How to Change Your Phone Number

Edited 3 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

Phone NumberMobileSettingsAndroidiPhoneDevicesCommunicationPrivacyAccountsCustomization

Changing your phone number can be an important task, whether for personal, security, or business reasons. This guide will provide you with a detailed description of the different ways to change your phone number, the precautions to take, and the steps you need to follow.

Why change your phone number?

There are several reasons you might want to change your phone number:

• To avoid unwanted calls or messages.
• To stop receiving spam calls.
• For security reasons if your number is leaked.
• Starting fresh with a new number for personal reasons.
• If you are moving to a new place and want a local number.

Steps to change your phone number

The process for changing your phone number may vary depending on your service provider and type of phone. Below are general steps:

1. Contact your service provider

Contacting your service provider is usually the first step. Each service provider has its own process, and some may charge a fee to change your number. Here's a general outline:

1. Call your service provider's customer service number.
2. Request to speak to a representative about changing your phone number.
3. Verify your identity (you may need to provide account details, personal information or a security PIN).
4. Ask for a new number. Some providers may allow you to choose from a list of available numbers.
5. Confirm any fees involved in the process, as some providers may charge a one-time fee or expect you to sign a new contract.

2. Update contacts and important accounts

Once your number has changed, it’s important to notify your contacts and update your information in various places:

1. Notify family, friends and co-workers.
2. Update your number in online accounts (social media, bank accounts, subscription services, etc.).
3. Replace your number in any business setting, such as a business card, resume or office directory.

Changing your phone number on different platforms

iPhone users

Follow these steps if you’re an iPhone user:

1. Go to the Settings app.
2. Scroll down and tap Phone.
3. Tap My number.
4. Enter your new phone number.
5. Restart your iPhone.

Android users

For Android users, the steps may be slightly different depending on the device and version. Here's the general process:

1. Go to the Settings app.
2. Scroll down and tap About phone.
3. Tap Status.
4. Tap My phone number.
5. Enter your new number.
6. Restart your device.

Changing your phone number with a service provider example

Verizon

If your service provider is Verizon, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your Verizon account online.
2. Go to the My Devices section.
3. Select Device overview.
4. Select the phone number you want to change.
5. Click Manage devices.
6. Select Change mobile number.
7. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

Precautions and tips

Back up your contacts

Before you change your number, make sure you have backed up all your contacts. This can be done through your phone's settings or by syncing your contacts with a cloud service like Google Contacts or iCloud.

Provide information about important services

Changing your phone number means updating your contact details across multiple services. Make sure you notify the following:

• Your bank and financial institutions.
• Medical and health services.
• Workplace and business contacts.
• Subscription services (newsletters, streaming services, etc.).

Keep track of issues

After changing your number, keep an eye on your accounts and communications for any irregularities. Make sure you don't miss any important messages or calls sent to your old number.

Legal and safety considerations

When changing your phone number, consider the legal and security aspects:

• Make sure your new number is not associated with fraudulent activity by confirming with your service provider.
• Update your phone number in the two-factor authentication (2FA) settings to maintain the security of your accounts.
• Keep a record of any communications or documentation provided by your service provider regarding the change.

Additional help

If you run into any problems during the process, here are some additional resources to consider:

• Your service provider's customer service helpline.
• Visit your service provider's official website and FAQs section.
• Mobile device user manual or support forum.

By following these steps and guidelines, you will be able to change your phone number efficiently and ensure that all your contacts and important accounts are updated accordingly.

  Share This Article

If you find anything wrong with the article content, you can request an update