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Carrier-switch checklist

10 steps to switch cell phone carriers cleanly. Tick each one off as you go — progress saves in your browser’s localStorage so you can come back to it later. Nothing is sent to our servers.

0 of 10 done.

  1. Verizon: My Verizon app → Account → Number Transfer PIN (6-digit, valid 7 days). T-Mobile: dial #PORT or app → More → Account → Account PIN. AT&T: att.com → My wireless → Get my number transfer PIN. Most MVNOs: account section of their app or call support. Generate the PIN right before the port — many expire after 7 days.
  2. On iPhone: Settings → General → About → Carrier Lock. If it says "No SIM restrictions," you're unlocked. If it shows a carrier name, the phone is locked. Call the locking carrier and request an unlock — postpaid carriers must unlock devices on their network at least 60 days with no balance owed (FCC rules). Phones bought from Apple direct, Google direct, or Samsung direct are always unlocked.
  3. Find your IMEI: Settings → General → About → IMEI on iPhone, Settings → About Phone → IMEI on Android, or dial *#06#. Paste the 15-digit number into the new carrier's online IMEI checker. Most modern phones (iPhone 12+, Pixel 6+, Galaxy S22+) work on any major US carrier. Check before committing to a plan.
  4. Choose "transfer my existing number" rather than "new number." Provide: old account number, port-out PIN, billing ZIP code, last four of SSN (sometimes). Pay for the first month/annual. Don't cancel old service first — porting closes the old line automatically when complete.
  5. eSIM: scan the QR code from the carrier's welcome email/SMS, or use eSIM Quick Transfer between iPhones, or use the carrier app activation. Physical SIM: pop the new SIM into the tray when it arrives. Most ports complete in 15 minutes to 4 hours. iPhones can hold up to 8 eSIM profiles simultaneously with 2 active.
  6. Make a test call (you → friend, friend → you). Send a test SMS to a non-iPhone contact. Run a speed test (fast.com or speedtest.net) to confirm cellular data works. Check that 5G is showing where it should. If "no service" persists past 30 minutes, restart the phone.
  7. Settings → Messages → toggle iMessage off, restart the phone, toggle iMessage back on. This forces re-registration with Apple's servers using the new carrier. Without this, iMessages from other iPhones may continue routing to your old number for up to 45 days. Skip this step if you're on Android.
  8. If calls/SMS work but mobile data doesn't, the phone may have stale APN settings from the old carrier. iPhone: Settings → General → Transfer or Reset → Reset Network Settings. Android: Settings → Mobile network → APNs → menu → Reset to defaults. Wi-Fi passwords are also wiped, so you'll need to re-enter those.
  9. Check your old carrier's app or website for the line status. Most ports close the old line automatically. If it's still active 24 hours after the port completed, call the old carrier and ask them to close it (you may have to specifically request it for prepaid lines). Don't cancel a postpaid line via the chat support if you have other lines on the same account — only the ported line should close.
  10. Postpaid carriers send a final bill ~30 days after port-out, usually pro-rated. If you owe a remaining device-financing balance, it comes due as a final charge. For prepaid carriers, any unused service is typically forfeit unless you specifically request a refund (and even then, not all honor it). Save the bill PDF for your records.

Or read the longer switching guide for the why behind each step.