Giffgaff Activate SIM by Keeping Your Number

Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Port Your Number in 2026

Network: Giffgaff (O2)

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Cost: Free SIM
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Port Time: 1 Working Day
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Contract: None

⚡ Quick Answer

To activate a Giffgaff SIM and keep your number: (1) Order a free SIM from giffgaff.com, (2) Text PAC to 65075 from your current number to get your Porting Authorisation Code, (3) Insert the Giffgaff SIM and activate at giffgaff.com/activate, (4) Enter your PAC code during activation or in your account. Your number ports within 1 working day. Giffgaff uses the O2 network with no contracts.

📋 TL;DR

Free SIM: Order from giffgaff.com — delivered in 1-3 days
Get PAC: Text PAC to 65075 (free) from your current number
Activate: Insert SIM → visit giffgaff.com/activate
Port Number: Enter PAC code — transfer completes in 1 working day
No Contract: Flexible Goodybags, cancel anytime
O2 Network: 4G & 5G coverage across the UK

Switching mobile networks doesn’t mean losing your phone number. Giffgaff makes it incredibly simple to activate a new SIM and keep your existing number using a PAC (Porting Authorisation Code). This comprehensive guide walks you through every step — from ordering your free SIM to completing the number transfer — so you can switch to Giffgaff’s flexible, no-contract service without any hassle.

📱 What Is Giffgaff?

Giffgaff is a UK Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) that runs on the O2 network. Launched in 2009, it’s known for its unique community-driven approach and flexible, no-contract pricing.

Feature	Details	Benefit
Network	O2 (4G & 5G)	99% UK population coverage
Contract	No contract	Cancel or change anytime
SIM Cost	Free	Delivered to your door
Credit Check	None required	Available to everyone
Data Rollover	Yes (with some plans)	Unused data carries over
Support	Community forum	Peer-to-peer help + agents

1️⃣ Step 1: Order Your Free Giffgaff SIM

Getting started with Giffgaff is completely free. Here’s how to order your SIM:

Visit giffgaff.com and click “Order a free SIM”
Enter your delivery address (UK only for free delivery)
Choose between a standard SIM, micro SIM, or nano SIM (or a triple SIM that fits all)
Your SIM arrives within 1-3 business days via Royal Mail
No payment required — the SIM itself is completely free

💡 Pro Tip: You can also pick up a Giffgaff SIM from select retailers like Poundland or Tesco for instant activation if you don’t want to wait for delivery.

2️⃣ Step 2: Request Your PAC Code

A PAC (Porting Authorisation Code) is a 9-character code that authorizes your current network to transfer your number to Giffgaff. Getting it is quick and free:

Text PAC to 65075 from the number you want to keep (completely free)
You’ll receive your PAC code via text within 60 seconds
The PAC code is valid for 30 days from the date of issue
Your current provider must provide it within 2 hours by law (Ofcom regulations)
If you prefer, you can also request it by calling your current provider’s customer service

Method	How To	Time
Text	Send “PAC” to 65075	Under 60 seconds
Online	Log into current provider account	5-10 minutes
Phone	Call customer service	10-30 minutes

⚠️ Important: Do NOT cancel your current contract before the port is complete. If you cancel early, you may lose your number permanently. Your old contract will terminate automatically once the number transfers to Giffgaff.

3️⃣ Step 3: Activate Your Giffgaff SIM

Once your SIM arrives, activation takes just a few minutes:

Insert the SIM into your unlocked phone
Visit giffgaff.com/activate on any device (phone, tablet, or computer)
Enter the 6-digit activation code printed on your SIM card packaging
Create your Giffgaff account with an email address and password
Choose your first Goodybag (monthly bundle) or top up with credit
Your new Giffgaff number is assigned immediately

🔑 Activation Code Location

The activation code is a 6-digit number found on the plastic card that holds your SIM. It’s usually labeled “Activation Code” or “SIM Code.” If you can’t find it, you can also activate using the SIM serial number (ICCID) printed on the SIM chip itself.

4️⃣ Step 4: Submit Your PAC Code to Keep Your Number

This is the critical step to keep your existing phone number. You have two options:

Option A: During Activation

During the activation process at giffgaff.com/activate, you’ll see an option to “Keep my number”
Select this option and enter your 9-character PAC code
Enter the phone number you want to keep
Confirm the details and submit

Option B: After Activation (Within 30 Days)

Log into your Giffgaff account at giffgaff.com
Go to My Profile > Phone Number > Transfer Number
Enter your PAC code and the number you want to port
Submit the request

✅ Best Practice: We recommend submitting your PAC code during activation (Option A) to avoid any delays. The sooner you submit it, the sooner your number transfers.

