Cheapest sim option to port a number

wannaretireearly

Hi, I need the cheapest/free way to port a number so i can port it back. Have a sim only contract with id mobile. Bought a new phone with an id mobile contract attached (they didn't offer an upgrade for the phone/deal i got) .... now i discover you can't transfer a number from id to id so need to make a triangle to do this (thanks google). Any suggestions for a cheap payg etc that i can use?

gizz_10

You can get one of the cheap Lebara deals which are often promoted by MSE. Or you can port to a free EE PAYG and back, or Talk Mobile without any need to top up.

wannaretireearly

Thankyou. I've just ordered an ee sim. Didn't realise it would be a problem but hey why not make things harder for myself 🤪

flaneurs_lobster

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82155425#Comment_82155425

Please report back on how this goes - was recently told that there are no 'free' SIMs that can do SIM swapping without some kind of top-up/activation fee any more.

Detail_Merchant

I guess the problem might come when trying to text 65075 to get a PAC code from the temporary SIM.
Texting 65075 should be free, so no need to add credit, but a new SIM might not let you do an outbound text, even a free one, until it has been activated by adding some credit.

Would be interesting to hear if it is possible without adding credit.

wannaretireearly

I'll let you know how i get on!

PHK

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82156308#Comment_82156308

The last time I checked (which was last year so it may have changed ) EE PayG SIMs need to be security activated by making a call or chargeable action in the UK, which would mean it would need to be topped up.

There's also the issue that PAC should only be issued to someone who can prove that it's "their" number. (To meet Ofcom porting rules and to prevent SIM fraud) I don't know how EE does this, but most providers seem to choose one of three ways, the SIM being active for X days, a top up being made or an account being created.