Tesco Mobile PAC code: keep your number when changing mobile operators

Tesco Mobile is a great value mobile network with a wide range of 5G plans, so for a lot of people it’s worth switching to. If you’re making that switch, then it’s easy to do so while keeping your number, and it’s just as easy to leave Tesco Mobile and take your number with you.

Below you’ll find a full step-by-step guide to both processes. First we’ve covered how to leave Tesco Mobile and keep your number, and then further down you’ll find a guide to taking your number with you when joining Tesco Mobile.

In both cases though you’ll need to get a PAC (Porting Authorisation Code), as this is the key to keeping your number.

Leaving Tesco Mobile and transferring your number

If you’d like to move from Tesco Mobile to another network and take your number with you, then the whole process can be done in three simple steps, which we’ve detailed below.

Just note that you shouldn’t manually cancel your Tesco Mobile contract. It will be cancelled anyway at the end of the process below, and doing so before then could cause you to lose your number.

Step 1 - Request a Tesco Mobile PAC code

This step and the following step can be done either way round, so if you’d rather order a new phone or SIM Only plan first you can.

But getting a PAC code is the key to the whole process, so we like to do it first, and getting one from Tesco Mobile is easy. In fact, doing so with any network is easy, as it can be achieved with a single text, details of which you’ll find below.

However, you can also get a PAC code from Tesco Mobile online or by calling them if you’d prefer, and those options are detailed below too.

• Text to switch - Text the word ‘PAC’ to 65075
• Online – Go to My Account then ‘View or Change my account details’ > ‘Leaving Tesco Mobile?’
• Phone – Call 4455 from your Tesco phone or 0345 301 4455 from another phone

Note that the PAC code you receive lasts 30 days. If you’ve not used it in that time, you can just request a new one.

Step 2 - Order a new phone or SIM

Next, it’s time to order a new phone or SIM Only plan from the network you want to join.

If you haven’t decided on a new network yet or haven’t decided which plan to get, we can help – just take a look at the phone deals and SIM Only deals on our site for all the latest and best offers.

When you’ve made your decision, place an order, wait for it to arrive, and then activate your shiny new SIM card before proceeding to step 3.

Step 3 - Give your Tesco Mobile PAC code to your new network

The final step is giving the Tesco Mobile PAC code that you got in step 1 to your new network, and this is just as simple as getting the code was, though the exact process will vary a little depending on which network you’ve joined.

To make it as easy as possible, we’ve included links and details to the relevant form for most networks below.

Typically you just click through to the online number transfer form for the network you’ve joined, and fill it in, which means providing your PAC code along with other basic information, such as the number you want to keep and your new temporary number.

With that done, the number transfer will generally be carried out in 1-2 working days, depending on when you filled the form in, though some networks let you choose a later date if you’d prefer. Once the process is complete, your Tesco Mobile contract will automatically be cancelled, so you don’t need to do anything else.

Joining Tesco Mobile and transferring your number

Keeping your number when joining Tesco Mobile is just as simple as when leaving, and we’ve boiled it down to a three-step process below.

So just follow these steps, but make sure you don’t end the contract with your old network. That will happen automatically at the end of this process, and doing it earlier is likely to make you lose your number.

Note also that the first two steps can be done in either order – it’s just the final step that needs to be left until last.

Triple SIM

2GB Data

Unlimited Mins

Unlimited Texts

£7.50 a month

24 month contract

£7.50 a month

See Deal

EU roaming

Triple SIM

2GB Data

Unlimited Mins

Unlimited Texts

£8.00 a month

12 month contract

£8.00 a month

See Deal

EU roaming

Triple SIM

12GB Data

Unlimited Mins

Unlimited Texts

£10.00 a month

24 month contract

£10.00 a month

See Deal

£9 for Clubcard holdersEU roaming

Step 1 - Request a PAC code from your existing network

You need a PAC code to bring your number from your old network to Tesco Mobile, and handily this is easy to get, no matter which network you’re leaving.

In all cases you can simply text the word ‘PAC’ to 65075 from the number you want to keep, and you’ll get sent a PAC code in return. That said, some networks require a little more information, but in that case they’ll text you back with what they need.

If you’d rather use a different method to get a PAC code though such as calling or requesting one online, that’s often an option too. You’ll find all the options for most networks in the chart below.

Step 2 - Order a new Tesco Mobile phone or SIM

Next it’s time to order a Tesco Mobile phone deal or a Tesco Mobile SIM Only plan. Click through to those links and you’ll find every option, and be able to filter them based on data requirements, contract length, and other factors.

Once you’ve made a decision and placed your order, just wait for it arrive on your doorstep and then activate your new SIM card. This will give you a new temporary number, which you’ll need before you can transfer your old number across.

Step 3 - Give your PAC code to Tesco Mobile

Finally, you just need to give Tesco Mobile your PAC code alongside a few other details. You can do this by texting ‘PORT’ to 23424 from your new temporary number.

Tesco Mobile will text back asking for your PAC code and the number you want to keep, so send those details. You’ll then get a text within 24 hours saying when the transfer will take place.

Frequently Asked Questions