Switching from T-Mobile to Tesco Mobile? 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 Tesco Mobile, 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:
- 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.
- 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 Tesco Mobile.
Don’t want to keep your T-Mobile phone number? You can switch to Tesco Mobile 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:
- 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.
- 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 Tesco Mobile remains the same.
Step 2: Order your new phone or SIM card from Tesco Mobile's website
You should now order your new phone or SIM card using the Tesco Mobile website. Please select the type of tariff you're intending to move to:
If you're looking for a SIM card from Tesco Mobile, the following deals from £7.50/month are currently most popular:
| Network | Data | Monthly Cost (will rise each April by CPI inflation plus 3.9%) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 2GB data | £7.50 per month 24 month contract | See deal |
| 12GB data | £10.00 per month 24 month contract | See deal |
| 30GB data | £12.50 per month 24 month contract | See deal |
| 60GB data | £15.00 per month 24 month contract | See deal |
| Unlimited data | £25.00 per month 24 month contract | See deal |
For a full list of available tariffs and the latest Tesco Mobile deals, please refer to this page on Tesco Mobile's website.
Tesco Mobile 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 Tesco Mobile.
Step 3: Give the PAC Code to Tesco Mobile
Once your new phone or SIM card arrives from Tesco Mobile, 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 Tesco Mobile and provide them with your PAC Code from T-Mobile.
Your PAC Code should be entered on Tesco Mobile's online form. Alternatively, you can give the PAC Code to Tesco Mobile by calling 4455 on your Tesco Mobile handset. You can also call 0345 301 4455 from any other phone.
If you have a STAC Code from T-Mobile rather than a PAC Code, this can be provided to Tesco Mobile in the exact same way.
Remember:
- You must provide the PAC Code to Tesco Mobile 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 Tesco Mobile.
Step 4: Phone Number Transferred (Next Working Day)
Once you've provided a PAC code to Tesco Mobile, 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 Tesco Mobile. You should find that the Tesco Mobile 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 Tesco Mobile, 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 Tesco Mobile →
Any Other Questions?
In case of any problems during the transfer of your phone number, you should contact your new mobile network (Tesco Mobile) 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"
Noeleen said:
I am with TMobile/ EE on a PAYG
I wanted to change to Tesco mobile. There is about £80 credit in my account will this money come with me when I get my pac code and change. I had requestd my money back but got refused thank you
Ken replied:
Hi Noeleen,
Thanks for your comment. Unfortunately, it isn’t possible to transfer your Pay As You Go credit from one network to another, so you’ll need to use up the £80 of credit before you leave T-Mobile and join Tesco Mobile. If it’s not easy to use up the credit, you could possibly consider using the credit to pay for applications or music. Alternatively, you can choose to donate your credit to charity.
Hope this helps,
Ken
Noeleen replied:
Ken thank you so much for replying to me
Shirley said:
Hello, I have just recently gone from pay as you go on T-Mobile to a Contract with Tesco mobile. A PAC code was issued to me and I gave this to Tesco mobile. I have only had the phone since 6 September and apparently my old number from T-Mobile was ported on 9 September to my new phone. I have recently been advised by people that they cannot reach me on my new mobile from a landline. When rung from a landline the signal received by them is a dead one. I can receive calls on my new phone from other mobiles. I am having a very frustrating and stressful time with Tesco Mobile in getting this matter resolved. All manner of things have been tried and nothing works. Do you please have any ideas. Hope this makes sense.
Regards
Shirley
Louise replied:
I am having a very similar experience I transferd my number from t mobile to giff gaff in September all was fine for the first 24 hours then I was unable to receive any calls from mobiles or landlines except from my daughter who is on O2, again just a dead tone. I then got no help from giff gaff so asked for another pac number and took out a new contract with a new hand set from O2, the exact same problem has occurred and again only my daughter or O2 can call me but I cann receive any text from anyone. O2 have disconnected me twice now and put me back on but this has not resolved the problem which I believe originates from t Mobile but they do not want to help as I am no longer their customer. This is a business number so really need to keep it please help
Danni_xo said:
I am thinking of ordering my new phone today on Tesco mobile, but I can’t request my pac code from T- mobile until next week without being charged as I still have over 30 days left on contract. Is it possible to change my number over to my new phone once I have it? Or do I have to do it online before I receive the new phone?
Ken replied:
Hi Danni,
Thanks for your comment. You can request your PAC Code from T-Mobile at any time (the contract won’t actually be ended until your number transfers to Tesco Mobile). There’s never a charge for receiving your PAC Code. However, if you end your contract early (e.g. by giving the PAC Code to Tesco), you may be charged an early termination fee equivalent to 96% of the remaining cost of the contract.
With regards to providing your PAC Code and transferring your number over to Tesco Mobile, you should always do this after receiving your new handset. It gives you an opportunity to test it out first (e.g. to make sure the handset works properly and that the coverage is OK in your home/office). So I would definitely recommend ordering the handset first – only after it arrives and you’re actually ready to move your phone number over, you can then fill out this form on TescoMobile.com.
For more information, please see the step-by-step instructions on moving your phone number from T-Mobile to Tesco.
Hope this helps!
Ken
Danni_xo replied:
Thank you! That has really helped!