How To Port Your Phone Number For Free?

Number porting transfers your existing phone number from one service provider to another. When you port your number, you keep the same digits, only your service provider changes.

Generally, you can port mobile, landline, toll-free, or virtual numbers from a mobile carrier, a VoIP provider, or a cloud telephony system.

Number porting is usually free, as many carriers follow rules set by regulators to support user convenience and fair competition.

However, some providers might add fees or have specific requirements, so it’s always good to double-check before starting the process.

You can port your number for free to VoIP providers, mobile carriers, and mostly prepaid SIM card providers.

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services let you port a number online. You do not need SIM cards and can make calls online, often at a lower cost.

i. Calilio

Calilio offers easy, free US phone number porting with no hidden fees. After switching your carrier to Calilio’s cloud phone, you can access SMS and call in a single interface. While porting, Calilio acts as the communicator between both carriers and helps with:

• Handling the transfer process from your old carrier,
• Submitting the necessary paperwork (like the LOA),
• Activating your number on their platform once the port is complete.

Also, Calilio supports local, mobile, and toll-free numbers across 100+ countries.

ii. Google Voice

Google Voice allows free number porting for most U.S. numbers. Once your number is ported, you can use services like calls, texts, and voicemails for free (within the US).

You do not have to pay a monthly subscription fee to keep your number. Similarly, if you cancel a phone plan, Google Voice ensures it stays yours, even if you no longer need regular phone service.

iii. RingCentral

RingCentral offers free porting and a complete business phone system with more control and features than a standard mobile provider.

Also, RingCentral is a cloud-based service that enables you to take calls from your desktop, mobile app, or desk phone. This is useful if your team works remotely or if you want to handle calls from different devices. It is popular with companies looking to upgrade their phone setup without losing their existing numbers.

When you sign up for a mobile carrier, you can port your number for free. Porting is generally included in the mobile carriers’ sign-up process.

Similarly, porting numbers from AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint, and other mobile carriers lets you switch to their service without charge. They often handle the process for you during signup, which is straightforward.

Mobile carriers typically take 1 to 7 business days to complete number porting. The exact time depends on the service provider, the type of number, and whether the request is for personal or business service.

Many prepaid phone services also allow free number porting since prepaid plans do not usually require contracts or activation fees. With prepaid SIM cards, you pay in advance for the amount of service you want, usually monthly.

However, if you are unsure about staying with a provider long-term, you can switch without penalties.

Generally, free number porting is moving your phone number from one service provider to another without paying a fee. When you sign up with a new carrier, they contact the old provider to transfer the number. Once approved, you can use your number with the new service.

1. Choose Your New Provider: Pick the carrier or VoIP service you want to switch to.
2. Start the Porting Process: Provide your new provider with your current number and account details.
3. Verification: The new provider verifies your information with your current carrier.
4. Transfer: The number moves from the old carrier to the new one, typically within a few hours to a few days.
   • Mobile number: a few hours to 24 hours
   • Landline numbers: 1 to 5 business days to transfer
   • Toll-free numbers: 7 business days
   • Virtual numbers: 1 to 5 business hours; however, with some VoIP providers, it can be done faster
5. Activation: Your new service activates with your old number, and you can start using it immediately.

You can port your existing phone number for free with a mobile carrier, prepaid SIM, or VoIP service. Depending on the type of number being transferred, it might take a few hours to over seven business hours to port a number.

Also, keeping your current account active during the transfer ensures your number remains connected and prevents service interruptions. Confirming fees or restrictions with your new provider helps avoid unexpected charges or delays during the porting process.

So, if you’re planning to port your number for free, we recommend Calilio. This VoIP business phone system offers virtual numbers to 100+ countries. Most importantly, it supports free number porting in the US and lower-cost options for places like Australia, the UK, and Switzerland, often cheaper than other VoIP providers.

Most carriers offer free number porting to new customers. You can switch by starting the porting process with your new provider and keeping your old number active during the transfer.

Some providers require your account to be active to issue a port-out code. Contact your current carrier’s customer service to request the code; sometimes, you might need to recharge to keep the account active until porting completes.

You can port your number even if your device has outstanding payments. However, you may still owe the balance to your previous carrier, and porting doesn’t clear this debt.

Potential downsides include temporary service interruptions during transfer, compatibility issues with certain services, and possible delays if information isn’t correct.

Regulations require carriers to allow customers to keep their numbers when switching providers, provided the number is active and the account information is correct. Specific rules vary by country.

You should not cancel your current contract before porting. The porting process usually requires your number to be active to complete the transfer smoothly.