Switching from Tesco Mobile to Talkmobile? It's a straightforward process to keep your existing phone number.
Step 1: Get a PAC Code from Tesco Mobile
If you’d like to move your phone number from Tesco Mobile to Talkmobile, the first step is getting your Porting Authorisation Code (or PAC Code) from Tesco Mobile.
There are three ways to get a PAC Code from Tesco Mobile:
- Online: You can get a PAC Code from Tesco Mobile by logging in to the Tesco Mobile account website. Once you've logged in, go to Request a PAC.
- By Text Message: You can get a Tesco Mobile PAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text PAC to 65075 to receive a PAC Code from Tesco Mobile.
- By Phone: You can get a PAC Code by calling Tesco Mobile. To do this, call them on 4455 using your Tesco Mobile handset. Alternatively, dial 0345 301 4455 from any other phone. You'll need to call during Tesco Mobile's opening hours (Monday-Friday 8am-9pm, Saturday 8am-8pm, Sunday 10am-6pm).
Here are some key things to know:
- The PAC Code from Tesco Mobile should consist of six numbers with TSC at the start (e.g. TSC 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 Tesco Mobile: it'll be closed automatically when your phone number is transferred to Talkmobile.
Still in contract with Tesco Mobile? If so, you may need to pay an early exit fee on your bill from Tesco Mobile. To find out how much this would be, text INFO to 85075.
Don’t want to keep your Tesco Mobile 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 Tesco Mobile instead.
Tesco Mobile STAC Code (Leave Tesco Mobile Without Keeping Your Number)
If you’d like to leave Tesco Mobile 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 Tesco Mobile:
- Online: You can get a STAC Code from Tesco Mobile by logging in to the Tesco Mobile account website. After logging in, go to Request a PAC.
- By Text Message: You can get a Tesco Mobile STAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text STAC to 75075 to receive a STAC Code from Tesco Mobile.
- By Phone: You can get a STAC Code by calling Tesco Mobile. Call them on 4455 using your Tesco Mobile handset. Alternatively, dial 0345 301 4455 from any other phone. You'll need to call during Tesco Mobile's opening hours (Monday-Friday 8am-9pm, Saturday 8am-8pm, Sunday 10am-6pm).
Once you’ve gotten your STAC Code from Tesco Mobile, 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 Tesco Mobile.
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 Tesco Mobile 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 Tesco Mobile. If the PAC Code has already expired, you'll need to return to step 1 and request a new PAC Code from Tesco Mobile.
- Tesco Mobile 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 Tesco Mobile will automatically be closed. You'll receive a final bill from Tesco Mobile 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"
alan collins said:
I gave my pac number 5 days ago and it still hasn’t been transferred over. I order new phone and tariff network from Tesco Mobile to Talkmobile and have tried ringing Carphone Warehouse and also TalkMobile but am not getting anywhere. Any ideas?
Ken replied:
Hi Alan,
Thanks for your comment. Unfortunately, I’m not able to answer any specific requests pertaining to your account. It sounds to me as if your number transfer hasn’t been processed correctly (i.e. they probably haven’t entered your details into the system). You should contact Talkmobile Customer Services on 5888 to check on the status of your phone number transfer.
Ken