A number transfer (also known as porting, port-in, or WLNP) allows you to bring your existing phone number from another provider over to T-Mobile. This can be done as part of a new activation, or to replace an existing T-Mobile phone number.

Eligibility

To be transferred, your number must be a working number and must meet other eligibility criteria. See: Porting: Check Eligibility.

Initiating a Transfer Request

You initiate your number transfer request by simply telling us you have a number you want to bring over. This is normally done as part of your activation either in a T-Mobile store, online at T-Mobile.com, or by phone at 1-800-TMOBILE.

Only the Number is Transferred, Not the Phone or Service

Your phone number is the only thing brought over from your old provider to T-Mobile. Your calling plan, coverage, service, features, and equipment will all be obtained through T-Mobile and do not need to be the same as what you had previously.

Port-Out Requests

T-Mobile cannot initiate a request to transfer an existing T-Mobile number out (port-out request) to another provider. A port-out happens only in response to a port-in request being submitted with a new service provider.  See: Porting: Port-out.

These steps explain the port-in process:

1. Start with a working telephone number you want to bring to T-Mobile.
2. Check to make sure your number is eligible to transfer. See: Porting: Check Eligibility.
3. Activate service with T-Mobile either in store, online at T-Mobile.com, or by phone at 1-800-TMOBILE and tell us you want to transfer your existing phone number.

   Note: If you want to port-in to replace your number on an existing T-Mobile line, just contact us to get things started.

4. We initiate the number transfer (port) request for you.
5. Your current service provider responds to the request. The response may be:
   • Permission to transfer the number
   • A delay, meaning the current service provider needs extra time to respond to the port request
   • A request to fix missing or mismatched information on the request
6. T-Mobile and your current service provider communicate back and forth until the current service provider gives us permission to take the number. This may happen on the first pass, or it may take a couple of attempts.
7. The old service provider gives T-Mobile permission to transfer the number.
8. T-Mobile notifies the network that we are transferring the number.
9. T-Mobile moves the number over and sends a text message to your new handset.
10. You experience a period of dual service. See: Porting: Dual Service.
11. The network broadcasts to all service providers that the number has been transferred to T-Mobile.
12. Your number is fully activated on your T-Mobile handset with all requested features ready to go.

For more information, please see: Porting: Number Transfer Q&A