How to Transfer Your AT&T Number to Another Carrier?

Before porting your phone number from AT&T, make sure your number and device are compatible with the new carrier, your account is active, and all required information is accurate to avoid porting issues. It’s also important to clear any outstanding balances, prepare for brief downtime, and back up your device data before completing the transfer.

1. Your Number and Device Must Be Compatible with the New Carrier: While most numbers can be ported, it’s essential to check a phone number's portability status. Additionally, if you plan to use your existing AT&T device with the new carrier, make sure to unlock the device before porting to ensure it works properly after the transfer.
2. Get Your AT&T Account Details: You’ll need accurate account information to submit the port request, including your AT&T account number, billing address, and port-out PIN or Number Transfer PIN.
3. Ensure AT&T Account Lock is Turned Off: If Wireless Account Lock is enabled on your AT&T account, you must disable it before requesting your Number Transfer PIN. This security feature prevents unauthorized changes, so turning it off is necessary to complete the port-out process.
4. Your AT&T Number Must Remain Active Throughout the Porting Process: AT&T requires your phone number to stay active until the port is fully completed. If the number is suspended, cancelled, or disconnected before or during the transfer, the port request will be rejected.
5. Settle Any Outstanding AT&T Bills or Device Installments: Your account must be in good standing for the port to proceed. Any unpaid bills, overdue charges, or remaining device financing can delay or block the porting process, so make sure all balances are cleared.
6. Plan for Potential Downtime: Prepare for brief periods of downtime during the porting process, as your AT&T number may temporarily deactivate while the transfer completes. Keep an alternative communication method ready to avoid any interruptions.
7. Back Up Your Data: Back up your essential device data, such as contacts, messages, photos, and app information, before switching carriers to ensure you don’t lose anything during the transition.

To port your phone number from AT&T, first gather your AT&T account details. Then, give this information to your new carrier, and they’ll process the transfer and notify you once the port is complete.

• Step 1 - Gather all your required AT&T account information: Keep your AT&T account number, the address associated with your account, and your Number Transfer PIN at hand.
• Step 2 - Contact Your New Provider: Reach out to your new provider and give the necessary details. They will generate and send a Letter of Authorization (LOA) to AT&T on your behalf to request the release of your number.
• Step 3 - Wait for Porting Completion: After submitting the porting request, your new carrier will notify you once the process is complete.

A locked AT&T device is restricted to its network and cannot be used with another carrier until AT&T removes the lock. The unlocking process depends on the type of AT&T account you have: Wireless, Business, or Prepaid.

To unlock an AT&T Wireless device, it must meet all eligibility criteria: the device must have been active for at least 60 days, be fully paid off, not be reported lost or stolen, and be linked to an AT&T account in good standing with no outstanding balance.

For AT&T Business devices, these exact requirements apply, but unlocking also requires authorization from the company that manages the account. Additionally, any active contract, installment plan, or service agreement associated with the device must be fully completed.

Here are the methods to find out if an AT&T wireless and business device is unlocked:

Method 1: Sign in to your AT&T account and open the device details section. If the device is already unlocked, you’ll see “Device unlocked” listed under the phone number associated with that device.

Method 2: Check directly on your device:

• On iPhone: Go to Settings → General → About → Carrier Lock (if it says “SIM locked”, it’s still locked).
• On Android: Go to Settings → About phone → Software information and check the Service provider software version to see whether the device is locked or eligible for unlocking.

How to Unlock AT&T Wireless and Business Devices?

If your wireless or business device is locked or you’re unable to confirm its status, you can submit an unlock request through AT&T’s Device Unlock Portal.

• AT&T customers: You’ll receive an email or text with instructions to complete the unlock process.
• Non-AT&T customers (those who purchased an AT&T device but use another carrier’s SIM): You’ll receive an email asking you to confirm your request. Be sure to click the Confirm your request link within 24 hours, or you’ll need to submit a new unlock request.

To unlock an AT&T Prepaid device, you must meet the specific prepaid eligibility rules: the device must have at least six months of active paid AT&T Prepaid service, must not be active on another AT&T account, and must not be reported lost, stolen, or involved in fraud.

Here is how to see if your AT&T Prepaid device is unlocked:

1. For physical SIM devices: Insert a SIM card from another carrier. If your phone displays a message like “SIM not supported” or “Not compatible with the AT&T network,” the device is still locked.
2. For eSIM devices: You must submit an official unlock request through AT&T.

How to Unlock AT&T Prepaid Devices?

• AT&T Prepaid Android devices: Use the AT&T Device Unlock app, which comes preinstalled on most AT&T Android phones.
• AT&T Prepaid iPhones: Submit an unlock request through AT&T’s Device Unlock Portal and follow the instructions sent to your email.

Wireless Account Lock is a security feature that prevents unauthorized changes to your AT&T wireless or prepaid account. This feature applies only to personal accounts and does not apply to AT&T business accounts.

Here’s how to turn off the lock feature:

Wireless Account Lock can only be managed through the myAT&T app on a device active with your AT&T Wireless account.

Here is how to unlock an AT&T wireless account:

• Open the myAT&T app, go to Services → Mobile Security → Wireless Account Lock, choose the account you want to modify, and swipe to turn the lock off.

Wireless Account Lock can be managed through the myAT&T app on an active AT&T Prepaid device.

Here is how to unlock an AT&T prepaid account:

• Open the myAT&T app, select your prepaid line, go to Profile & Settings → Account Info & Preferences → Wireless Account Lock, and turn the lock off. AT&T will send a one-time verification code to your device, which you must enter to complete the change.

You can get an AT&T transfer PIN directly by using the myAT&T app or your online account. You can also get it directly to your cell phone using a special dialing prefix.

To request a Number Transfer PIN for personal accounts, you have three main methods:

• Method 1 - Online AT&T Account
  Sign in to your AT&T account profile → go to Settings → scroll to Transfer phone number → select Request new PIN to display your Number Transfer PIN.
• Method 2 - myAT&T App
  Open the myAT&T app → sign in and choose your profile icon → select Manage or remove account → tap Settings → scroll to Transfer phone number → select Request a new PIN to display your Number Transfer PIN.
• Method 3 - AT&T Mobile Device
  Call *PORT (7678) from your AT&T device → follow the prompts to receive your Number Transfer PIN by text → enter your account passcode when prompted to generate the PIN.

Only the primary user on a Business Wireless account can request a Number Transfer PIN. If you are the primary user, you can follow the online AT&T account steps or contact AT&T to have a representative generate the PIN and email it to you.

Porting a number from AT&T can take anywhere between a few hours and 3-5 business days. This varies depending on the type of line and whether the information you provide is accurate.

For mobile numbers, the process is quicker compared to landline numbers. While mobile numbers are usually ported in one day, landline numbers can take up to three to five business days. The reason for landlines taking more time is that they involve more complex processes.

If you’re not happy with AT&T’s service or features, you can easily transfer to another carrier. Simply get your transfer PIN and provide it to the new service provider alongside other documents. Before requesting the transfer PIN, ensure your AT&T device is unlocked and the Account Lock feature is turned off.

For organizations or individuals wanting more advanced communication tools, porting your existing number to a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service is a smart upgrade. This allows you to keep your current number while gaining access to advanced calling features. Also, you can use your number across multiple devices, including laptops, desktops, and smartphones.