You can change your TextNow number from inside the app or through the website, but the process depends on whether you have a free account or a paid subscription

TextNow lets you change your phone number, but the steps and restrictions differ based on your account type. Free accounts can change their number once every 30 days through the app settings. Paid subscribers (TextNow Plus) can change more frequently. The change takes effect when ready, and your old number becomes available for someone else to claim within a few minutes.

Before you change your number, understand that anyone you've given the old number to will no longer be able to reach you at that address. You'll need to notify your contacts of the new number separately — TextNow does not send notifications on your behalf. If you use TextNow for two-factor authentication codes from banks or other services, you'll need to update those accounts with your new number before changing it.

Key Takeaways

  • Free TextNow accounts can change their number once every 30 days; paid accounts can change more often depending on their plan.
  • The number change happens when ready in the app, and your old number becomes available for others within minutes.
  • You must manually tell your contacts your new number — TextNow does not notify them automatically.
  • Update any accounts that use your TextNow number for two-factor authentication before you change it.
  • If you cannot change your number due to the 30-day waiting period, you can delete your account and create a new one to get a different number when ready.

How to change your number on the TextNow app

Open the TextNow app and tap the three-line menu icon (hamburger menu) in the bottom right corner. Select Settings, then tap Phone Number. You'll see your current number displayed. Tap the option to change your number — the exact wording varies slightly between iOS and Android, but it's usually labeled Change Number or Get a New Number.

TextNow will show you available numbers in your current area code first. You can browse through the list or search for a different area code if you want a number from another region. Once you select a number you want, confirm the change. The app will ask you to verify — on some versions you'll see a confirmation screen; on others the change applies when ready. Your new number is now active, and the old one is released.

How to change your number on the TextNow website

Go to textnow.com and sign in to your account. Click on your profile icon or avatar in the top right corner, then select Settings. Look for the Phone Number section. Click Change Number or Get a New Number depending on your account type.

The website version works the same way as the app: you'll see available numbers, can filter by area code, and confirm your selection. The change takes effect when ready on both the website and the app. If you're signed into TextNow on multiple devices, the new number will sync across all of them within a few seconds.

What happens to your old number

Your old TextNow number is released back into the pool of available numbers almost when ready — usually within 2 to 5 minutes. This means someone else can claim it and use it for their own TextNow account. Any texts or calls sent to your old number after you change it will not reach you. If someone tries to text your old number, they'll either get a delivery failure message or their message will go to whoever claims that number next.

This is why it's critical to tell your contacts your new number before or when ready after changing it. If you've used your TextNow number for important services like banking, email recovery, or work communication, update those accounts first so you don't lose access.

The 30-day waiting period for free accounts

Free TextNow accounts can only change their number once every 30 days. If you try to change your number before 30 days have passed since your last change, the app will show you a message saying you must wait until a specific date. This limit exists to prevent abuse and keep the pool of available numbers stable.

If you need a different number urgently and cannot wait, you have one option: delete your TextNow account and create a new one. When you create a new account, you'll get a fresh number when ready. However, you'll lose your message history, any credits you've purchased, and your old number will be gone permanently. This is only worth doing if you absolutely need a new number right away and don't care about losing your account history.

Paid accounts and faster number changes

TextNow Plus subscribers can change their number more frequently than free users. The exact frequency depends on which paid plan you have — some allow a change every 7 days, others every 14 days. Check your plan details in the Settings menu to see how often you're allowed to change.

Paid accounts also get access to more number options. You may see a wider selection of area codes available, and some plans let you reserve a number before claiming it. If you change your number frequently for work or privacy reasons, a paid plan removes the 30-day restriction that affects free users.

Updating accounts that depend on your TextNow number

Before you change your TextNow number, make a list of any services that use it for two-factor authentication or account recovery. Common examples include email accounts (Gmail, Outlook), banking apps, social media accounts, and password managers. Log into each of these services and update the phone number on file to your new TextNow number after you change it — or better yet, update them to a different phone number if you have one.

If you change your TextNow number before updating these accounts, you may lock yourself out temporarily. You'll still be able to recover access using other methods (like a backup email or security questions), but it's an unnecessary hassle. Take 10 minutes to update the critical accounts first, then change your TextNow number.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my old TextNow number back if I change my mind?

No. Once you change your number, the old one is released and may be claimed by someone else within minutes. TextNow does not reserve old numbers or allow you to reclaim them. If you're unsure about changing, wait a day or two before making the change.

Will my contacts be notified when I change my number?

No. TextNow does not send automatic notifications to your contacts. You must tell them your new number yourself through another method — a text from another phone, email, social media, or in person. This is why it's important to update critical accounts (banking, email) before changing your number.

Can I choose a specific area code when I change my number?

Yes. When you go through the change process, you can search for numbers by area code. TextNow shows available numbers in your current area code first, but you can type in a different area code to see what's available there. Keep in mind that some area codes may have fewer available numbers than others.

What if I see an error message when trying to change my number?

The most common error is hitting the 30-day waiting period on a free account. If you're seeing a different error, try signing out of the app completely and signing back in, then attempt the change again. If the problem persists, restart your phone and try once more. If errors continue, contact TextNow support through the app's help menu.

Does changing my TextNow number affect my texting or calling ability?

No. Your ability to send texts and make calls continues uninterrupted. The change is when ready, and you can use your new number when ready. The only thing that stops working is the old number — incoming calls and texts to that number will no longer reach you.