Introducing a non-tech savvy friend to giffgaff

joan1308

Hello, a friend of mine wants to join giffgaff and is currently with Vodafone. It's a long time since I signed up to giffgaff and I've forgotten the process. My friend isn't very tech-savvy so will need good guidance. I've looked on this site and see that he needs to get his phone unlocked, and there's a way to check out how this can be done. However it would be very good if I could get a simple, precise set of instructions about how to recruit my friend to giffgaff and for him to be hand-held through the process. Very grateful for assistance, Joan

eddiehk6

joan1308

Here are the easy steps for your friend to join giffgaff (and keep their number):

Make sure their phone is unlocked to all networks (test the phone with an O2 / giffgaff SIM. If it works, skip this step)
Order a free giffgaff SIM, all of them are 3-in-1 triple SIMs so will be the correct size for the phone. You can do this from your giffgaff account, so you both receive £5 bonus credit.
When the SIM arrives, create a NEW giffgaff account for your friend, then activate the SIM
Your friend needs to get a ‘PAC’ from Vodafone to keep their number (text PAC to 65075 from their Vodafone SIM)
Fill in the number transfer form with the PAC.

maverick77_uk

joan1308

Hi there,

No problem at all.

Firstly - yes you are correct, their phone will need unlocking. The easiest way to do this is to take it to a local phone shop, or market stall, and they can unlock it for a few pounds.

Then order a sim from your recruit page here:

https://www.giffgaff.com/orders/mgm

By ordering from your page (rather than the general page), your friend will get an extra £5 credit when they activate and you will get 500 payback points (worth £5).

Once you have the sim, activate it on the giffgaff site here:

www.giffgaff.com/activate

They will (temporarily) be given a new random number. The sim will probably activate within an hour or so, but can take up to 24 hours. Wait a full 24 hours for the sim to become active - and maybe check it is working OK at this point by putting it in your (unlocked) phone.

Then, with the Vodafone sim back in the phone, text the word ‘PAC’ to 65075. This will request a PAC code from Vodaphone for porting their number to giffgaff. Once you have it (it is valid for 30 days), plug it in here:

https://giffgaff.com/profile/details - click where it says "Keep my number" and put the PAC code in.

You will be assigned a transfer day a few days later. On that day, you will get a email saying the transfer is complete first thing. THIS IS NOT THE CASE! For some reason, the email is sent at the start of the process rather than the end. The process will take up to 9pm. Restart the phone periodically. Some services will transfer before others (for example, you maybe able to make a call, but not receive them etc.

Once complete - voila!

padiho

joan1308 just give him a sim from your https://giffgaff.com/orders/mgm, that way you both get £5 each, he in credit, you in payback points.
Next show him how to activate his sim https://www.giffgaff.com/activate
Wait 24 hours for everything to complete properly then put pac code ( from his last network) here and you can transfer over his number to giffgaff sim https://www.giffgaff.com/support/transfer/pac
😀 That’s it

ross1408

joan1308

If the phone is locked to Vodafone you will need to get it unlocked. I got a network unlock code quickly and free

https://www.vodafone.co.uk/vodafone-uk/forms/unlock-code-request/

ross1408

joan1308
Also, what make and model is the pone

freezing77

joan1308 leave them where they are, a lot of users have problems with giffgaff through not understanding how it works. They may be better with a more "traditional" type of set up.

joan1308

eddiehk6 Thank you

joan1308

maverick77_uk Thanks

mr2ra44

It's very easy once setup. Follow the instructions from previous community member. Also see giffgaff site and am sure there will be a YouTube video to guide through it.

joan1308

padiho Thank you. What is the pac code and does the last network have to provide this?

jfc1951

joan1308 What is the pac code and does the last network have to provide this?

The PAC is what you get from one network and give to another to transfer a number.

Easiest way to get it is text PAC to 65075 from the current network SIM.

EDIT to correct quote

maverick77_uk

joan1308

joan1308 what is the pac code and does the last network have to provide this?

The PAC code (Port Authorisation Code) gives a new provider the authority to take over the number from another provider. So in your case, it is this code that gives giffgaff the authority to take the number over from Vodafone. The number has to be provided by the company you are leaving (Vodafone) and given to the company you want to join (giffgaff).

Cheers!

padiho

joan1308 the pac code is a number given by the last network ( just ask them for it ) when used with the link I gave you it will transfer over your friends number from his last network to giffgaff

stadium

joan1308 I've a couple of pieces of advice

1) Get the phone unlocked by the current network (Vodafone) as the link above.
2) Consider when and how to move the number (port) carefully.

My recommended sequence would be

a) Ask for the PAC number there is then 30 days to use it. Also get the phone unlocked.
b) Get a giffgaff SIM and wait a week or two
c) Activate the giffgaff SIM and get it working on a temporary number. Perhaps buy the smallest goodybag. Activate it in the phone (which will demonstrate that the phone is unlocked).
d) On a Tuesday (say) about 3 weeks after requesting the PAC code start the porting process. The number will move on Wednesday or Thursday at some stage.
e) Put the new SIM in the phone when the old service stops and after a few hours (and perhaps turning off and on again) the phone should work on giffgaff.

The reason for the timing is that any contract ends or credit is lost with the old network (Vodafone) when you port your number but they typically charge you for a whole month. Also porting is overnight on weekdays so best not started on a Friday.

peterdbsc

Hi Joan,
The information given already, by others, will be enough to get your friend from Vfone to giffgaff. It's a bit daunting at first but very straightforward.
I did exactly that move (Vfone to giffgaff) and I am not tech savvy. Result: I got as good a service for less money.

I then moved my wife's phone from Virgin to giffgaff. She's delighted. It didn't save her anything (same monthly cost) but she now gets a reliable signal, all day, in every part of our house, whereas with Virgin she had to be in certain places in certain rooms.

And if you take the advice about ordering a SIM from your giffgaff account, you and your friend will both get £5 each.