Whether you’re looking to join EE from another network or cut ties with EE and move on somewhere new, you’re probably going to want to keep your current number, and the key to doing that is getting a PAC (Porting Authorisation Code).
With that in hand, switching to or from EE is a swift and easy process, and handily it’s also very easy to get a PAC code. In fact, you can do so by sending a single text message.
Below we’ll explain exactly how to get a PAC code and how to use it to keep your number when moving from EE to another network. Looking to move from another network to EE? We can help there too – you’ll find a guide to doing that further down.
Leaving EE and transferring your number
As noted, the first step to bringing your number with you when you leave EE is getting your PAC. Then you just need to order a phone or SIM on the network you’re moving to, and supply the PAC to them – along with a few other details.
You’ll find the full steps below, but note that you shouldn’t cancel your EE plan. The process of following these steps will close your EE account anyway, but if you cancel before you’ve transferred your number then you’ll lose it.
Step 1 - Request an EE PAC code
Step one is to request a PAC code from EE, but you actually don’t even need to talk to anyone at EE to do this – though you can if you prefer.
The simplest and fastest approach is using ‘text to switch’, which is a text service available on all networks. However you can also get your PAC online or by giving EE a call. The available methods are as follows:
- Text to switch - Text the word ‘PAC’ to 65075
- Online - Head to the ‘Leave EE’ page on your online account
- Phone - Call 150 from your EE phone, or 07953 966 250 from another phone
Whichever approach you use, note that a PAC code is only valid for 30 days after receiving it. However, if yours expires you can always just request a new one.
Step 2 - Order a new phone or SIM
With your PAC code in hand, it’s time to order a phone or SIM from your new network – if you haven’t already. It’s fine though if you do this step before requesting a PAC.
If you haven’t settled on a specific deal or plan yet, then our site can help, as we collect all the best phone deals and SIM Only deals, including some exclusive ones.
Whatever you decide, remember to keep your old EE plan running as well until you’ve transferred your number.
Step 3 - Give your EE PAC code to your new network
There’s just one more step to go, and that’s giving the PAC code you got from EE to whatever network you’ve now joined.
Generally you’ll want to do this once your new SIM has arrived and been activated, but in some cases you can do it during the checkout process with your new network – you never have to do it then though, so you’re always able to wait.
You’ll have to give a few other details to your new network along with the PAC code, such as the number you want to keep, but they’re all things you should already know. Then, once done, the number transfer will be organised on a day of your choice – but it can usually be done as soon as the next working day.
Once it has been transferred, your old EE account will automatically be closed, and you’ll be issued your final bill.
As for how to give your EE PAC code to your new network, well, the process varies a bit depending on which network you’ve joined, but you can see an overview of how to do it for most of the UK’s 5G networks in the chart below.
Joining EE and transferring your number
If you’re looking to join EE from another network, then the first step is to get a PAC code from your current network, so you can give that to EE.
Make sure not to cancel your old plan though – it will automatically be cancelled once your number has been ported, and if you cancel it before then you might lose your number.
Step 1 - Request a PAC code from existing network
As noted above, step one in transferring your number to EE is to get a PAC code from your old network. Texting ‘PAC’ to 65075 (from the number you want to keep) is the fastest method, but you’ll find alternative options below.
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Old Network - Text to switch
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Online
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Phone
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Asda Mobile
Text ‘PAC’ to 65075
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Request it online.
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Call 2732 from your Asda Mobile
(call 0808 006 2732 from any other phone)
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BT Mobile
Text ‘PAC’ to 65075
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Log into My BT Go to Mobile > Thinking of leaving BT.
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Call 0800 800 150 from any phone
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CMLink
Text ‘PAC’ to 65075
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Follow the steps under ‘how to port out online’.
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EE
Text ‘PAC’ to 65075
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From your Online account Go to Menu > Account settings > Leave EE
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150 from your EE phone
( or 0800 956 6000 from another phone)
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Giffgaff
Text ‘PAC’ to 65075
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Request your PAC code online here.
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iD Mobile
Text ‘PAC’ to 65075
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From your Online account Head to the My Account page > Thinking of Leaving > Switch or Cancel Now > Get PAC code.
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Lebara
Text ‘PAC’ to 65075
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Fill in this form.
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Lyca Mobile
Text ‘PAC’ to 65075
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Call Lyca Mobile on 322 from your Lyca Mobile phone
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O2
Text ‘PAC’ to 65075
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My O2 account online.
