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Switching Guides 4 min read

How to Get a Transfer PIN (All Major Carriers, 2026)

A transfer PIN is a temporary 6-digit code that authorizes moving your number to a new carrier. You generate it from the carrier you're leaving — here's the exact path for every major carrier, plus the gotchas that cause most port failures.

Jean Gilles
Founder & Lead Analyst, ShopCellPlans
Published June 12, 2026
Updated July 22, 2026
Generate the PIN within a day or two of switching — most expire in 7 days.

A transfer PIN (also called a Number Transfer PIN, port-out PIN, or NTP) is a temporary 6-digit code that authorizes transferring your phone number from one carrier to another. Every major U.S. carrier requires one. You generate it from your current carrier — via app, website, or a short code — then give it to your new carrier during signup. This guide consolidates every major carrier's process, including the gotchas that cause most port-out failures.

Key takeaways
6-digit code, generated by the carrier you're leaving, valid ~7 days (AT&T ~4).
Disable Number Lock (Verizon) or Port Out Protection (T-Mobile) first.
Only the Account Owner can generate it; it's separate from your account PIN.
Give it only to your new carrier — and keep the old line active until the port completes.
Timing matters
Generate your transfer PIN within 1–2 days of switching. Most PINs expire within 7 days (AT&T is shorter at ~4), and some carriers cap how many you can generate per day. Don't request it weeks ahead.

How transfer PINs work

  • Most carriers use 6-digit numeric PINs (industry standard since 2024).
  • Validity is typically 7 days; AT&T runs shorter at ~4.
  • Generated by the carrier you're leaving — not the one you're joining.
  • Only the Account Owner / Primary Account Holder can generate one.
  • Account locks must be off first: Verizon Number Lock, T-Mobile Port Out Protection.
  • It's separate from your account password and 4-digit account PIN — share it only with your new carrier.

The PIN exists because of the FCC's 2024 SIM Swap and Port-Out Fraud rules, which require secure authentication before any number transfer. The rules apply to postpaid, prepaid, and MVNO service alike — so no major carrier will port your number without one.

Verizon

First disable Number Lock (My Verizon > Account > line > Manage > Number Lock off; allow up to 2 hours). Then dial #PORT (#7678) from the Verizon line for a texted link, or use My Verizon app/website > Number Transfer PIN > Generate, or call 1-800-922-0204. 6 digits, valid 7 days, max 5 generations per line per day, Account Owner/Manager only.

AT&T

No lock to disable. Get it at att.com or the myAT&T app under Profile > Sign-in info > Get number transfer PIN, or text PORT to 7587 from your AT&T line, or call 1-800-331-0500. Valid ~4 days (shorter than others), so generate close to your switch date.

T-Mobile

First disable Port Out Protection (T-Life app > Manage > gear > Permissions & controls > Port Out Protection off). Then T-Life app or T-Mobile.com > Permissions & controls > Transfer PIN > Create PIN (website method requires being on T-Mobile's network with Wi-Fi off), or call 1-877-746-0909. 6 digits, valid ~7 days, Primary Account Holder only.

Prepaid & MVNO carriers

  • Visible — app or visible.com > Account settings > Number Transfer PIN (app-first, chat support).
  • Mint Mobile — app or mintmobile.com > Plan settings, or 1-800-683-7392 (account number needed too).
  • Cricket — myCricket app > My Profile > Sign-in info > Get number transfer PIN, or 1-800-274-2538.
  • US Mobile — app or usmobile.com > Account > Settings (same process across all three networks).
  • Metro by T-Mobile — app > Account, or 1-888-863-8768; in-store also works.
  • Xfinity Mobile — app > Devices > Manage device > Transfer your number, or 1-888-936-4968.
  • Spectrum Mobile — My Spectrum app > Services > Mobile, or 1-833-697-7328.
  • Others: Boost 1-866-402-7366, Straight Talk 1-877-430-2355, TracFone 1-800-867-7183, Consumer Cellular 1-888-345-5509, Google Fi via fi.google.com chat.
Why a PIN won't generate
The usual causes: an account lock still enabled (disable and wait), you're not the Account Owner, a past-due balance, an account under ~30 days old, fraud markers, or you've hit the daily generation cap. Fix the cause and retry.

After you have your PIN

  1. Sign up with your new carrier and choose “keep/port my number.”
  2. Provide your number, old account number, transfer PIN, billing ZIP, and account-holder name exactly as on the old account.
  3. Activate the new SIM or eSIM.
  4. Wait for the port — usually 5–30 minutes; the old line closes automatically.

Keep your old line active until the port finishes — don't cancel first, or you can lose the number. Generating a PIN you never use doesn't change anything; it simply expires.

#Transfer PIN #Porting #Switching #Verizon #AT&T #T-Mobile
Jean Gilles
About the author

Jean Gilles has researched personal finance, consumer technology, and wireless pricing for over a decade. He founded ShopCellPlans in 2019 and writes every review on the site.

Frequently asked questions

Is the transfer PIN the same as my account PIN? +
No. The account PIN (usually 4 digits) accesses your account; the transfer PIN (6 digits) is generated on demand and authorizes only a number transfer. Your new carrier needs the transfer PIN.
My new carrier says the PIN is wrong — why? +
Usually a typo, an expired PIN, or a mismatch on account number, billing ZIP, or the exact account-holder name. Generate a fresh PIN and double-check all fields match your old account.
Do prepaid carriers need a transfer PIN? +
Yes — the 2024 FCC rules apply to prepaid and MVNO service too. Every major prepaid carrier requires one.
Is my number at risk once I generate a PIN? +
No. A PIN alone can't move your number — a port also requires your account number, ZIP, and exact name. Unused PINs simply expire; re-enable your account lock for extra safety.
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Price-change alerts
Get told when your plan’s price changes

One email when a carrier raises rates, drops a plan, or launches a deal worth switching for. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Keep reading

All guides
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