Can you keep the same phone number when switching phones

Q: How do I get my phone number on my new phone?

For every Android phone, regardless of manufacturer, youll be able to find your phone number if you go to Settings > About Phone or About Device > Status > My phone number. Some Android phones will have SIM or SIM card status listed within Status.

Posted at 09:35h in Android, iOS, Reviews

Table of Contents Show

Use Your Old Sim Card
Re-sizing Your Sim Card
Get Your PAC Code
About This Article
Is this article up to date?
How do I get my phone number on my new phone?
Can I keep the same number with a new SIM card?

Mobile phone manufacturers love to bring out new phones to tempt customers into making a new purchase. Some people are put off changing their handset even when they have seen something else they really like because they are worried about what will happen to their mobile phone number. So what really does happen with your mobile when you change phones? The simple answer is you can keep it.

Use Your Old Sim Card

There are a number of ways to keep your number. The first is by simply popping your existing SIM card into your new phone. Now this means the sim cards have to be the same size. Newer phones tend to be either nano or micro-SIM cards, and it is the same whether you are using an Android or iOS-based handset.

If you are staying with the same network provider, and both your new and old phone have the same size SIM card, keeping your number is usually as simple as taking it out of one phone and popping it into the new phone. If you have different software because you have switched between an iPhone and an Android phone you might find you get some text messages about updated network settings and this is perfectly normal, and you can read and comply – often they require no action, but sometimes they might suggest you turn the phone off and back on again.

Re-sizing Your Sim Card

Secondly, if the SIM card is a different size, there is still no real cause for panic. SIM cards come cut to fit all phones, you start with a standard SIM, and there are then two layers you can snap off or leave in place until you have the size of card you need. If you are going to a more modern phone that has a smaller SIM card you can start by checking whether there is another layer you can break off. They are clearly indicated, and you can check online what model of SIM your current phone and new phone have. If you have the wrong size, then speak to us before you purchase and we can make sure that we get you a replacement SIM that will work.

Get Your PAC Code

Finally, if you are changing networks, there is one final hurdle. In this scenario, you are porting your phone number, and for a couple of days, you will be between handsets. This means there will be a temp phone number associated with your new phone, and you will need to get a PAC code from the provider you are leaving. Once you have this code, give it to the new provider, and they will bring your existing phone number over to your new handset and contract.

Remember if the new handset is unlocked and the SIM fits you all be able to use it no problem. So, if you need to keep the same number, there is no problem changing handset or even changing provider. There is a way around everything, and you should not be charged for moving your number from one network to another.

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There are several reasons why you may need to get a new telephone or mobile number. Relocation, stolen or lost phones, damaged service (modules), and change of carriers are just among the top reasons why. Changing your phone number to a new one can be quite a bother since you have to inform people you know and update your contact information on various services or legal documents that you have. Luckily, there are several ways you can do to keep your old phone number.

1
Contact your service provider. Telephone companies allow transfer of telephone lines from one place to another. What's going to happen is that they'll just transfer your existing line to the area where you're moving to instead of creating a new telephone line. On the other hand, not all landlines can be transferred for these reasons:
- The area you want your landline to be transferred is not covered by your telephone company. The telephone company may not have any existing service for the area where you want your phone to be transferred to.
- The place you're moving to is simply far away. Having your service transferred to a different state is just not that ideal.
2
Request for a transfer of line. The customer service will inform you if your telephone can be transferred. If it's possible, you can start to request for a transfer of line. Just state the place where you want to move your existing service to and fill up some documents that may be required by your telephone company.
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3
Wait for your telephone line to be transferred. This may take a few days or weeks depending where you want your line to be moved to and if there are any available slots in the systems where your service can be squeezed in.
- Also, standard fees such as installation and relocation fees may apply depending on your service provider.

1
Contact the carrier's customer support. Call or drop by to any available service centers of your carrier and ask about their procedures on how you can keep your number. Mobile network carriers each have their own policies on the matter, so make sure to contact your customer's support.
2
Request for a new SIM card with the same number. Your carrier should be able to give you a new SIM card with your old number. If you're not going to switch to a different carrier, your airtime balance and other important account details can also be transferred.
- Requesting a new SIM card with the same number can either be free or may come with a little fee, depending on the service you're using.
3
Use your new SIM card with the same number. Insert the SIM card into your phone and use it like the old one you have. You'll be able to call and send text messages to people, and they should be able to recognize you—that is, of course, if they saved your mobile number in their contact list.

1
Contact your carrier's customer support and ask for your PAC. A PAC, or Porting Authorization Code, is a unique alphanumeric code that is used to transfer an existing cellphone number between mobile network carriers. This way, a user can still retain his or her mobile number even after switching to a different service provider.
- Different countries have different guidelines regarding the issuing of PAC to subscribers. Basically, all you need to do is to contact your service provider and ask for your Portability Authorization Code. If you meet your respective country's guidelines on PAC, the service provider should readily issue one for you.
- You can get your Porting Authorization Code either for free or with a fee, depending on your network carrier's policies.
2
Contact the customer support of the new carrier you want to use. Call the customer service department of the carrier you want to switch to after you get your PAC. Once you give your new carrier your mobile number and its PAC, they should be able to process your request right away.
- Depending on the region, Porting Authorization Codes can only be used after a specific amount of time from the date of issuance (ranging from 2 days up to a maximum of 30 days).
3
Wait for your request to be completed. Your new carrier will issue you a new SIM card that uses your old number from your previous carrier. You should be able to use it normally like you did before, but you'll now be using the products and services of your new carrier.

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If you have any outstanding balance or unpaid dues, your carrier cannot issue a Porting Authorization Code. Settle your account first before switching to another network.

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If you're just going to stay on the same carrier, you can have your SIM card replaced with the one using your old number even without settling your unpaid dues.
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If your landline service cannot be transferred or the relocation fee is too expensive, getting a new line might be the best way to go.
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Is this article up to date?

How do I get my phone number on my new phone?

For every Android phone, regardless of manufacturer, you'll be able to find your phone number if you go to Settings > About Phone or About Device > Status > My phone number. Some Android phones will have SIM or SIM card status listed within Status.

Can I keep the same number with a new SIM card?

Yes, you can. If you move from one network to another then you need to ask your old network for a PAC code, and give it to your new network within 30 days. Your new network will port your mobile number over to your new SIM.