The fastest way to keep your number is to contact your carrier before you switch phones

You can transfer your phone number to a new device by contacting your wireless carrier — the company that provides your service, like Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or a regional provider. The process takes minutes to hours depending on your carrier and whether you're switching to a phone on the same network or moving to a different one. Most carriers let you start the transfer online, by phone, or in person at a store.

The key is timing: start the process before your old phone stops working or before you set up service on the new device. If you switch on your own without telling your carrier, your number may be reassigned to someone else within days.

Key Takeaways

  • Contact your current carrier to initiate the transfer; they will handle moving your number to the new phone, not the phone manufacturer or the new carrier.
  • Staying with the same carrier is the simplest route and usually takes a few minutes, while switching carriers requires a porting authorization code and takes one to three business days.
  • You will need your account PIN or password, the phone number you want to transfer, and your account details to start the process.
  • Keep your old phone active until the transfer completes, because your carrier may send confirmation texts or calls to verify the move.

Transferring your number within the same carrier

If you are staying with your current carrier and buying a new phone, the transfer is usually automatic or requires one phone call. When you set up the new phone on your account, the carrier's system recognizes your existing number and moves it over. This typically happens within minutes.

You can start this process online through your carrier's website or app, by calling customer service, or by visiting a store. Have your account PIN or password ready — carriers ask for this to confirm your identity. Tell the representative you want to transfer your number to a new phone, and provide the phone number you want to keep and the model of your new device.

If you bought the phone from the carrier, they often handle the transfer as part of the set up process at checkout or in-store. If you bought it elsewhere, you will need to contact your carrier separately to set up it on your account and move your number over.

Switching carriers and taking your number with you

Moving to a different carrier while keeping your number is called porting. The process takes longer — usually one to three business days — because the carriers must coordinate the transfer. You start by contacting your new carrier, not your old one.

Your new carrier will ask for your account number, billing phone number, and account PIN or password from your current carrier. They will then request a porting authorization code (sometimes called a transfer PIN) from your old carrier on your behalf. Some carriers generate this code automatically; others require you to call and request it. Once your new carrier has the code, they submit the port request, and your old carrier has up to one business day to approve it.

During the port window, keep your old phone active and turned on. Your old carrier may send a text or call to confirm the transfer, and you need to be able to receive it. Once the port completes, your number will ring on the new carrier's network, and your old carrier will disconnect your service.

What you need before you start

Gather these details before contacting your carrier:

  • Your phone number (the one you want to transfer)
  • Your account number (usually on your bill or in your carrier's app)
  • Your account PIN or password
  • Your billing address
  • The model of your new phone (if switching carriers, your new carrier needs to know this)

If you do not know your account PIN, most carriers let you reset it online or over the phone by answering security questions. If you have lost access to your account, you may need to visit a store in person with a photo ID.

Why your old phone should stay on during the transfer

Carriers sometimes send verification texts or calls to your old phone number to confirm the transfer is authorized. If your old phone is off or disconnected, you may miss this confirmation, and the transfer could stall or fail. Leave your old phone powered on and connected to service until your carrier confirms the port is complete.

Once the transfer finishes, your number will stop working on the old phone and will only work on the new one. At that point, you can power off the old phone or return it to your carrier if you are trading it in.

Transferring your number if you are switching phone types

The process is the same whether you are moving from an iPhone to an Android phone, from an Android to an iPhone, or between any other phone types. Your phone number is tied to your carrier account, not to the phone itself, so the type of phone does not affect the transfer.

What does matter is whether your new phone is compatible with your carrier's network. Before you buy a new phone, check your carrier's website to confirm it works on their network. If you buy a phone that is not compatible, your carrier cannot set up it, and the transfer will not work.

What to do if the transfer fails or takes longer than expected

If your number does not transfer within the timeframe your carrier gave you, contact them when ready. Delays usually happen because the porting authorization code was rejected, your account has an unpaid balance, or there is a mismatch in your account information between carriers.

Call your new carrier's customer service line and ask for the status of your port request. They can tell you whether the request is still pending, whether your old carrier rejected it, or whether there is a problem with your account. If your old carrier rejected the request, ask your new carrier what the reason was and whether you need to contact your old carrier to fix it.

If you are switching carriers and your old carrier is blocking the port, you may need to pay an outstanding balance or resolve a billing dispute before they will release your number. Ask your old carrier what needs to be resolved and get it in writing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer my number to a new phone if I still owe money on my old phone?

Yes. Your phone number is separate from any payment plan on your old device. You can transfer your number to a new phone even if you are still paying off the old one. However, if you owe money on your carrier account itself (not just the phone), some carriers may block the transfer until you pay the balance.

How long does it take to transfer a number to a new phone on the same carrier?

If you are staying with the same carrier, the transfer usually happens within minutes to a few hours. If you are switching carriers, it takes one to three business days after your new carrier submits the port request. Weekends and holidays may add extra time.

What happens to my old phone number if I don't transfer it?

If you stop using your number and do not transfer it to a new phone or carrier, your old carrier will eventually reassign it to someone else. This typically happens within 30 to 90 days, depending on the carrier. Once reassigned, you cannot get that number back.

Can I transfer my number if I am switching from a prepaid to a postpaid plan?

Yes, you can transfer your number between prepaid and postpaid plans on the same carrier or to a different carrier. The process is the same as any other transfer. Make sure your prepaid account is in good standing and has no outstanding balance before you start.

Do I need to buy a new phone from my carrier to transfer my number?

No. You can transfer your number to a phone you bought anywhere — from the carrier, from a retailer, or used from another person. As long as the phone is compatible with your carrier's network, you can set up it and transfer your number to it.