How do I Port a Number over?

It's very simple and all done via the set up process through iTunes. You don't need to tell Verizon anything or do anything in advance of getting the iPhone. As for porting the number, ATT will take care of it as part of your registration process through iTunes. Porting my number from T Mobile took about 30 seconds in the iPhone set up and registration process.

Has anyone else had this issue and resolved it? I'm just about to purchase another iPhone for a friend and add her to my existing family plan. However, I want to port her phone number over from T-mobile. Will iTunes give me the option to port a number over AFTER selecting that I want to add the new iPhone to an existing family plan? I watched the activation video, but it doesn't quite cover whether porting a number is available after selecting add the iPhone to an existing family plan. Thanks in advance!

there is a way out. call verizon customer service first and say you need to switch your phone line out of the family plan. explain that unlike most account cancellations, you are only canceling a line while the account is remaining so verizon is not actually losing an account, it is just losing the $10 per month (is that your family plan fee?) for your line. agree to pay that $10 per month X however many months you have left on your contract (this is only worthwhile if that number is less than the $175 cancellation fee) so that verizon will not, in effect, lose any money. the operator who answers your call will probably not grant you this concession, but ask to speak to a manager, who probably will. get the manager's name and make sure that the manager places this "note" in the file of your family plan. you can then call back customer service (getting the direct number of any verizon operator or manager is useless, s/he will never pick up and you will always get voicemail) and confirm that there is a "note" attached to your file that the $175 cancellation fee will be credited back to your account and you will only be charged your monthly fee per line X the number of months that you have left on your contract.

it worked for me. i paid $50 ($10 monthly fee X 5 months remaining on my verizon plan) instead of $175 to get my one line out of a verizon family plan.

has any one had problems carrying over there number from Alltel?, Im just wondering, because I plan on leaving Alltel.. and going to AT&T for the iPhone

Deep Beige Inc,

There have been posts about problems porting from most if not all carriers. They tend to be the exception though and not the rule.

A few things to keep in mind:

1. Be current on your bill. If you have a past due balance some carriers won't release the number.

2. Be prepared to go as long as 48 hours for the process to complete. During this time you will probably be able to make calls from the new phone, but not receive calls. Likewise with SMS messages. Powering off your old phone completely may help speed up this process.

3. Once you start receiving calls, it may take a little longer for SMS to work.

4. Follow-up with your previous provider to make sure they have cancelled your account if you are not keeping a phone with them. Not all carriers cancel the account automatically.

Hope this helps,

Nathan C.

Has anyone else been able to get around the whole "out of area" non-portability issue? I am currently with Verizon with a VA number and have since moved to CA and want to port my number and they are telling me I can't...

"Area" is based on either billing address or usage address. You get a chance to enter both during activation in iTunes. If either one is in the old area, you should be able to port over.

Worst case is, get a temporary number, and then call and speak to AT&T's Porting Department. Often they can move the number over as long as you haven't cancelled/released the old number's account.

I already have an account with ATT and a plan that includes the internet service because I have a smartphone, do I have to change the plan when I get the iphone?

karlitamarie,

Yes. The unlimited data with 200 SMS text messages plan for the iPhone is $20.

Hope this helps,

Nathan C.

Hi, I just read your post. I just an iTouch but to be honest I rather keep using my iPOD 60GB.
I need to decide during the next few days so I can return it. I have Sprint and I really don't want to change carries. At the same time I need to be absolutely sure than after I purchase the iPhone I will be able to activated with Sprint PCS.
In the meantime I will compare prices and have it ready awaiting for your response.

Any help and your prompt responce on the matter in question will be greatky appreciated.
My personal email is: angelaemmaa@aol.com
You can send me the reply to this email.

THANKS THANKS THANKS

Angela Hernandez=Weyne
angelaemmaa@aol.com

I realize this reply is a little old, but wanted to clarify a point since this thread has come up again.

AT&T has stated there will be no Early Termination Fee for users going from another AT&T contract to the iPhone. However, your iPhone's 2-year contract will start with the day you activate the iPhone.

Hope this helps,

Nathan C.

my good buddy cant afford to have his iphone and plan so he agreed to sell it to me as long as i take over the plan in my name. i currently have a number with verizon. can i port that number to his iphone and his plan even if he has an existing number he has been using? i want to keep my number but want to take over his plan. he is leaving att and doesnt care about his number. is it possible to have both?

mafiasoldier,

As I understand it you have a 2 part question.

First, can you change the name on the account without extending the contract, or having your friend have to pay the $175 early termination fee? I do not know if this is possible, you would need to contact AT&T.

Second, you want to port a number over from Verizon, even though it isn't a new activation? From previous experience working with AT&T, this is possible. You would need to contact AT&T and talk to their porting department for assistance.

Hope this helps,

Nathan C.

I just asked Verizon this very question today. The answer was, each phone on the family plan has its own contract, own expiration date, and each one is subject to the early termination fee. So if I port my number over to iPhone before the expiration date, it's $175. If I cancel the other service to the other phone on the plan, it's $175. The Verizon rep said I would have to "switch to an individual plan" for the one remaining phone, but that this would not extend my contract date.

SisterBlue: I am looking to go over to at&t from verizon, but am only 7 months in to my 2 year contract- how exactly did you go about getting a credit from at@t for the cancellation fee you paid?