How to transfer my cell number to another phone

If you're switching service providers and remaining in the same geographic area, you can keep your existing phone number. This process – often referred to as phone number porting – can be done between wireline, IP and wireless providers.

Table of Contents Show

Things You Should Know
References
About This Article
Is this article up to date?

Getting the porting process started

You may request service from a different company at any time. When changing companies:

Review your current contract. Your contract may contain early termination fees and/or outstanding balances that you are obligated to pay.
Do not terminate your service with your existing company before initiating new service with another company.
Contact the new company to start the process of porting your number.
Provide the new company with your 10-digit phone number and any additional information required.

Are there fees for porting?

Companies may charge you to port your number, but you can ask whether any fees can be waived or negotiated.
Once you request service from a new company, your old company cannot refuse to port your number, even if you owe money for an outstanding balance or termination fee.

How long does the porting process last?

FCC rules require simple ports, which generally do not involve more than one line or more complex adjustments to telephone switching equipment, to be processed in one business day. You may be able to use your phone within a few hours for changes among wireless service providers. However, porting from wireline to wireless service may still take a few days.

Service issues for wireline to wireless transition

If you port from a wireline phone to a wireless phone, there may be a period when you have two telephones with the same number. Ask your new wireless company whether you will be able to continue using your current wireline number during the one-day transfer process.

Wireless 911 location and callback services (where available) may be affected during the transition. Calls should go through, but 911 operators may not be able to call you back if disconnected. Before porting, ask your new company if your 911 service will be affected during the process.

Also, your wireline long distance company will not move with you. Your long distance service will likely be provided by your new wireless company, which you should verify.

Porting is not always possible

If you are moving to a new geographic area, you may not be able to keep your current phone number when changing providers.

Also, some rural wireline service providers may obtain waivers for the porting requirement from state authorities. Their customers may be unable to port their number to a new provider. If you are unable to port your number for that reason, contact your state public utilities commission for further information.

Printable Version

Portability: Keeping Your Phone Number When Changing Service Providers (pdf)

Download Article

Learn how to keep the same phone number when switching mobile providers

Download Article

Preparing to Port

Porting Your Number

When you switch to a new cell phone provider, you can transfer, or port-in, your old number. After you make a request to port your number and supply the required information, the porting process is overseen by representatives from your new and old providers. Your old account must remain active while the transfer takes place and will be automatically be terminated after it completes.[1]

Things You Should Know

Contact your current provider to make sure your number is eligible for porting.
Sign up for a new mobile plan before cancelling your existing plan.
Your new cellular provider will initiate the porting process when you sign up for service.

1
2
Understand why your number is ineligible. There are two primary reasons why your phone number may be ineligible for porting: you are part of a family plan or your phone number was issued through work.
- If you are part of a family plan, you must leave the family plan, establish your own plan with your current provider, and then port your mobile number.
- If you have a work issued phone, you will not be able to port a number that is under your company's plan.[2]
Advertisement
3
Do not cancel your old mobile phone service. Once you have decided to switch networks, do not cancel your old plan. Your number (and therefore your current plan) must remain active until the porting process is complete.
4
Understand your financial obligations. When you switch providers, you may incur fees.
- If you are terminating your plan early, you may have to pay a cancellation fee.
- You will continue to pay for your current plan until your number is ported and the service is officially cancelled.
- While AT&T, Sprint and Verizon do not charge a porting fee, other networks, such as Google Voice, do charge for this service. Aside from the fee, the porting process is not different.

1
Sign up for a new plan in store or online. Do not cancel your current plan.
- If you are not the primary account holder of your old account, you will need the primary account holder standing by.
2
Provide information about your old provider account during checkout. Whether you are starting the porting process in store or online, you will need to provide the following information:
- Your phone number.
- Your account number for your account with the old provider
- Your account password or pin for your account with the old provider
- Your Social Security number or Tax ID
- Your billing name and address[3]
- Information about your old account should be on any bill from your old provider. If you are starting this process in-store, bring the bill with you.[4]
3
Allow your new provider to issue a number transfer request to your old provider. After you provide the details about your old account, your new provider will take over the porting process. If the information you provided is incomplete or incorrect, a representative of new provider will contact you.
4
Wait for confirmation. Number transfer requests can take between 1 to 10 business days to process. While you await confirmation, your old phone will continue to receive calls and messages. Once you receive confirmation (via text message) that the porting process is complete, your old account will be terminated and your old phone will stop receiving messages and phone calls.[5]

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

While your old account should be automatically terminated, it is always a good idea to call your old provider to confirm that your account is indeed closed.[6]

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

References

About This Article

Article SummaryX

1. Determine whether your number is eligible for porting.
2. Leave your current service enabled.
3. Sign up for a new service and phone number.
4. Provide information about your old provider when signing up.
5. Allow your new provider to issue a transfer request.
6. Wait for confirmation from the new provider.
7. Cancel your old phone service.

Did this summary help you?

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 52,116 times.