How to change your phone number
Changing your phone number depends on whether you want a new number from your current carrier, move your existing number to a different carrier, or update the number shown on your device. If you want a new number from your existing carrier, you contact them directly and request a change — most carriers do this for free or a small fee. If you want to keep your number but move to a different carrier, you use a process called number porting, which requires a PIN or password from your current carrier. If you just need to update the number displayed on your device itself (because you switched carriers or got a new SIM card), the steps vary by phone type.
Your carrier, not your phone, controls your phone number. Changing what appears on your device does not change your actual service number — only your carrier can do that. Understanding which change you need makes the process straightforward.
Key Takeaways
- Requesting a new number from your current carrier usually takes a phone call or store visit and costs nothing or a small fee, with the change taking effect within minutes.
- Porting your number to a new carrier requires your account PIN or password from your old carrier and takes three to five business days.
- On an iPhone, your phone number appears in Settings under Phone; on Android, it is usually in Settings under About Phone or SIM Card Status.
- Your carrier, not your phone, controls your phone number — changing it on your device does not change your actual service number.
- Keep your old carrier account open for at least 24 hours after porting completes, because they may need to verify the transfer.
Getting a new number from your current carrier
Contact your carrier by phone, through their website chat, or by visiting a store in person. Tell them you want to change your phone number. Most carriers allow one free number change per account per year; after that, they may charge a fee between $5 and $15. The carrier will assign you a new number immediately, and your service will switch over within minutes.
Write down your new number and update it in your contacts, on accounts that use two-factor authentication (like email, banking, and social media), and anywhere else you have listed it. Your old number becomes available for someone else to use after a waiting period, usually 30 to 90 days. Do not assume you can reclaim it later — once it is reassigned, it is gone.
Porting your number to a different carrier
If you want to keep your phone number but switch to a new carrier, you use number porting. Start by contacting your new carrier and telling them you want to port your existing number. They will ask for your account number, PIN or password, and the phone number you want to port. You can find your account number and phone number on your carrier's bill or in their app; your PIN or password is what you use to log into your account online.
Your new carrier will submit the port request to your old carrier. The transfer usually takes three to five business days, though it can take up to two weeks in rare cases. During this time, your old phone may lose service briefly, and you should not cancel your old account — keep it open until the port is complete. Once the new carrier confirms the port is finished, you can cancel your old service.
If your old carrier denies the port request, it is usually because the PIN or password you provided was incorrect, or because the account has a past-due balance. Contact your old carrier to fix the issue, then ask your new carrier to resubmit the request. Some carriers also require you to wait a certain number of days after opening an account before you can port a number out.
Finding and updating your phone number on your device
On iPhone: Open Settings, tap Phone, and look for "My Number" at the top. If it is blank or wrong, your SIM card may not be properly recognized. Try removing and reinserting the SIM card, or restart your phone. If it still does not appear, contact your carrier — they can confirm your number is active on their network and may need to resend activation information to your SIM card.
On Android: Open Settings, scroll to About Phone, and look for "Phone Number" or "My Phone Number." On some Android phones, this information is under Settings > SIM Card Status instead. If the number is blank, restart your phone or remove and reinsert your SIM card. If it remains blank after that, your carrier may not have activated the number on the SIM card yet, and you should contact them to confirm the activation is complete.
The number shown on your device is pulled from your SIM card and your carrier's network. Changing it on your phone does not change your actual service number — only your carrier can do that. If you see the wrong number on your device, it usually means your SIM card is old or was not properly activated by your new carrier. Restarting your phone often fixes this within a few minutes.
What to do if your carrier will not change your number
Some carriers have policies that prevent frequent number changes or require you to wait a certain amount of time after your last change. If your carrier refuses, ask them what their specific policy is and when you will be allowed to request a change again. Many carriers allow one free change per year, then charge a fee for additional changes.
If you need a new number immediately and your carrier will not provide one, you can switch carriers and port a new number from them instead. This takes longer (three to five days) but gives you a fresh start with a different carrier if you want one. You would request a new number from the new carrier during the porting process.
Updating accounts and contacts after you change your number
After your number changes, update it everywhere it is used. Start with accounts that use your phone number for two-factor authentication: email, banking, social media, and any other accounts where you can receive a code by text or call. Log into each account, find the phone number settings, and update it to your new number. Do this before you lose access to your old number.
Update your contacts in your phone, your email signature, your work directory, and any messaging apps where people might look up your number. Let friends, family, and colleagues know your new number by text, email, or phone call. If you use your phone number as a username anywhere (some services allow this), you will need to update that too. This prevents people from reaching you at the old number and reduces the chance of someone else receiving messages meant for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep my old phone number if I switch carriers?
Yes, through number porting. Contact your new carrier, provide your account PIN or password from your old carrier, and they will request the port. It takes three to five business days. Keep your old account open during this time — do not cancel it until the port is complete.
Does changing my phone number cost money?
Most carriers allow one free number change per year. After that, they may charge $5 to $15. Number porting to a new carrier is usually free. Check your carrier's website or call them to confirm their specific policy.
What happens to my old phone number after I change it?
Your old number goes back into your carrier's pool of available numbers. After a waiting period of 30 to 90 days, it can be assigned to someone else. You cannot get it back once it is reassigned.
Why does my phone show a blank number in Settings?
This usually means your SIM card is not properly recognized or was not fully activated by your carrier. Try restarting your phone or removing and reinserting the SIM card. If it still shows blank, contact your carrier to confirm the number is active on their network.
How long does it take to port my number to a new carrier?
Number porting typically takes three to five business days. In rare cases it can take up to two weeks. Your old phone may lose service briefly during the transfer. Keep your old account open until your new carrier confirms the port is complete.