Cancelling a Honest Mobile plan is straightforward, but the exact steps depend on whether you want to keep your phone number and switch to another provider, or simply end the contract outright. Here's exactly how it works, based on Honest Mobile's own current process.
The two ways to cancel
Honest Mobile draws a clear distinction between switching away (keeping your number) and simply ending your plan (losing your number). Which one applies to you determines which code you need.
If you want to keep your phone number and move to a new provider: request a PAC code (Porting Authorisation Code) through the Honest app, or by texting PAC to 65075. Give this code to your new provider, and they'll arrange the transfer date and contact Honest directly to cancel your SIM on your behalf. Your PAC is valid for 30 days from when you request it.
If you just want to end your Honest plan without switching or keeping the number: you can request a STAC code (Service Termination Authorisation Code) instead, or simply give 30 days' notice directly within the Honest app to end the contract outright.
What happens after you cancel
Once your cancellation date arrives, Honest will close your account and issue a final bill for anything still owed. If you used a PAC code to transfer your number elsewhere, your new provider handles the number transfer as part of switching. If you cancelled without a PAC, your number is permanently lost once the account closes — there's no way to recover it afterward, so it's worth being certain you don't want to keep the number before choosing this route.
If you're on an eSIM, it's worth removing the eSIM data profile from your phone once you've switched or cancelled, since the old profile can otherwise sit on the device unused.
The 14-day cooling-off period
Separately from the standard cancellation process above, Honest Mobile's own terms allow you to cancel within 14 days of activating your SIM for a refund of your plan cost, minus whatever days you've already used. This applies whether you signed up for a monthly rolling plan or a 12-month term. This cooling-off right exists regardless of which cancellation method (PAC, STAC, or 30 days' notice) you'd otherwise use, and is separate from the standard UK Consumer Contracts Regulations cooling-off period that applies to most online purchases generally.
If you also ordered a new phone as part of signing up, you can return that separately within 14 days of receiving it, provided it's undamaged and in the same condition you received it in — Honest will send you a returns label for this.
Classic SIM vs Smart SIM — does it matter which you have?
Honest Mobile offers guidance for cancelling a "Classic SIM" and a "Smart SIM" separately, since the underlying account setup differs slightly between the two. The core cancellation mechanics — PAC or STAC code, or 30 days' notice — are the same in both cases, but it's worth checking which plan type you're actually on before starting the process, since the specific steps in the Honest app may differ slightly depending on which one applies to your account.
Early termination and remaining contract commitment
If you're on a 12-month plan and cancelling before that term ends, you may be liable for an early termination charge, which Honest will explain to you at the point you request to leave. This is separate from the 14-day cooling-off period, which only applies in the first two weeks after activation — cancelling later in a fixed-term contract without a qualifying reason (like Honest breaching their own terms, or a significant unannounced price rise) typically means either seeing out the remaining term or paying an early exit charge.
If Honest breaches their terms or changes your plan significantly
Honest Mobile's own terms allow you to end the contract if they've breached the agreement, failed to provide the service for a period of time, or made a significant unfavourable change to your plan without adequate notice. This is a separate route from a standard voluntary cancellation and doesn't carry an early termination charge in the same way, though you'd need a genuine basis under these terms rather than simply wanting to switch providers.
Switching to a different SIM-only provider
Once you've got your PAC code, our guide to switching SIM providers covers the wider process end to end, and our guide to what a PAC code actually does goes into more detail if you want to understand the mechanics before you start.
Comparing SIM-only options before you switch
If you're cancelling Honest Mobile to move somewhere else, it's worth comparing current SIM-only deals before committing to your next provider. Browse current SIM-only comparisons here to see live pricing and allowances across the market rather than defaulting to whichever provider first comes to mind. If network coverage in your area is a bigger priority than price, our guide to network coverage across UK providers is worth checking before you commit, and if data allowance matters most, compare unlimited data SIM-only plans here.
What to do with your old phone if you're upgrading too
If cancelling your Honest Mobile plan coincides with upgrading your phone, get a live trade-in price for your current device here before deciding what to do with it, or browse refurbished options if you're looking to replace it for less than buying new. Whatever you end up with, gadget insurance is worth a look if your new SIM comes bundled with a new device rather than just a plan.
The bottom line
Cancelling Honest Mobile comes down to one simple choice: request a PAC code if you want to keep your number and switch elsewhere, or a STAC code (or 30 days' notice) if you just want the contract to end. Either way, if you're within 14 days of activating, you're entitled to a full refund minus days used, regardless of which cancellation route you take.
Frequently asked questions
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