Upgrading to a new handset or SIM card on Three? You won't need a PAC Code to keep your current phone number.
Step 1: Order your new phone or SIM card from Three's website
As you're staying on Three, it's not necessary to obtain a PAC Code. Instead, you can process your phone number transfer internally inside of Three.
Start by ordering your new phone or SIM card using the Three website. Please select the type of tariff you're intending to move to:
If you're looking for a SIM card from Three, the following deals from £5/month are currently most popular:
| Network | Data | Monthly Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3GB data | £5.00 per month 24 month contract Monthly cost will rise each April by £1 | See deal |
| 12GB data | £6.00 per month 12 month contract Monthly cost will rise each April by £1.25 | See deal |
| 30GB data | £7.00 per month 12 month contract Monthly cost will rise each April by £1.25 | See deal |
| 120GB data | £10.00 per month 12 month contract Monthly cost will rise each April by £1.50 | See deal |
| Unlimited data | £20.00 per month 24 month contract Monthly cost will rise each April by £1.50 | See deal |
For a full list of available tariffs and the latest Three deals, please refer to this page.
Alternatively, if you're upgrading your Three plan through a reseller, tap on their logo for more information:
Step 2: Contact Three To Transfer Your Phone Number
After receiving your new phone or SIM card, please contact Three to transfer your phone number to the new plan. You can do this by calling 333 from your Three handset. Alternatively, dial 0333 338 1001 from any other phone.
You can contact Three at any time during their opening hours:
| Monday - Friday | 8am - 8pm |
|---|---|
| Saturday | 9am - 6pm |
| Sunday | 9am - 6pm |
View Latest Deals from Three →
Any Other Questions?
In case of any problems during the transfer of your phone number, you should contact your new mobile network (Three) 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"
Stephanie said:
Hi,
I was using a number that was on my partner’s name but now I want to get a sim only deal from 3 for myself and I also want the old number which was on my partner’s name to be transferred to my new number
Ken replied:
Hi Stephanie,
The best thing to do would probably be to get in touch with Three Customer Services on 333. I think they can transfer the account so it’s in your own name and then they can switch it over the SIM Only deal you want. If, however, you don’t want to go down that route, it’s also possible to transfer your phone number to another network (order a free SIM card here for that purpose e.g. from giffgaff), before transferring it back to Three.
Hope this helps,
Ken
Jon said:
Hi Ken,
Thanks for the great website. I am on a sim-only plan with Three. I purchased another Three monthly plan with a third-party and requested to transfer the sim-only number to the new plan. They said they cannot do this until sim-only plan ends after 30 day notice – then it can be changed to PAYG then transferred. Can I request a PAC to transfer it to a temporary PAYG and then back to my new monthly plan to speed up the process? Is there any valid reason why they can refuse my requests? Thanks.
Ken replied:
Hi Jon,
Many thanks for your comment. Unfortunately, SIM only deals (of the Pay Monthly variety) have a 30-day notice period associated with them. What this means is you’re required to pay for another 30 days of usage after you ask them to cancel the SIM card (as an aside: I believe Ofcom is currently looking into this as many people, including myself, think it’s a bit unfair).
You could use a PAC Code to transfer the phone number to another network, but you would still need to pay for another 30 days of usage after giving notice to Three that you want to end the contract. So yes, in theory, this could be a little faster but you’ll still need to pay the same amount overall.
To save the hassle of having to do this, I’d probably serve out the 30 days and then transfer directly on Three. Alternatively, you could ask them to transfer you over early (but they may still want to charge you for the 30-day notice period).
Ken
Colin williams said:
Hi I’m with three and my old number was with three . My contract ran out but I didn’t want forward my number . But changed my mind after it ran out and want keep me old number …and rang them them they give me pack code said I had go with another network then ring them back for another pack code … y can’t they just change it .
Ken replied:
Hi Colin,
Thanks for your comment. The main networks are often reluctant to transfer your phone number from one account to another. The reasoning behind this is because you’ve actually signed up as a new customer on the second contract (new customers are often given a preferential deal to existing customers on the network). Three would rather you upgrade directly as an existing customer on their network – hence the reluctance to move your number over.
In reality, it shouldn’t be a problem moving your number from one contract to another. My suggestion would simply be to persist when asking Customer Services to process your request. As a last resort, you can use a PAC Code to move to another network and then use another PAC Code to move back to Three (understandably, you want to avoid this as it causes more hassle).
Ken
Pierre replied:
Hi Ken,
Just to advise that I had a similar problem while transferring from a Three to Three contract.
As suggested, I persisted and got the outcome I wanted.
Eventually, after 4 calls and much time wasted, I spoke with Ananb who was in the Three Customer Excellence Department and he literally bent over backwards to help me.
Aside from this issue, I told him about the trouble I had getting this sorted and he said that in future I should call the Customer Excellence Department directly on 0800 358 4916 and they would sort it out. As he explained, to be in that department, staff needed at least 4 years experience in company so you were more likely to get things sorted.
As their advert says, ‘when stuff sucks, make it right’. Certainly, Ananb had signed up to the company pledge but it’s a shame some of the others had not!
Best regards,
Pierre.
P.S. Great site by the way.