How to Keep Your Old Phone Number When Switching Services

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Take your existing number to a new carrier, location, or service type
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Whether you're switching carriers, moving, or just getting a new phone, you can usually keep your old phone number. As long as your account with your current provider is in good standing, you should be able to port your phone number to another device or service without much hassle. Read on to learn how to keep your phone number when switching to a new phone or carrier.

Keep Your Existing Phone Number: Fast Facts

  • You can keep your phone number when switching to a new mobile service or phone.
  • You must port the phone number to the new phone or service before canceling your old service. Otherwise, your phone number cannot be transferred.
  • If you have a landline , you can keep your number unless you're moving far away. In that case, transfer your number to a mobile phone or VoIP service.
Section 1 of 4:

Switching to a New Carrier (Mobile)

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  1. Before you cancel your old service, call their customer support line to ask if there are any restrictions on your phone number. There shouldn't be an issue for most cell phone providers, but some rural landline phone services and carriers in certain countries may not be able to release your existing phone number to a different provider. [1]
    • Do not cancel your existing service until you have ported the number. If you cancel the service first, you won't be able to move your number to your new phone or service.
  2. 2
    Request a porting PIN and other details from your existing carrier. While you're speaking with your carrier, you'll also want to ask them if you'll need a porting PIN, also known as a Porting Authorization Code (PAC) or transfer PIN. You won't need this from all carriers, but some do require it. This code will usually be free, but some carriers may charge a fee. [2]
    • This PIN might only be good for a short period of time, so wait until you're ready to contact your new provider and initiate the transfer of your phone number.
    • If your old provider is AT&T, you can request the porting PIN by calling *PORT from your AT&T phone. [3]
    • If your old provider is Verizon, dial #PORT on your Verizon phone. [4]
    • If your old provider is T-Mobile, you can request a PIN from your My T-Mobile account. [5]
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  3. When you're ready to move your old phone number to your new service, call your new provider to give them all the details they'll need to port the number and start your service. They'll usually need the transfer/porting PIN, as well as your account number, phone number, and billing address on file with your old provider. [6]
    • Your new carrier will issue you a new SIM card or eSIM that uses your old number from your previous carrier. You should be able to use it normally like you did before, but you'll now be using the products and services of your new carrier.
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Section 2 of 4:

Switching to a New Phone, Same Carrier

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  1. If you're keeping the same mobile carrier but switching to a different phone, you may be able to keep your old phone number without contacting anyone. As long as both devices take physical SIM cards, you can try removing the SIM card from your old Android or iPhone and inserting it into the new one. If the SIM card from your old device is smaller than the slot in your new device, you can buy a SIM card adapter kit , which allows you to seat a smaller SIM card into a card-like adapter.
  2. 2
    Contact customer support to transfer the number if needed. Many modern phones, especially newer iPhones, only take electronic SIM (eSIM) cards. If the new device takes an eSIM, or you don't have a SIM card to put into your new phone, you will need to contact customer support to transfer your phone number. All you'll need to do is call your carrier (or drop by one of their locations, if your carrier has stores) to request that your number be transferred to the new device. If the new device requires a physical SIM card, they will give you a SIM with your old phone number attached.
    • Requesting a new SIM card with the same number can either be free or may come with a small fee, depending on the service.
    • Once your new SIM is active, your old phone number will be ready to use on the new device.
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Section 3 of 4:

Moving to a New Location (Landline)

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  1. 1
    Find out if your old carrier has service in your new location. If you have a landline and are moving to a different geographic region, moving your number to the new location with the same provider is the easiest way to keep your old phone number. But don't worry; even if your provider doesn't serve that region, there are other ways to keep your phone number.
    • Things are a lot easier with mobile phone numbers. If you're unable to transfer your old landline phone number to your new landline, you can likely port the number to a mobile phone. This way, you won't lose the number completely. [7]
  2. 2
    Port your number if you're moving within the same area. If you're moving to another location in your current area code and region, you may be able to keep your phone number even if your old service provider doesn't serve your new address. However, if you are moving outside the exchange area or area code, they may be unable to transfer the number to your new location.
  3. 3
    Port your number to a mobile phone or VoIP service. If your current landline provider cannot port your phone number to a different address, you can ask them to port it to a mobile phone so you can still keep the number. This should be pretty easy for them to do, and it should only take a few days. [8]
  4. 4
    Sign up for a VoIP service in your new location. If you don't have a mobile phone or don't want to use your old phone number on your mobile phone, you can port your old landline phone number to a Voice Over IP service like Ooma or Vonage. When you sign up for service, the VoIP provider will ask if you want a new phone number or to transfer your existing home phone number to your new service.
    • Once you choose the option to port your number, you'll be given all the details you need to complete the action. [9]
    • Porting your home phone number to a VoIP provider will usually require a processing fee. [10]
    • To find out if your phone number can be ported to Ooma, enter your phone number into their lookup tool .
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Section 4 of 4:

Changing Phone Service Types (Mobile & Landline)

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  1. Phone numbers can be ported from landline to mobile (and vice-versa). If you want to keep your old mobile phone number to use as your landline phone number, you can have your landline provider initiate the transfer of your old phone number. Similarly, if you want to keep your old landline phone number and move it to your cell phone, you can do that as well. Here's what to do: [11]
    • Before you cancel your service, contact your new service provider and ask them to initiate the transfer of your old phone number to your new line.
    • If you're porting a mobile phone number to a landline, you may be asked to generate a transfer PIN or PAC, which is a special number you'll get from your mobile phone provider. Jump back for instructions on how to generate this PIN.
    • Provide all requested information to your new phone company, which may include the PIN, your 10-digit phone number, and billing information.
    • Keep your original phone line active until the transfer is complete. In some cases, both phones may have the same phone number for a few days before all systems are synchronized.

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      Tips

      • Once you cancel your old phone service, you will be unable to transfer your old phone number. You must complete the transfer first. [12]
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      • If you have any outstanding balance or unpaid dues, you may have to pay a fee to cancel your service.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/porting-keeping-your-phone-number-when-you-change-providers
      2. ↑ https://www.mintmobile.com/blog/switch-it-up-how-to-bring-your-phone-number-to-mint/
      3. ↑ https://www.att.com/support/article/wireless/KM1447526/
      4. ↑ https://www.verizon.com/support/port-out-faqs/
      5. ↑ https://www.t-mobile.com/support/account/transfer-your-phone-number#pin
      6. ↑ https://www.mintmobile.com/blog/switch-it-up-how-to-bring-your-phone-number-to-mint/
      7. ↑ https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/porting-keeping-your-phone-number-when-you-change-providers
      8. ↑ https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/porting-keeping-your-phone-number-when-you-change-providers
      9. ↑ https://support.vonage.com/articles/answer/Number-Transfer-FAQs-881
      1. ↑ https://support.ooma.com/home/selecting-a-phone-number/
      2. ↑ https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/porting-keeping-your-phone-number-when-you-change-providers
      3. ↑ https://www.mintmobile.com/blog/can-i-keep-my-number-if-i-switch-carriers/

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