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Active Contributor
December 2, 2024
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switching

  • December 2, 2024
  • 30 replies
  • 913 views

My old provider used to still showing in phone settings even though I had a PAC and I have been given a new ID number

    Best answer by andewhite

    … And I still don’t understand why they initially gave me a new (ID) number which has since disappeared now…

     

    Getting a randomly assigned new number, when joining a new service provider, is a standard procedure for all the UK mobile networks, ​@nickobt

    Because any given mobile number can’t function properly if active on two different networks, you’re assigned a new mobile number for the network connection to your new provider.

    UK mobile number transfers don’t happen immediately and there’s always some down-time while the number you want to keep is disconnected from the ‘old’ network and connected to the ‘new’ network. The initial (new) number is disconnected (from the network), and recycled for use elsewhere during the switching process.

    30 replies

    Daz_S
    Platinum 
Contributor
    Platinum 
Contributor
    December 4, 2024

    Hey ​@nickobt honestly it was no problem 👍

     

    I just hope that one day iD get round to making the wording clearer 🙄

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    Tom
    iD Mobile Employee
    iD Mobile Employee
    December 5, 2024

    Hi ​@nickobt 

     

    I’m sorry you feel the wording on the site is misleading, I’ll feed it back.

     

    The eSIM itself isn’t dual eSIM, the device may be, but SIMs are separate to the device.

     

    If you want two SIMs, you’ll need to have 2 plans.

     

    Tom

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    andewhite
    Platinum 
Contributor
    andewhiteAnswer
    Platinum 
Contributor
    December 5, 2024

    … And I still don’t understand why they initially gave me a new (ID) number which has since disappeared now…

     

    Getting a randomly assigned new number, when joining a new service provider, is a standard procedure for all the UK mobile networks, ​@nickobt

    Because any given mobile number can’t function properly if active on two different networks, you’re assigned a new mobile number for the network connection to your new provider.

    UK mobile number transfers don’t happen immediately and there’s always some down-time while the number you want to keep is disconnected from the ‘old’ network and connected to the ‘new’ network. The initial (new) number is disconnected (from the network), and recycled for use elsewhere during the switching process.

    Forum member (non-iD).
    nickobtAuthor
    Active Contributor
    December 7, 2024

    I don’t thinking your switching process is easy and others on the forum have agreed. It was never made clear the number was temporary. It might be standard procedure but you just said “Here’s your new number!” That implies something different. And because I thought I could have two numbers I thought that was the second number. The whole process was a mess and very stressful. 

    Daz_S
    Platinum 
Contributor
    Platinum 
Contributor
    December 7, 2024

    I have to admit, knowing what I know now, I’d have never joined iD too (but for different reasons).

     

    @nickobt I’ve shown others the same statement I’ve copied on here (its this bit “They also allow you to have two active numbers and easily switch between them”) and ALL of them thought you would be allocated 2 different numbers on one iD account. I’ve said my bit, can’t force them to change it, so whatever. When I pointed out the beginning “eSIMs” some then kinda thought about it as this indicates plural, but as it doesn’t state needing 2 separate accounts some still would have thought you got 2 numbers.

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    nickobtAuthor
    Active Contributor
    December 7, 2024

    Hear hear. The only thing you can say is it’s cheap. But cheerful is isn’t!

    iD Mobile Employee
    December 8, 2024

    We are very sorry you feel this way ​@nickobt 

     

    We will ensure this is fed back to the business. 

     

    Nat 

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    New Contributor
    November 27, 2025

    We are very sorry you feel this way ​@nickobt 

     

    We will ensure this is fed back to the business. 

     

    Nat 

    Well it might have been fed back but nothing was done as I also received “Here is your new number 073######## “ after I had sent a PAC code and requested my old number and wasn’t told it was a temporary number .

    Very misleading and stressful .

    iD Mobile Employee
    November 27, 2025

    Hi ​@nickobt,

     

    I’m sorry you were left feeling stressed and confused, that’s the last thing we ever want for you. The switching process should feel clear and straightforward, and I can completely understand why you’d be frustrated if the information you received made it sound like you’d been given a permanent second number rather than just a temporary one.

     

    We do appreciate your feedback.

     

    Thanks,

    Luna

    The iD Mobile Team 

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    New Contributor
    November 27, 2025

    Thanks ​@Lunathi M for your reply .

    All that needs to be done is changing the message to “This is your Temporary number “ quite simple .