Everything You Need to Know About Verizon Transfer PINs

The Verizon number transfer PIN lets you keep your cell phone number when you switch from Verizon to another carrier. This article will talk about everything you need to know about Verizon's number transfer PINs and switching carriers from Verizon to another one. 

Before we begin, do not disconnect your Verizon service before switching to a new provider. You need an active number with Verizon while your new carrier sets up your account. Also, if you are taking your Verizon phone to the new carrier, make sure it’s unlocked before you switch! More on that later. 

How to Get a Verizon Transfer PIN

When you are ready to switch to another carrier, there are a few ways to request a Verizon transfer PIN. Regardless of the method, ensure you are prepared before requesting a transfer PIN. They expire after a few days, but you can always request another if your temporary PIN does not work.  

You may request a Verizon temporary port out PIN in a few ways, including:

• On your Verizon Phone
• On the My Verizon app
• On your Verizon account

It is easy to get a Verizon PIN from the mobile app. In order to do so, dial #PORT from the phone whose number you wish to transfer. You will shortly receive a link that generates your Verizon number transfer PIN. 

Alongside that, you can request a PIN on your My Verizon app. To do so, you can navigate to the page called “Create Your Number Transfer PIN,” and it will generate one for you. You can do the same online at Verizon.com 

Getting your Verizon temporary port out PIN is straightforward, but it is only one step in switching to another carrier while keeping your number! Let’s break down the process to ensure your switch from Verizon is easy and doesn’t interfere with your new cell phone plan. 

All You Need to Know about Switching Carriers and Keeping Your Number

Changing carriers and keeping your number is a common occurrence across all carriers. Because of this, just about every carrier works like a well-oiled machine when it comes to sending you off to a new provider. Let’s run through the process in general and some Verizon-specific things about the transfer process. 

Is Your Cell Phone Locked? 

Even though getting a Verizon transfer PIN is easy, keeping track of your account’s eligibility to transfer carriers is important. You may be tied down to Verizon’s service through a contracted phone plan or device. 

If you’ve purchased a cell phone through Verizon, you may be locked into their service for some time. Device contracts are very popular nowadays, often locking customers into years of service by tying down their cell phones. Verizon, like many providers, offers their cell phones on 24- or 36-month payment plans. This is an awesome way to budget out an expensive cell phone, but it means you are locked into their service, more or less, until you pay off the phone in full. If you don’t mind a less exciting device, a great way to get around device contracts is to purchase an older phone that you can buy all at once. That means you don’t have any device contract and have much more flexibility if you want to switch carriers. 

Every phone you purchase from a carrier is locked to that carrier. When your phone is locked, you cannot transfer it to another carrier. Your phone is locked until you meet set criteria decided upon by the carrier, which usually boils down to you paying off your phone in full and owning it for a few months. If you haven’t paid off your phone, you might get hit with an early termination fee by your current provider tacked onto the bill for the rest of the device. 

Different carriers have different requirements for unlocking your phone, and it’s all pretty secretive and happens behind the scenes. Your phone might be unlocked right now! Just go into your settings and, if you have an iPhone, go to cellular and cellular data. If you see “Cellular Data Options,'' then your phone is unlocked. For Android phones, go to settings and mobile networks. If you see network operators, then your phone will be unlocked!  

If you don’t see that, then, unfortunately, your phone is probably locked, meaning you can’t transfer that phone to the new carrier at this time. Verizon automatically unlocks your device when you hit the required criteria, but some carriers won’t unlock your phone unless you ask. It all boils down to meeting specific requirements and submitting a request online or in-store. Verizon automatically unlocks your phone after you’ve paid it off in full and had it at least 60 days. 

In general, you must have had your phone for a few months and paid it off completely, and it often must have been a phone purchased from the carrier itself. You can search for carrier-specific requirements to make sure you’re good to go, or you can talk to a representative to see if there’s something that you still need before unlocking your phone. 

If your phone is not eligible to be unlocked, you will have to stick with Verizon until you meet the requirements or discard your device and get a new one with your new provider. We do not recommend this one because cell phones are expensive! 

Use a Verizon Number Transfer PIN to Send Your Phone Number to Your New Carrier

Once you have an unlocked phone and are ready to make the switch, it is time to secure a Verizon transfer PIN. At this moment, you are all set to find a new carrier and purchase a new cell phone plan! There are ways to do this online or in-store if the carrier has stores, and we recommend paying extra care when buying your new cell phone plan. This process should be easy, but any mistakes are pretty hard to settle. 

Before you start the process of switching carriers and keep your cell phone number, make sure you have the following information:

• Your current account information
• Your phone’s ESN/IMEI number
• Your Verizon temporary port out PIN

If your phone has a SIM card, you will need to swap it out for a new one, courtesy of the new company. There will likely be a few hours (up to a day) of time when your phone is offline. This is the time it takes for your two carriers to dot their i’s and cross their t’s. At this point in the process, your new carrier will need the Verizon transfer PIN. Make sure your PIN is active and not on the verge of expiring at this point in the process. After that, you’re all done! 

Congratulations! You’ve got a new service provider, and your phone is up and running. 

Don’t Rush the Switch! There are Many Great Carriers in the United States

Dozens of cell service providers are working to make a good impression and interest you in their service. There are three major wireless networks and lots of MVNOs in the United States. You have many options when you want to switch from Verizon to a new carrier! What about Verizon’s service makes you want to switch to a new carrier? Depending on what that is, we hope this section will help you decide whether you want to jump to a new major network or take a more affordable cell phone plan with an MVNO. 

