How to Move Your Phone Number to a New Phone

Your phone number stays with your carrier, not your phone

When you get a new phone, your number does not automatically move with it. Your carrier — the company you pay for service, like Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or a smaller provider — owns the number and the account it is attached to. Moving your number to a new phone means telling your carrier to connect that same account to your new device. The process takes a few hours to a few days, depending on whether you are staying with the same carrier or switching to a different one.

If you are keeping the same carrier and the same plan, this is straightforward: you set up the new phone on your existing account, and your number follows. If you are switching carriers, you need a port authorization code from your current carrier before the new one can take over your number. Either way, you do not lose your number — you are just moving the account it belongs to.

Key Takeaways

Your phone number belongs to your carrier, not your phone, so you must contact your carrier to move it to a new device.
If you stay with the same carrier, call their customer service or visit a store to set up your new phone on your existing account.
If you switch carriers, ask your current carrier for a port authorization code, then give that code to your new carrier to complete the transfer.
The transfer usually takes a few hours to three business days; during that time, calls and texts may not work on either phone.
Before you switch, check that your new phone is compatible with your new carrier's network — not all phones work on all networks.

Staying with the same carrier

Call your carrier's customer service number (on your bill, on their website, or on the back of your current phone) and tell them you have a new phone and want to set up it on your existing account. Have your account number and the new phone's IMEI number ready — you can find the IMEI by dialing *#06# on the new phone, or by looking in Settings under About Phone (Android) or About (iPhone).

The carrier will walk you through activating the new phone. This usually means they will send you a text message or email with a link, or they will do it over the phone while you are on the call. Once set up is complete, your number will ring on the new phone within a few minutes. Your old phone will stop receiving calls and texts once the new one is active.

If you bought the phone from the carrier's store, staff can often set up it for you on the spot. If you bought it elsewhere — from another retailer, online, or used — you will need to call or use the carrier's website to set up it yourself.

Switching to a different carrier

Before you switch, contact your current carrier and ask for a port authorization code (also called a transfer PIN or porting PIN). This is a security code that proves you own the number and have permission to move it. The carrier may ask you security questions to verify your identity. Write down the code and keep it safe — you will need it within 30 days.

Once you have the code, contact your new carrier and tell them you want to port your number from your old carrier. Give them the port authorization code, your account number from your old carrier, and your account holder's name and address exactly as they appear on the old account. The new carrier will submit the port request on your behalf.

The port usually takes one to three business days. During that time, calls and texts may not work reliably on either phone — some may go to your old carrier, some to your new one. Once the port is complete, your number will work only on your new carrier's network. Your old carrier will close that account, though you may still owe them money for service through the end of your billing cycle.

What to do if the transfer fails or stalls

If your number does not ring on the new phone after a few hours, contact your new carrier's customer service. They can check the status of the port request. Common reasons for delays include a mismatch between the name or address you gave and what is on file with your old carrier, or an outstanding balance that your old carrier is holding the number over.

If your old carrier says you cannot port the number because of an unpaid bill, you have two options: pay the balance and try again, or contact your new carrier to ask if they can help resolve it. Some carriers will pay off a small balance on your behalf to complete the port, though this is not may provide.

If the port fails completely, your new carrier will tell you why. The most common reason is that the number is not may be able to access to port — this can happen if the account is very new, if it is a business line with special restrictions, or if the number was recently ported from another carrier. In that case, you may need to keep your old carrier for that number, or accept a new number from your new carrier.

Preparing your new phone before the transfer

Before you set up your new phone, make sure it is compatible with your carrier's network. Not all phones work on all networks — an older phone or one bought in another country may not support the bands your carrier uses. Check your carrier's website or call them to confirm the phone is compatible.

If you are switching carriers, also check that your new phone is unlocked. A locked phone only works on the carrier it came from. If you bought the phone from your old carrier, ask them to unlock it before you leave — most carriers will do this for free if your account is in good standing. If you bought it elsewhere, it is usually already unlocked, but you can confirm by trying a SIM card from your new carrier.

Back up your contacts, photos, and other data from your old phone before you switch. Your phone number transfer does not move your data — that is a separate process. You can use cloud backup (iCloud for iPhone, Google Account for Android), a computer, or manual transfer depending on what you want to move.

What happens to your old phone

Once your number is active on your new phone, your old phone will no longer receive calls or texts on that number. However, the phone itself still works — you can use it on WiFi to send messages through apps like WhatsApp or iMessage, or you can factory reset it and sell it, give it away, or recycle it.

If you are keeping your old phone as a backup or for another purpose, you can ask your carrier whether you can keep a separate line on it. Some carriers offer this cheaply or as part of a family plan. Otherwise, the old phone becomes a WiFi-only device once the number is transferred.

Timing and what to expect during the transfer

If you are staying with the same carrier, set up usually happens within minutes to a few hours. If you are switching carriers, the port takes one to three business days. During the port window, your number may not work reliably — calls might go to your old phone, texts might be delayed, or both might fail. This is normal and temporary.

Plan your switch for a time when you do not need your phone urgently, or let important contacts know you are switching and give them an alternative way to reach you. Once the port is complete, your old carrier will send you a final bill if you owe anything for the remainder of your billing cycle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep my number if I switch to a different carrier?

Yes. This is called porting, and it is a legal right in the United States. You need a port authorization code from your current carrier, and the process takes one to three business days. Your new carrier handles most of the paperwork.

What if I lose my port authorization code?

Call your old carrier and ask for a new one. They will verify your identity and issue a replacement. The code is usually valid for 30 days, so you have time to use it if you lose the first one.

Do I have to pay my old carrier if I switch?

You may owe them money through the end of your current billing cycle, or for any early termination fee in your contract. Check your bill or call them to find out what you owe. You can usually pay this separately from your new carrier's bill.

Will my contacts and photos move with my number?

No. Your phone number transfer only moves the number itself. You need to back up and restore your contacts, photos, and other data separately using iCloud, Google Account, or another backup method.

What if my new phone is not compatible with my new carrier?

Contact your new carrier before you port your number and ask them to confirm compatibility. If the phone is not compatible, you will need a different phone, or you may need to choose a different carrier. It is better to check this before you start the port process.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.