather than a PAC Code, this can be provided to giffgaff in the exact same way.
Remember:
- You must provide the PAC Code to giffgaff within 30 days of it being issued by Orange. If the PAC Code has already expired, you'll need to return to step 1 and request a new PAC Code from Orange.
- Orange Pay As You Go customers: Try to use up your remaining credit as it can't be transferred to giffgaff.
Step 4: Phone Number Transferred (Next Working Day)
As long as you've submitted your PAC Code to giffgaff before 3pm, your phone number transfer will normally be scheduled for the next working day (Monday to Friday only, excluding English bank holidays). After 3pm, 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 giffgaff. You should find that the giffgaff 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 giffgaff, your account on Orange will automatically be closed. You'll receive a final bill from Orange for any outstanding charges.
Get the Latest Deals from giffgaff →
Any Other Questions?
In case of any problems during the transfer of your phone number, you should contact your new mobile network (giffgaff) 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"
Lucy said:
Hi Ken
I have recently switched from Orange to GiffGaff, after coming to the end of my 24 month contract. I have paid a final bill already, but a month later they have billed me for another month’s line rental. I know their terms and conditions state that you must give 30 days notice to cancel a contract, even once it has run it’s term, but for that 30 days I would expect to continue to receive service. But I was lead to believe that by porting the number with a PAC code, that this would cause the contract to terminate immediately that the number had been ported away from them, as the Orange SIM was no longer linked to my number and I was not receiving any service. Do I really have to pay for a month’s “line rental” in a month where they did not supply me with a “line”?!
Regards
Lucy
Ken replied:
Hi Lucy,
It does really suck but unfortunately that’s the way things currently work with the 30 day notice period 🙁 One way you’re able to get around it is to give your notice in advance. Alternatively, you can request your PAC Code and to only use the code just before it expires (other readers have done this in the past as you’re still able to use the old line for almost one month). I’d really love to be able to change the system but I suppose it’s an effective way for the mobile networks to take their last pound of flesh before you switch to a rival. So certainly worth filing a complaint with Orange – with enough feedback, hopefully the networks will change their policy in the future.
Ken