PAC Code UK: How to Get Your PAC Code and Switch Networks in 2025

Switching mobile network in the UK has never been simpler, yet many people still put it off because they assume the process is complicated or that they will lose their phone number. The truth is that Ofcom's switching rules mean every UK network — whether it is one of the four main operators or a smaller virtual network — must hand over your PAC code quickly and without fuss. A PAC code (Porting Authorisation Code) is the short alphanumeric key that lets you transfer your existing mobile number to a brand-new provider, so friends, family and colleagues can still reach you on the same number you have always had.

Getting your PAC code in the UK now takes seconds rather than an awkward phone call. Since Ofcom overhauled the switching process, every operator must provide your code by free text message when you send a simple SMS. That single change removed the biggest barrier to switching: the dreaded retention call where staff would try to talk you out of leaving. You are still free to call or log in online if you prefer, but the text route is the fastest and least pressured option available.

Why does this matter in 2025? Because network performance varies hugely by location. EE offers the widest geographic and rural coverage and underpins the UK's Emergency Services Network, while Three can deliver impressive data speeds in urban areas but has the thinnest rural and indoor footprint. Vodafone and O2 generally sit between the two. If the network you are on today does not serve your area well, switching could transform your daily experience — and your PAC code is the first step.

Throughout this guide we will walk you through how to get a PAC code from every major UK network, explain the difference between a PAC code and a STAC code, cover Ofcom's switching timeline, and answer the most common questions UK users are asking right now. We will also show you how to check which network actually has the best signal at your postcode before you commit, so you are not jumping from one patchy provider to another.

What Is a PAC Code and How Does It Work?

A PAC code — short for Porting Authorisation Code — is a unique nine-character code made up of letters and numbers. When you give this code to your new mobile provider, it authorises them to transfer your existing phone number away from your old network and onto their own. The process is governed by Ofcom's switching rules, which apply to every UK mobile operator and MVNO equally. Once your new provider submits the port request, the transfer is completed on a specific date and your old contract or pay-as-you-go account is cancelled automatically.

It is important to understand that requesting a PAC code does not cancel your account on the spot. You are under no obligation to use the code once you have it; it simply gives you the option to port your number within a set window. If you decide to stay, you can ignore it and nothing changes. This makes it completely risk-free to request one, even if you are only exploring your options. Your current service continues as normal until the port actually completes.

PAC codes exist because Ofcom believes customers should be able to switch mobile network and keep their number with minimal friction. Before the current text-to-switch system was introduced, customers often had to endure lengthy phone calls. The modern process is designed to put control firmly in your hands, and networks that obstruct or delay PAC code requests face regulatory action.

How to Get Your PAC Code by Text, Online or Phone

The fastest way to get a PAC code in the UK is by text message. Simply send the word PAC to 65075 from the mobile number you want to switch. Your current network is required by Ofcom to respond with your PAC code via SMS within 60 seconds. This works on all four main networks — EE, Three, Vodafone and O2 — and on every MVNO that uses their infrastructure, including giffgaff, Tesco Mobile, SMARTY, iD Mobile, VOXI, Lebara and 1pMobile. The text is free to send regardless of your tariff.

If you prefer not to use text, you can request your PAC code by calling your network's customer services line or by logging into your online account or app. EE, Vodafone, O2 and Three all surface PAC codes within their self-service account areas, though the exact menu location varies. Calling gives your network an opportunity to offer you a retention deal, which can sometimes be worthwhile — but remember, you are never obliged to accept. Whatever method you choose, the network must provide your PAC code promptly and cannot charge you for it.

For customers on business contracts or multi-line accounts, the process can occasionally differ. The account holder (rather than an individual user) may need to authorise the PAC request. If you are on a work phone, check with your IT or procurement team first. For personal accounts, though, the text method at 65075 is almost always the simplest route.

PAC Codes for Every Major UK Network: EE, Three, Vodafone, O2 and MVNOs

Regardless of which network or MVNO you are leaving, the universal PAC code text number is 65075. However, each provider also offers its own routes. To get a PAC code from EE, you can text PAC to 65075, call 150 from your EE handset, or request it through the My EE app. For a PAC code from Three, the same text works, or you can call 333 from a Three phone or use the My3 app. Vodafone customers can text 65075, call 191, or use the My Vodafone app. O2 users can text 65075, call 202 from their O2 mobile, or visit the My O2 app.

