Getting a new phone number depends on your carrier and whether you want to keep your current phone

You can get a new phone number by contacting your wireless carrier, using a carrier's self-service app or website, or switching to a different carrier. The fastest route is usually your carrier's app or website — most let you change your number in minutes without calling. If you're switching carriers, the new carrier will assign you a number during setup, though you can also request a specific area code. The process differs slightly between major carriers like Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and smaller carriers, but the basic steps are the same.

Before you change your number, update it with your bank, employer, doctor's office, and any services that use it for two-factor authentication. You'll also want to let contacts know your new number, though you can't text them from your old one after the change takes effect.

Key Takeaways

  • Most carriers let you change your number through their app or website without calling customer service.
  • You can usually request a specific area code when you change your number, though availability varies by location.
  • Changing your number takes effect immediately, so update your bank and two-factor authentication services first.
  • If you're switching carriers, the new carrier assigns you a number during the transfer process, and you can request an area code preference.
  • Some carriers charge a fee to change your number, though many offer it free once per account per year.

Changing your number with your current carrier

Log into your carrier's app or website and look for a "Change Number" or "Phone Number" option in your account settings. Verizon's My Verizon app has this under Account > Phone Number. AT&T's myAT&T app puts it under Phone > Phone Number. T-Mobile's T-Mobile app shows it under Account > Phone Number. The exact location varies, but all three let you complete the change without speaking to anyone.

When you select the option to change your number, the app or website will ask you to choose an area code. You can usually pick any area code that's available in your region, though some rural areas have limited options. After you confirm your choice, the new number takes effect immediately — your old number is released and you cannot use it again.

Verizon and AT&T typically allow one free number change per year, then charge $15 to $20 for additional changes. T-Mobile offers free number changes. Check your carrier's policy before you change, as fees vary by plan and account type.

Changing your number by calling customer service

If you can't find the option in your carrier's app or website, or if you want to request a specific number rather than just an area code, call your carrier's customer service line. Verizon's number is 611 from your phone or 1-908-559-4899. AT&T's is 611 or 1-800-331-0500. T-Mobile's is 611 or 1-844-839-4534. Have your account PIN or the last four digits of your Social Security number ready.

Tell the representative you want to change your phone number. They'll ask which area code you prefer, and they can sometimes search for specific numbers if you have one in mind. The change takes effect immediately after the call ends, just as it does through the app.

Getting a new number when you switch carriers

When you move to a new carrier, you have two choices: keep your current number through a process called porting, or accept a new number from the new carrier. If you want a new number, the new carrier will assign one during your setup — you can usually request an area code preference, and they'll give you options to choose from.

Porting your number takes one to two business days and requires your account number and PIN from your old carrier. The new carrier handles most of the work, but you'll need to provide those details when you sign up. During the port, your old carrier may charge an early termination fee if you're under contract, though this is less common now.

Using a virtual phone number service

If you want a second number without switching carriers or changing your main number, services like Google Voice, Skype, and Hushed let you create a separate phone number that forwards to your existing phone. Google Voice is free and works on any carrier — you get a number with your choice of area code, and calls and texts forward to your real phone. Skype and Hushed charge monthly fees but offer more privacy options and international numbers.

Virtual numbers are useful if you want to keep your personal number private for work, online sales, or dating apps. They work on Wi-Fi and cellular data, so you can use them even if your main phone is off. However, they don't replace your carrier's number for emergency calls — 911 may not work correctly with a virtual number, so always keep your real carrier number active.

What to do before and after you change your number

Before your number changes, update it with your bank, credit card company, and any financial institution that uses it for two-factor authentication. Log into your email account and update the phone number there too — many services use your email's backup phone number to recover your account if you get locked out. Update it with your employer, doctor's office, and any subscription services that have it on file.

After the change takes effect, test your new number by calling it from another phone to make sure it's working. Send a test text message to yourself. Then notify your contacts of your new number — you can send a group text from your new phone, post it on social media, or email close friends and family. Your old number will no longer work, so anyone trying to reach you on it will get a message that the number is disconnected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a specific phone number instead of just choosing an area code?

Some carriers let you search for specific numbers through their customer service line, though availability is limited. Call your carrier and ask if they can search for a number with a pattern you want — for example, a number with repeating digits. Not all carriers offer this, and there's usually no may provide they'll find what you're looking for.

What happens to my old phone number after I change it?

Your old number is released back into your carrier's pool and may be assigned to someone else after a waiting period. You cannot reclaim it later, so if you think you might want it back, wait a few days before changing. Once it's reassigned, it's gone permanently.

Will changing my number affect my service or data plan?

No. Changing your number does not change your plan, data allowance, or billing. Your account stays the same — only the phone number itself changes. Your service continues without interruption.

Can I change my number if I'm under contract?

Yes. Changing your number with your current carrier does not break your contract or trigger early termination fees. If you're switching to a new carrier, you may owe an early termination fee, but that's separate from the number change itself.

How long does it take to change my number?

Through your carrier's app or website, the change takes effect immediately — usually within seconds. Through customer service, it also happens right away. If you're porting your number to a new carrier, the port takes one to two business days, and you'll get a new number from the new carrier during that time if you don't port.