As all major carriers\u2019 FAQ pages will reassure you, most of the time it\u2019s easy to port any given number to any given service provider, but there are rare exceptions that we\u2019ll get into later. It\u2019s always better to check first before committing to a number that you\u2019ll be able to port it where you want, rather than risk finding out you\u2019ve spent money on a phone number that won\u2019t work with your cell plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In what cases would my provider NOT be able to support my number?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nTo answer that, here are <\/em>two words: rate center<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat? Well, it will depend on the \u201crate center\u201d, which is the part of a phone number that’s determined by the area code + the first three digits (prefix). Together, those numbers indicate a number\u2019s associated geographic area, which ultimately dictates what numbers a provider might support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, in <\/em>“(858) 922-1234″…<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- 858 is an area code assigned to part of southern California<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 922 is the prefix associated specifically with the city of La Jolla<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 1234 is the line number<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
The rate center in this case would be \u201c858-922,\u201d designating a sub-region of the larger 858 area code. While you shouldn\u2019t have trouble getting a number on any plan in any given area code, not all carriers cover all rate centers<\/strong>, so you should first determine if your service provider\u2019s affiliated carriers do in fact cover your number\u2019s rate center. <\/p>\n\n\n\nLearn more about rate centers in our post, “What Does a Rate Center Mean For You<\/a>“.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow do I ask my cell phone provider if they support the rate center of my number?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWith apologies to the socially anxious, you probably need to pick up the phone and call them. Or at least chat with an online service representative. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
AT&T has a convenient web portal that lets you enter a number on their website to check, but all of the others typically require direct contact to confirm eligibility. In general, all of them emphasize that porting any given number to their service is more than likely possible, only with rare exceptions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019ve listed out the major services\u2019 relevant information below, but if you\u2019re using another provider that\u2019s not listed, just search their site for info about \u201cnumber porting\u201d and it should come up easily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Check portability with AT&T<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"at&t](\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXej_818iysBH3-YNCOTI9xfRV8EHcJjLG0blxU8SoGuJLMwSRk0H0q4Cne5p8pcy3VKmkKKpgnnLpFFyYGZ1QLNhOeE9pYGw8gN6TTMNIVYZ7iUQ71a2a4vsAHKDrxfYq40SfM?key=tQKCQu7XrSbZovuVZN_s7Juc\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nCheck your number online here: https:\/\/www.att.com\/wireless\/transfer-your-number\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Check portability with Verizon<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"verizon](\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXfBdSQ9_Nd7rQthzcXJlXk-8W1oZqgK8gqsTA8yhueM_fk53T7cgEQl-nkh6CDrINokA5cebGU_zMh357gycrFCkGCspVsli6n8dvOEuOwB0J8dvgF656DPtYzEqOqAH76M1lA?key=tQKCQu7XrSbZovuVZN_s7Juc\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nCheck out frequently asked questions here: https:\/\/www.verizon.com\/switch-to-verizon\/faq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nGo here to confirm your number with a service representative either over the phone or text chat: https:\/\/www.verizon.com\/support\/contact-us\/#mobile#mobileaccountmanagement#mobileacccountmanagementchangephonenumber<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Check portability with T-Mobile<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"T-mobile\"](\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXfRctQ5kPv-1giay2aXnamDvmhkooNzb1ApduCMSoHTtDOJg3sTBkpZApEJGi7g1NdhSbX1g3o7MF9RlE-PmNi737OJKd98S4pxgPe2EC_rj_hXP1gh-O45mOVRz6VRzUKIspg?key=tQKCQu7XrSbZovuVZN_s7Juc\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nRead about the process here: https:\/\/www.t-mobile.com\/support\/account\/transfer-your-phone-number<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nContact a sales representative to ask at: 1-800-T-MOBILE (1-800-866-2453)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Check portability with Mint Mobile<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"mint](\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXdUZQtbtqUI77VTa87QLNuNU_ZxzYCVWr1JMJNezNU38zzLhwanntpm5_xMLp2ZThcN3cTL4dknCULZR9rnzpC0Q6YwJbiWyR2ZzYSv43MIqTKaYpwk0tmeE-rZXjb4K7tXnYo?key=tQKCQu7XrSbZovuVZN_s7Juc\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nRead about the process here: https:\/\/www.mintmobile.com\/help\/can-i-bring-my-current-phone-number-over-to-mint-mobile\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nContact a service representative to ask either via web chat here: https:\/\/www.mintmobile.com\/chat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nOr by phone at: 1-800-683-7392<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Check portability with Boost Mobile<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"boast](\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXdAfOQHWv9WBRPQvFI7OFWjJ-FaoZg8Am4MnLkulNQePb_GD63rZ6MXLjGOA-fqFws0GUwAC67Ildgf1Rh0ssPuUnpKjgWQsvkH1p0WBY-rdQuECmJR4JA-1DMXt0JjyslQuzRh?key=tQKCQu7XrSbZovuVZN_s7Juc\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nRead about the process here: https:\/\/help.boostmobile.com\/docs\/number-transfer-guide<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\nCall a service representative to ask at: 1-833-502-6678<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What if they can\u2019t support my number?