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Call 202 from your O2 phone
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Sky Mobile
Text ‘PAC’ to 65075
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Request it online.
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Call 03300 412 524
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Smarty
Text ‘PAC’ to 65075
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Head to your account settings, then ‘Manage plan’ and follow the steps under ‘Leave Smarty’.
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Tesco Mobile
Text ‘PAC’ to 65075
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Go to My Account and select ‘View or Change my account details’, then ‘Leaving Tesco Mobile?’
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Call 4455 from your Tesco phone
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Three
Text ‘PAC’ to 65075
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Fill in the ‘Leave Three’ form online. Or, use Three’s live chat.
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Call 333 from your Three phone
(or 0333 338 1001 from another phone,)
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Virgin Mobile
Text ‘PAC’ to 65075
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Sign into your online account and select ‘Switching’
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Call 789 from your Virgin Mobile
(or 0345 6000 789 from any other phone)
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Vodafone
Text ‘PAC’ to 65075
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In your online account Go to Account settings > Mobile switching
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Call 191 from your Vodafone phone
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VOXI
Text ‘PAC’ to 65075
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Sign into your account
and head to ‘Leave VOXI’.
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Call 08080 057449
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Step 2 - Order a new EE phone or SIM
Once you’ve got a PAC code from your old network, it’s time to get a phone or SIM card from EE – though it’s also fine if you do this before getting your PAC code.
In any case, you’ll find some exclusive SIM deals on our site, as well as numerous EE phone deals.
Step 3 - Give your PAC code to EE
Finally, once you’ve received and activated your new EE SIM card, it’s time to give your PAC code to EE, so that they can transfer your old number to your new SIM card.
You can do this by filling in EE’s number transfer form.
If you submit the form before 5.30pm on a working day, EE will aim to transfer your number the next working day. Otherwise it will take two working days to transfer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you keep your number when moving between plans on EE?
Yes. In fact, if you’re already on EE and want simply to move to a new EE plan then you don’t need to manually transfer your number, it should happen automatically.
What if I don’t want to keep my number?
You don’t have to keep your number when moving to a new network. If you’d rather get a new one, then the process is similar, but you’ll need a STAC (Service Termination Authorisation Code) rather than a PAC. You can get this by texting ‘STAC’ to 75075 from the number you want to leave behind.
Will I be charged for a PAC code?
No, PAC codes are free to receive from EE or any other network. That said, there may be other fees to pay when cancelling your contract, especially if you’re ending it early. You can find out what – if anything – there will be to pay by texting INFO to 85075.
How long does it take for a number to transfer to a new SIM?
As a general rule, if you give a network your PAC code before the end of a working day (typically defined as either 5pm or 5:30pm, depending on the network) then your number will usually be transferred the next working day. If you provide the PAC code later than that or on a weekend or bank holiday, then it will usually take two working days. Many networks also let you schedule the transfer for a later day if you’d prefer.
Can I end a contract without a PAC Code?
Yes, you can simply contact EE or any other network that you’re on and ask them to cancel your contract. Or you can request a STAC code (by texting ‘STAC’ to 75075) and give that to your new network. In either case, you’ll lose your old number. So only do this if you don’t want to keep your number.
Can I use a PAC to switch from one EE plan to another?
PAC codes are specifically used for keeping your number when changing network, so they’re not needed when moving between plans on the same network. EE will be able to transfer your number without a PAC in this situation.
Why does my phone show the wrong number?
If you’re seeing the wrong number listed for your phone after completing a transfer, you can manually change it to the correct one. The exact process for this varies from phone to phone, but the options should be available in the Settings menu.
Can you change or cancel a number transfer?
If you’ve scheduled a number transfer but then change your mind or want to change the date it will happen, just give EE a call on 150 as soon as possible, and if the process hasn’t started they should be able to help.
What happens if my number didn’t transfer?
If your number hasn’t been transferred on the day you were expecting, there are a couple of things that could have caused an issue, which are:
- Your new SIM isn’t active: Your new SIM needs to be active before the number can be transferred (and ideally before you request the transfer). So if you haven’t activated it, do so now. If the transfer still doesn’t happen, you should contact your chosen network provider.
- You’re out of the UK: Number transfers typically only happen when connected to the network in the UK, so if you’re out of the country the transfer probably won’t go through.
It’s also possible that the network is simply delayed in transferring your number for one reason or another. If in doubt, give them a call.
