Switching Mobile: Your Questions Answered
Direct answers to the questions UK households actually ask about switching mobile networks. Each answer links to the fuller guide it comes from. For a personalised check on whether your current plan is worth keeping, upload a bill to Taupia.
Last updated: 2026-08-20
How do I switch mobile networks and keep my number?
Text PAC to 65075 from the number you want to keep — it's free and takes under two minutes. Your provider replies with a PAC code valid for 30 days. Give that code to your new network and they move your number across, usually by the next working day.
Source: Mobile switching guide
Does getting a PAC code cancel my contract?
Requesting a PAC doesn't cancel anything by itself. Your old account closes automatically only when you use the PAC with a new network and the switch completes. If the PAC expires unused after 30 days, nothing changes — you stay with your current provider.
Source: Mobile switching guide
Can I leave my mobile contract early?
Yes, though inside the minimum term an early exit fee usually applies — typically the months remaining multiplied by your monthly price. Under Ofcom rules, any exit fee must be shown in the text you receive with your PAC code, so you see the exact cost before committing.
Source: Mobile switching guide
What happens when my mobile contract ends?
Nothing switches off — your plan usually rolls on at the same or a higher price. If your plan bundled a handset, you may keep paying a handset-sized price for a phone you now own. Out of contract there is no exit fee, and using your PAC closes the old account automatically.
Source: Mobile contract ending checklist
How long does switching mobile networks take?
If you submit your PAC before 5pm on a weekday, the number move usually completes the next working day; after 5pm, it's typically within two working days. Your old SIM stops working when the new one takes over.
Source: Mobile switching guide
Do I need to unlock my phone before switching?
Handsets sold by UK networks since December 2021 must be sold unlocked, so most phones work on any network. An older phone may be locked to your current network — you can ask them to unlock it, usually free of charge. Check your handset before you switch.
Source: Ofcom: mobile firms banned from selling locked handsets
Should I go SIM-only when I switch?
If you're happy with your handset, SIM-only is usually the cheapest way to run it — you stop paying a bundled handset premium. Compare your current monthly price against SIM-only deals with similar data. If you want a new phone, price the bundle against buying the handset separately.
Source: SIM-only mobile prices 2026–2031
Paying a contract price for a phone you already own?
Upload a bill to Taupia and see how your plan compares against the live market — using your actual price, not national averages.