How to Port a US Phone Number for Free? A Complete Guide

Yes, it is possible to port your US phone number for free, as many Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and mobile carrier providers offer free port-in services to attract customers.

However, your old carrier may still send a final bill for any remaining usage or unpaid charges, and early termination fees may apply if you are switching before your contract ends.

Porting a US phone number requires meeting basic eligibility rules, such as keeping the number active, ensuring your account is in good standing, and confirming your new carrier supports number portability.

You must also have the correct account details, such as your account number, port-out PIN, billing address, and a recent phone bill, ready to complete the free transfer without issues.

To be eligible for number porting, your phone number must be active and accepted by the new carrier. You also need to ensure your account has no unpaid bills, your device is unlocked, and any account security restrictions are disabled so the transfer can be completed without issues.

1. Your New Carrier Must Support Porting Your Number: Before starting the transfer, check the portability status with your new provider to confirm that your existing American phone number can be moved to their service. Since some providers cannot accept certain number types or area codes, verifying eligibility in advance helps avoid porting issues.
2. The Phone Number Must Be Active: Your US phone number must be active at the time of porting. If the number is deactivated, expired, or suspended, you cannot transfer it. Always keep your current service running until the port is complete.
3. The Device Must Be Unlocked: If you plan to use your existing mobile phone with a new carrier, the device must be unlocked. A locked phone is restricted to your current carrier and may not work with another provider. Before starting the number porting process, contact your current carrier to unlock the device if needed before beginning the porting process.
4. The Account Lock Must Be Turned Off: Many carriers offer a security feature called an Account Lock that disables various account changes and transactions across all lines and devices. You must contact your current carrier or use their portal to disable this security lock before your new provider submits the porting request.
5. The Account Must Be in Good Standing: Your account should have no unpaid balances, overdue bills, or unresolved disputes with your current provider. Clearing any pending charges helps prevent delays and ensures a smooth number porting process.

To transfer your number successfully, you’ll need to give your new carrier the phone number(s) being ported, details of your current provider, account number, and billing address with ZIP code.

1. Account Number from Your Current Carrier: You must provide the account number linked to your current phone service to confirm ownership of the phone number. You can usually find it on your billing statement or by logging into your provider’s online portal.
2. Port-out PIN or Number Transfer PIN: A port-out PIN, also called a number transfer PIN, authorizes the release of your phone number. It adds an extra layer of security against unauthorized ports. Every carrier requires you to generate this PIN from your account dashboard or by contacting support. Without it, the port cannot move forward.
3. Billing Address Including Zip Code: Provide the billing address and ZIP code associated with your current carrier account. This information is used to verify your identity and must match the details your carrier has on file.
4. A Recent Phone Bill: An up-to-date phone bill for the last 30 days is required to provide necessary account details and prove your ownership.

To port a US phone number for free, sign up with a provider that offers free number porting. Prepare the required account information and submit the port request to your new provider. They will manage the transfer, and once your number is successfully activated, you can cancel your old service without any disruption.

1. Choose a New Provider with Free Porting: Select a new provider (traditional carrier or VoIP) that meets your needs and explicitly states they offer free number porting.
2. Sign Up with the New Provider: Create an account with your chosen provider and select a suitable plan to begin the porting process.
3. Gather Information: Collect all required details from your current carrier, including your account number, port-out PIN, billing address with ZIP code, and any additional documents if requested.
4. Initiate the Port Request: Submit a porting request through your new provider’s setup process. They will create and send a Letter of Authorization (LOA) to your current carrier on your behalf to request the release of your number.
5. Confirm Completion: Wait for the confirmation that the port is complete. Mobile numbers usually transfer within a few hours to a few days, while landline or toll-free numbers may take several days or even weeks. Once your number is fully active on the new service, you can safely cancel your old service.

Calilio, a VoIP-powered business phone system, transfers your local, mobile, or toll-free number to a virtual number, allowing you to make and receive calls and messages online. You can access greater flexibility, including number sharing and multi-device syncing.

It offers an easy way to port your existing American number. Follow the following steps to port your US number with Calilio.

1. Sign up with Calilio.
2. Go to Settings > My Numbers > Port Existing.
3. Contact the support team and verify if the number is eligible for porting.
4. Submit the required documents. The porting team will handle the rest.
5. Wait for the verification and confirmation.
6. After receiving confirmation, request the removal of the former service provider.

When it comes to porting your US number to Calilio, the platform supports numbers from both traditional mobile carriers and VoIP providers. As long as you own the ownership of a number and it is eligible for porting, you can initiate the porting process yourself.

Calilio facilitates number porting from popular US mobile carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. These carriers not only let you port out your US number to Calilio but also allow you to check online if your number is eligible for porting.

• T-Mobile

  TMobile is the largest mobile carrier in America, delivering wireless voice, messaging, and data services. While the carrier primarily focuses on providing phone numbers with US area codes, they also allow you to port your T-Mobile number to another carrier or VoIP provider.

• AT&T

  AT&T is an American telecommunications company that offers a wide range of communication services, including wireless, data, and broadband internet. if you want to port your number from AT&T to another provider, it offers a straightforward and fee-free process.

• Verizon

  Verizon is a leading wireless communication service provider in the US. If you’re not satisfied with the service and choose to switch providers, Verizon supports an easy number porting process with clear guidance to help ensure a smooth transition.

Lately, people have switched phone numbers to virtual numbers for greater flexibility and access to modern communication features. With trustworthy VoIP providers like Grasshopper, Google Voice, Dialpad, and TextNow, you can efficiently port your number to Calilio.

• Grasshopper

  Grasshopper is a popular VoIP phone system that provides virtual phone numbers for the US and Canada, along with features like call forwarding, voicemail, and texting. Also, the toll-free and local number from Grasshopper can be ported to other providers, such as Calilio for better service and area coverage.

• Google Voice

  Google Voice is a telephone service provided by Google that is primarily designed for use within the US. It allows its users to make and receive calls, text, and manage voicemails using its number. However, if you want to switch your number to other services, you can port the number from Google Voice without losing the existing number.

• Dialpad

  Dialpad is a cloud-based business phone system offering virtual numbers from more than 50 countries, including the US. The platform unifies voice calls, texting, video conferencing, and call-handling functionalities in a single workplace. If it lacks certain features you need or does not support the region you want to operate in, you can easily port your number from Dialpad to another provider.

• TextNow

  TextNow is a VoIP-based telecommunication service provider that offers free unlimited calling and texting within the US and Canada. It also provides number porting, allowing users to transfer their existing American number to other services.

Porting a US phone number is a straightforward process. You just need to choose a service provider that offers free number porting, provide them with your porting PIN and the required account details or documents, and they will handle the rest of the transfer for you.

For those looking to upgrade their US number to a cloud-based VoIP solution for free, Calilio stands out as a reliable choice. It offers a fast and hassle-free porting process with no service interruptions, ensuring your communication remains uninterrupted.