Retrieving an old mobile number, how to go about it?

[User7Million]

Hello to All. My PAYG phone now displays "emergency calls only". I had no warning from Vodafone that my number (and the account credit) was about to be seized. I'm guessing it happened less than 90 days ago. Please tell me you can restore full use of my phone, same phone number and its credit. Lost access to my number is a massive issue for me. Thanks.

[User7Million]

Thanks for the suggestion. I discovered the problem 5 days ago so it seems unlikely that its a network issue because Vodafone would have fixed it by now.  On the network map there is a black symbol a few streets away that might mean "maintenance", so I have a glimmer of hope. Will take the phone to other areas and see if it works there, then return to this Forum with my conclusion.  

[leesa662003]

I'm in the exact same position can anyone help? 😭

[Loz]

@leesa662003 It's disappointing to hear you're experiencing the same problem. I'd love the opportunity to take a closer look into this for you, please contact our team via Facebook at Vodafone UK, or get in touch on Twitter using the handle @VodafoneUK. Please remember to include the link to this thread, along with your username.

[ShowannaWright]

Dear team,

I have a number that might have been just disconnected from Vodafone. I originally ported the number from O2.

Is it possible to check whether this mobile phone number is still available?

Thanks for your help.

[BandOfBrothers]

Please see my reply in your created thread @ShowannaWright 

[hdiuk]

Hi there, 

I was Googling to find out information relating to this very issue. I also have an old number that was assigned to me when I was on vodafone. I too would like to retrieve an old number that I had on vodafone that is dead when I call it. I wonder if vodafone would help me get it back? 
Who would be the best department to speak too?

[BandOfBrothers]

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@hdiuk wrote:

Hi there, 

I was Googling to find out information relating to this very issue. I also have an old number that was assigned to me when I was on vodafone. I too would like to retrieve an old number that I had on vodafone that is dead when I call it. I wonder if vodafone would help me get it back? 
Who would be the best department to speak too?

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Hi @hdiuk 

Speak to customer services via 》 contact-us  i.e Live Chat or via their phone numbers 191 from a Vodafone Mobile and or the Vodafone Social Media Teams via Contact-us-for-account-specific-queries. 

If a number has only recently been suspended and quarantined i.e days then there's a chance of having it assigned back to you.. 

If it's been a while i.e weeks + then unfortunately you may have permanently lost it.

I wish you all the best with this situation. 

[Luong]

Hi I have an old number that was originally Vodafone some 21 years ago and then migrated to O2, I ended my contract with O2 a few years ago, but didn't bring the number to my new network. When I try to ring the number it come up as invaild number. I’m trying to find out if I can retrieve the number.

[BandOfBrothers]

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@Luong wrote:

Hi I have an old number that was originally Vodafone some 21 years ago and then migrated to O2, I ended my contract with O2 a few years ago, but didn't bring the number to my new network. When I try to ring the number it come up as invaild number. I’m trying to find out if I can retrieve the number.

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If I understand your post correctly the number was last used on the o2 network @Luong  So if so you would need to engage with o2 to ask what they can do.

As it currently shows as invalid when you ring it this will mean it's been deactivated and placed in quarantine until the network decides re re allocate it back to a new customer.

[Sjhoads]

Hi there, 

This thread has been really helpful as I have a similar issue relating to my old Pay Monthly number. My contract ended in 2016 and since then I've used a PAYG with a new number. 

I recently updated the Whatsapp app on my mobile and was prompted to enter a verification code which was sent to my old number - clearly I cannot access this any more but Whatsapp will no longer let me in until I verify a number. I could of course do this using my current number but I will lose my entire chat history. 

This sounds like a trivial problem but my partner recently passed away and I am desperately trying to save our correspondence. 

Ive spoken to Whatsapp who simply said "can't help". After trawling the net it seems as though getting the original number back is the only way to get back into my original Whatsapp account. 

Ive called Vodafone who said the number has been de-activated and cannot be assigned back to me. 

Is this really the end of the road?? 

I'm not sure if this makes any difference but the sim has been in a phone that I use to connect to the internet and log in regularly so I think the sim is still active. 

I would really appreciate some advice as to where to turn next. 

Thanks in advance. 

[Sjhoads]

Thank you so much @anns for your reply. 

I did think the number may have already been issued to someone else as you explained but I've tried to call it and it does not seem to be in use (i.e. It doesn't even ring). 

The problem with your suggestion in Whatsapp is that I can't open the app at all right now without going through the verification process. I assume that if I verify it using my new number when I get in there will be no chat with my partner or, I guess, with anyone as it would be a new account.  Or have I misunderstood?? So far I haven't gone through the verification process with the new number as I'm worried that doing so would permanently erase the old account. 

Incidentally, it was backed up to the iCloud but I can't view it...

@markc89 did you ever manage to get hold of your original number??

[Tash]

From what I've found @Sjhoads, it does look like the number would need to be the same as the one that backed up the data on Whatsapp. So when going through the verification code with your new number, this wouldn't bring up your old number's data it seems.

I completely understand the importance of this and want to see what we can do in terms of re-activating the number. As such a long time has passed, we may not be able to bring the number back but we can take a closer look into this to see if it's an option. Please send us a private message on Twitter or Facebook with your Community username, a link to your post here and the mobile number you previously had with us in 2016.

[Sjhoads]

Thank you so much Natasha. 

I am crossing my fingers that you may find a way to get the number back. 

I have sent the Private Message on Facebook and included all the details you have asked for. 

Thanks again, 

Sarah-Jane

[Eric123]

Hi, I'd like to retrieve an old number I had from early/mid90s and gave up in 2012 when I got a company phone. My wife still has the same Vodafone account, which used to have both our numbers on it but now just has hers. Chap at call-centre told us that numbers are lost after 3 months, but I think there might be a bit more scope to find it. It has never been used (I've checked occasionally) and still shows on Network Lookup as being with Vodafone. I know it's possible it's been reallocated to SIM which is in a shop or some such, in which case it's a bummer. But I wonder if it might be possible to find out where this particular number is? 

[BandOfBrothers]

@Eric123 as there is no longer account access via this forum anymore you would need to approach Customer services  or the Vodafone Social Media Teams via Contact-us-for-account-specific-queries. 

They will be able to officially advise if your number can be returned to you or not.

I wish you all the best with this situation. 

[Eric123]

Massively helpful, BofB. Thanks so much, I'll do that now! best wishes, Eric

[BandOfBrothers]

You're very welcome @Eric123 

[sakthar96]

Hi 

 How do i send you a private message on trying to get a old number back? 

[BandOfBrothers]

@sakthar96 

Your unable to send a moderator a private message.

A person needs to contact the team via Contact-us-for-account-specific-queries.