While I'm waiting for my iPhone to be delivered, I have a question: (this isn't really a big deal, so if the answer is no, I won't exactly lose any sleep over it; I'm just curious)
During the checkout process, I told the Apple Store I wanted to port over my old landline number. Now when I get the phone and activate it, am I *required* to port over the old number, or can I change my mind and ask for a new one?
That's not what the store's website said when I was buying the phone. It said that the porting would commence when I turn on the phone and activate it for the first time.
And it makes sense, really. The phone will obviously take some time to reach me. If what you're saying was true, then they'd have to activate it before sending it to me. Which would leave me for several days without any phone at all, since my landline would be cut off. Which has not happened, as I can clearly make and receive calls on my landline right now while I wait for the phone to be delivered.
You're not understanding the difference between pre-activation & activation. I.E....I order an iPhone from Apple, I specify to use the same number I'm currently using, the phone is then what is called pre-activated with that number/account info...it is not fully activated...my old phone works fine...but as soon as I turn on the new phone & complete the activation...my old phone shows no service. That's the deal with your phone. The number you ported will continue to work just fine, until you turn on your iPhone & complete activation. That's why, if you want to change numbers, do not turn the iPhone on when you get. Instead, make a trip to your carrier.
This is what the Apple Store said when I bought the phone:
If purchasing from the Apple Online Store, the initiation of your transfer will occur when you turn on your new iPhone for the first time and follow the onscreen instructions to activate it.
So that is why I started this thread. Is my phone number going to be hardcoded into my iPhone so I can't activate it with any other number? If that's the case, then fine, no big deal, as I said I'm just curious.
Call your carrier and ask.
Is that really necessary? I don't even have the iPhone yet, so the activation and porting hasn't begun.
When you get your phone, it will already be pre-activated with that number. So, to change things will require a trip to your carrier BEFORE you turn the phone on & complete the activation.
And exactly how do you think that "would commence when you turn on the phone and activate it for the first time" unless your phone was already pre-activated?
Oh. Okay then. I get it now.
You're welcome.
This is also done for security reasons. If someone were to lift your phone in transit...well they're in for a surprise 😎
thanks for the info. One other thing:
When you mention contacting my carrier, which carrier are you referring to? My landline provider? Or AT&T, which will be my carrier with the iPhone?
AT&T.
Can I change my mind about porting over my old number?
