How to Cancel giffgaff: Stop Renewal, Close or Port a Number
Before deciding how to cancel giffgaff, check whether the account uses a rolling plan, an 18-month mobile contract, or is still within the first 14 days. Then choose whether to stop the next charge, give up the number, or port it; the wrong route can cause another payment, an early termination charge, or loss of the number.
Last updated: 2026-09-04
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- 1. Choose the outcome first
- 2. Check the account type: rolling plan, 18-month contract or 14-day cancellation period
- 3. Stop renewal and automatic credit
- 4. Do not confuse PAC with STAC
- 5. What happens if the number is left inactive instead
- 6. Before-and-after cancellation checklist
- 7. Cancellation questions
- 8. Official sources
- 9. Related guides
Choose the outcome first
| Goal | Correct action | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Stop the next recurring charge | Turn Auto-renew or Recur off, then check auto top-up and saved payment methods. | The current plan does not end immediately and the number is not closed. |
| Move and keep the number | Request a PAC and give it to the new network within 30 days. | The giffgaff service ends when the port completes and the original number moves. |
| Move without the old number | Request a STAC and give it to the new network within 30 days. | The old number does not move and will be cancelled and recycled. |
| Stop using giffgaff without moving | Disable renewal and auto top-up, remove payment methods and keep the records. | This is not immediate closure; the number eventually becomes inactive. |
Check the account type: rolling plan, 18-month contract or 14-day cancellation period
| Account status | Important difference | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Rolling monthly plan or pay-as-you-go credit | Stopping renewal prevents the next purchase but does not end the current plan early. | Turn off Auto-renew, auto top-up and any payment method no longer needed. |
| 18-month mobile contract | Leaving early may cost 50% of the current or most recent plan price multiplied by the full months remaining. | Use Orders & payments > Terminate your contract online, or Account > Payment methods > Leaving giffgaff in the app. |
| Within 14 days of joining | The separate cancellation period can cover remaining credit and a proportionate refund for unused plan value; a plan bought with a phone order is refundable only if the complete phone order is cancelled. | Submit a cancellation through official support rather than only turning renewal off. |
warning
Removing a card is not formal termination of an 18-month contract. Check the contract details, full months remaining and the displayed early termination charge before leaving or porting.
Stop renewal and automatic credit
- 1
Turn Auto-renew or Recur off
For a rolling plan, use the switch under My Plan in the app. Online, open Orders and payments, choose Change under Next mobile plan, turn renewal off and save the settings. - 2
Disable auto top-up separately
Auto top-up and plan renewal are different controls. Open Payment Details or My Payments and confirm that auto top-up is also off. - 3
Review saved payment methods
Remove a saved card or PayPal account if giffgaff will no longer be used. Removing the card also stops a recurring payment tied to it, but still return to the plan screen and confirm Auto-renew shows OFF. - 4
Preserve confirmation
Save the renewal status, current plan end date, credit balance and last order, then sign in again and confirm that no next plan is queued.
Do not confuse PAC with STAC
| Code | Who needs it | How to request it | Critical outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| PAC | Anyone moving the existing giffgaff number to another UK network | Text PAC to 65075 for free from the giffgaff SIM, call 43431, or use Profile and settings. | The new provider completes the port and closes the old service. |
| STAC | Anyone switching provider without the existing giffgaff number | Text STAC to 75075 for free from the giffgaff SIM, call 43431, or use Profile and settings. | The old number is not transferred and is cancelled and recycled after the switch. |
PAC and STAC both expire 30 days after issue. Requesting a code is not the same as cancelling: the old service ends only after the code is given to the new provider and the switch completes. Move banking, email and work-account recovery away from the old number before submitting either code.
warning
giffgaff currently says a member needs to be in the UK to request a PAC or STAC. Anyone planning to leave should obtain the code before travelling; a member already abroad should contact a giffgaff agent immediately to confirm the available route rather than waiting for inactivity deactivation.
What happens if the number is left inactive instead
Turning off renewal, auto top-up and payment methods does not immediately erase the account. giffgaff says the member account and some information may remain after six months without activity, while the mobile number becomes unavailable. This route cannot be scheduled precisely and is unsuitable for a number still used for important account recovery.
lightbulb
If the SIM has already been deactivated after more than six months of inactivity, giffgaff currently allows a PAC request through an agent within 30 days of deactivation. Treat this as a recovery window, not a planned switching method.
Before-and-after cancellation checklist
- check_circleDownload payment, balance and usage records, and note the current plan end date.
- check_circleMove banking, email, social and work-account recovery to a new number, authenticator or passkey.
- check_circleConfirm that Auto-renew and auto top-up are off and that no next plan is queued.
- check_circleFor an 18-month contract, record the full months remaining and the displayed early termination charge.
- check_circleRecord the PAC or STAC issue date, expiry date and submission date; keep the old SIM until completion is confirmed.
- check_circleAfter switching, test incoming calls, outgoing calls and texts; PAC users should call the original number from another phone and confirm that the new SIM rings.
- check_circleCheck the giffgaff payment history and bank statement again after a few days for any unexpected automatic charge.
Cancellation questions
Does turning off auto-renew stop service immediately?expand_more
Normally no. It prevents the next automatic plan purchase; the current service continues according to the active plan and credit state.
Should I use PAC or STAC to keep the number?expand_more
Use a PAC to keep and port the number. A STAC ends service without retaining the old number.
Does the number close when auto-renew is turned off?expand_more
No. Auto-renew only controls the next automatic plan purchase. Without a port, the number normally remains until it becomes inactive after six months without qualifying activity.
Can an 18-month contract be cancelled by removing the card?expand_more
That is not the formal termination route. Use Terminate your contract online or Leaving giffgaff in the app; an early termination charge may apply.
Can a PAC be requested after inactivity deactivation?expand_more
giffgaff currently allows members to contact an agent within 30 days of deactivation to request a PAC. Do not assume the number remains recoverable after that window.
官方来源 / Official sources
- How to cancel your giffgaff mobile account · giffgaff
- Everything to know about an auto renewing plan · giffgaff
- Getting a PAC or STAC to leave giffgaff · giffgaff
- The giffgaff mobile contract · giffgaff
- How to cancel your account within 14 days of joining giffgaff · giffgaff
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