You can change your TextNow number through the app settings, and the process takes about two minutes

TextNow lets you swap out your phone number whenever you want, without losing your account or messages. Open the TextNow app, go to Settings, find the option to change your number, and confirm the new one. The old number becomes unavailable to you when ready, though TextNow may reassign it to another user later.

You do not need a new phone, a new SIM card, or permission from TextNow support. The change is when ready and free. If you have given your TextNow number to people you want to stay in touch with, tell them the new one before you change it — they will not automatically know.

Key Takeaways

  • Open TextNow, go to Settings, select the phone number section, and choose the option to change your number.
  • Your new number is assigned when ready and your old number stops working for you right away.
  • All your existing messages, contacts, and account history stay with your account when you change the number.
  • You can change your number as many times as you want, but TextNow may rate-limit frequent changes or ask you to wait a few days between them.
  • Tell people you want to keep in contact with your new number before you change it, since they will not receive a notification.

Step-by-step: changing your number in the app

Launch the TextNow app on your phone. Tap the menu icon (usually three horizontal lines) or look for a Settings option at the bottom of the screen. The exact location depends on whether you are on Android or iPhone, but Settings is always in the main navigation.

Once in Settings, scroll down until you see a section labeled "Phone Number," "My Number," or "Account." Tap it. You should see your current TextNow number displayed. Look for a button that says "Change Number," "Get a New Number," or "Switch Number" — the wording varies slightly between app versions.

Tap that button. TextNow will show you a list of available numbers, usually organized by area code. You can search by area code if you want a number from a specific region. Select the number you want. TextNow will ask you to confirm the change — read the confirmation message to make sure you understand that your old number will no longer work.

Tap Confirm or Accept. The change takes effect when ready. Your new number now appears in your Settings, and your old number is gone from your account.

What happens to your messages and contacts

Your message history, contacts, and account settings do not change when you swap numbers. Everything stays attached to your TextNow account. If someone had your old number saved in their phone and you text them from your new number, they will see the new number — but they will not see your old conversation history unless they look it up separately.

If you are using TextNow for business or have given your number to many people, changing it can disrupt communication. People who text your old number will get a message saying the number is no longer in service. There is no forwarding or automatic redirect.

Reasons to change your TextNow number

You might change your number if you want a different area code, if you have been receiving spam or unwanted messages, or if you are starting fresh with a new group of contacts. Some people change numbers when they move to a different state and want a local area code. Others do it to escape harassment or to separate personal and professional contacts.

TextNow does not charge you for changing your number, and there is no limit to how many times you can do it — though the app may ask you to wait a few days between changes if you switch very frequently. This is a technical safeguard to prevent abuse.

If you cannot find the change number option

On older versions of the TextNow app, the change number feature might be in a different location. Try looking under "Account Settings" or "Phone Settings" instead of the main Settings menu. If you still cannot find it, check whether your app is up to date by opening your phone's app store (Google Play for Android, App Store for iPhone) and searching for TextNow. If an update is available, install it and try again.

If the option is still missing after updating, you may be using a free TextNow account with restrictions, though this is rare. TextNow support can tell you whether your account type allows number changes. You can reach them through the app's Help or Support section.

Switching numbers on the web version

If you use TextNow through a web browser instead of the app, the process is similar. Log in to your TextNow account at textnow.com, click on your profile or account icon, and look for Settings. Find the phone number section and select the option to change your number. The same confirmation and when ready set up explore.

Whether you change your number on the app or the web, the change syncs across all your devices. If you are logged into TextNow on multiple phones or tablets, your new number will appear on all of them within a few seconds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my old TextNow number back?

Once you change your number, TextNow does not reserve the old one for you. If you change your mind when ready, contact TextNow support and ask whether they can restore it — they sometimes can if you reach out within a few minutes. After that, the number may be reassigned to another user and you cannot reclaim it.

Will people I texted before see my new number automatically?

No. People who have your old number saved in their contacts will still see the old number if they look at your past messages. You need to text them from your new number or tell them separately what it is. There is no automatic notification system.

Do I lose my TextNow account if I change my number?

No. Your account, messages, contacts, and all settings stay exactly the same. Only the phone number changes. You can change it back and forth as many times as you want without affecting anything else on your account.

How long does it take for the new number to work?

The new number is active when ready after you confirm the change. You can send and receive texts right away. There is no waiting period or set up time.

Can I choose a specific number or area code?

Yes. When you select "Change Number," TextNow shows you available numbers and lets you filter by area code. You can browse the list and pick one that matches where you want a local number from. Not every area code has numbers available at all times.