Get Virgin Mobile PAC code to keep number & switch to Tesco Mobile network

Keep my Virgin Mobile number

How to get a PAC code from Virgin Mobile & transfer my number to Tesco Mobile

Call Virgin Media on 789 from a Virgin Mobile SIM or dial 0345 6000 789 from any other phone, and ask for your "Port Authorisation Code" or PAC number.

To use the text-to-switch service make sure to include your date of birth (as DD/MM/YYYY format) when texting PAC to 65075 e.g. PAC 19/07/1987

If you wish to use the 'text-to-switch' service, simply SMS text PAC to 65075 free from your Virgin Mobile SIM to get your Virgin Mobile PAC code by text message and begin the porting process.

  • Virgin Mobile will provide your PAC code (Porting Authorisation Code) either by SMS text message, email, over the phone if you contact them directly, or through an online Virgin Mobile login.
  • A PAC number is valid for 30 days. If you don't use it within thirty days it will expire and you will need to request a new one.
  • Your Virgin Mobile account will remain active until your number has been ported over to your new Tesco Mobile network. After the transfer is complete, your old Virgin Mobile account will be automatically closed.

While you wait to get your Virgin Mobile PAC code, find the best Tesco Mobile online offer for you. Many of these exclusive mobile phone & SIM only deals are only available online, directly from the network providers listed here.

Got your Virgin Mobile PAC code?

Provide your PAC code from Virgin Mobile to Tesco Mobile who will then be able to port your existing Virgin Mobile number. They will tell you what day the transfer is due to take place (usually within 48 hours).

Important: Do NOT cancel your SIM only or mobile contract before switching, otherwise you may lose your current phone number and be unable to port it over. Once you give Tesco Mobile your Virgin Mobile PAC code, your old Virgin Mobile billing account will be closed automatically when your mobile phone number is successfully ported over.

Note: Topup credit on Pre-Pay / PAYG (Pay-As-You-Go) accounts cannot be transferred over and so any remaining credit balance or bundles will be lost after the switch is complete. If you have any top-up credit left, one good option is to donate your remaining balance to a charity via SMS text message before porting your number.

Transfer my number to Tesco Mobile

How to switch to Tesco Mobile and keep my Virgin Mobile number?

First get your Tesco Mobile deal and activate your new SIM card.

Once you have done that, get the following information ready for the step-by-step instructions:

  • Your old Virgin Mobile mobile phone number that you want to keep.
  • The Virgin Mobile PAC code (Porting Authorization Code) from your previous network.
  • The expiry date of the PAC number (valid for 30 days from the date of issue).
  • The temporary mobile number from your new Tesco Mobile SIM card activation.
  • You may also need the new Tesco Mobile SIM card serial number found on the back as an additional security check.

Contact Tesco Customer Care by dialing 4455 from your Tesco Mobile phone or call them on 0345 301 4455 from another telephone. Let customer services know that you would like to transfer your old number to your new TescoMobile account and provide them with the PAC number from your old network provider.

Alternatively, you can text PORT to 23424 free from the Tesco Mobile number you want to replace.

Note: You may lose network service for a short period on the day of transfer. If this happens, turn your phone off and on occasionally, until you see the Tesco Mobile signal on your mobile phone screen. This will indicate that the transfer is complete, and you can now use your old phone number in your new mobile network provider.

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Compare Tesco Mobile vs Virgin Mobile

About Tesco Mobile

Tesco Mobile is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) in the United Kingdom operated by Tesco, using the O2 network as its carrier.

On 30 January 2014, Tesco Mobile started offering 4G service for its Pay Monthly and Sim Only customers at no extra cost, extending the service to Pay As You Go customers on 24 July 2014.

Tesco Mobile Network Features

Host Network Provider: O2 (MVNO)

2G Network Coverage: Yes

3G Network Coverage: Yes

4G Network Coverage: Yes

5G Network Coverage: Yes

WiFi Calling: No

4G Calling (VoLTE): No

Data Rollover: No

Tethering Allowed: Yes

eSIM: No


About Virgin Mobile

Virgin Mobile UK was a mobile phone service provider operating in the United Kingdom, and was the world's first Mobile Virtual Network Operator, launched in 1999.

Being a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), Virgin Mobile did not maintain its own network infrastructure, but instead had contracts to use the existing EE network.

In January 2023, Virgin Media confirmed that Virgin Mobile would close and all customers would be moved from Virgin Mobile to O2. Migration began in March 2023 and was completed by the end of August 2023.

Virgin Mobile Network Features

Host Network Provider: O2 (MVNO)

2G Network Coverage: Yes

3G Network Coverage: Yes

4G Network Coverage: Yes

5G Network Coverage: Yes

WiFi Calling: Yes

4G Calling (VoLTE): No

Data Rollover: Yes

Tethering Allowed: Yes

eSIM: No