How to change your phone number
Changing your phone number involves two separate steps: updating the number your carrier has on file, and then updating it on your device itself. The first step happens with your carrier — the company that provides your service, like Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or a smaller regional provider. The second step is telling your phone to recognize the new number. Most people do the carrier step first, because your carrier controls which number rings to your phone.
The exact process depends on whether you want to keep your current carrier or switch to a new one. If you are staying with the same company, you can request a new number directly. If you are switching carriers, the process is called porting, and it moves your existing number to the new carrier instead of giving you a fresh one.
Key Takeaways
- Contact your current carrier by phone, in person, or through their app or website to request a new number; the process usually takes a few hours to a day.
- If you want to keep your existing number when switching carriers, you will need your account number and PIN from your current carrier before you can port it.
- After your carrier activates the new number, you must update it on your phone by going into Settings and checking that your device recognizes the correct number.
- Tell people who contact you regularly about your new number before you change it, because text messages and calls to your old number will not forward automatically.
Requesting a new number from your current carrier
Call your carrier's customer service line, visit a store in person, or log into your account online or through their mobile app. Tell them you want to change your phone number. They will ask which area code you prefer if you have a choice, and whether you want to keep the same carrier. The change usually takes effect within a few hours, though some carriers may take up to a day.
Your carrier will give you the new number when ready or send it to you by text or email. Write it down or take a screenshot, because you will need it to update your device. Some carriers charge a small fee for changing your number — usually between five and ten dollars — though many do not. Ask before you confirm the change.
Once the new number is active on your carrier's network, your old number stops working. Any calls or texts sent to the old number will not reach you. This is why you should tell your contacts ahead of time if possible, or send out a message with your new number as soon as the change is complete.
Keeping your number when you switch carriers
Number porting lets you take your phone number with you to a different carrier instead of getting a new one. Before you start, contact your current carrier and ask for your account number and PIN (personal identification number). You will need both of these to prove you own the account.
Then contact the new carrier and tell them you want to port your number. They will ask for your account number, PIN, and the phone number you want to move. The new carrier handles most of the work from there — they submit a request to your old carrier, and the transfer usually completes within one to three business days. During that time, your phone may lose service for a few minutes while the switch happens.
Once the port is complete, your old carrier's service stops and your new carrier's service takes over on the same number. You do not need to do anything on your phone itself — the number was never really "yours" in the first place, it belongs to the carrier. The carrier just assigns it to your phone line.
Updating your phone to recognize the new number
After your carrier activates the new number, your phone may not when ready display it correctly in Settings. To fix this, go into your phone's Settings app and look for a section called "About Phone" (on Android) or "General" then "About" (on iPhone). Scroll down until you see "Phone Number" or "My Number." If it still shows your old number, restart your phone — turn it off completely and turn it back on. This forces your phone to check in with your carrier's network and read the new number.
If the number still does not update after a restart, wait a few hours. Sometimes it takes the carrier's system time to push the change to your device. If it has been more than a day and your phone still shows the wrong number, call your carrier's customer service and tell them the number has not updated on your device yet. They can manually trigger an update or troubleshoot what went wrong.
What happens to your old number
Once you change your number, your old one is returned to your carrier's pool of available numbers. After a waiting period — usually 30 to 90 days — your carrier may assign it to someone else. This means if someone tries to reach you at your old number, they will reach a stranger instead, not a disconnected line. This is why it matters to tell people your new number before you change it.
If you need to keep your old number active for a short time while people update their records, some carriers offer a service that forwards calls and texts from the old number to the new one for a limited period. Ask your carrier whether they offer this and what it costs.
Changing your number on accounts and apps
After you change your phone number, you should update it anywhere you use it for two-factor authentication or account recovery. This includes email accounts, banking apps, social media, and any service that texts you a code to verify your identity. Log into each account, find the phone number field in Settings or Security, and enter your new number.
For accounts that use your phone number as the login itself — like some banking apps or messaging services — you may need to log out and log back in with the new number, or contact the company's support team to update it for you. Do this within a few days of changing your number, because if someone else gets assigned your old number, they could potentially receive verification codes meant for your accounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my phone number without switching carriers?
Yes. Contact your current carrier by phone, app, or in person and ask for a new number. They will assign you one from their available pool, usually in your preferred area code. The change takes a few hours to a day and may cost a small fee.
What if I want to keep my old number when I switch carriers?
You can port your number to the new carrier. Get your account number and PIN from your current carrier, give them to the new carrier, and they will handle the transfer. It usually takes one to three business days and is free.
Will my old texts and calls forward to my new number?
No. Calls and texts sent to your old number will not reach you automatically. Some carriers offer call and text forwarding for a fee and a limited time, but you have to set it up before you change your number. Tell your contacts your new number as soon as possible.
How long does it take to change my phone number?
If you are staying with the same carrier, the change usually takes a few hours to a day. If you are porting your number to a new carrier, it typically takes one to three business days. During a port, your phone may lose service briefly while the switch completes.
Do I need to do anything on my phone after the carrier changes my number?
Your phone should update automatically, but if it still shows your old number in Settings after a few hours, restart it. If it does not update after a restart and a day has passed, contact your carrier — they may need to manually trigger the update on their end.