Transfer A Phone Number From Virgin Mobile to Tesco Mobile: Step-By-Step Instructions

Switching from Virgin Mobile to Tesco Mobile? 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 Tesco Mobile, 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:

1. Online: You can get a PAC Code from Virgin Mobile by logging in to the Virgin Mobile Account website.
2. 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.
3. 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 Tesco Mobile.

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 Tesco Mobile without taking your phone number with you. If you'd like to do this, get a STAC Code from Virgin Mobile instead.

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:

• Pay Monthly
• SIM Only
• iPhone
• Samsung Galaxy
• Pay As You Go

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%)
O2 coverage Unlimited mins Unlimited texts	2GB data	£7.50 per month 24 month contract	See deal
O2 coverage Unlimited mins Unlimited texts	12GB data	£10.00 per month 24 month contract	See deal
O2 coverage Unlimited mins Unlimited texts	30GB data	£12.50 per month 24 month contract	See deal
O2 coverage Unlimited mins Unlimited texts	60GB data	£15.00 per month 24 month contract	See deal
O2 coverage Unlimited mins Unlimited texts	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 Virgin 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 Virgin 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 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 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 Virgin Mobile will automatically be closed. You'll receive a final bill from Virgin 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.

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