Getting a new phone number depends on whether you want to keep your current carrier or switch to a new one
If you stay with your current carrier — AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, or another provider — you can request a new number directly through their customer service, usually online or by phone. The process takes a few minutes and is free. If you're switching carriers, you have the option to port your old number to the new provider, which keeps your existing number but moves it to their network. Porting takes three to five business days and is also free by law.
The main decision is whether you want to keep your current number or start fresh. Keeping your number means less work notifying contacts, but starting fresh can be useful if you want to escape spam calls or give out a number only to people you choose. The steps differ slightly depending on which path you take.
Key Takeaways
- Requesting a new number from your current carrier is free and takes minutes through their website, app, or customer service phone line.
- Porting your old number to a new carrier is free and takes three to five business days, but you need your account PIN or password to authorize the transfer.
- Some carriers charge a fee to change your number more than once in a short period, so check your plan before requesting multiple changes.
- You will need to update your new number with banks, employers, and services that use it for two-factor authentication before you lose access to your old number.
Requesting a new number from your current carrier
Contact your carrier's customer service and ask to change your phone number. Most carriers let you do this online through their account portal or mobile app without speaking to anyone. Log in, look for a section called "Phone Number" or "Account Settings," and select the option to change your number. The system will show you available numbers in your area code, let you pick one, and confirm the change immediately.
If you prefer to call, dial your carrier's customer service number — it's on your bill or their website. Tell them you want a new number. They will confirm your identity, show you available options, and process the change while you're on the phone. The new number is active within minutes. There is no charge for this, though some carriers limit how often you can change your number for free — usually once per year or once per account lifetime. Check your carrier's policy before requesting a change.
Porting your number to a different carrier
If you're switching to a new carrier and want to keep your current number, you will port it instead of requesting a new one. Start by signing up with the new carrier for service. During signup, tell them you want to port your existing number. They will ask for your current carrier's name, your phone number, and your account PIN or password — the PIN is usually a four-digit code you set up with your current carrier, or it may be your account password.
The new carrier submits a port request to your current carrier on your behalf. Your current carrier has up to one business day to approve it. Once approved, the port usually completes within three to five business days. During this time, your old number still works on your old carrier's network. When the port finishes, your number switches to the new carrier's network and stops working on the old one. You will receive a text or email confirming the port is complete.
If you don't know your PIN, call your current carrier's customer service and ask them to reset it or provide it to you. Have your account information ready. Some carriers require you to verify your identity by answering security questions or confirming recent charges before they will give you the PIN.
What to do before you lose access to your old number
Before your old number stops working, update any accounts that use it for two-factor authentication or account recovery. This includes your bank, email, social media, work accounts, and any service where you set up a recovery phone number. Log in to each account, find the phone number field, and change it to your new number. Test the change by requesting a verification code — make sure the code arrives on your new number before you proceed.
Pay special attention to your email account. If your email uses your old phone number for recovery and you lose access to that number, you may not be able to recover your email if you forget your password. Update your email's recovery phone number first, then update everything else that depends on that email.
You don't need to notify your carrier that you've updated these accounts — just make sure the changes are complete before your old number becomes inactive. If you're porting to a new carrier, you have a few days to make these changes while your old number is still active on the old network.
Dealing with spam and unwanted calls as a reason to change
If you're getting constant spam or harassment calls, a new number can help, but it's temporary. Spam callers use random number generators and will eventually reach your new number too. Before requesting a new number, try blocking individual callers through your phone's built-in tools — most phones let you block numbers and send them to voicemail automatically. You can also register with the National Do Not Call Registry at donotcall.gov, though this works better for telemarketing calls than for scams.
If you do decide to change your number because of spam, be selective about who you give it to. Avoid posting it publicly online, and don't enter it into websites you don't trust. These steps won't prevent all spam, but they slow down how quickly your new number gets added to spam lists.
What happens to your old number after you stop using it
When you change your number or port it away, your old number goes back into your carrier's pool of available numbers. After a waiting period — usually 30 to 90 days — the carrier can assign it to someone else. This means someone new may eventually get your old number and receive calls or texts meant for you. You can't prevent this, but you can reduce confusion by updating your contacts and any services that have your number.
If you're worried about someone else getting your old number and accessing accounts tied to it, prioritize updating your recovery phone numbers for email, banking, and other sensitive accounts. The longer you wait to update these, the more time passes before someone else gets the number and potentially receives a recovery code meant for you.
Costs and timing for different scenarios
| Scenario | Cost | Time to Complete |
|---|---|---|
| New number, same carrier | Free (usually once per year) | Minutes |
| Port number to new carrier | Free | 3 to 5 business days |
| Multiple number changes in one year | May have a fee after first change | Minutes per change |
| Recover forgotten PIN for porting | Free | Minutes to hours |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep my old number if I switch carriers?
Yes. This is called porting, and it's free by law. You need your account PIN or password from your current carrier to authorize the transfer. The port takes three to five business days, and your old number will work on your new carrier's network once it completes.
What if I don't know my PIN for porting?
Call your current carrier's customer service and ask them to reset your PIN or provide it to you. Have your account information ready. They may ask security questions to verify your identity. Once you have the PIN, give it to your new carrier to complete the port.
Will my old number be reassigned to someone else?
Yes, after 30 to 90 days your carrier will put it back in circulation and assign it to a new customer. Update your recovery phone numbers for email and banking before this happens so someone else doesn't receive codes meant for you.
How often can I change my phone number for free?
Most carriers allow one free number change per year or per account lifetime. After that, they may charge a fee. Check your carrier's policy on their website or by calling customer service before requesting a change.
Do I need to tell my carrier I'm updating my accounts with my new number?
No. Your carrier doesn't need to know which accounts you've updated. Just make sure you update any service that uses your phone for two-factor authentication or account recovery before your old number becomes inactive.