How Do I Transfer My AT&T Wireless Account to Another Carrier?
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
Introduction
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.
What You'll Need
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.
Go to the AT&T home page so you can sign into your account and find out if your device is unlocked.
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.
Click on the Account link in the upper right corner of the screen.
A drop down menu will appear.
Click on the "Sign in" option to sign in to your AT&T account.
Go to your account overview.
Find the device you want to unlock.\n
If the phone is unlocked, you will see "Device unlocked" next to it.
Skip to step 17.
Tap on the Settings icon.
Tap on General.
Tap on About.
Scroll down until you reach the Carrier Lock section.
If you see the words "SIM locked," then your device is still locked.
Skip to step 17.
Tap on the Settings icon.
To check on a Samsung phone released before September 1, 2025, skip to step 14.
Tap on Connections.
Select ""More connection settings."
Find the "Network lock status" section.
Skip to step 17.
Tap on "About phone."
Select "Software information."
Find the "Service provider software version" section.
If the text there doesn't contain "ATT" then it is not an AT&T device and must be unlocked through the original provider.
After you have signed into your account online, go to your profile.
To request a number transfer PIN using the AT&T app, skip to step 22.
Click on Settings.
Find the "Transfer phone number" section.
Click on "Request new PIN."
Copy the number on the screen.
Skip to step 25.
Open the AT&T app and sign in.
Go to the Settings section of your profile.
Scroll to the "Transfer phone number" section and tap on "Request new PIN."
Contact your new carrier to transfer your number to them.
Conclusion
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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