Porting an old cell phone number to iPhone

Question

Level 1

8 points

Porting an old cell phone number to iPhone

Hi,

I'm new to the iPhone. I've had my number ported over from another carrier. Should the iPhone update my number automatically or does it have to be done manually in Phone Settings?

Thanks.

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.6)

Posted on Mar 27, 2011 4:56 PM

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Answer 1

Mar 27, 2011 5:03 PM in response to Wallace Lam

This is done automatically by the carrier you are porting the number to. When the number porting is complete after your iPhone has been activated with the new carrier, it will be updated over the air with your iPhone.

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Answer 2

Wallace Lam Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 27, 2011 5:05 PM in response to Wallace Lam

Yes, thanks. I think "internally" the porting process was successful. However, when I first opened the Phone Settings page after the port was complete, my old (i.e. temporary number) was still displayed. Is this normal?

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Answer 3

Mar 27, 2011 5:08 PM in response to Wallace Lam

You're welcome.

Sometimes porting can take some time to be 100% complete. Depending on how long ago your iPhone was activated which initiated the number porting process by your new carrier from what will now be your former carrier, you need to contact your new carrier if this has taken more than several days.

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Answer 4

Mar 27, 2011 5:22 PM in response to Wallace Lam

This is the number that is stored on the SIM for reference but does not affect the use of the phone on the network. You can change it. Go to Settings - Phone and then tap on the number. You should then be able to edit it.

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Answer 5

Wallace Lam Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 27, 2011 6:40 PM in response to Matthew Smith

Thanks Matthew, exactly the answer I was looking for. I did change the number displayed in Phone Settings manually, so I guess it would've just shown the number stored on the SIM if I didn't change it? I know I'm being a bit anal but I just want to be sure I didn't screw up the porting process.

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Answer 6

Mar 27, 2011 7:26 PM in response to Wallace Lam

It displays whatever is stored on the SIM, which you can change. Whatever you put in here will not affect the porting process. The SIM has identifier which the network uses to identify your phone service. The phone number is stored on the network and translated to you identifier on the SIM. The phone has no need to know its own number. It's there for your convenience.

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