Switching from T-Mobile to Orange? It's a straightforward process to keep your existing phone number.

Step 1: Get a PAC Code from T-Mobile

If you’d like to move your phone number from T-Mobile to Orange, the first step is getting your Porting Authorisation Code (or PAC Code) from T-Mobile.

There are two ways to get a PAC Code from T-Mobile:

  1. By Text Message: You can get a T-Mobile PAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text PAC to 65075 to receive a PAC Code from T-Mobile.
  2. By Phone: You can get a PAC Code by calling T-Mobile. To do this, call them on 150 using your T-Mobile handset. Alternatively, dial 020 7362 0200 from any other phone. You'll need to call during T-Mobile's opening hours (Monday-Friday 8am-8pm, Saturday 8am-6pm, Sunday 8am-6pm).

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 T-Mobile: it'll be closed automatically when your phone number is transferred to Orange.

Don’t want to keep your T-Mobile phone number? You can switch to Orange without taking your phone number with you. If you'd like to do this, get a STAC Code from T-Mobile instead.

T-Mobile STAC Code (Leave T-Mobile Without Keeping Your Number)

If you’d like to leave T-Mobile 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 T-Mobile:

  1. By Text Message: You can get a T-Mobile STAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text STAC to 75075 to receive a STAC Code from T-Mobile.
  2. By Phone: You can get a STAC Code by calling T-Mobile. Call them on 150 using your T-Mobile handset. Alternatively, dial 020 7362 0200 from any other phone. You'll need to call during T-Mobile's opening hours (Monday-Friday 8am-8pm, Saturday 8am-6pm, Sunday 8am-6pm).

Once you’ve gotten your STAC Code from T-Mobile, the rest of the process for joining Orange remains the same.

Step 2: Order your new phone or SIM card from Orange's website

You should now order your new phone or SIM card using the Orange website. Please select the type of tariff you're intending to move to:

For a full list of available tariffs and the latest Orange deals, please refer to this page on Orange's website.

Orange 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 Orange.

Step 3: Give the PAC Code to Orange

Once your new phone or SIM card arrives from Orange, 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 Orange and provide them with your PAC Code from T-Mobile.

Your PAC Code should be entered on Orange's online form. You can also provide your PAC Code to Orange over the phone:

If you're joining Orange Pay Monthly, you can submit your PAC Code by calling 150 on your Orange handset. Alternatively, call 07973 100 150 from any other phone.

Alternatively, if you're joining Orange Pay As You Go, submit your PAC Code by calling 450 (07973 100 450 if you're calling from another network).

If you have a STAC Code from T-Mobile rather than a PAC Code, this can be provided to Orange in the exact same way.

Providing your PAC Code to Orange
The PAC Code should be submitted through a form on Orange's website.

Remember:

  • You must provide the PAC Code to Orange within 30 days of it being issued by T-Mobile. If the PAC Code has already expired, you'll need to return to step 1 and request a new PAC Code from T-Mobile.
  • T-Mobile Pay As You Go customers: Try to use up your remaining credit as it can't be transferred to Orange.

Step 4: Phone Number Transferred (Next Working Day)

As long as you've submitted your PAC Code to Orange before 5.30pm, your phone number transfer will normally be scheduled for the next working day (Monday to Friday only, excluding English bank holidays). After 5.30pm, 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 Orange. You should find that the Orange 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 Orange, your account on T-Mobile will automatically be closed. You'll receive a final bill from T-Mobile for any outstanding charges.

Get the Latest Deals from Orange →

Any Other Questions?

In case of any problems during the transfer of your phone number, you should contact your new mobile network (Orange) 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"

Your Comments 1,966 so far

We'd love to hear your comments on transferring a phone number from T-Mobile to Orange. The comments below are from people who've made the same transfer. You can add your own comments here.

To view all 1966 comments about transferring a phone number, please visit the main PAC Code article.

  • Alan said:

    I think I may need to contact Orange customer support but just wanted to get some background in case.

    I have just switched from a T-mobile SIM only 30 day plan to an Orange pay monthly.

    I obtained the PAC from TM yesterday and gave it to Orange. I received a txt message from Orange on my OLD phone telling me that my settings had been updated and to turn my phone off and back on again this morning about 4am.

    Now, today, I can make outgoing calls and texts and the receipient gets my old number showing on their screens, however, incoming calls and messages are going to my old phone.

    The phone number that came with my Orange phone has been disconnected.

    Does this sound like the transfer is still in progress and I received the text too early? Or should I be concerned that there is a problem now?

    Any help, gratefully received.

    • Ken replied:

      Hi Alan,

      It sounds as if your phone number transfer might still be in progress? My recommendation is to restart your phone every couple of hours – if there’s still a problem by the end of the working day then you should get in touch with Orange Customer Services (dial 150 from your Orange handset). Fingers crossed everything will work properly – do keep us updated on the status of your transfer!

      Ken

  • James Allanson said:

    I gave my PAC code to Orange two weeks ago, a week later nothing happened. Rang them up a week ago and was told that it would be sorted by midnight, got a text on my old sim card from T-Mobile (my old network) saying that it had started the process and would be done by the end of the day. A week later, and again nothing has happened. So I rang them this morning to be told there was something wrong with my PAC code, so I re-gave them the code and was told it would be done between 11am and 3pm. It's now 5 and a half hours after this time and still nothing.

    Why is it taking so long? And is this actually against the law (Ofcom) as I have seen on some forums that there is a set amount of days that the network has to transfer the number over?

Leave a Reply