Switching from Virgin Mobile to Talkmobile? It's a straightforward process to keep your existing phone number.
Step 1: Get a PAC Code from Virgin Mobile
If you’d like to move your phone number from Virgin Mobile to Talkmobile, the first step is getting your Porting Authorisation Code (or PAC Code) from Virgin Mobile.
There are three ways to get a PAC Code from Virgin Mobile:
- Online: You can get a PAC Code from Virgin Mobile by logging in to the Virgin Mobile Account website.
- By Text Message: You can get a Virgin Mobile PAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text PAC followed by your date of birth in DD/MM/YYYY format to 65075 to receive a PAC Code from Virgin Mobile.
- By Phone: You can get a PAC Code by calling Virgin Mobile. To do this, call them on 789 using your Virgin Mobile handset. Alternatively, dial 0345 6000 789 from any other phone. You'll need to call during Virgin Mobile's opening hours (Monday-Friday 8am-11.59pm, Saturday 8am-11.59pm, Sunday 8am-11.59pm).
Here are some key things to know:
- The PAC Code from Virgin Mobile should consist of six numbers with VRG at the start (e.g. VRG 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 Virgin Mobile: it'll be closed automatically when your phone number is transferred to Talkmobile.
Still in contract with Virgin Mobile? If so, you may need to pay an early exit fee on your bill from Virgin Mobile. To find out how much this would be, text INFO followed by your date of birth in DD/MM/YYYY format to 85075.
Don’t want to keep your Virgin 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 Virgin Mobile instead.
Virgin Mobile STAC Code (Leave Virgin Mobile Without Keeping Your Number)
If you’d like to leave Virgin 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 Virgin Mobile:
- Online: You can get a STAC Code from Virgin Mobile by logging in to the Virgin Mobile Account website.
- By Text Message: You can get a Virgin Mobile STAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text STAC followed by your date of birth in DD/MM/YYYY format to 75075 to receive a STAC Code from Virgin Mobile.
- By Phone: You can get a STAC Code by calling Virgin Mobile. Call them on 789 using your Virgin Mobile handset. Alternatively, dial 0345 6000 789 from any other phone. You'll need to call during Virgin Mobile's opening hours (Monday-Friday 8am-11.59pm, Saturday 8am-11.59pm, Sunday 8am-11.59pm).
Once you’ve gotten your STAC Code from Virgin 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 | Minutes | Texts | Data | Monthly Cost (may rise during contract) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Unlimited | Unlimited | 4GB | £4.95 1 month |
| Unlimited | Unlimited | 15GB | £6.95 1 month |
| Unlimited | Unlimited | 50GB | £7.95 12 months |
| Unlimited | Unlimited | 250GB | £13.95 12 months |
| Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | £16.00 1 month |
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 Virgin 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 Virgin 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 Virgin Mobile. If the PAC Code has already expired, you'll need to return to step 1 and request a new PAC Code from Virgin Mobile.
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 Virgin Mobile will automatically be closed. You'll receive a final bill from Virgin 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"
Becca said:
Hi Ken,
If you use your temporary number before attempting to switch, does that mean that you can’t switch your number over?
I recently got a new phone and used the number provided to make calls and send texts, intending to switch my number over to my old phone number at a later date.
I got a PAC code from Virgin (my provider for my old pay as you go number) and phoned my new provider for my new contract, TalkMobile.
They said that ‘a PAC code can only be used at the point of sale not once you’ve started using it, so it can’t be done.’
Is this true? I have used a PAC code in the past to transfer an old number over to a new phone about a week after I bought the new phone, so I don’t see how it can be.
Thanks in advance for your help 🙂
Ken replied:
Hi Becca,
Thanks for getting in touch! I’ve just taken a look at the Talkmobile website and it seems like they have a really bizarre policy on number porting. When moving to Talkmobile PAYG, you can call up and provide your PAC code at any time. However, when moving to Talkmobile Pay Monthly, you need to provide your PAC code at the point of sale. As far as I’m aware, no other network enforces this requirement (you can normally port in your number at any time, even after using the temporary phone number). Sorry that this is not more helpful – you could perhaps discuss things with Talkmobile Customer Services and see whether they might be able to process the request for you. There is no technical limitation in the number porting system – the only limitation is from Talkmobile’s side.
Ken