5️⃣ Step 5: Wait for Your Number to Transfer

Once you’ve submitted your PAC code, here’s what happens next:

Transfer time: Usually completed within 1 working day (often the next business day)
Notification: You’ll receive a text from Giffgaff when the transfer is complete
Service interruption: Minimal — usually a few minutes around midday on transfer day
Old SIM stops working once the transfer completes
New Giffgaff SIM now uses your old number
Old contract terminates automatically — no need to contact your previous provider

Day	Action	Status
Day 0	Submit PAC code to Giffgaff	✓ Request Received
Day 1	Transfer processing (next working day)	⏳ In Progress
Day 1-2	Number transfer complete	✓ Done

💰 Choose Your Giffgaff Goodybag

Giffgaff uses Goodybags — flexible monthly bundles with no contract. Here are the most popular options:

Goodybag	Data	Minutes	Texts	Price
£6 Goodybag	2GB	Unlimited	Unlimited	£6
£8 Goodybag	5GB	Unlimited	Unlimited	£8
£10 Goodybag	15GB	Unlimited	Unlimited	£10
£12 Goodybag	25GB	Unlimited	Unlimited	£12
£15 Goodybag	40GB	Unlimited	Unlimited	£15
£20 Goodybag	80GB	Unlimited	Unlimited	£20
£25 Goodybag	Always On*	Unlimited	Unlimited	£25
£35 Golden Goodybag	Unlimited 5G	Unlimited	Unlimited	£35

*Always On data: 80GB at full speed, then reduced to 384kbps (3G) between 8am-12am. Full speed resumes 12am-8am.

🔧 Troubleshooting

“My PAC code isn’t working”

Double-check you’ve entered all 9 characters correctly (letters and numbers)
Ensure your PAC code hasn’t expired (valid for 30 days only)
Make sure you’re entering the PAC code, not your STAC code (STAC cancels your number)

“My number hasn’t transferred after 24 hours”

Transfers only happen on working days (Monday-Friday, excluding bank holidays)
If you submitted on a Friday evening, it may take until Tuesday
Check your Giffgaff account for any error messages
Contact Giffgaff agents via the community forum if it exceeds 2 working days

“My phone says ‘SIM not valid’ or ‘Invalid SIM'”

Your phone may be locked to your old network. Contact your previous provider to unlock it
Ensure you’ve completed the activation process at giffgaff.com/activate
Try restarting your phone after activation

“I can’t get a PAC code from my current provider”

By law (Ofcom), all providers must give you a PAC code within 2 hours of request
If texting 65075 doesn’t work, try calling your provider directly
Complain to Ofcom if your provider refuses to provide a PAC code

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep my number when switching to Giffgaff?

Yes. Request a PAC code from your current provider by texting PAC to 65075, then submit it during Giffgaff activation or in your account. Your number transfers within 1 working day.

How long does a PAC code last?

A PAC code is valid for 30 days from the date it was issued. If it expires, you’ll need to request a new one.

Will my old contract automatically cancel when I port?

Yes. Once your number successfully transfers to Giffgaff, your old contract terminates automatically. You don’t need to contact your old provider to cancel.

Can I use my phone during the number transfer?

Yes, but there will be a brief service interruption (usually a few minutes) around midday on the transfer day. Both SIMs may be active during the switchover period.

What if I don’t have a PAC code yet?

You can still activate your Giffgaff SIM and get a temporary Giffgaff number. You have up to 30 days after activation to submit your PAC code and transfer your old number.

Is Giffgaff credit checked?

No. Giffgaff does not perform credit checks. You pay upfront for Goodybags or top-up credit, so there’s no need for a credit assessment.

📖 Official Source

For the official activation portal and latest Goodybag prices, visit
giffgaff.com.

📝 Final Thoughts

Switching to Giffgaff while keeping your number is one of the simplest network moves you can make. With no contracts, free SIM delivery, and the ability to port your number within a single working day, Giffgaff offers unmatched flexibility for UK mobile users. The key is getting your PAC code early and submitting it during activation — this ensures the smoothest possible transition. Whether you’re after a budget £6 plan or unlimited 5G data, Giffgaff’s Goodybags have an option for every type of user.

Mobile Editorial Team

Last updated: July 18, 2026

Our team has tested the Giffgaff activation and number porting process across multiple devices and networks. This guide is verified against current Ofcom regulations and Giffgaff’s official procedures. We regularly update pricing and features to ensure accuracy.

Tags:

Giffgaff
SIM Activation
Keep Number
PAC Code
Number Porting
No Contract
O2 Network
UK Mobile

Last verified: July 18, 2026 | Pricing and features subject to change

Giffgaff Activate SIM & Keep Your Number: Complete Step-by-Step Guide 2026