Today, many users' Giffgaff services were suspended. Since many overseas services are bound to these UK numbers, porting to another UK carrier is the only way to save the number after Giffgaff is deactivated. There are many carriers to choose from. This article uses CTExcel UK (China Telecom UK) as an example to help you solve the problem!
Obtaining the PAC Code
Since the service is suspended, you cannot send a text message to get the PAC code; you must go to the official website.
First, go to the Giffgaff website: https://www.giffgaff.com/profile/details/requestpac
Log in to your Giffgaff account, enter your phone number/username/email and password (if using a phone number, remember to add a 0 at the beginning, e.g., 078888888888).
If you forgot your password, click "Forgot your password?" to reset it. You can use a phone verification code/email/username to reset. The reset link will be sent to you via SMS and email simultaneously.
Scroll down to the third option:
Get a giffgaff PAC code If you're going to a new network and want to take your number with you, you'll need a PAC code. Get a PAC code
Click "Get a PAC code." Once approved, you will receive a PAC code (valid for 30 days). Then you can take your number and port it to any UK carrier.
Opening and Activating CTExcel UK
Here we use China Telecom CTExcel UK as an example. It uses the same upstream as CMLink UK, which is EE. It offers large amounts of native UK residential data and supports physical SIM mailing to China as well as eSIM. The downside is the 90-day balance change requirement to keep the number (which might be a bit short). Of course, if you buy a "Back to China" annual plan, it includes a one-year number retention package, allowing you to keep the number for 15 months without any additional action.
If you don't have a CTExcel number yet, you can use this link to get a £3 credit: https://www.ctexcel.com/uk/buycard/buyCardPackage/1?isCard=1&recommendCode=CHQS
As of now, you won't get it if you don't use a referral link. Only when the page matches the screenshot saying "Congratulations, you have received exclusive benefits... get £3 credit after activation" is it successful. Don't be fooled by people who just repost and swap the aff links! Finally, you can use the DEAL50OFF code for half price when ordering. I only recommend the "China-UK Pass" and "Back to China" annual plans.
Then there's the CTE activation tutorial. There are plenty on the Naixi forum, so I won't repeat them; there is a certain threshold. Also, isn't everyone playing with the DJI module vohive? You can also use a UK proxy to activate it.
This is how I activated it: Clash with proxy rule overrides for pub.3gppnetwork.org and gspe1-ssl.ls.apple.com, and just use an iPhone to activate (iOS 18.x with location off, airplane mode, and restart to activate directly; iOS 16.x with wloc simulated location).
向CTExcel UK转入号码
Once you have successfully purchased and activated your number, open the CTExcel User Center: https://www.ctexcel.com/uk/login
Enter the phone number and password from the activation success email, click "Business Handling," and swipe right in the menu below to "Number Portability" (携号转网).
Receive the code and then enter the PAC code we just got from Giffgaff. Your number will be ported to the CTExcel card after one business day.
The process is similar for other carriers. Hurry up and save your Giffgaff UK number before it's too late!