MVNOs follow the same Ofcom rules. If you are on giffgaff or Tesco Mobile (both carried on the O2 network), SMARTY or iD Mobile (both on Three), VOXI or Lebara (both on Vodafone), or 1pMobile (on EE), texting PAC to 65075 from your SIM will return your code just as it does on a main network. Some MVNOs also let you generate the code from your online dashboard. The key point is that no UK provider can refuse or unreasonably delay a PAC code request — Ofcom's regulations are clear on this.

One thing to bear in mind when switching between providers that share the same host network: for example, moving from giffgaff to O2 or from SMARTY to Three. In these cases you are staying on the same physical masts, so your coverage experience will be essentially identical. A PAC code will still let you keep your number, but if coverage is your motivation for switching, make sure your new provider actually uses a different underlying network. NetScan UK's postcode scanner at netscanai.co.uk/#scan ranks all four networks for your specific location using Ofcom premises data, so you can see which infrastructure genuinely performs best before you commit.

PAC Code vs STAC Code: Which Do You Need?

A common point of confusion is the difference between a PAC code and a STAC code. Put simply: use a PAC code if you want to keep your existing phone number when you switch, and use a STAC code (Service Termination Authorisation Code) if you are happy to lose your old number and start fresh with a new one. The STAC code tells your current provider to cancel your service without porting the number across.

To request a STAC code, text STAC to 75075 from the phone in question. As with a PAC code, your network must respond within 60 seconds and the text is free. Once you give the STAC code to your new provider (or simply let the cancellation complete), your old number will eventually be recycled back into the pool. This option suits people who already have a new number they are happy with or who want a clean break.

In practice, the vast majority of UK switchers use a PAC code rather than a STAC code, because keeping a long-held mobile number avoids the hassle of updating banks, two-factor authentication services, and contacts. Unless you have a specific reason to abandon your number, requesting a PAC code is almost always the better choice.

The Switching Timeline: How Long Does It Actually Take?

Once you have your PAC code, the next step is to sign up with your chosen new network and provide the code during the order or activation process. Most providers ask for it when you activate your new SIM — either online, in-app, or in-store. Under Ofcom's switching rules, the number port must be completed within one working day of the request being processed. In many cases the switch happens on the morning of the next working day, though the exact timing can vary slightly.

During the port there is typically a short period — often just a couple of hours — where your service may be interrupted as the number moves between networks. This is normal. Once the port completes, your old SIM stops working and your new SIM carries your original number. Your old contract is cancelled at that point, though you may still receive a final bill covering any outstanding charges or remaining handset payments.

If you request the port late on a Friday, the transfer may not complete until Monday or even Tuesday, because the one-working-day rule excludes weekends and bank holidays. For the smoothest experience, initiate the switch early in the working week. And remember: your PAC code is valid for 30 days from the date it is issued. If you do not use it within that window, it expires and you will need to request a new one — though doing so is just as easy the second time around.

Before You Switch: Check Coverage at Your Postcode

The single most important step before switching mobile network is verifying that your new provider actually has decent coverage where you live, work and travel. Network performance in the UK varies enormously by postcode. EE has the widest geographic and rural reach and is the backbone of the Emergency Services Network. Vodafone and O2 generally offer strong population coverage, particularly in suburban and urban areas. Three excels at data speeds in well-served locations but has the thinnest rural and indoor footprint of the four.

Do not rely on headline national coverage claims. Ofcom's Connected Nations data distinguishes between population coverage — where people live — and geographic coverage — total land area. If you live in a rural or semi-rural area, geographic coverage is what matters to you, and the differences between networks can be stark. Always check your specific postcode on your prospective new network's own coverage map, and cross-reference with independent data.

NetScan UK's free postcode scanner at netscanai.co.uk/#scan pulls in Ofcom premises-level data and ranks all four UK networks for your exact location, giving you an objective, side-by-side comparison before you commit. Spending 30 seconds on a postcode check could save you months of frustration on the wrong network. Once you are confident your new provider delivers solid signal where it counts, request your PAC code and make the move.