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

Changing mobile network can be a great idea if you want to take advantage of new customer offers, or simply find a network that’s more appealing than the one you’re on. These days it’s also a simple process – even if you want to keep your number.

Below we’ve detailed that process for Virgin Mobile, both for leaving the network and joining it. So if you want to leave Virgin Mobile for a new network and take your number with you, read on. If on the other hand you’re looking to join Virgin Mobile and bring your number, then jump to the second section of this guide.

Either way though, the process is somewhat similar, and in both cases you’ll need a PAC (Porting Authorisation Code).

Leaving Virgin Mobile and transferring your number

If you’re planning to leave Virgin Mobile and you want to take your number with you then the first thing to note is that you shouldn’t simply close your Virgin Mobile account, as doing that could cause you to lose your number.

Instead, follow the simple three-step process below and that will end with your number being transferred and your Virgin Mobile account being closed.

Step 1 - Request a Virgin Mobile PAC code

This step and the next step can actually be done in either order, so you can either get a PAC code and then order a new phone or SIM Only plan from the network you’re joining, or do it the other way around.

But getting a PAC code is incredibly quick and easy, so we’re inclined to do that step first. You can get one by simply texting the word ‘PAC’ and your date of birth (in the format DDMMYYYY) to 65075 for your Virgin Mobile number. So if you were born on the 7th of June 1992 for example, you’d text PAC 07061982.

However, you can alternatively get your PAC code online or over the phone if you’d prefer. All the methods are detailed here:

• Text to switch - Text the word ‘PAC’ and your date of birth (DDMMYYYY) to 65075
• Online – Sign in to your online Virgin account and select ‘Switching’
• Phone – Call 789 from your Virgin Mobile or 0345 6000 789 from any other phone

Be aware that the PAC code you receive will expire if it’s not used within 30 days. That should be plenty of time, but if it does expire then you can just request a new one.

Step 2 - Order a new phone or SIM

Step 2 (or step 1 if you prefer to do this first) is to order a new phone or SIM Only plan from the network you’ve decided to join.

If you haven’t yet picked a network or a specific plan, take a look at the phone deals and SIM Only deals on our site. You can easily filter deals based on what you’re interested in, and we often have exclusive offers too.

Once you’ve made up your mind, just order your new plan, and when your SIM card arrives make sure to activate it before heading to step 3.

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

Finally, you’ll want to give your Virgin Mobile PAC code to the new network you’ve just joined.

This in most cases means filling in a simple form on your new network’s site, where you’ll also be asked for your new temporary number, the old number you want to keep, and sometimes other simple details.

Generally your number will then be transferred within 1-2 working days, depending on when you make the request, though some networks let you choose a later date if you’d prefer. And once your number has been transferred, your Virgin Mobile account will automatically be closed.

So where do you find the number transfer form? Details of that for almost all networks can be found in the chart below.

Joining Virgin Mobile and transferring your number

If you’d like to keep your old number when joining Virgin Mobile then that’s easy to achieve – just follow the three simple steps below.

Don’t jump ahead by cancelling your Virgin Mobile contract though – you should transfer your number before cancelling, and in fact the process of transferring your number will close your Virgin Mobile account anyway.

Also, be aware that the first two steps below can be done either way around, you just need to do them both before you complete step 3.

Check Virgin Mobile coverage

Step 1 - Request a PAC code from your existing network

Getting a PAC code is the key to keeping your old number when joining a new network, and these days this is easy to do.

With every network, you can simply text the word ‘PAC’ to 65075 from the number you want to keep. Some networks require other details alongside that word – most commonly your date of birth. But if so they’ll text back and say as much.

Either way, once you’ve texted the required details, you should immediately get a PAC code.

That’s the simplest method as it’s broadly the same on every network, but most networks offer alternate ways to get a PAC code too, and we’ve detailed these in the chart below.

Step 2 - Order a new Virgin Mobile phone or SIM

Either before or after getting your PAC code, you should sign up with Virgin Mobile. If you haven’t decided which plan to go with yet, check out all the Virgin Mobile phone deals and Virgin Mobile SIM Only plans.

Using our site, you’ll be able to filter based on allowances, price, and more, so you can find the perfect plan for you.

Once done, place your order, and if you already have your PAC code then you’ll be given the option to port your number during checkout. So you can either do that or wait until your new SIM card has arrived. If doing the latter, make sure to activate your new SIM card before proceeding to step 3.

Step 3 - Give your PAC code to Virgin Mobile

If you didn’t give your PAC code to Virgin Mobile during checkout, then you can do it now, by heading to your online Virgin Mobile account (or registering for one if you haven’t yet), and selecting the ‘Switching’ option. From there, select 'Use PAC' and then just enter your PAC details.

Whether you make the switching request during checkout or once you have your Virgin Mobile SIM card, the time frame for the process is much the same, as the transfer won’t start until you’ve received and activated your Virgin Mobile SIM card anyway.

The process takes one working day if you make the request before 6pm on a weekday. Otherwise it will take two working days. If you request a number transfer on a weekend then it should be complete on the following Tuesday.

Frequently Asked Questions