O2 PAC code: keep your number when changing mobile operators

Contents list Leaving O2 Request O2 PAC code Order new phone or SIM Give PAC code to new network Joining O2 Request PAC code Order new phone or SIM Give PAC code to O2 Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Getting a PAC (Porting Authorisation Code) is the key to keeping your number when you change mobile networks, and in this guide we’ll look at the whole number porting process with regards to O2.

First up, we’ll cover the step-by-step process to taking your number with you when you leave O2. Then, for those planning to join O2’s network, you’ll find the process for bringing your number with you to O2 – so jump to section two for that. Though both processes are similar.

Both processes are also simple, especially as you can instantly get a PAC code just by sending a text message. That’s not the only way to get one though, as we’ll explain below.

Leaving O2 and transferring your number

There are just three steps involved in leaving O2 and transferring your number to a new network, and we’ve detailed the process below.

One thing to be aware of though is that you shouldn’t cancel your O2 contract. It will automatically be cancelled when your number is transferred, and if you manually cancel it before then you’ll likely lose your old number.

Step 1 - Request an O2 PAC code

The first step is to get a PAC code from O2, and we’d recommend using the ‘text to switch’ method (detailed below) for this, as that just involves sending a single text message. However, there are other options too:

• Text to switch - Text the word ‘PAC’ to 65075
• Online - Head to your My O2 account
• Phone - Call 202 from your O2 phone

However you get your PAC code, note that it’s only valid for 30 days. If it expires though that’s not a problem – you can just request a new code using one of the same methods.

Step 2 - Order a new phone or SIM

The next step is to order a new phone or SIM card on the network you’re switching to. But if you did this before requesting a PAC code, that’s fine. It doesn’t matter what order you do these first two steps in.

If you haven’t decided on which plan to switch to yet then take a look at all the best phone deals and SIM Only plans for inspiration. You’ll also often find exclusive deals on our site that might be better than going directly to a network.

In any case, once you’ve ordered a new phone or SIM, wait for it to arrive, and then activate it before proceeding to step three.

Step 3 - Give your O2 PAC code to your new network

Finally, you need to give the PAC code you got from O2 to your new network. Make sure your new SIM card is active first though, and that you know your new temporary number, as you’ll typically need to supply that as well.

To give your new network these details, you’ll usually just have to fill out a form on their site, but the exact process for most networks can be found below.

As part of the process you’ll usually also be able to select a date for the number transfer to be carried out, but it can often be done as soon as the next working day.

New network	How to transfer your number
Asda Mobile	Select ‘transferring your number’ on your online Asda Mobile account
BT Mobile	Fill out BT’s transfer form
CMLink	Follow the steps under ‘how to port in online’
EE	Fill out EE’s transfer form
Giffgaff	Fill out Giffgaff’s transfer form
iD Mobile	Fill out iD Mobile’s transfer form
Lebara	Fill out Lebara’s transfer form
Lyca Mobile	Fill out Lyca Mobile’s transfer form
O2	Fill out O2’s transfer form
Sky Mobile	Fill out Sky’s transfer form
Smarty	From your online account head to Menu > Your phone number > Enter my PAC or STAC code
Tesco Mobile	Text ‘PORT’ to 23424 from your new SIM and follow the instructions
Three	Fill out Three’s transfer form.
Virgin Mobile	Select ‘Switching’ in your online Virgin account
Vodafone	Fill out Vodafone’s transfer form
VOXI	Use the ‘Transfer number’ section of your VOXI account online

With that done, you can just sit back and wait, safe in the knowledge that once your number has been transferred, your O2 account will also automatically be closed.

Joining O2 and transferring your number

If you’re looking to join O2 from another network then the process is similarly simple to the one outlined above, but there are some differences.

Below, we’ve detailed all three steps to making sure your number comes with you. Just make sure to follow these steps rather than cancelling your old contract – it will automatically be cancelled once your number is transferred, and if you cancel it before then you risk losing your number.

Step 1 - Request a PAC code from existing network

The key to keeping your number is to get a PAC code from the network you’re leaving. There are several ways to do this, and we’ve outlined the options for most networks in the chart below.

However, we recommend simply texting the word ‘PAC’ to 65075 from the number you want to keep, as that’s the fastest and easiest method.

Old Network - Text to switch	Online	Phone
Asda Mobile  Text ‘PAC’ to 65075	Request it online.	Call 2732 from your Asda Mobile (call 0808 006 2732 from any other phone)
BT Mobile  Text ‘PAC’ to 65075	Log into My BT Go to Mobile > Thinking of leaving BT.	Call 0800 800 150 from any phone
CMLink  Text ‘PAC’ to 65075	Follow the steps under ‘how to port out online’.	--
EE  Text ‘PAC’ to 65075	From your Online account Go to Menu > Account settings > Leave EE	150 from your EE phone  ( or 0800 956 6000 from another phone)
Giffgaff  Text ‘PAC’ to 65075	Request your PAC code online here.	--
iD Mobile  Text ‘PAC’ to 65075	From your Online account  Head to the My Account page > Thinking of Leaving > Switch or Cancel Now > Get PAC code.	--
Lebara  Text ‘PAC’ to 65075	Fill in this form.	--
Lyca Mobile  Text ‘PAC’ to 65075	--	Call Lyca Mobile on 322 from your Lyca Mobile phone
O2  Text ‘PAC’ to 65075	My O2 account online.	Call 202 from your O2 phone
Sky Mobile  Text ‘PAC’ to 65075	Request it online.	Call 03300 412 524
Smarty  Text ‘PAC’ to 65075	Head to your account settings, then ‘Manage plan’ and follow the steps under ‘Leave Smarty’.	--
Tesco Mobile  Text ‘PAC’ to 65075	Go to My Account and select ‘View or Change my account details’, then ‘Leaving Tesco Mobile?’	Call 4455 from your Tesco phone
Three  Text ‘PAC’ to 65075	Fill in the ‘Leave Three’ form online. Or, use Three’s live chat.	Call 333 from your Three phone (or 0333 338 1001 from another phone,)
Virgin Mobile  Text ‘PAC’ to 65075	Sign into your online account and select ‘Switching’	Call 789 from your Virgin Mobile (or 0345 6000 789 from any other phone)
Vodafone  Text ‘PAC’ to 65075	In your online account Go to Account settings > Mobile switching	Call 191 from your Vodafone phone
VOXI  Text ‘PAC’ to 65075	Sign into your account  and head to ‘Leave VOXI’.	Call 08080 057449

Step 2 - Order a new O2 phone or SIM

Now that you’ve got your PAC code you’re ready to order a phone or SIM plan from O2. However, it’s also fine if you do this before getting your PAC code.

If you haven’t settled on a plan or device yet, check out the exclusive SIM deals and O2 phone deals on our site.

Step 3 - Give your PAC code to O2

The final step is to give your PAC code to O2, and there are two points at which you can do this.

The first is during the checkout process when ordering your new phone or SIM card. The second is after your new device or SIM has arrived and been activated. If you’re waiting until then, you’ll want to head to O2’s number transfer form.

You can also call O2 on 202 from your temporary O2 number to arrange a transfer.

Then you just need to wait for your number to be transferred, which should happen within one working day if you make the request between 9am and 5pm on a weekday, excluding bank holidays.

If the transfer request is made after 5pm then your number should be transferred within two working days, and if you make the request on a weekend then it should happen on the following Tuesday.

Frequently Asked Questions