Once you’ve got your Three plan and SIM card, just follow the 3 simple steps below.
1. Insert your new Three SIM into your phone and turn it on.
2. Get your PAC (Port Authorisation Code) from your old network. The easiest way to do this is to text ‘PAC’ to 65075 (a free number). Note that in some cases you’ll also have to provide additional details, such as your date of birth, but a text response will tell you this if so. You’ll then receive your code along with relevant contract information, such as whether there are any early termination charges to pay.
You can alternatively call up your old network to let them know you are leaving and request your PAC.
3. Fill out Three's online form to report your PAC.
That’s all there is to it. If you submit the form before 5pm Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays) your number should be ported by Three the next working day (unless you choose to delay it).
Outside of those times Three will transfer your number within two working days. Though in all cases you can select a later date if you prefer.
Just be aware that you need to keep your old account active until your number has been ported.
On Three already and looking to move your Three number to a new Three plan or account? How you do this will depend on the specifics of your situation.
If you’re out of contract and simply upgrading or changing your plan, your Three number will automatically come with you, and you won’t need a new SIM card. Check out Three upgrades for more details on this.
If however you want to move a Three number from one Three account to another (as you might if you find a good deal from a third-party, or a new customer deal), you have two options.
Three itself recommends getting in touch if you’ve already purchased a new Three contract and want to bring your existing Three number over. You can contact Three on 333 from your Three phone, or via Live Chat.
Alternatively, you can pick up a free Pay As You Go SIM card on another network, transfer the number you want to keep to that, and then transfer it back to Three using the method at the top of this page.
The process for keeping your Three number when moving to another network is very similar. Here’s how to do it.
1. Text ‘PAC’ and your date of birth (in the format DDMMYY) to 65075 from the Three number that you want to keep. You’ll be sent your PAC in response.
2. Sign up with the network that you’re switching to.
3. Give your PAC to your new network. Many networks let you do this during the checkout process, but you’ll always be able to do it after you’ve got your new SIM card too, usually through an online form. But if in doubt, give your new network a call and ask them how to port your number.
4. Wait for the transfer to be completed. This is typically done on a similar schedule to the one Three offers (detailed above), so you won’t have to wait long.
If you’re transferring your number to Three, the transfer will usually be completed between 10am and 4pm on the day of the transfer, but it can take up to 10pm.
So by then, it should be complete, but an easy way to tell is that your old SIM card will stop working. You should also be able to see your old number listed when you put your new SIM card into your phone.
To check this, on iPhone head to Settings > Phone, and you’ll find it listed in the ‘My Number’ section of this screen. On Android, go to Settings > About phone (sometimes called ‘About device’). You may see your number at the top of this screen, but if not, go from here to Status > My phone number.
If the number you wanted to transfer is shown, the transfer should be complete, but to be absolutely certain, try sending a text or making a call.
Whether you’re transferring a number to Three or leaving Three and taking your number with you, make sure you keep your old account active until the number transfer is complete. The act of transferring your number will close your old account anyway, so you don’t need to do anything else.
Note also that PAC codes are only valid for 30 days. If you don’t use yours in that time, you’ll have to request a new one if you still want to transfer your number. The act of requesting a PAC won’t close your old account – that only happens if and when the number transfer actually completes.
You can continue using your old number on your old SIM card as usual until the transfer completes, at which point you’ll be able to switch to the new SIM card. There may be a very brief interruption in service during the transfer itself, but this usually only lasts a few minutes at most. If you’ve lost service for longer than that, try turning your phone off and on again.
No, you have to be in the UK to transfer your number between UK networks. If you’re outside the UK when your number transfer to Three is scheduled, it will instead complete when you return.
If you’re out of contract then you shouldn’t be charged anything, but if in doubt, text ‘INFO’ to 85075 from the number you want to keep. You’ll then receive details of any fees you’ll have to pay.
Yes, you can change or cancel it right up to 5pm on the working day before the transfer is due to take place. To do this when moving to Three, contact Three (which can most easily be done by calling 333 from a Three phone or 0333 338 1001 from any other phone).
The information contained on this website has been written to assist our readers. We do not represent Three or speak on its behalf and are entirely independent of Three.
