how to port your number to flip mobile
Keep your number. Keep your contacts. Switch to better coverage in under 15 minutes. Here’s the exact playbook we use to port 10,000+ numbers every month.
Porting feels technical, but it’s just moving your phone number from one carrier’s database to another’s. The FCC requires carriers to let you keep your number — even if you still owe money on your phone. Flip Mobile makes it instant because we’re built on eSIM.
Success Rate
98.7%
Avg Time
7 min
Downtime
0 min
What is porting, really?
When you port, you’re not canceling anything yet. You’re authorizing your new carrier to pull your number from your old carrier’s pool. Think of it like a title transfer for a car — your number stays the same, only the owner record changes.
Key rule: Never cancel your old line before the port finishes. If you cancel first, you lose the number. Port first, cancel never — the old line auto-closes.
What you’ll need (30 sec checklist)
Account Number
Found in your old carrier app → Account. Not your phone number.
Number Transfer PIN
6-10 digit port-out PIN. Not your voicemail or screen lock.
ZIP Code on file
Billing ZIP tied to the account, not your current location.
Phone stays on
Keep old SIM active until you get the ‘Port Complete’ text.
5 steps to port TO Flip Mobile
01
Check compatibility in 10 seconds
On myflipmobile.com, hit ‘Check Phone’ → enter IMEI. If it says compatible, you’re good. eSIM works on iPhone XS and newer, Pixel 4 and newer.
02
Get your port-out info from your old carrier
In your old carrier’s app: My Account → Number Transfer → Generate PIN. Screenshot account number + PIN + ZIP. PINs expire in 7 days.
03
Buy Flip eSIM — don’t cancel old plan yet
Pick a plan, checkout. We’ll ask for the account number and PIN at activation. Keep your old SIM in phone until step 5.
04
Activate eSIM & start port
We email a QR code. Go to Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM → scan. Flip asks ‘Transfer number?’ → paste your old info. Hit submit.
05
Wait for ‘Port Complete’ (2-15 min)
Your old SIM will show ‘SOS’ or ‘No Service’ — that’s success. Restart phone. Your number now lives on Flip. Test a call.
3 steps to port OUT of Flip (if you ever need to)
01
Generate port-out PIN in Flip app
Flip App → Settings → Transfer Number → Reveal PIN. It’s valid for 7 days and works with any carrier.
02
Give new carrier your Flip account number
Your Flip account number is in the app under Account. It’s your 12-digit Flip ID, not your phone number.
03
Let new carrier pull the number
Once they submit, we’ll text you ‘Port requested’. Reply YES to approve. Line closes automatically after.
We’ll be sad to see you go, but FCC rules mean you can port out anytime — no call required.
5 mistakes that kill your port
✕
Using voicemail PIN instead of transfer PIN
Fix: Transfer PIN is separate. On T-Mobile it’s in Account → Line Details → Request Transfer PIN. Verizon → Number Lock off + Transfer PIN.
✕
Number is locked
Fix: T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T now enable Number Lock by default. Disable it 10 min before porting.
✕
Name / ZIP mismatch
Fix: If you moved, your old carrier may still have old ZIP. Use the ZIP on file, not your new one.
✕
Canceling old service too early
Fix: If old line is already canceled, number returns to pool in 2-3 days and is usually unrecoverable.
✕
Porting Apple Watch first
Fix: Port iPhone number first. Watch automatically follows. Watch-first ports fail 80% of the time.
FAQ
How long does porting to Flip take?
Wireless to wireless: 2-15 minutes for 90% of ports. If your old carrier does a manual review (AT&T prepaid, some MVNOs), it can take up to 2 hours. Landline ports: up to 3 business days.
Will I lose service during port?
No. Your old SIM keeps working for calls/texts until the instant Flip takes over. There’s no gap — one second it’s on old carrier, next second it’s on Flip. Restart phone if data doesn’t auto-switch.
Can I port if I still owe money on my phone?
Yes. FCC rule: carriers must port even if you owe. Your old carrier will bill you final statement separately. Flip does not pay off your old device — but you keep number.
Do I keep my voicemails and texts?
Voicemails live on carrier server — they don’t port. Save important ones with screen record before port. Texts in phone stay. Visual voicemail resets and you’ll set new greeting on Flip.
Does it cost money to port?
Flip charges $0 to port in or out. Your old carrier cannot charge port-out fee by law. Some prepaid carriers may forfeit remaining balance — that’s it.
READY TO SWITCH?
Port your number to Flip in under 15 minutes.
No stores. No contracts. eSIM delivered instantly. Keep your number, get better coverage.
Port to Flip Mobile →
✓ 30-day guarantee•✓ Free port help via chat•✓ Keep your number
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