topic Re: Porting a cell phone number question in Electronics

Porting a cell phone number question

Susic — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 21:10:45 GMT

I have decided to switch my cell phone number from my Tracfone to an iPhone , that I will purchase in an Apple Store. I will buy IPhone and sign up for one of the carriers that they have in store, probably T Mobile. The store is quite a distance away , so want to get things in order before I pop in. Do I need to contact Tracfone in advance about plan to port number , or is it something they would do at Apple Store. It seems that they help,set up new phone if I buy it there . Thank you for any information you might know from experience. Susi.

Re: Porting a cell phone number question

I am still oxox — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 21:16:51 GMT

T mobile should br able to do it all.

Re: Porting a cell phone number question

Sooner — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 21:23:06 GMT

@Susic Call the carrier for the phone account AND call the Apple store and ask how this works. Don't ask us!

Re: Porting a cell phone number question

Ainhisg — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 21:36:31 GMT

I would contact Tracfone and ask what your account number is (likely your phone's IMEI number if it's a branded Tracfone). Also ask for your PIN number. If you don't need this information once you purchase the new phone and transfer your service, then no harm, no foul. Btw...once you find out what these two numbers are, tell us how the transfer goes!

Re: Porting a cell phone number question

meem120 — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 21:38:12 GMT

Whatever carrier you choose, will do all that for you. Trac phone will know when the phone number is ported. Dont fret about it. Your new carrier will know exactly what to do. EZ PZ

Re: Porting a cell phone number question

Toot1920 — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 22:05:55 GMT

@Susic, I purchased two unlocked iPhones from Apple online. I had Verizon as my carrier but wanted to switch to Consumer Cellular. I had to call Verizon to get a code. I called Consumer Cellular and they walked us through the set up and transfer of our phone numbers. It took quite awhile which included a three way phone call with a few people at Verizon but the gentleman from CC stayed on the line and we were successful. We were able to use our old iPhones until the successful transfer to our new phones.

Re: Porting a cell phone number question

cheriere — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 22:25:09 GMT

@Susic yes, T-Mobile should be able to do it all for you. You can still use tracfone with your new iPhone though if you prefer their service. Going to the carriers is usually a lot more expensive.

Re: Porting a cell phone number question

Susic — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 22:38:30 GMT

Thank you all. I have been checking on line, and get different responses. I just wasn't sure how much Apple Store techs help and if I needed to do anything before I got there with Tracfone and getting code for porting. The Apple Store is not nearby, and one trip is enough. I could call them, of course, but is hard to get anyone knowledgeable on phone , or to even answer phone anymore. I will let you know how it goes, in case it may help someone else! Susi.

Re: Porting a cell phone number question

jackthebear — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 23:09:14 GMT

call Apple

Re: Porting a cell phone number question

Kachina624 — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 23:18:10 GMT

As part of the activation process, I've always had the option of using my old number or getting a new one. It's no big deal. Do not call TracFone , they don't care.

Re: Porting a cell phone number question

Toot1920 — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 23:24:51 GMT

@Susic, if you already know what carrier that you want to change to and they have a store near you, go there and they can answer your questions. You can also get your phone from there. You can order your phone from Apple online, choosing the carrier of your choice, and it will be sent to you. Verizon, T-Mobile, and others have stores or can do everything over the phone.

Re: Porting a cell phone number question

Tori3569 — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 00:19:06 GMT

@Toot1920 wrote:
@Susic, if you already know what carrier that you want to change to and they have a store near you, go there and they can answer your questions. You can also get your phone from there. You can order your phone from Apple online, choosing the carrier of your choice, and it will be sent to you. Verizon, T-Mobile, and others have stores or can do everything over the phone.

Exactly what I was going to write. Easier and less crowded to go to the carrier's store.

Re: Porting a cell phone number question

Still Raining — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 00:59:39 GMT

My experience last year with the Apple Store, is that they can't or won't help you switch carriers. Same setup, old carrier, new phone, new carrier. The new carrier could switch us over.

Re: Porting a cell phone number question

Susic — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 01:06:08 GMT

Well, I thought it would be best to get phone at Apple Store. Then was told to keep my current cell number, I would have to notify tracfone to release my number, and get some code number, and supply it to the new carrier. Apparently this could take up to several days. Maybe i will just get a new phone number. Much easier ! Thank you all for taking time to respond. Susi.

Re: Porting a cell phone number question

azgal — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 01:17:56 GMT

Sometimes carriers offer great deals on phones, if you switch to them. I don't think you will get a deal at the Apple store.

Re: Porting a cell phone number question

zebra9 — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 02:16:04 GMT

Last year I bought an IPhone and converted from Trafone to TMoble. After buying my IPphone at an Apple Store, I went to the TMobile store, They required a Tracffone a.ccount number in addition to the phone number. Since I bought the Tracfone from QVC, I had only the QVC invoice and could not comply. Rather than deal with Tracfone, I switched to a new phone number.

I would recommend contacting your new carrier to determine everything you need for the conversion before going to the new carrier's store.

Re: Porting a cell phone number question

Susic — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 10:56:51 GMT

@zebra9 Thank you! I think just getting a new number will be easiest. I will be getting rid of land line soon and will have to change my contact numbers with everyone anyway. Tracfone has been great for me, but time to upgrade.

Re: Porting a cell phone number question

gardenman — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 12:53:58 GMT

I'd leave it to your new provider. If you cancel your service with Tracfone in advance, they may reassign your number before the port makes place. There's a third-party firm that oversees porting to "simplify" things, but there can be issues if the customer tries to help. Leave it to the pros who do it every day.

You'll want your current phone number that you want to port. Bringing the phone with you is wise. Your account number/pin/password. Your physical address, not a PO Box. You'll be asked to call your provider or provide a written letter of your intent to port. (There's typically a simple form to sign while at the provider.)

When I worked for Frontier Communications we had a customer who'd left our service for another company. He'd dropped us as his phone provider first then went shopping for a new provider. We were supposed to hold old numbers for sixty days before reusing them but for some reason, we'd given this old number to a new customer almost immediately. When his new provider tried to reclaim his old number it was already in use by someone else. It was a multi-hour nightmare with calls to every party involved to try and get it sorted out and the old customer his old phone number back. I handled that call and it wasn't fun. Trust those who do this every day to handle it. Just leave everything in their hands. If our former customer hadn't tried to do stuff on his own, things would have been much smoother. It ended up taking hours to get it all sorted out and everyone happy. Just go to your new provider with your old phone in hand and they should be able to get it all done in short order without trouble. You'll typically have the transfer done in a day or two, but it can take up to ten days, so keep your old phone active until you know the transfer is completed.

Re: Porting a cell phone number question

cheriere — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 15:39:16 GMT

@Kachina624 lol, calling tracfone is always a NIGHTMARE too!!!

Re: Porting a cell phone number question

jackthebear — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 16:41:47 GMT

@Susic wrote:
@zebra9 Thank you! I think just getting a new number will be easiest. I will be getting rid of land line soon and will have to change my contact numbers with everyone anyway. Tracfone has been great for me, but time to upgrade.

probably the best plan