Switching from Vodafone to iD Mobile? It's a straightforward process to keep your existing phone number.
Step 1: Get a PAC Code from Vodafone
If you’d like to move your phone number from Vodafone to iD Mobile, the first step is getting your Porting Authorisation Code (or PAC Code) from Vodafone.
There are three ways to get a PAC Code from Vodafone:
- Online: You can get a PAC Code from Vodafone by logging in to the My Vodafone website. Once you've logged in, go to Account settings > Mobile switching.
- By Text Message: You can get a Vodafone PAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text PAC to 65075 to receive a PAC Code from Vodafone.
- By Phone: You can get a PAC Code by calling Vodafone. To do this, call them on 191 using your Vodafone handset. Alternatively, dial 03333 040 191 from any other phone. You'll need to call during Vodafone's opening hours (Monday-Friday 8am-9pm, Saturday 8am-9pm, Sunday 8am-9pm).
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 Vodafone: it'll be closed automatically when your phone number is transferred to iD Mobile.
Still in contract with Vodafone? If so, you may need to pay an early exit fee on your bill from Vodafone. To find out how much this would be, text INFO to 85075.
Don’t want to keep your Vodafone phone number? You can switch to iD Mobile without taking your phone number with you. If you'd like to do this, get a STAC Code from Vodafone instead.
Vodafone STAC Code (Leave Vodafone Without Keeping Your Number)
If you’d like to leave Vodafone 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 Vodafone:
- Online: You can get a STAC Code from Vodafone by logging in to the My Vodafone website. After logging in, go to Account settings > Mobile switching.
- By Text Message: You can get a Vodafone STAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text STAC to 75075 to receive a STAC Code from Vodafone.
- By Phone: You can get a STAC Code by calling Vodafone. Call them on 191 using your Vodafone handset. Alternatively, dial 03333 040 191 from any other phone. You'll need to call during Vodafone's opening hours (Monday-Friday 8am-9pm, Saturday 8am-9pm, Sunday 8am-9pm).
Once you’ve gotten your STAC Code from Vodafone, the rest of the process for joining iD Mobile remains the same.
Step 2: Order your new phone or SIM card from iD Mobile's website
You should now order your new phone or SIM card using the iD Mobile website. Please select the type of tariff you're intending to move to:
If you're looking for a SIM card from iD Mobile, the following deals from £6/month are currently most popular:
Network | Data | Monthly Cost | |
---|---|---|---|
| 20GB data | £6.00 per month 1 month contract | See deal |
| 50GB data | £7.00 per month 1 month contract | See deal |
| 150GB data | £10.00 per month 24 month contract | See deal |
| 300GB data | £14.00 per month 24 month contract | See deal |
| Unlimited data | £15.00 per month 1 month contract | See deal |
For a full list of available tariffs and the latest iD Mobile deals, please refer to this page on iD Mobile's website.
Alternatively, if you're getting your iD Mobile plan from a reseller, tap on their logo for more information:
iD 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 iD Mobile.
Step 3: Give the PAC Code to iD Mobile
Once your new phone or SIM card arrives from iD 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 iD Mobile and provide them with your PAC Code from Vodafone.
Your PAC Code should be entered on iD Mobile's online form. Alternatively, you can give the PAC Code to iD Mobile by calling 7777 on your iD Mobile handset. You can also call 0333 003 7777 from any other phone.
If you have a STAC Code from Vodafone rather than a PAC Code, this can be provided to iD Mobile in the exact same way.
Remember:
- You must provide the PAC Code to iD Mobile within 30 days of it being issued by Vodafone. If the PAC Code has already expired, you'll need to return to step 1 and request a new PAC Code from Vodafone.
- Vodafone Pay As You Go customers: Try to use up your remaining credit as it can't be transferred to iD Mobile.
Step 4: Phone Number Transferred (Next Working Day)
As long as you've submitted your PAC Code to iD Mobile before 6pm, your phone number transfer will normally be scheduled for the next working day (Monday to Friday only, excluding English bank holidays). After 6pm, 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 iD Mobile. You should find that the iD 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 iD Mobile, your account on Vodafone will automatically be closed. You'll receive a final bill from Vodafone for any outstanding charges.
Get the Latest Deals from iD Mobile →
Any Other Questions?
In case of any problems during the transfer of your phone number, you should contact your new mobile network (iD 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"
Steve said:
Hi, I want to leave Vodaphone & had asked them for a pac code, they sent me an email with a 20 digit code. As I have never dealt with this situation before I assumed this was the code, I joined ID & set up my app I D account. I went into my ID account & set about transferring my original number over to ID.
When I tried to input the code ID said there was a problem. I have now googled the problem & found out a pac code is only 9 digits ! What was the 20 digit number Vodaphone sent me & can I still get my original number transferred to my new phone ?
I’m grateful for any advice.
Regards
Steve.
Ken replied:
Hi Steve,
Thanks for your comment. That’s a very good question: I actually have no idea what the 20-digit number is (most frequently, the PAC Code is confused for a PUK code but that would only be 8 digits long rather than 20 digits long). My guess is it’s probably an account number or something along those lines, but you’ll need to check directly with the team at Vodafone.
To get your phone number transferred to iD Mobile, you’ll need to contact Vodafone customer support once again to request a new PAC Code. This should be nine-digits long with three letters followed by six numbers (e.g. VOD 123 456).
Hope this helps,
Ken
Steve replied:
Hi, never got to the bottom of this. I have had to cancel my contract with Vodafone & buy a new phone that was unlocked to any network. Vodaphone were a nightmare to deal with , never ever deal with them again !.
Don said:
iDmobile mistakingly cancelled my contract then lost my mobile and can’t re-enable it to issue me a PAC for my business mobile number…..
I ported my number from Vodafone to iDmobile, everything worked fine until the line disconnected one evening. I rang iDmobile and visited carphonewarehouse who both confirmed that between them they’d accidentally cancelled my contract, lost my number, and now I’m stuck without a business mobile. Vodafone confirm the number was ported across to the 3 network, and also advise that re-enabling the number and then generating the PAC is something that can be done normally in their experience – yet iDmobile seem unwilling to even discuss it and carephonewarehouse aren’t making much progress.
Ken replied:
Hi Don,
Sorry to hear about the problems moving your phone number from Vodafone to iD Mobile. I recommend making an official complaint to iD Mobile as quickly as you can – they should assign you a person to deal with the case. Unfortunately, there’s isn’t any more help I’m able to provide but I hope the problem can be resolved quickly and in your favour.
Please do keep us updated if you hear any more from iD Mobile.
Ken