Switching to a Major Wireless Network

Major carriers own and operate their own cell phone towers. This means that you get the fastest service at all times and know exactly where your service is coming from. Major carriers are, well, big. They have a huge staff of customer service representatives and should be giving you fantastic service to ensure that you stick around. 

Major wireless networks are best for people who use a lot of high-speed data. Major networks come with unlimited high-speed data and priority data, which means you evade congestion in all but the most dire circumstances. Let’s look at an example of a major wireless carrier and their cell phone plan’s pros and cons. 

AT&T

AT&T offers three cell phone plans, each with its own strengths and drawbacks. Our biggest takeaway when looking at major wireless carriers is to open a multi-line account! The price of these cell phone plans varies tremendously based on how many lines are on your account. We recommend at least three lines when using major wireless providers to take advantage of their immense multi-line savings. These are AT&T’s cell phone plans: 

• AT&T Unlimited Starter Plan
• AT&T Unlimited Extra Plan
• AT&T Unlimited Premium Plan

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Like the competition, AT&T’s unlimited plans start at a high price point and become much more affordable with the addition of new lines. With three cell phone plans, AT&T has a basic plan with new bells and whistles, a medium plan, and a premium plan with many extras. 

• AT&T’s starter plan has unlimited high-speed data with 3 GBs of high-speed hotspot data.  
• AT&T’s extra plan comes with 50 GB of premium data and 15 GB of high-speed hotspot data. 
• AT&T’s premium plan comes with unlimited premium data and 50 GB of high-speed hotspot data.

The main differences between these three cell phone plans are premium high-speed data and hotspot data. AT&T’s Unlimited Premium Plan, their most expensive plan, gives you a huge hotspot budget and unlimited premium data. This means you can use your phone all day long at max speeds, and can boot up your tablet or laptop just about every day with no trouble. This is an excellent choice for people who are willing to pay a premium for their cell phone service to get all the bells and whistles on their cell phone plan. 

Premium data is handy in spaces with high data usage, but it is hard to gauge how much value you will get from premium data on any major wireless carrier. This comes into play when there is enough congestion on AT&T’s network that, even though all their MVNO customers are slowed down, there is still too much usage. In this instance, basic data customers get slowed down, so premium data users can still use their high-speed data. Large groups of people in metropolitan areas or congregating for conferences will cause a lot of congestion on the network. 

Premium data is most valuable for those in big cities. There is a lot of congestion in big cities, and Data is frequently slowed down in other areas, especially in big cities. We recommend starting on the less expensive plan and checking your data speeds for a month or two. If you notice slow data, we recommend switching to a more expensive plan if you have the budget for it. 

The Case for an MVNO

Even though their name is a bit of a mouthful, mobile virtual network operators are able to offer much lower monthly plans because they are renting cell phone towers and have fewer expenses than major wireless companies. The major downside is that they don’t have priority service and often have cell phone plans with limited high-speed data. There are, however, some amazing MVNOs, like Visible and Cricket, that do offer unlimited high-speed data on some of their cell phone plans. This is a great way for high-data users to enjoy no limits on their mobile usage while saving big each month. Let’s take a look at Visible Wireless, an example of an MVNO. 

Visible

Visible has two plans, each with unlimited talk, text, and data. The two Visible Wireless phone plans are as follows:

• $25 per month for Unlimited
• $35 per month for Unlimited plus

So, what’s the difference between these two plans? The basic plan comes with unlimited talk, text, and data as well as an unlimited mobile hotspot and talk and text to Canada and Mexico. Those are the bones of the plan, the foundation for the unlimited plus plan as well. Their Visible+ plan costs an extra $10 a month, which is pretty pricey relative to the regular plan. For $10, users gain access to Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband network and additional international calling and texting. 

Both plans have unlimited 5 Mbps mobile hotspots, which is a huge boon for people who want to use their devices while out and about. This speed won’t let you stream video, for instance, but it’s perfect for browsing the web or catching up on email. These cell phone plans are amazing for people who want unlimited high-speed data but don’t need the high data priority from a major wireless network. 

Verizon Transfer PINs: Key Takeaways

Verizon Number Transfer PINs are essential if you want to switch to a new carrier while keeping your phone number. You can create a PIN on the Verizon app, by calling #PORT,  or go online to your account. Once you request, the PIN is only active for a few days, so make sure to complete the process swiftly! However, there are no downsides to requesting multiple PINs, and you can follow the same format every time you do. Still looking for a new plan? Check out Really’s comparison tool to figure out the best plan for you! 

Frequently Asked Questions

Does it cost money to move my Verizon number to another carrier? 

Not specifically, but you may incur costs because of your account’s termination. You may be charged an Early Termination fee if your minimum contract term has not been met. 

You must pay any remaining balance on your device. 

You must cancel connected non-mobile device lines (smartwatch, tablet, etc) to ensure you don’t get charged for them in the future. 

How do I get a Number Transfer PIN if my device is lost or broken?

While you can request a Verizon transfer PIN number from your device, you can also get one online through your account. 

Can I request another Number Transfer PIN?

Certainly, however, previous PINs become invalid when you request a new one. If you asked for a new transfer PIN after submitting a request to the new provider, you must update that request or start a new one with your new number. 

Do I need to move every number on my account? 

Nope! The process to request a Verizon number transfer PIN is for one number at a time. While you certainly can move every number on your account, you can also do it one at a time.