In a nutshell: To switch from AT&T to a new carrier while keeping your phone number, you must first unlock your device, ensuring it meets specific criteria, such as being paid off and not reported lost. Once unlocked, request a number transfer PIN, which is valid for four days, to
Mobile carriers are constantly offering new plans and promotions to entice customers to switch to them. However, getting a new number would be rather inconvenient. If you have a wireless account with AT&T and want to switch over to a new carrier while keeping the same number, then there are a couple of things you must do, starting with unlocking your device.
Your AT&T mobile device is possibly locked to AT&T. Before you can transfer it over to a new carrier, you need to unlock the device. To qualify for unlocking, your device must be fully paid off, it must have been purchased 60 or more days ago, it cannot have been reported lost or stolen, and you cannot owe AT&T any money.If your device is eligible for unlocking, AT&T should unlock it for you automatically. If it is not unlocked, you may not have met all the criteria for unlocking yet.After making sure your phone is unlocked, you will need to get a number transfer PIN. Your new carrier will ask you for it, as part of a safety procedure to protect you from unauthorized number transfers. This number is only good for 4 days, so make sure that you only request it when your device is unlocked and you are ready to transfer your AT&T number.
AT&T home page
To find out if your iPhone is unlocked using your iPhone, skip to step 6.
To find out if your Samsung phone is unlocked using that phone, skip to step 10.
A drop down menu will appear.
If the phone is unlocked, you will see "Device unlocked" next to it.
Skip to step 17.
If you see the words "SIM locked," then your device is still locked.
Skip to step 17.
To check on a Samsung phone released before September 1, 2025, skip to step 14.
Skip to step 17.
If the text there doesn't contain "ATT" then it is not an AT&T device and must be unlocked through the original provider.
To request a number transfer PIN using the AT&T app, skip to step 22.
Skip to step 25.
If you have any questions, call an AT&T customer service representative for answers. You can reach one from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm EST on weekdays and from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm EST on weekends.
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