Switching from Vodafone to O2? 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 O2, 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 O2.
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 O2 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 O2 remains the same.
Step 2: Order your new phone or SIM card from O2's website
You should now order your new phone or SIM card using the O2 website. Please select the type of tariff you're intending to move to:
If you're looking for a SIM card from O2, the following deals are currently most popular:
Network | Data | Monthly Cost (will rise each April by RPI inflation plus 3.9%) |
|
---|---|---|---|
| 3GB data | £15.00 per month 24 month contract | See deal |
| 20GB data | £17.00 per month 24 month contract | See deal |
| 100GB data | £20.00 per month 24 month contract | See deal |
| 250GB data | £23.00 per month 24 month contract | See deal |
| Unlimited data | £31.00 per month 24 month contract | See deal |
For a full list of available tariffs and the latest O2 deals, please refer to this page on O2's website.
Alternatively, if you're getting your O2 plan from a reseller, tap on their logo for more information:
O2 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 O2.
Step 3: Give the PAC Code to O2
Once your new phone or SIM card arrives from O2, 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 O2 and provide them with your PAC Code from Vodafone.
Your PAC Code should be entered on O2's online form. You can also provide your PAC Code to O2 over the phone:
If you're joining O2 Pay Monthly, you can submit your PAC Code by calling 202 on your O2 handset. Alternatively, call 0344 8090202 from any other phone.
Alternatively, if you're joining O2 Pay As You Go, submit your PAC Code by calling 4445 (0344 8090222 if you're calling from another network).
If you have a STAC Code from Vodafone rather than a PAC Code, this can be provided to O2 in the exact same way.
Remember:
- You must provide the PAC Code to O2 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 O2.
Step 4: Phone Number Transferred (Next Working Day)
Once you've provided a PAC code to O2, 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 O2. You should find that the O2 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 O2, 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 O2 →
Any Other Questions?
In case of any problems during the transfer of your phone number, you should contact your new mobile network (O2) 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"
Craig said:
I sent my PAC code from vodafone to O2 via their online form late Wednesday night at about 2130hrs. It is yet to transfer across? Is there any reason for this? Who do I contact about the issue O2 or Vodafone?
Thanks.
Ken replied:
Hi Craig,
Thanks for your comment. As you submitted your PAC Code to O2 on Wednesday night around 21.30, I would expect it to be count as Thursday (and to therefore be transferred on Friday as per the timetable here). For any delays with porting, you should always contact your new mobile network (so O2 in this case) to enquire and to find out the reasons for this. You may also be entitled to porting delay compensation from your new network.
Hope this helps,
Ken
L.J. said:
Hi Ken, I have recently purchased a new smart phone and I want to move my existing number from Vodafone payg to O2 payg. On the O2 ‘keep your number’ form it asks you for ‘your number’, is this the Vodafone one I want to move and keep or the temporary O2 one I have been using? Maybe a silly question, but I’m not 100% sure.
Also, while i get used to my new phone I have been using my new O2 sim on their ‘classic’ tarriff, when my vodafone number has been ported across, will i keep that tarriff and the credit i have purchased with O2? I know I will forfeit any remaining Vodafone credit. Thanks. L.J.
Ken replied:
Hi LJ,
Many thanks for your comment. To answer your questions in turn:
1. Yes, I believe the phone number you enter on the O2 keep your number form is the phone number you’d like to keep or preferred to be contacted on.
2. You’ll keep all of the credit you’ve got on O2, along with your current tariff or bundle. The only thing that can’t be moved over if your Vodafone PAYG balance & credit.
Hope this helps!
Ken
katherine mann said:
just to say a huge thank you for your excellent advice re sorting out my i phone after using a pac code to try to get my old number onto my new phone (moved from vodafone to 02 network). The new 02 number was coming up in text messages so I did all the resets to suggested and updated my number on my new i phone and hooray my old number I transferred is showing up perfectly.
Big thank you