Online Safety
06.27.25
It’s pretty easy to bring your existing phone number along when you switch cell phone plans, but sometimes getting a new phone number is better. Maybe you’re adding a second line for a dedicated use like business, or perhaps your existing number gets too many misdials or calls for a previous owner.
Let this guide walk you through how to change your phone number — whether you’re staying with your current provider, switching to something new or simply layering on a second number.
Can you change your phone number on an existing plan?
Yes, it’s pretty easy to change phone numbers on a wireless phone plan. You simply contact customer support or use your provider’s website or app. But you’ll need to do a little prep and follow-up to keep in touch seamlessly.
What should I do before changing my number?
Changing your number means surrendering your old one, and carriers warn you can’t get it back if you change your mind. So, before you take that step, get your digital house in order:
Make sure you’re an account owner or account manager with authority to change numbers, and that the account is paid up, so you don’t hit any roadblocks. If you’re not authorized to make changes, you’ll have to work with the account owner to change your number.
Back up your phone to cloud storage or a computer to make sure photos, contacts, etc. will be up to date when you connect the new phone number. You might also let contacts know you'll share a new number soon, so they're prepared for a text or call from an unknown number.
You’ll lose access to voicemails, so run through them and gather any information you want to keep. Or back them up to iCloud or Google Drive.
Know what texts you may lose access to. SMS messages and MMS will not carry over to your new number, so gather any info you need from them. App-based texts (like on iMessage and Google Messages) with cloud backup turned on will remain. It’s also best practice to turn off RCS messaging before you get a new number, then turn it back on under the new number.
Prepare all accounts that use your phone number for two-factor authentication. Either temporarily turn off 2FA before changing phone numbers, or make sure you can also use another authentication method such as email or a backup code. This step is crucial: The last thing you want is to be locked out of accounts because authentication messages are going to a number you can no longer access.
Review accounts to find any that use your phone number to log in. Switch the login name to an email account or username instead. If there’s no provision for that, contact customer support to find out how to preserve your access when switching to a new phone number.
If all that prep sounds too daunting, you could simply add a second number while retaining the first one. Two easy ways to do this:
If you have a dual SIM phone, you can add another number on the second SIM. That can be convenient when juggling personal and business use on a single device, for example. However, carriers typically charge a monthly fee for this, for example Verizon’s Second Number plan for $15 a month.
You could get a free TextNow account, select a new number and use it in addition to an existing phone number. If you have a single-SIM phone, this app is a great solution as it allows you to still have a separate line that you can use over Wi-Fi while keeping your existing data plan for use when out of range of Wi-Fi. At $0 a month, TextNow gives you a second number with no investment, and you can use the number from a phone, tablet or computer.
How to change phone numbers
If you want a new phone number and intend to get rid of the old one, you have two choices: switch providers and get a new number when you select a new phone plan, or stick with your current carrier and switch to a new number with it.
Via your service provider: Your carrier may let you change using its online app or you may need to contact customer support. An easy first step is searching the carrier’s website for information on how to do it and whether to expect a charge. Look for guidance on how to handle voicemail while you’re there.
The provider may send you a new SIM card. You’ll need to insert and activate the SIM card.
When selecting a new phone plan: This one’s easy, simply choose a new number instead of porting your existing one. Again, be sure you’ve prepared any accounts that use your number as a login or for two-factor authentication.
What to do after getting a new phone number
Restore your contacts from your backup, then notify people about your new number. Don’t forget services like your doctors, dentist, etc.
Set up the new voicemail box.
Update your number with accounts like social media, financial services, etc.
Add the new number to two-factor authentication on accounts that use it if you want — however, text messages are not the most secure way to receive 2FA codes. Consider using an authenticator app instead.
How much does it cost to change phone numbers?
Getting a new phone number may be free or cost more than $30, depending on when and how you’re making the change.
Getting a new number with new service: Free. Phone plans give you a new number for free when starting service — or you can port over your existing number if you’d rather.
Getting a new number shortly after starting service: Likely free: If you’ve just changed to a new carrier, you may have a window of time to choose a new number. For example, AT&T lets you change for free within the first 30 days of service. That’s useful if, for example, your new number turns out to be too close to a business number and you’re getting unwanted calls.
Changing your number at other times: free or up to $30+: Cost depends on your carrier. For example, T-Mobile plans that include its Scam Shield service get one free number change a year per line. It’s $15 If your plan doesn’t include Scam Shield, or you already used your free change for the year. Verizon charges $15 if you call customer service but doesn’t charge if you do it yourself in the app or online. AT&T charges $36 to change your number after the first 30 days of service.
Many MVNO providers offer free changes, for example TextNow lets you change your number once every 15 days. Mint lets you change for free once in a six-month window, while Visible gives up to five free changes in a 30-day period. On the other hand, Cricket charges $15 per phone number change.
Can I pick my own phone number?
Expect to have limited control: You may be able to pick only part of the number, for example only the area code. Some providers, such as Visible and Verizon, let you choose the first six digits. Others may give you a small batch of full numbers and let you pick one. With TextNow, for example, you can choose from 10 numbers in your area code.
Why change phone numbers?
You might want to change your phone number or get a new number for a few reasons, although for some of them there might be a workaround:
You want a second number so you can split out types of uses, like business, selling on online marketplaces, etc.
Consider getting a free talk and text service such as TextNow, which gives you a free phone number you can access across multiple devices (phone, tablet, computer). You get unlimited talk and text, plus data for essential apps like email, maps and rideshare with the option to buy more.
If your phone has dual SIM capability, consider keeping your original number for personal use and using the second SIM for business use.
You’re getting too many spam calls. Many service providers offer spam filters as part of their service. If your provider doesn’t, or it’s still letting some through, you can try a few things:
Use your phone to block individual numbers or use the Silence Unknown Callers feature to send calls to voicemail.
Download a free spam blocker app on your phone.
Opt out of telemarketing calls by adding your number to the national Do Not Call Registry. Once your number has been on the registry for 31 days, you can report unwanted telemarketer calls to the FTC.
You’re being harassed with unwanted calls and texts.
You can block the number, but that might cause the harasser to use other means to contact you. Document the calls and texts and seek help from your service provider or law enforcement.
While that happens, you may want to get a new number: layering on a free service like TextNow, activating another number on a dual SIM, or adding a line on your current account. That gives you a fresh number for daily use while keeping the existing number as a way to document the harassment.
