How to switch mobile provider and keep your number

Key takeaways

• To switch mobile provider and keep your number, text PAC to 65075 from the SIM you're leaving, then give the code you receive to your new provider.
• Once your new provider has your code, your number usually moves within one working day, and any loss of service shouldn't last longer than that.
• You can switch phone provider while still in contract, but an early termination charge may apply. Text INFO to 85075 to check where you stand, and let your new provider end your old plan rather than cancelling it yourself.

 

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Your contract's nearly up, the signal drops the moment you walk into the kitchen, or the bill has crept up again. Whatever the trigger, you've decided to switch, and now you're wondering what you're letting yourself in for.

The honest answer: less than you'd think. Most of it is a couple of free texts and a SIM swap. The bit that catches people out is the order you do things in. This guide walks through it, from what to check first to what to do if something doesn't go to plan.

What does it mean to switch mobile provider?

Switching mobile provider means moving your phone service from one company to another.

You can usually keep your number and your phone, as long as your phone is unlocked. In most cases, you ask your current provider for a short code, hand it to your new provider, and your new provider arranges the move.

Before you switch: five things to check

A few minutes of checking now means no surprises later.

1. Whether you're in contract. Text INFO to 85075. It's free, and the reply tells you whether you're in or out of contract.
2. What you'd owe on leaving. If you're in contract, you may face an early termination charge or outstanding phone payments. Your provider must send you the key details of any charges, along with your switching code.
3. Whether your phone is unlocked. A locked phone only works with SIMs from its original network. Phones sold by UK providers shouldn't be locked, but older ones can be.
4. Coverage where you use your phone. Think home, work and the commute. Use the network's coverage checker to check your postcode.
5. Whether you want to keep your number. Most people do. Your answer decides which code you need.

Can you switch mobile provider if you're still in contract?

Yes. Being in contract doesn't stop you from switching. Here's how the common situations work.

Your situation	Can you switch?	What to know
Out of contract	Yes, at any time	No early termination charge applies, though you still need to clear any unpaid bills or remaining phone payments.
Still in contract	Yes	You may pay an early termination charge, which is often based on the months you have left. Text INFO to 85075 to see the details.
On a rolling SIM-only plan	Yes	A notice period may apply, but your old provider can't charge you for notice that runs past your switch date.
Phone paid off through your plan	Yes	You still need to pay any remaining phone payments. Ask for the figure when you request your code.
Provider changes your terms	Often without a penalty	If your provider makes a change that doesn't work in your favour, such as a price rise, it has to give you at least one month's notice. You can usually leave without paying a penalty.
Signed up online or by phone in the last 14 days	Yes	You usually have 14 days to cancel a contract taken out online or by phone.

How to switch mobile provider, step by step

1. Choose your new provider and plan. Check coverage first, then decide whether you want SIM-only (you keep your phone) or a plan that includes a new phone.
2. Get your code from your current provider. It's a PAC code if you want to keep your number, or a STAC code if you want a new one.
3. Give the code to your new provider. You can usually do this when you sign up, or later in your account.
4. Swap your SIM when it arrives. Keep your old SIM in your phone until the switch completes. If your phone supports eSIM, your new provider may be able to send your plan digitally instead.
5. Check everything works. Make a call, send a text, load a page. That's it. You don't need to cancel anything yourself.

Worth repeating: don't cancel your old plan first. It's the classic mistake, because a cancelled number generally can't be moved across.

Keeping your number: the PAC code

Text PAC to 65075 from the SIM you're leaving. It's free, the code usually arrives within about a minute, and it stays valid for 30 days. If your account has several numbers, such as a family plan, ask for the code online or by phone instead.

Our guide to PAC and STAC codes covers what to do if a code doesn't work.

How long does it take to switch mobile provider?

Your number should move quickly. Getting your SIM in your hands can be the slower part, depending on whether it's posted or arrives as an eSIM.

When	What happens
You request your code	The code usually arrives by text within about a minute, along with details of any charges.
You give the code to your new provider	Your new provider arranges the switch and agrees a switch date with you.
Switch day	Your number usually moves by the end of the next working day after your new provider has your code. Requests made late in the day, at weekends or on bank holidays can take an extra day.
Afterwards	Your old plan ends, and your old provider can't charge you for a notice period that runs past your switch date.

Will you end up paying for two plans at once?

Not for notice periods. Your old provider can't charge you for notice that runs beyond your switch date, which is why handing the code to your new provider matters. What you may still pay includes any early termination charge, remaining phone payments, and usage up to the day you switch. Ask for the exact figures when you request your code, so your final bill holds no surprises.

Switching because something isn't working?

Most people switch because something has stopped working: patchy signal, not enough data, slow customer service, a long contract, or a bill that keeps creeping up. All fair reasons.

With SMARTY, plans run month to month with no long contract, so you're never stuck if something doesn't suit. You can see the options on the all plans page, or get started straight away with a SMARTY eSIM if your phone supports it.

FAQs

Can I switch mobile provider and keep my number?

Yes. Text PAC to 65075 to get a PAC code, then give the code to the new provider. The number usually moves within one working day. A PAC code stays valid for 30 days.

How long does it take to switch phone provider?

Once a new provider has the PAC or STAC code, the switch normally completes within one working day. Loss of service shouldn't last longer than one working day, and providers owe compensation if a switch takes longer.

Can I switch mobile provider if I'm still in contract?

Yes, though an early termination charge may apply. Texting INFO to 85075 shows whether a contract is still active, and a provider must send details of any charges along with a PAC code.