Switching from Talkmobile to giffgaff? It's a straightforward process to keep your existing phone number.
Step 1: Get a PAC Code from Talkmobile
If you’d like to move your phone number from Talkmobile to giffgaff, the first step is getting your Porting Authorisation Code (or PAC Code) from Talkmobile.
There are three ways to get a PAC Code from Talkmobile:
- Online: You can get a PAC Code from Talkmobile by logging in to the Talkmobile account website. Once you've logged in, go to My PAC/STAC.
- By Text Message: You can get a Talkmobile PAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text PAC to 65075 to receive a PAC Code from Talkmobile.
- By Phone: You can get a PAC Code by calling Talkmobile. To do this, call them on 5888 using your Talkmobile handset. Alternatively, dial 0333 304 8064 from any other phone. You'll need to call during Talkmobile's opening hours (Monday-Friday 8am-7pm, Saturday 9am-6pm, Sunday 10am-5pm).
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 Talkmobile: it'll be closed automatically when your phone number is transferred to giffgaff.
Still in contract with Talkmobile? If so, you may need to pay an early exit fee on your bill from Talkmobile. To find out how much this would be, text INFO to 85075.
Don’t want to keep your Talkmobile 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 Talkmobile instead.
Talkmobile STAC Code (Leave Talkmobile Without Keeping Your Number)
If you’d like to leave Talkmobile 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 Talkmobile:
- Online: You can get a STAC Code from Talkmobile by logging in to the Talkmobile account website. After logging in, go to My PAC/STAC.
- By Text Message: You can get a Talkmobile STAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text STAC to 75075 to receive a STAC Code from Talkmobile.
- By Phone: You can get a STAC Code by calling Talkmobile. Call them on 5888 using your Talkmobile handset. Alternatively, dial 0333 304 8064 from any other phone. You'll need to call during Talkmobile's opening hours (Monday-Friday 8am-7pm, Saturday 9am-6pm, Sunday 10am-5pm).
Once you’ve gotten your STAC Code from Talkmobile, 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 Talkmobile.
Your PAC Code should be entered on giffgaff's online form.
If you have a STAC Code from Talkmobile 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 Talkmobile. If the PAC Code has already expired, you'll need to return to step 1 and request a new PAC Code from Talkmobile.
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 Talkmobile will automatically be closed. You'll receive a final bill from Talkmobile 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"
Trefor said:
Hi Ken
I have a 30 day contract with Talkmobile which I gave notice to quit on 10th Nov ’13. I had an acknowledgement that the contract will end on 10th Dec ’13 which was fine. I asked for a PAC yesterday 1st Dec so I can xfer to Giff Gaff SIM only and they said they can only do one or the other i.e. PAC code or cancel contract and implied that the contract will have to run for a further 30 days from issuing the PAC code. Surely this can’t be right? If I use the PAC code on the 9th Dec and Giff Gaff xfer it over the next day, surely the contract will end then? If not, how can I use up another months contract allowance without a phone number?
Thanks
Trefor
Ken replied:
Hi Trefor,
Your Talkmobile SIM is 30-day rolling contract (so you need to give 30 days notice when leaving the network). At present, your account is scheduled to close on Tuesday 10th December. If, at this point, your phone number is still on Talkmobile then you will lose your phone number forever (there’ll be no way of recovering it and having it sent overt to giffgaff). Hence, you’ll need to make sure your phone number has been transferred before the 10th December.
In theory, you could decide to wait until the 9th to use your PAC. However, I’d recommend porting your phone number as soon as would be possible. Bear in mind, things could go wrong or the transfer could be delayed. Also, number ports won’t happen over the weekend (so there are no ports happening on Sat 7th or Sun 8th). If you contact giffgaff on Friday 6th, then your port should be completed on Monday 9th.
Hope this helps!
Ken