Switch from BT to Tesco Mobile and keep your number using a PAC code
Ofcom’s policies have made it extremely quick and easy to switch and transfer your BT number to Tesco Mobile.
It’s completely free to transfer your number - you simply need to request a PAC code from BT by sending a text message, which takes no more than 2 minutes to arrive. Once you’ve handed the PAC code to Tesco Mobile, the switching process will take no more than 1 to 2 working days to complete.
If you want to join Tesco Mobile and get a brand new phone number, without keeping your existing BT 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 BT
Joining Tesco Mobile and transferring your number from BT 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 BT number, 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 BT will automatically be closed.
1. Request a PAC code from BT
Requesting a PAC code from BT is quick and free. The easiest way to do this is via text:
- Text: From your BT number, text PAC to 65075 for free. You will receive a reply within 2 minutes, containing your PAC code
- Online: Login to your BT Mobile account and request a PAC code
- Phone: Call 150 from your BT Mobile number or 0330 1234 150 from any other number.
- Monday to Friday: 8am - 9pm
- Weekends and bank holidays: 8am - 8pm
You will have 30 days to hand your PAC code to Tesco Mobile, after which it will expire and you will need to request another one from BT.
Note: If you wish to switch to Tesco Mobile, but you want a brand new number without keeping your BT number, you need to request a STAC code rather than a PAC code from BT. 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:
You can also find a full range of contracts from Tesco Mobile’s website.
You may have the opportunity to hand your PAC code over at the time of ordering a new phone or SIM from Tesco Mobile. If so, you will have the option to enter your PAC code during the checkout process. Once your order arrives and you activate the SIM, the transfer process will automatically begin.
If you’re not given the opportunity to hand your PAC code to Tesco Mobile at the time of ordering, don’t worry. Instead, you will receive a temporary number with your new Tesco Mobile SIM. You will be given the opportunity to hand your PAC code to Tesco Mobile and transfer your BT number once your order arrives, as detailed in the next step.
Note: Apart from being slightly more convenient, it doesn’t make a difference whether you choose to hand your PAC code to Tesco Mobile at the order checkout or after you’ve received your order.
3. Hand the PAC code to Tesco Mobile
Once you have your PAC code from BT, 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:
- Phone: Call 4455 from your Tesco Mobile SIM or 0345 301 4455 from any other number
- Text: Text PORT to 23424 from your Tesco Mobile SIM and follow the instructions in the reply message
- Store: Find your nearest Tesco Mobile store and ask to switch your number to Tesco Mobile
4. Wait for the switch to Tesco Mobile to complete
After you’ve handed your PAC code to Tesco Mobile, they will notify BT 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 BT will automatically be closed.