To port your number, you ask your new carrier to bring it over. You do not ask the old one to release it. That one fact prevents the most expensive mistake, which is cancelling the old line first. The FCC’s consumer guide says it without hedging: “Do not terminate your service with your existing company before initiating new service with another company.”
The rules, from the FCC
All of this is from the FCC’s guide to porting.
Your old carrier cannot say no. “Once you request service from a new company, your old company cannot refuse to port your number, even if you owe money for an outstanding balance or termination fee.” You still owe that money. It just cannot be used to hold your number.
It should be quick. FCC rules require simple ports “to be processed in one business day”, and between wireless carriers “you may be able to use your phone within a few hours”.
A fee is allowed. “Companies may charge you to port your number, but you can ask whether any fees can be waived or negotiated.”
There is one real limit. You keep your number when you stay “in the same geographic area”. Move to a different area and it may not be possible.
The steps
- Keep your current line active and paid.
- Get your account number and a Number Transfer PIN from your current carrier. The next section says how.
- Sign up with the new carrier and choose to bring your existing number.
- Give the new carrier your phone number, the account number and the Number Transfer PIN.
- Wait for the new service to start working. The old line closes by itself when the transfer completes.
Give the new carrier the Number Transfer PIN and nothing else. AT&T warns customers to hand over “only” that PIN “and not your account passcode”.
How to get a Number Transfer PIN
The PIN is a short-lived code that proves the request is yours. Each carrier does it differently, and the code expires.
| Carrier | How to get the PIN | Valid for |
|---|---|---|
| Verizon | Dial #PORT, or use the My Verizon app or website | 7 days |
| AT&T | Call *PORT, or go to Settings, Transfer phone number in your account profile | 4 days |
| T-Mobile | T-Life app: Account, the gear icon, Permission & controls, Transfer PIN | Not stated |
| Cricket | Dial *PORT, or use the myCricket app | 5 days |
| Google Fi | Account, Manage plan, Leave Google Fi, Transfer your number, Get Transfer Info | 14 days |
| Boost Mobile | Call Boost at (833) 502-6678 | Not stated |
| US Mobile | Contact US Mobile support, which verifies your identity first | Not stated |
Each row is from that carrier’s own support page, read on October 8, 2026.
Some details worth knowing:
- AT&T Prepaid accounts “don’t need a Number Transfer PIN”.
- AT&T will not transfer a number while Wireless Account Lock is on.
- T-Mobile calls it a Temporary Port Out PIN, and only the primary account holder can create one. Port Out Protection has to be switched off first.
- Verizon issues one PIN for the whole account. Tell the new carrier which lines to move.
- Straight Talk has a “Request Transfer PIN” page in My Account that sends a verification code to your phone.
We could not confirm the steps for Metro by T-Mobile, Tracfone, Mint Mobile or Visible from their own pages. Ask their support for a transfer PIN, or a port-out PIN, which is the same thing.
Where to find your account number
It is not your phone number. Our find your account number guide lists where each carrier puts it.
Two warnings from carriers
Google Fi: “Do not pause your Google Fi service during a number transfer, or the port-out can fail.” US Mobile: when you port out, “any remaining days in your current billing cycle are forfeited”. So time the move for the end of a cycle if you can.