You can keep your phone number when you switch providers, but you need to start the process before you cancel your old service
Transferring your phone number to a new provider is called porting. The process takes a few days to two weeks, and you'll need information from your current provider before you can begin. Most carriers will port your number at no charge, though some may charge a small fee — ask before you commit.
The key is timing: you must request the port before you cancel your old service. If you cancel first, your number goes back into the carrier's pool and becomes unavailable to port. You can keep both services running during the transfer, which means you won't lose calls or texts while the port is in progress.
Key Takeaways
- Request a port from your new provider before canceling your old service, or your number will be released and you'll lose it.
- You'll need your account number, PIN or password, and billing address from your current provider to start the port.
- The port typically takes three to ten business days, and you can use both services during that time.
- Once the port completes, your old service will stop automatically — you don't need to call and cancel.
- If the port fails, contact your new provider's customer service immediately; they can usually resubmit within 24 hours.
What information you need from your current provider
Before you contact your new provider, gather these details from your current account. You can find most of them on your bill or in your online account portal.
Account number: This is the number your current provider uses to identify your account. It's usually on your bill or in the account settings of your provider's app or website.
PIN or password: Some carriers require a four-digit PIN you set up when you opened the account. Others use your online password. If you don't know your PIN, call your current provider and ask them to reset it or confirm your password before you start the port.
Billing address: This must match exactly what's on file with your current provider. If you've moved and haven't updated it, do that first — mismatches are a common reason ports fail.
Service address: This is where the phone service is active, which may differ from your billing address. Have both ready.
How to start the port with your new provider
Contact your new provider and tell them you want to port your number. You can do this in person at a store, by phone, or online through their website or app — the method varies by carrier. Have your account information ready.
The new provider will create a port request and submit it to your current carrier on your behalf. You'll receive a confirmation number and an estimated completion date. Write down the confirmation number; you'll need it if something goes wrong.
During the port, keep your old service active. Do not cancel it, even if the new provider tells you to. Your old number needs to stay active until the port completes, or the port will fail and your number will be lost.
You can start using your new provider's service immediately — most will activate your new SIM card or phone right away. Calls and texts may route to either service for a day or two while the port processes, which is normal.
What happens when the port completes
When the port finishes, your phone number will ring on your new provider's network. Your old service will stop working automatically — you don't need to call and cancel. You may receive a final bill from your old provider for any remaining balance or early termination fees.
Check that calls and texts are working on your new service before you dispose of your old phone or SIM card. If something isn't working, contact your new provider's customer service right away.
Update your phone number with any services that have it on file — banks, employers, doctors, family members, and any apps that use it for two-factor authentication. This can take a few days, so don't be alarmed if you miss a text code immediately after the port.
Why a port might fail and how to fix it
The most common reasons a port fails are a mismatched billing address, an incorrect account number, or a PIN that doesn't match what the old carrier has on file. If your port is rejected, your new provider will tell you why.
Contact your current provider and confirm the exact information they have: billing address, service address, account number, and PIN. Even a typo or a space in the wrong place can cause a rejection. Once you've corrected it, ask your new provider to resubmit the port request — this usually happens within 24 hours at no extra charge.
If your old provider says your account is closed or suspended, the port cannot proceed. You'll need to contact them to reactivate the account before trying again. This is rare, but it can happen if the account was inactive for a long time.
Ports between wireless carriers versus landline or VoIP
Porting a wireless number to another wireless carrier is straightforward and usually takes three to ten business days. Porting a landline or VoIP number follows the same basic steps, but the timeline can be longer — sometimes two to three weeks — because landline infrastructure is more complex.
If you're porting from a landline to a wireless carrier, or from VoIP to wireless, the process is the same from your end: gather your account information and submit the port request through your new provider. The main difference is patience — give it the full timeframe before you assume something went wrong.
Porting from wireless to a landline or VoIP service works the same way. The new provider handles the technical side; you just provide the account details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I port my number if I'm still under contract?
Yes. Porting your number does not break your contract, but switching providers might. Check your contract for early termination fees before you start the port. Some carriers waive these fees if you're porting to them, so ask.
What if I cancel my old service by accident before the port completes?
Contact your old provider immediately and ask them to reactivate your account. Explain that you're in the middle of a port. If they reactivate it quickly, the port can usually continue. If the account stays closed for more than a few days, your number will be released and you'll lose it.
How long does a port usually take?
Most wireless ports complete in three to ten business days. Landline and VoIP ports can take two to three weeks. Your new provider will give you an estimated date when you submit the request. If it hasn't completed by that date plus a few days, contact them to check the status.
Will I lose calls or texts during the port?
You may miss a few calls or texts during the switchover, especially in the first day or two. This is normal. Keep your old phone on and nearby for a few days after the port completes, just in case a call or text routes to the old service by mistake.
Do I have to pay to port my number?
Most carriers port numbers at no charge. Some may charge a small fee — usually under $10 — so ask your new provider before you start. Early termination fees from your old provider are separate and depend on your contract, not on the port itself.