How to keep your mobile number | Help & Support (2023)

FAQs

How do I permanently keep my mobile number? ›

Contact the carrier's customer support. Call or drop by to any available service centers of your carrier and ask about their procedures on how you can keep your number. Mobile network carriers each have their own policies on the matter, so make sure to contact your customer's support.

Keeping your phone number when you change network is known as porting your number, and to do this you need a porting authorisation code - or PAC code. You give this code to your new provider and they handle the transfer of your number as well as the cancellation of the service from your current provider.

Under FCC regulations, you have the right to keep your cell phone number (it doesn't belong to your carrier). So a carrier is required to relinquish your cell phone number to you if you so request.

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.

Phone number transfers normally take place on the next working day after you submit your PAC Code (or two working days if you submit the PAC Code late in the afternoon or evening). † You'll need to submit your PAC Code before the daily cut-off time (between 3pm and 5.30pm depending on your network).

Yes. Replacing your SIM, you can keep your same number. Just request that when getting the replacement SIM and have them activate it with your number or send it to you unactivated and then call Customer Care to have it activated with the number on the phone that is lost.

While it is a much simpler process to transfer your number when moving to a new network, it is not entirely impossible when staying with the same provider. In order to retain your phone number while moving to a new tariff on the same network you will need to negotiate a contract upgrade with that network.

Yes. Generally you are allowed to port your number to a new provider even if you still owe your current one, but you may have to pay off the bills from your old provider before you can cancel your account.

You can port existing numbers by yourself by providing your current and new provider with notice of your intention to port your existing number when you switch services. You will also need to supply your new provider with all the information they need to apply your phone number to your new account.

What do I need to switch phone carriers? ›

For security purposes all cell phone carriers require you to provide your current account number, your current account PIN/Passcode (this is not necessarily the same as the password you use to login to your account online), and your current phone number when trying to “port” or transfer your number to a new carrier.

The most common reason a carrier rejects your number port comes down to a basic data mismatch. They have one name and address, and you supplied them with something just a little bit different. When you submit a Letter of Authorization (LOA), the data it contains need to match that on the Customer Service Record (CSR).

Don't cancel your current phone plan before switching

Your current phone plan must be active in order for you to port your number over. If you can, don't cancel your current plan before you've initiated the process of signing up for a new phone plan.

Once you have cancelled your service, you are returning your phone number to the carrier. You will no longer own that number. You won't be able to transfer it. Think of it like a car.

The simple answer is yes. But to send an anonymous text, you'll need to use a third-party service, whether it's a VoIP service, an app or a website. When you send a text normally, the message is sent in one or more digital “packets,” along with information about the number it was sent from and to.

What you'll need to do is pay off your phone before you make the jump to another provider. Depending on whether you're on a contract or a monthly plan, you may be responsible for paying termination fees. However, your new carrier may offer to cover those for you.

Whether you want to switch from a physical nano-SIM card to an eSIM or an eSIM to another eSIM, you will need to port your mobile number. Mobile Number Portability (MNP) involves transferring a phone number from one mobile network to another, or in this case, from a SIM card to an eSIM.

Phone companies are required by law to port your number out when you start service with a new carrier. According to the FCC, a company can't refuse to port your number even if you have an outstanding balance or unpaid termination fees.

Change your carrier and keep your number

The good news is that you'll usually be able to keep your current phone number. Just let us know at checkout and we can work with your current wireless carrier to get your number moved. If you're shopping online, you can also select the “Keep my number” option at checkout.

Your old SIM card will stop working once the number has transferred. You may at the same time briefly lose service with your new card. The easiest way to be certain that your old number is up and running on your new network though is to put your new SIM card in your phone and get someone to call you.

What is my PAC code? ›

What does a PAC code do? A Porting Authorisation Code (PAC) allows you to take your old number with you when you change service providers. You'll be asked for your PAC when you want to transfer your number either to us from your old provider or from us to a new provider.

The industry average for porting a number is 7 to 10 days. The actual time it takes is dependent on a few factors.

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In order to port your number, you need to prove that you own the number. That means you will most likely have to provide your account number with your current carrier. You'll also need your full name and address. They may need your service address for a landline as well as your billing address if the two are different.

You are allowed to move to another mobile service provider only after 90 days of the date of activation of your mobile connection or from the date of last porting of your mobile number, which ever is applicable.

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Once your service is active and your number has been transferred, your new carrier will let you know. Meanwhile, the number transfer will automatically cancel your old service in most cases. After you're up and running, we suggest that you call your old cell phone company to confirm the cancellation.

All carriers allow you to bring your digits with you—a process called "porting" your phone number. To a new cell phone provider and keep your number: Contact your current carrier to unlock your phone. Choose a new phone plan.

Why can't I keep my phone number? ›

Sometimes, a number simply can't get ported. According to the FCC, “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.”

Unused numbers can be recycled

The length of time before a provider deems a phone inactive varies: for some providers it can be as little as 70 days, while others wait six months or longer. Check your provider's terms and conditions to find out how much time you have.

How long does it take for a disconnected number to be recycled? Generally telecom providers reassign numbers within 90 days from when they had become deactivated but there is no specific time limit. In certain area codes with high demand for recycled numbers, the reassignment will occur much more quickly.

Data that SIM cards contain include user identity, location and phone number, network authorization data, personal security keys, contact lists and stored text messages. SIM cards allow a mobile user to use this data and the features that come with them.

All Call History, Voicemails, and Message Conversations will still be accessible on your expired number but you will not be able to make/receive any new calls or texts from that number. Minutes or SMS remaining on an expired/deleted prepaid number are non-transferrable and will be deleted upon expiry.

Phone numbers are deactivated for various reasons: SIM cards being inactive for many months, SIM cards being banned for abuse or fraud, and others. Whatever the reason is, if you seek to get your disconnected number back, this guide offers you tips on how to get back a deactivated phone number.

Decades ago, people changed their phone numbers all the time—if you had to move to a new town, you didn't get to keep your number. Now, you can take your first cell phone number with you for life, even keeping the area code on a new continent if you're willing to pay for it.

Phone number verification tools

The simplest and least time-consuming way to check if a phone number is active is to use a phone number validation tool. This method involves one easy step—simply type the phone number into the tool and it will provide feedback on whether or not the phone number is active and accurate.

If your service provider has not allocated your old number to anyone, you can ask them to reactivate it. However, if someone registered your deactivated old phone number under their name, you might not be able to get that number back.

When a number is ported, the original provider transfers responsibility for terminating a phone number to the new one. In order for this to happen, a 'porting agreement' must exist between the two. There must also be a 'number portability transit path' between the network operators for both communications providers.