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Keeping your number when moving to a different phone and SIM provider can be important. It’s the easiest way to continue using your phone as normal, without having to worry about learning a new number. Fortunately, if you’re a Three customer, or you’re planning on switching to Three, it’s relatively easy to keep your existing number.
All you need is your new SIM card, and a PAC (Porting Authorisation Code). The process of switching your number is entirely free, and it usually takes only one working day.
Acquiring and using your PAC code is much easier today than it once was. In 2019, Ofcom introduced the “text to switch” program to allow customers to immediately obtain and use their PAC code without calling their phone provider, so now getting a PAC is as simple as sending a single text message.
Below we’ll explain how to keep your number when leaving Three, then below that we’ll look at how to keep your number when joining Three.
When leaving Three you can transfer your number quickly and easily to your new network by following the steps below.
It's important not to cancel your Three contract before completing all the steps because that will lead to your old number being lost. In fact, you won't need to do anything to cancel your Three contract because it will automatically be cancelled after giving your Three PAC code to your new network.
The first step to leaving Three and keeping your number is to request a PAC code from Three.
There are a few ways to do this as outlined below, but we'd recommended using “text to switch”, as this is the quickest and easiest way. One thing to bear in mind is that a PAC code is only valid for 30 days once issued.
The next step is to order a new phone or SIM plan on your new network.
There are plenty of great deals available on our site, including exclusive SIM deals and huge savings on phone deals.
Remember not to cancel your old contract until you've completed transferring your number to your new network.
After your new phone or SIM has arrived, the final step is to give your Three PAC code to the new network you are switching to. If you’re using a SIM only device, or pay-as-you-go plan, you’ll need to ensure your phone is unlocked so that it can be used on a new network – however most phones are now sold unlocked, and if yours isn’t then Three should be able to unlock it for you.
The table below outlines how to give your Three PAC code to your new network.
|
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 |
Once you’ve given your PAC code to your new vendor, they’ll book a time to switch your number, which usually takes place on the next working day. While you’re waiting for your number to be processed, keep your old SIM in your old handset to retain your service. Once completed your old contract with Three will automatically be cancelled and a final bill will be issued.
When joining Three the process is reversed, so you need to get a PAC code from your existing network and give it to Three.
It's important not to cancel your contract on your old network until you've successfully transferred your number to Three.
We've outlined all the ways you can request a PAC code from your existing network. However. we'd recommend sticking to the "text to switch" approach as it is easiest and quickest.
The first step in the process is to request a PAC code from your existing mobile network.
We've outlined all the different ways you can do that for each network below, but we'd recommend using "text to switch" as it's the fastest method.
|
Old Network - Text to switch |
Online |
Phone |
|---|---|---|
|
Asda Mobile Text ‘PAC’ to 65075 |
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’. |
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|
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. |
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|
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. |
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|
Lebara Text ‘PAC’ to 65075 |
Fill in this form. |
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|
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 |
Call 03300 412 524 |
|
|
Smarty Text ‘PAC’ to 65075 |
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 |
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 |
and head to ‘Leave VOXI’. |
Call 08080 057449 |
In order to transfer your number you also need a new SIM or phone on Three's network.
So you'll need to order that and get it delivered or pick up in store. We've put a couple of the top exclusive SIM deals for you to check out below and you can compare Three phone deals here.
Once you’ve received your new phone or SIM and activated your temporary Three number, the last step in the process is to give the PAC code to Three, so they can bring your old number across.
In order to do that you need to fill in the Three’s transfer form.
If you submit your form before 5pm Monday to Friday (excluding holidays), you should have your number ported by the next working day.
If you’re upgrading to a new tariff or handset with Three, you don’t need a PAC code. You can upgrade via Three’s website and shouldn’t notice any changes to your service or number.
If you want to move to a new SIM and terminate your old number, you’ll need a STAC code. You can acquire a STAC code by texting STAC to 75075 from the number you want to leave behind. This is the Service Termination Authorisation Code, which allows you to close your previous account.
It’s free to receive a PAC code from Three, and it should be free to get one from any other provider too, as you’re legally entitled to get this number. However, there may be other fees if you need to pay a termination cost for a contract with Three, or you have any existing charges to pay off. You can check if you have charges by texting INFO and your date of birth (DD/MM/YY) to 85075.
If you give Three a PAC code by 5pm on a working day, your number should be transferred on the next working day. It may take 2 days for the transfer to complete on a weekend, bank holiday, or when a PAC code is delivered after 5pm on the previous working day. It’s also possible to delay your transfer date by up to 30 days, depending on your needs.
If you’re ending your contract and don’t want to move your number to another provider, you can contact Three or request a STAC code. You’ll need to give Three 30 days’ notice to cancel your number and stop billing you. However, you won’t be able to retrieve your number after its cancelled.
PAC codes are only suitable for changing to a different network. If you’re moving from one plan on Three to a new account or contract on Three and you want to keep your number, you can arrange this with Three when you choose your new tariff.
Users need to be connected to the Three network in the UK to transfer their number. If you’re not in the UK then your transfer will be delayed until you return to the country. If your PAC expires before you return (within 30 days), you’ll need to request a new one.
If your phone shows the number from your temporary Three SIM or any other incorrect number, you can update your device settings to change it to your new one. Go into your phone “Settings” to edit your listed phone number.
If you decide you don’t want to transfer your number after all, you can change or cancel the process up to 5pm on the working day before the transfer is scheduled to take place.
If you still don’t have your new number by 10pm on the day of your transfer, there are a few reasons why something might have gone wrong. Such as:
In some cases, if your transfer is delayed because of your network, you will be entitled to compensation for the period of the delay.
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