How to Switch Your Phone Carrier (And Keep Your Number)

Whether you are switching your cell phone provider to lower costs, improve coverage, or get a better family plan, knowing upfront what it takes to switch to a new carrier makes the process a little easier.

Here is an overview of how to switch to a new service provider or bundle your mobile with your Internet and TV plan.

Preparing To Switch

Before you move your number to a new device, take time to prepare. Careful preparation can help make the transfer go smoothly and help you avoid hidden fees or lost data.

Select Your New Service Plan

Go online and select your new plan. Unlimited plans usually offer the best options, including unlimited 5G and 4G LTE data and high-speed mobile hotspots. Pay special attention to service coverage maps to ensure you have phone service where you need it most.

Also, look for new customer deals and phone trade-in options. Take your time researching to find the best cell phone plan for you.

Decide What Kind of Switch You’re Making

New Phone, New Number

If you want to leave everything behind and start over with a new cell phone and number, simply pay off your existing service, close your account, and sign up with your preferred mobile network. It’s that simple.

Keeping Your Number but Getting a New Phone

Many customers want to keep their phone number while upgrading to a new phone. This option combines the number‑porting process with new hardware activation.

Steps to follow:

1. Buy your new phone from your new carrier. During checkout, indicate you want to transfer your existing number rather than generate a new one.
2. Provide your old account number, Port‑Out PIN, and billing ZIP code when requested. This authorizes the transfer.
3. Once your new phone arrives or is activated in‑store, insert the SIM or scan the eSIM link your new provider gives you.
4. Wait for confirmation. Your old phone will lose service once the new line activates under the same number (usually within a few hours).

Keeping Your Number and Bringing Your Own Device (BYOD)

If you’re happy with your current phone and number, you can keep both. You’ll simply transfer (“port”) your existing number to your new carrier while keeping your current phone. Here’s how to do it:

1. Find your account number and Port‑Out PIN. You can get these from your current carrier’s website or app.
2. Check device compatibility. Use your new carrier’s IMEI checker tool to confirm your phone works on its 4G/5G network.
3. Unlock your phone. Phones bought through carriers are often locked to that network until the device is fully paid off. Contact your old provider if unlocking isn’t automatic.
4. Install a new SIM card or activate an eSIM. Your new provider will walk you through the process online or send you a mail‑in kit.

Now, you may be excited to ditch your current provider, but do NOT cancel your old service until you have successfully completed the transfer process. This is important because once you cancel your service, you can no longer access your data or old phone number.

Back Up Your Phone

Don’t be one of those people emailing your friends for their phone numbers because you lost your contacts. Back up your cell phone before switching wireless carriers to avoid losing contacts, photos, and messages.

A backup lets you easily restore your data to the new device and protects you in case of an error during the switch. It’s a good idea to enable your phone’s auto-backup feature to protect your data in case your phone is damaged or lost.

Create a backup by connecting your phone to a computer and transferring the data or using a cloud-based backup service like iCloud or Google Drive.

Also, because voicemails are stored with your phone carrier and not on your device, they will not transfer to your new service if you switch carriers. If you want to keep your voicemails, save them as audio files and store them on your phone or in a cloud service (iCloud, Google Cloud, Samsung Cloud, etc.).

Gather Your Account Information

Before switching, collect all the details your new carrier will ask for. Missing or incorrect information is the number‑one cause of denied port requests.

You’ll need:

• The most recent phone bill
• Your online login credentials for the old account
• The account number and Port‑Out/Number Transfer PIN
• The IMEI number of your phone

Be sure to write these down exactly as they appear on your account. Even misplaced hyphens or spacing can cause porting delays.

Completing the Switch

Now that you’ve chosen your new service plan and prepped your phone for transfer, it’s time for activation!

Switch Your Phone Carrier and Keep Your Phone Number

The cell phone carriers take it from here. Your new provider will activate your service and transfer your current phone number and data. Although the process may be complete in two to three hours, you may need to allow 24 hours for a full transfer.

Test Your New Service

Make sure your phone is working correctly with your new service provider. When activation finishes, test your connection immediately:

• Make and receive test calls
• Send and receive text messages
• Run a data‑speed test
• Try connecting to WiFi Calling if your carrier supports it

If something isn’t working, restart your device or contact your new carrier’s activation department. Sometimes, a quick SIM refresh or re‑scanning your eSIM QR code solves the issue.

Cancel Your Old Service

Now it’s time to cancel your previous mobile plan. Your new wireless provider may handle this automatically during the transfer process, but contact customer service to be sure — never assume the cancellation happened automatically.

Some other things to do before officially canceling:

• Log in to your old carrier account to see your final bill.
• Make sure there aren’t any early termination fees or outstanding device payments.
• Save a PDF of your last statement in case billing disputes arise later.

Understand the Legal Side

Most people don’t realize they have federal protection when moving cell numbers between carriers. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) enforces these rights through its number portability rules:

• You can keep your existing phone number when switching carriers (wireless or most VoIP providers).
• Carriers cannot deny or delay a port if your account is active and you verify your identity.
• The old carrier may charge legitimate unpaid balances or early termination fees, but cannot hold your number as leverage.
• Porting must typically be completed within one business day for mobile numbers.

If a Request Is Denied

If a carrier refuses to release your number, first double-check that your data is correct. Then use phrases such as “number portability under FCC guidelines” when speaking with customer service. If the issue continues, you can file a complaint at the FCC Complaint Portal and include your order reference number.

For more details, see the FCC guide, "Keeping Your Phone Number When You Change Providers."

Carrier Switching Costs & Deals

Switching offers are constantly changing. Understanding common charges and incentives makes sure you budget correctly and take advantage of bonuses.

Early termination fees (ETFs) and device payoff balances can add hundreds of dollars to your last bill if you switch mid‑contract. Some carriers, like T‑Mobile, offer monthly bill‑credit reimbursements if you provide proof of your former bill showing those charges.

Also, activation or upgrade fees are typically standard, but sometimes waived during online promotions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some answers to the most common questions people ask before and during their switch.

How long does porting take?

Wireless number transfers typically finish in two to four hours once all information matches. Landline or VoIP ports may take one to three business days.

Why was my port denied?

Ports are typically denied because of incorrect account details or a closed account. Double‑check that your old account remains active and that you have the correct PIN.

What information do I need to start a port?

You’ll need your account number, billing ZIP code, and a valid Port‑Out or Transfer PIN. For some carriers, the account password doubles as the PIN.

Do I have to pay early termination fees (ETF)?

If your old service was under contract or had device payments remaining, you may have to pay an ETF. Some carriers, however, offer credits or reimbursements to offset those costs when you switch.

What happens to voicemails and texts?

Voicemails and carrier‑stored messages do not move automatically. Save any important ones as audio files or attachments before you switch — texts stored on your phone port in from the cloud to your new phone.

What if the switch takes too long or fails?

If 24 hours pass with no progress, contact your new carrier’s activation department. Persistent delays may be reported to the FCC, which enforces timely number portability.

Stay Connected with SmartMove

Now that you switched your phone carrier, you’ll want to make sure you’re always connected and saving data when possible with great WiFi. With SmartMove, you can keep up with your digital life by ensuring you have access to the best home Internet and WiFi connection available.

Whether you’re interested in mobile, cable, or fiber-optic connections, SmartMove can find the right package for your needs — or bundle them together!

Contact SmartMove today to see how we can improve your network’s reliability!