Switching from Orange to Talkmobile? 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 Talkmobile, 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 Talkmobile.
Don’t want to keep your Orange phone number? You can switch to Talkmobile 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 Talkmobile remains the same.
Step 2: Order your new phone or SIM card from Talkmobile's website
You should now order your new phone or SIM card using the Talkmobile website. Please select the type of tariff you're intending to move to:
If you're looking for a SIM card from Talkmobile, the following deals from £4.95/month are currently most popular:
| Network | Data | Monthly Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5GB data | £4.95 per month 1 month contract | See deal |
| 20GB data | £5.95 per month 1 month contract | See deal |
| 60GB data | £7.95 per month 1 month contract | See deal |
| 250GB data | £13.95 per month 1 month contract | See deal |
| Unlimited data | £16.00 per month 1 month contract | See deal |
For a full list of available tariffs and the latest Talkmobile deals, please refer to this page on Talkmobile's website.
Alternatively, if you're getting your Talkmobile plan from a reseller, tap on their logo for more information:
Talkmobile 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 Talkmobile.
Step 3: Give the PAC Code to Talkmobile
Once your new phone or SIM card arrives from Talkmobile, 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 Talkmobile and provide them with your PAC Code from Orange.
Your PAC Code should be entered on Talkmobile's online form. Alternatively, you can give the PAC Code to Talkmobile by calling 5888 on your Talkmobile handset. You can also call 0333 304 8064 from any other phone.
If you have a STAC Code from Orange rather than a PAC Code, this can be provided to Talkmobile in the exact same way.
Remember:
- You must provide the PAC Code to Talkmobile 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 Talkmobile.
Step 4: Phone Number Transferred (Next Working Day)
Once you've provided a PAC code to Talkmobile, 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 Talkmobile. You should find that the Talkmobile 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 Talkmobile, 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 Talkmobile →
Any Other Questions?
In case of any problems during the transfer of your phone number, you should contact your new mobile network (Talkmobile) 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"
Inigo Moore said:
I found this article very useful and didn’t know there was anything like a PAC code out there.
just for confirmation, i am 14 months into a 24-month contract (with talk-mobile), my mum also has a 24-month contract (with orange (now EE i think)) but that has come to an end as of a few weeks ago.
What i would like to do is for my mum to have my phone and use that, she terminates her contract and then i get to have a new phone and a new contract on a different network, she has agreed to this only if she gets to keep her current number.
Would it work if i were to get a PAC code from orange, redeem it on my phone with talk-mobile and then that’s it?!
would that auto-terminate my mums contact?
would that be allowed 14 months into my contract?
would my current tariff be exactly the same but with my mums number when i give it to her (provided this works)?
apologies for asking several questions i just cant help but doubt a seemingly easy solution to my problem. Thank you
Ken replied:
Hi Inigo,
Thanks for your comment. Normally, most networks will allow you to use a PAC Code any time during your contract. In this case, your mum would simply request a PAC Code from Orange and would transfer her Orange phone number onto your existing contract (albeit, you’ll lose the phone number currently on that contract and the contract would still be in your name). Unfortunately, for reasons I’m not totally clear on, Talkmobile only allows you to transfer an incoming phone number at the start of the contract. Hence, it unfortunately wouldn’t be possible to do what you’ve described on Talkmobile. It is probably worth giving them a call on 5888 to see whether they can be a bit more flexible (but unfortunately, no guarantees). Do accept my apologies – I really wish I could have been more helpful!
Ken