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIf your chosen cell phone provider can\u2019t support your number, unfortunately you\u2019ll have to find a new number or a new cell phone service. This is why it\u2019s best to check before making your number purchase. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t fret, however: if you\u2019ve already bought a number from us and then found out that it\u2019s not portable, reach out to our customer support<\/a> and we\u2019ll see how we can help.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf they can support it, how long does it take to get it on my cell phone?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What? Well, it will depend on the \u201crate center\u201d, which is the part of a phone number that’s determined by the area code + the first three digits (prefix). Together, those numbers indicate a number\u2019s associated geographic area, which ultimately dictates what numbers a provider might support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, in <\/em>“(858) 922-1234″…<\/p>\n\n\n\n The rate center in this case would be \u201c858-922,\u201d designating a sub-region of the larger 858 area code. While you shouldn\u2019t have trouble getting a number on any plan in any given area code, not all carriers cover all rate centers<\/strong>, so you should first determine if your service provider\u2019s affiliated carriers do in fact cover your number\u2019s rate center. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Learn more about rate centers in our post, “What Does a Rate Center Mean For You<\/a>“.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With apologies to the socially anxious, you probably need to pick up the phone and call them. Or at least chat with an online service representative. <\/p>\n\n\n\n AT&T has a convenient web portal that lets you enter a number on their website to check, but all of the others typically require direct contact to confirm eligibility. In general, all of them emphasize that porting any given number to their service is more than likely possible, only with rare exceptions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019ve listed out the major services\u2019 relevant information below, but if you\u2019re using another provider that\u2019s not listed, just search their site for info about \u201cnumber porting\u201d and it should come up easily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Check your number online here: https:\/\/www.att.com\/wireless\/transfer-your-number\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Check out frequently asked questions here: https:\/\/www.verizon.com\/switch-to-verizon\/faq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Go here to confirm your number with a service representative either over the phone or text chat: https:\/\/www.verizon.com\/support\/contact-us\/#mobile#mobileaccountmanagement#mobileacccountmanagementchangephonenumber<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Read about the process here: https:\/\/www.t-mobile.com\/support\/account\/transfer-your-phone-number<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Contact a sales representative to ask at: 1-800-T-MOBILE (1-800-866-2453)<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Read about the process here: https:\/\/www.mintmobile.com\/help\/can-i-bring-my-current-phone-number-over-to-mint-mobile\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Contact a service representative to ask either via web chat here: https:\/\/www.mintmobile.com\/chat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Or by phone at: 1-800-683-7392<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Read about the process here: https:\/\/help.boostmobile.com\/docs\/number-transfer-guide<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Call a service representative to ask at: 1-833-502-6678<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your chosen cell phone provider can\u2019t support your number, unfortunately you\u2019ll have to find a new number or a new cell phone service. This is why it\u2019s best to check before making your number purchase. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t fret, however: if you\u2019ve already bought a number from us and then found out that it\u2019s not portable, reach out to our customer support<\/a> and we\u2019ll see how we can help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
How do I ask my cell phone provider if they support the rate center of my number?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Check portability with AT&T<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Check portability with Verizon<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Check portability with T-Mobile<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Check portability with Mint Mobile<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Check portability with Boost Mobile<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What if they can\u2019t support my number?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If they can support it, how long does it take to get it on my cell phone?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n