How to cancel AT&T service

You can cancel AT&T phone service by calling their customer service line at 611 from your AT&T phone or 1-800-331-0500 from any phone, or by visiting an AT&T store in person. The process takes about 15 minutes on the phone. AT&T will ask why you're leaving, confirm your account details, explain any early termination fees you owe, and give you a final bill amount. You'll receive written confirmation by mail within a few days.

The main thing that changes your cancellation is whether you're under a contract. If you signed a two-year agreement and cancel before it ends, AT&T charges an early termination fee — typically $180 to $320 depending on how much time remains on your contract. If your contract has expired or you're on a month-to-month plan, you can cancel without penalty. Either way, you'll owe for any service through your final billing date plus any outstanding charges.

Key Takeaways

  • Call 611 from your AT&T phone or 1-800-331-0500 to start a cancellation, or walk into an AT&T store and ask to cancel in person.
  • Early termination fees explore only if you're still under a contract — check your bill or account online to see your contract end date.
  • You will owe a final bill covering service through your last day plus any unpaid charges, which AT&T will tell you during the cancellation call.
  • Keep your phone number active for at least 24 hours after cancellation if you plan to port it to another carrier, or it may be recycled.
  • Request a final bill in writing and keep it for your records, especially if you dispute any charges later.

Check your contract status before you call

Before you contact AT&T, log into your account on the AT&T website or open the AT&T mobile app and look for your contract end date. This is usually listed under Account or Plan details. If you see a date in the future, you're still under contract and will face an early termination fee. If the date has passed or you don't see one listed, you're on a month-to-month plan and can cancel without penalty.

You can also call 611 or 1-800-331-0500 and ask a representative to check your contract status without committing to cancel. They'll tell you the exact termination fee amount and your contract end date. Write down both numbers so you have them when you call back to cancel.

What happens to your phone number

When you cancel AT&T service, your phone number becomes inactive when ready. If you want to keep that number and use it with a different carrier, you need to request a port — a transfer of your number to the new company. You must do this within 24 hours of cancellation, or AT&T will recycle the number and you'll lose it permanently.

To port your number, contact your new carrier (Verizon, T-Mobile, or another company) and tell them you want to bring your AT&T number with you. They'll handle the technical transfer, but they'll need your AT&T account number and PIN. You can find your account number on your AT&T bill. If you don't know your PIN, call 611 and ask AT&T to tell you what it is before you cancel.

If you don't port the number within 24 hours, it's gone. You cannot recover it later. If you're not switching to another carrier and don't need the number, you can straightforward let it go inactive.

Understanding early termination fees

An early termination fee is a charge AT&T applies when you cancel before your contract expires. The amount depends on how much time is left on your agreement — the more time remaining, the higher the fee. AT&T will calculate the exact amount during your cancellation call and include it on your final bill.

These fees exist because AT&T subsidized the cost of your phone when you signed up. By agreeing to a two-year contract, you were getting a discount on the device in exchange for staying with AT&T for that full period. If you leave early, AT&T charges the fee to recover that subsidy.

There is no way to avoid the early termination fee if you're still under contract, but you can ask AT&T if they offer any promotions or credits that might reduce it. Some representatives have limited authority to waive or lower the fee in specific situations, though this is not may provide. It never hurts to ask.

Your final bill and what it includes

Your final bill will include charges for service through your last day of coverage, any early termination fee (if applicable), and any outstanding charges like overages or late fees. AT&T will give you the total amount during your cancellation call. You'll receive a written bill by mail within a few days.

Pay close attention to the dates on your final bill. Service charges should only cover the period from your last payment date through your cancellation date. If you see charges for dates after you cancelled, contact AT&T when ready to dispute them. Keep your final bill for at least a year in case you need to reference it later.

If you had autopay set up, AT&T will charge your payment method for the final bill amount. If you don't have autopay, you'll receive an invoice by mail with instructions on how to pay. Pay it within 30 days to avoid late fees or collection action.

Cancelling in person versus by phone

You can cancel at an AT&T store by walking in and asking to speak to a representative about cancellation. Bring your ID and your account number (from your bill). The representative will walk through the same process as a phone cancellation — confirming your account, explaining fees, and giving you a final bill amount. You'll receive written confirmation by mail.

Cancelling by phone is usually faster if you already know your account details and contract status. You won't have to travel to a store or wait for walk-in traffic. However, cancelling in person gives you a paper receipt on the spot, which some people prefer for their records. Either method is equally valid — choose whichever is more convenient for you.

If you cancel online through the AT&T website or app, the process is more limited. You can request cancellation, but AT&T will likely call you to confirm and discuss your early termination fee before finalizing it. You cannot complete a full cancellation online without speaking to someone.

What to do if AT&T tries to keep you as a customer

During your cancellation call, the representative may offer you a discount, a credit toward your bill, or a different plan to keep you from leaving. These are called retention offers. You're under no obligation to accept them. If you've decided to cancel, you can politely decline and ask them to proceed with the cancellation.

If you're cancelling because of cost, it's worth listening to what they offer — sometimes the discount is real and substantial. But if you're cancelling because you're switching to another carrier or you're unhappy with service quality, the offer won't change those reasons. Be clear about why you're leaving so the representative understands that a discount alone won't solve your problem.

If the representative refuses to cancel or keeps transferring you to different departments, stay calm and ask to speak to a supervisor. You have the right to cancel your service. If you continue to have trouble, you can file a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) at fcc.gov/consumers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay the early termination fee?

Yes, if you're still under contract when you cancel. The fee is a contractual obligation. However, if you're switching to another carrier, some carriers will pay your early termination fee as part of a switch promotion — ask your new carrier whether they offer this before you cancel AT&T.

What if I don't pay my final bill?

AT&T will send the bill to a collection agency if it remains unpaid for 30 days. This damages your credit score and may result in legal action. Pay your final bill even if you dispute part of it — you can dispute charges separately after paying, and it's easier to resolve a refund than a collections case.

Can I cancel just one line on my family plan?

Yes. If you have a family plan with multiple lines, you can cancel one line without cancelling the entire account. Call 611 or 1-800-331-0500 and tell them you want to remove a specific line. That line will be subject to early termination fees if it's under contract, but the other lines stay active.

How long does it take for my service to actually stop?

Your service stops at the end of your billing cycle or on the date you specify during cancellation, whichever comes first. Most people cancel effective when ready, which means the service cuts off within a few hours. If you want service to continue through a specific date, tell the representative during the cancellation call.

Can I get my number back if I change my mind after cancellation?

Not reliably. Once your number is recycled into AT&T's pool, it's gone. If you cancel and then want to reactivate within a few days, AT&T may be able to restore your old number, but this is not may provide. If you're unsure about cancelling, wait until you're certain before you call.