What happens when you switch carriers

When you change phone carriers, you move your service from one company (like Verizon or T-Mobile) to another. The process itself takes a few hours to a few days, and during that time your phone may not work. You can keep your existing phone number if you request a port — a transfer of your number to the new carrier — though this costs money and takes time to process.

The main things you need to do are: get your account number and PIN from your current carrier, choose a new carrier and plan, request the port, and wait for the transfer to complete. Your old carrier will charge an early termination fee if you are still under contract, usually $200 to $350 per line. If you own your phone outright, you can take it with you; if your current carrier owns it, you may need to pay off the remaining balance before you leave.

Key Takeaways

  • You need your account number, PIN, and billing zip code from your current carrier before you can port your number to a new one.
  • Early termination fees apply if you are still under contract, typically $200 to $350 per line depending on the carrier.
  • The port process usually takes 24 hours to a few days; your phone will not work during the transfer, so plan accordingly.
  • You can keep your phone number when you switch, but you must request a port explicitly — the new carrier will not do this automatically.
  • If your current carrier owns your phone, you must pay off the remaining balance or the port will be delayed or blocked.

Get your account information from your current carrier

Before you can move to a new carrier, you need three pieces of information from your current account: your account number, your account PIN (or password), and the billing zip code on file. Call your current carrier's customer service line or log into your online account to find these. Write them down or take a screenshot — you will need them when you contact the new carrier.

Your account number appears on your bill. The PIN is a security code you set up when you opened the account, or it may be the last four digits of your Social Security number if you never changed it. If you do not know your PIN, call your current carrier and ask them to reset it or verify your identity so they can tell you what it is. This step usually takes 10 to 15 minutes on the phone.

Check whether your phone will work on the new carrier's network

Not every phone works on every carrier's network. Before you switch, confirm that your phone is compatible with the new carrier. Most carriers have a tool on their website where you enter your phone's model number or IMEI (a unique identifier on your device) and they tell you whether it will work.

To find your IMEI, dial *#06# on your phone and a number will appear on the screen. Write it down. Then go to the new carrier's website, find their compatibility checker, and enter the IMEI. If your phone is not compatible, you will need to buy a new one from the new carrier or from a third party before you switch. If you buy from the new carrier, they will usually deduct the cost from your first bill or let you pay it off over time.

Pay off any remaining balance on your current phone

If your current carrier owns your phone (because you are still paying it off), you must pay the remaining balance before you port your number. Call your current carrier and ask for the payoff amount. This is different from your early termination fee — it is the amount you still owe on the device itself.

Once you pay this balance, ask the carrier to confirm in writing that the phone is now unlocked and free to use on another network. Some carriers unlock phones automatically after you pay them off; others require you to request it. Do not port your number until the phone is unlocked, because the port will fail if the carrier still has a lock on the device.

Contact the new carrier and request the port

Call the new carrier's customer service line or visit a store in person. Tell them you want to switch from your current carrier and port your existing number. They will ask for your account number, PIN, and billing zip code from your old carrier. Provide these details exactly as they appear in your old account.

The new carrier will also ask you to choose a plan and, if you do not have a compatible phone, to buy or lease one. Once you have made these choices, they will submit the port request to your old carrier. This is called a Local Service Request (LSR) or a Wireless Number Portability (WNP) request depending on whether you have a landline or mobile phone. The new carrier will give you a confirmation number — save this.

Wait for the port to complete and your phone to switch over

The port usually takes 24 hours to a few days. During this time, your phone will not receive calls or texts. Some carriers complete the port in a few hours; others take up to a week. The new carrier will contact you when the port is complete and your phone is active on their network.

When your phone switches over, it will restart automatically. After it restarts, test it by making a call and sending a text. If the phone does not work after 24 hours, contact the new carrier's customer service with your confirmation number and ask them to check the status of the port. If the port failed, they can resubmit the request or troubleshoot why it did not go through.

Handle early termination fees and final bills

Your old carrier will charge an early termination fee if you are still under contract. This fee is usually $200 to $350 per line, though some carriers charge less if you are near the end of your contract. The fee will appear on your final bill from the old carrier, which you will receive in the mail or by email a few weeks after the port completes.

Pay this bill on time to avoid damage to your credit. Some new carriers offer to reimburse early termination fees as an incentive to switch, but this reimbursement usually comes as a credit on your new bill over several months, not as a lump sum. Read the terms carefully — some carriers only reimburse if you stay with them for a certain length of time, and they may cancel the reimbursement if you leave early.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep my phone number when I switch carriers?

Yes. You can port your number to a new carrier by providing your account number, PIN, and billing zip code from your old carrier. The port usually takes 24 hours to a few days. If you do not request a port, you will lose your number and get a new one from the new carrier.

What if my old carrier blocks the port?

Carriers sometimes block ports if you have an unpaid balance, an active contract dispute, or if your account is not in good standing. Call your old carrier and ask why the port was blocked. Usually you can resolve it by paying the balance or settling the dispute. Once resolved, the new carrier can resubmit the port request.

Do I have to buy a new phone when I switch?

No, if your current phone is compatible with the new carrier's network and is unlocked. Check compatibility on the new carrier's website using your phone's IMEI. If your phone is locked, call your old carrier and ask them to unlock it before you port.

Will I lose my text messages and photos when I switch?

No. Your text messages and photos are stored on your phone, not on your carrier's network. When you switch carriers, your phone and everything on it stay the same. Only your phone service moves to the new carrier.

How much does it cost to switch carriers?

Switching itself is free, but you may owe an early termination fee to your old carrier (usually $200 to $350 per line if you are under contract) and a port fee (usually $15 to $30). If you need a new phone, that cost depends on the model and whether the new carrier offers a discount or payment plan.