Tesco Mobile PAC Code: keep your number and switch networks

Ofcom’s policies have made it extremely quick and easy to switch and transfer your existing number to Tesco Mobile, as well as leave Tesco Mobile and transfer your number to a different network.

It’s completely free to transfer your number - you simply need to request a PAC code by sending a text message, which takes no more than 2 minutes to arrive. Once you’ve given your PAC code to a different network, the switching process will take no more than 1 to 2 working days.

Switching to and from Tesco Mobile is very easy:

• Joining Tesco Mobile: transfer and switch your current number to Tesco Mobile
• Leaving Tesco Mobile: transfer and switch your Tesco Mobile number to a different network
• Upgrading with Tesco Mobile: keep your number when renewing or upgrading your contract

If you want to join or leave Tesco Mobile and get a brand new phone number, without keeping your existing number, the process is almost identical - the only difference being you will need to request a STAC code instead of a PAC code.

Joining Tesco Mobile from another network and keeping your number

Joining Tesco Mobile and transferring your number from a different network is a very easy process, and should take no more than 1 to 2 working days.

You simply need to request a free PAC code from your current network, and hand it to Tesco Mobile.

You can hand your PAC code to Tesco Mobile at the time of ordering a new Tesco Mobile phone or Tesco Mobile SIM, or you can do this after you’ve received your order. When you choose to do this is up to you - it doesn’t make a difference.

After you’ve handed your PAC code to Tesco Mobile, your number will be transferred to Tesco Mobile within 1 to 2 working days, and your account with your previous network will automatically be closed.

1. Request a PAC code from your current network

Requesting a PAC code is quick and free. The easiest way to do this is via text:

1. Text: From the number you wish to keep, text PAC to 65075 for free. You will receive a reply within 2 minutes, containing your PAC code
2. Phone: Call your existing network and ask for your PAC code
3. Online: Log onto your online account or app with your existing network, and find the section on leaving and transferring your number out
4. In-store: If your existing network has a physical store, you should be able to request a PAC code by asking a shop assistant

You will have 30 days to hand your PAC code to Tesco Mobile, after which it will expire and you will need to request a new one.

Note: If you wish to switch to Tesco Mobile, but you want a brand new number without keeping your existing number, you need to request a STAC code rather than a PAC code. You can do this by texting STAC to 75075 instead.

2. Order a new phone or SIM from Tesco Mobile

If you haven’t yet ordered a new SIM or phone with Tesco Mobile, you can find the cheapest Tesco Mobile deals through our comparison tools:

• Compare Tesco Mobile phone deals
• Compare Tesco Mobile SIM only deals

You can also find a full range of contracts from Tesco Mobile’s website.

3. Hand the PAC code to Tesco Mobile

Once you have your PAC code, you simply need to hand it to Tesco Mobile to start the transfer process.

If you previously handed your PAC code to Tesco Mobile at the time of ordering a new Tesco Mobile phone or Tesco Mobile SIM during the checkout process, you can skip this step.

Handing your PAC code to Tesco Mobile can be done through a number of ways:

1. Phone: Call 4455 from your Tesco Mobile SIM or 0345 301 4455 from any other number
2. Text: Text PORT to 23424 from your Tesco Mobile SIM and follow the instructions in the reply message
3. Store: Find your nearest Tesco Mobile store and ask to switch your number to Tesco Mobile

4. Wait for the transfer to complete

After you’ve handed your PAC code to Tesco Mobile, they will notify your previous network that you wish to leave them and transfer your number to Tesco Mobile.

It will take 1 to 2 working days for Tesco Mobile to transfer your number. Once the transfer has completed, your account with your previous network will automatically be closed.

Leaving Tesco Mobile for another network and keeping your number

If you wish to leave Tesco Mobile and transfer your number, you will need to request a PAC code from Tesco Mobile and hand it to the network you wish to switch to.

The switching process is free and easy, and will take no more than 1 to 2 working days.

You can choose to hand your PAC code to a different network at the time of ordering a new phone or SIM, or you can choose to do this once you’ve received your order. When you choose to do this is up to you - it doesn’t make a difference.

Once you’ve handed your PAC code to a different network, the transfer process will take 1 to 2 working days, after which your Tesco Mobile account will automatically close.

1. Request a PAC code from Tesco Mobile

Requesting a PAC code from Tesco Mobile is quick and free. The easiest way to do this is via text:

1. Text: From your Tesco Mobile number, text PAC to 65075 for free. You will receive a reply within 2 minutes, containing your PAC code
2. Online: Contact Tesco Mobile via the online live chat service and request a PAC code
3. Phone: Call 4455 from your Tesco Mobile number or 0345 301 4455 from any other number
4. Store: Find your nearest Tesco Mobile store and ask to leave

You will have 30 days to hand your PAC code to a different network, after which it will expire and you will need to request a new one.

Note: If you wish to switch to a different network, but you want a brand new number without keeping your existing Tesco Mobile number, you need to request a STAC code rather than a PAC code. You can do this by texting STAC to 75075 instead.

2. Order a new phone or SIM

If you haven’t yet ordered a new SIM or phone, you can find the cheapest phone deals and SIM only deals through our comparison tools.

• Compare phone deals
• Compare SIM only deals

3. Hand the PAC code to the network you wish to switch to

Once you have your PAC code from Tesco Mobile, you simply need to hand it to a different network to start the transfer process.

If you previously handed your Tesco Mobile PAC code to a different network at the time of ordering a new phone or SIM, you can skip this step.

There are a number of ways you can hand your Tesco Mobile PAC code to a different network:

1. Online: If you haven’t already, create an account with your new network. Once logged in, look for the section on ‘transferring your number’, where you will be able to submit your Tesco Mobile PAC code
2. Phone: Give your new network a call and tell them you wish to transfer your Tesco Mobile number to them. They will ask for the PAC code that Tesco Mobile provided you with
3. Text: Some networks allow you to text your PAC code to them. Check their online help section to see if this is possible
4. In-store: If your new network has a physical store, they should be able to assist you when transferring your number, and accept your Tesco Mobile PAC code

4. Wait for the transfer to complete

Once you’ve handed your Tesco Mobile PAC code to a different network, they will notify Tesco Mobile that you wish to leave them and transfer your number.

After 1 to 2 working days, your number will be transferred to your new network, and your account with Tesco Mobile will close.

Upgrading with Tesco Mobile and keeping your number

If you’re currently with Tesco Mobile, and you’re upgrading to a new SIM or phone contract with Tesco Mobile, or you’re renewing your existing Tesco Mobile contract, you don’t need to do anything. Your number will stay the same, without requiring a PAC code.

You can find the cheapest Tesco Mobile upgrade deals by using our comparison tools:

• Compare Tesco Mobile upgrade phone deals
• Compare Tesco Mobile upgrade SIM only deals