14 August 2026

How to stay with Vodafone but move to another Mobiles.co.uk cashback deal

  1. End your current contract
    1. Method 1: 30 days before your 1/12/24mo contract ends, request to move to pay as you go. Your contract automatically stays on 'pay monthly' unless you ask. Your number cannot be moved unless on PAYG.
      1. To speak to a person on 191 customer services, don't use any of the standard options because they will just text you an answer back on the website. Also don't use the online contact form as no one ever answers. They always answer on the phone with no initial wait time.
      2. If you have moved to eSIM, you'll have to move to a physical SIM first before Vodafone can arrange to move you to PAYG. Then you can fill out this form instead of calling 191
    2. Method 2: Using a temporary SIM from another provider, text PAC to 65075 a few days before the end of the Vodafone contract, and then transfer it to your temporary SIM.
    3. If you have a Red entertainment package such as Spotify, cancel it from auto renewing (which would charge you at the full price)
  2. Order the new SIM
    1. 2 working days before your pay as you go ends, order the new SIM from Mobiles.co.uk and ensure you're in to collect the delivery - they say you won't need to be in or sign for your new SIM card, but you do. Note that sorting by price only works on a PC.
      1. If you get an Upgrade SIM, you won't be eligible for the higher rated discounts on Topcashback, you'll only get £10 instead.
      2. The good TopCashback deals are no longer available - they now state in them "Excludes Deal With Cashback Included" (i.e. the cashback you get from http://Mobiles.co.uk)
    2. On the day it moves to pay as you go, full out the form to keep your number (search Vodafone's website for 'keep my number'. This form isn't accessible from your account and the other Keep my number in there is only for moving networks. If using Method 2, get a PAC from the temporary SIM in order to leave it)
    3. Carry around a SIM tool and a little plastic SD card tray so you can keep switching SIMs until the switchover.
    4. If you have phone anti-theft software, disable lockout of the phone if the SIM card is changed or removed
  3. Activation extra steps
    1. To activate your entertainment option, you must put the SIM in once with data to receive a text to sign up, using the link in the text.
    2. Disable Secure Net from automatically renewing via your account. See my blog. A mobile internet security app is immeasurably better at giving you actual protection against malware and malicious websites.
    3. Disable adult filter because it blocks standard non-adult websites. The online verification form doesn't work so you'll have to call them up to remove it.
    4. Check your voicemail is setup because it might not port your settings properly and they might need to completely reset your voicemail after a 4 hour call troubleshooting it.
    5. Set up calendar reminders to attach your bills to the Mobiles.co.uk website aligned with when Vodafone put your PDF bill on their website.
    6. Check the dates that your contract started and make sure they haven't been sneakily changed to before you agreed to the terms and conditions, otherwise call and ask for "complaints".
    7. Add a spend cap to your account via the website so that you can't accidentally make calls or texts outside your allowance.