Want to switch phone carriers but keep your number? The process is easier than you might think. In most cases, you can choose a new plan, transfer your existing number, and activate your service entirely online.
This guide walks you through how to switch phone carriers step by step, including checking whether your phone is unlocked, comparing plans, transferring your number, and activating your new service.
How to Switch Phone Carriers: 7 Steps
To switch cell phone carriers, you generally need to:
- Make sure your phone is unlocked.
- Compare carriers and choose a new plan.
- Confirm your phone is compatible with the new carrier.
- Gather your account number and transfer PIN.
- Ask your new carrier to transfer your existing phone number.
- Activate your new SIM or eSIM.
- Confirm everything works before closing out your old account.
Most importantly, don't cancel your old phone service before transferring your number. Your old line generally needs to remain active for the number transfer to go through.
1. Make Sure Your Phone Is Unlocked
a) Check and unlock your phone
Why this matters: A locked phone won’t accept a new carrier’s SIM/eSIM until it’s unlocked.
How to check / unlock:
- For iPhone:
Go to Settings → General → About → Carrier Lock. If it says “No SIM restrictions”, your iPhone is unlocked (and ready to go). If it's locked, contact your current carrier and request an unlock. Only they can officially do it. - For Android / other brands:
- Unlock settings vary by manufacturer and carrier. The easiest option is to check your carrier account or contact your current carrier to confirm whether the phone is unlocked. You can also try a SIM from another carrier to see whether your phone accepts it.
- Unlock settings vary by manufacturer and carrier. The easiest option is to check your carrier account or contact your current carrier to confirm whether the phone is unlocked. You can also try a SIM from another carrier to see whether your phone accepts it.
- Wait time / requirements:
Unlock requirements vary by carrier, so check your current carrier's device unlock policy before you switch.
2. Compare Phone Carriers and Plans
Before you switch phone carriers, make sure the new carrier is actually a better fit. Price matters, but coverage, data, hotspot access, international features, and other plan details can make just as much of a difference.
Not sure how much coverage can vary between carriers? Use Goji's coverage map to compare coverage where you live, work, and spend the most time.
By the time you're done comparing, you should have a much clearer idea of which carrier gives you the best balance of coverage, price, and features. Switching carriers can also be a good time to reconsider how much you're paying for unlimited data. Check out our guide to the best unlimited cell phone plans before choosing your next carrier.
3. Check That Your Phone Works With the New Carrier
Before signing up with your new carrier, use your new carrier's Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) compatibility checker. You'll usually enter your phone's IMEI to confirm whether it can be activated on the network.
You can find your IMEI under Settings → General → About on iPhone or Settings → About phone on most Android devices.
If you plan to use an eSIM, also confirm that your phone and the new carrier support eSIM activation. An eSIM is simply a digital SIM, so you can activate service without inserting a physical SIM card.
Don't skip this step: An unlocked phone isn't automatically compatible with every carrier.
4. Gather the Information You Need to Switch Carriers
Your new carrier may ask for the following information during signup and the number transfer process. Having it ready can make switching faster.
Important: Do not cancel your old phone service before transferring your number. Keep your existing line active until your new carrier confirms that the number transfer is complete.
5. Transfer Your Phone Number to the New Carrier
If you want to keep your current phone number when you switch carriers, tell your new carrier that you want to transfer, or "port," your existing number during signup.
- When signing up for a new plan, choose “Keep my number” / “Port in number.”
- Enter your account number, transfer PIN, and other requested account information. Your new carrier will then request the number transfer from your old carrier.
- The process is typically handled behind the scenes — you don’t need to speak with the old carrier yourself.
- Transfer times vary by carrier. Many wireless number transfers are completed quickly, but some can take longer if account information needs to be verified or corrected.
- If information mismatches (wrong account number, PIN, name), the port can be rejected — they’ll usually tell you to correct and retry.
Once the port is complete, your number will begin routing on the new carrier.
6. Activate Your New Plan (eSIM or Physical SIM)
This is the fun part: getting your new line live.
a) eSIM Activation
- If your new carrier supports eSIM, you'll usually activate your plan through the carrier's app, an activation link, or a QR code.
- Follow the carrier's instructions to add the eSIM to your phone. Keep Wi-Fi connected during activation, and restart your phone if prompted.
b) Physical SIM Activation
- The carrier ships a SIM, or you pick one.
- Insert it, restart the phone, and follow any setup prompts.
- If both old and new SIMs are still in the phone, remove the old once confirmed working.
Before you're done, test:
- Calls
- Text messages
- Mobile data
- Voicemail
- iMessage or RCS, if applicable
If something isn't working, contact your new carrier before making any other changes to your old account.
7. Confirm the Switch Is Complete
Once your new service is working, take a few minutes to make sure everything is finished:
- Confirm your old line has been canceled after the number transfer.
- Check your final bill for any remaining device payments or charges.
- Return any leased equipment if required.
- Make sure calls, texts, voicemail, mobile data, iMessage/RCS, and two-factor authentication are working normally.
If you kept the same number, you generally don't need to tell your contacts that you switched carriers. Your phone number stays the same.
Can You Switch Phone Carriers and Keep Your Number?
Yes. In most cases, you can switch phone carriers and keep your existing phone number. Choose the option to transfer or keep your number when signing up with your new carrier, and don't cancel your old service before the transfer is complete.
You'll typically need your current carrier account number, a transfer or port-out PIN, and the account information associated with your existing line.
Ready to Switch Phone Carriers?
The hardest part of switching carriers may be deciding which carrier to switch to.
Goji lets you compare plans from 100+ carriers, including pricing, data, features, and coverage options, so you can narrow down the plans that actually fit your needs.
Once you find one you like, Goji sends you to the carrier to sign up and complete the switch.
Compare phone plans with Goji and see what other options are available.
FAQs
Can I switch phone carriers and keep my number?
Yes. Choose the option to transfer or keep your existing number when signing up with your new carrier. Don't cancel your old service until the number transfer is complete.
How do I switch phone carriers?
Choose a new carrier and plan, make sure your phone is unlocked and compatible, gather your account number and transfer PIN, transfer your number, and activate your new SIM or eSIM.
How long does it take to switch cell phone carriers?
Transfer times vary by carrier. Many wireless number transfers happen quickly, but delays can occur if your account information needs to be verified or corrected.
Do I need to unlock my phone before switching carriers?
If you're bringing your current phone, it generally needs to be unlocked and compatible with the new carrier. Check your current carrier's unlock policy and your new carrier's compatibility checker before signing up.
Should I cancel my old phone service before switching?
No. If you're keeping your number, leave your old line active until the transfer is complete. Canceling too early could interfere with the number transfer.
Can I switch phone carriers online?
Often, yes. Many carriers allow you to choose a plan, transfer your number, and activate an eSIM online without visiting a store.