How to change your phone number

Whether you’re receiving intrusive calls or you just don’t know who has your phone number and want to start over, it might be time to change your phone number.

However, it is not clear how exactly to do that. It turns out that the method can vary depending on the phone or network you’re working with.

Below is a guide on how to change your phone number, regardless of whether you are using an iPhone or Android phone.

Why do I need to change my phone number?

But first: why would you want to change your number anyway? Well, there are a few reasons why you might want to consider this.

For example, if you are receiving unwanted calls or messages from telemarketers, scammers, or other unwanted sources, changing your phone number can give you peace of mind.

Knowing how to protect your identity online is a crucial step in protecting your personal security and ensuring that your contact information is not easily accessible. Changing your phone number is one of many ways to do that.

On the other hand, if you’re moving to a new city, starting a new job, or just want a fresh start, a new phone number can help you get there.

If you use your phone number for business purposes and receive too many business calls and messages, it may also be a good idea to separate your personal and professional contacts with a new number.

How to change your phone number on Android

Changing your phone number on an Android phone can be done in two ways.

If you want to keep your current SIM card, you can request a telephone number change directly by contacting your network provider.

If you live in the UK, please get in touch EE, O2, Vodafone, Three or any piggyback networks you use. The same goes if you use AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile or any of their piggybackers in the US.

Visit your provider’s website or contact them by phone to be guided through the process.

Some providers even let you choose from a list of available numbers, so you don’t get a random number.

However, please note that there may be charges associated with this service.

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

On the other hand, if you are not worried about your current SIM card, you can also buy a new SIM card, which will give you a completely new phone number. This skips the entire process of changing the number on your current SIM card, saving you time and potential service charges.

Be sure to check out our roundups of the best SIM-only deals in the UK and US, as well as the best SIM deals and plans for students if your budget is tight.

If your carrier provides a new SIM card, insert it into your phone and follow our guide on how to activate a SIM card.

You can also order an eSIM card, but check the pros and cons of using an eSIM on your phone before making a purchase.

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

You can even pair it with a dual-SIM phone and have two phone numbers at the same time.

However, it’s also important to note that in many countries there are two ways to buy a contract phone: unlocked or locked to a specific network.

Follow our guide on how to unlock an Android phone and use any SIM card if you’re having trouble.

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

If you’ve already finished getting your new phone number, change it on all accounts associated with your old number, such as social media, email, banking, and two-factor authentication services.

Also make sure to go to Settings > About > Phone Number (method may vary by phone) to make sure your new number is displayed correctly. If not, you may need to update it manually.

How to change your phone number on iPhone

Changing your phone number on an iPhone involves a similar process to Android, with a few Apple-specific steps.

You can of course request a telephone number change from your mobile provider. You can also buy a new SIM card and activate it by following our guide or opt for an eSIM.

iPhones also offer dual-SIM functionality. However, you must be running iOS 12.1 or later on one of these iPhone models:

• iPhone 15
• iPhone 15 Plus
• iPhone 15 Pro
• iPhone 15 Pro Max
• iPhone 14
• iPhone 14 Plus
• iPhone 14 Pro
• iPhone 14 Pro Max
• iPhone 13
• iPhone 13 Pro
• iPhone 13 Pro Max
• iPhone 12
• iPhone 12 Pro
• iPhone 12 Pro Max
• iPhone 11
• iPhone 11 Pro
• iPhone 11 Pro Max
• iPhone XS Max
• iPhone XR

Additionally, as with Android phones, some iPhones may only work with a SIM card provided to the carrier they are locked to. If this applies to you, follow our guide on how to unlock an iPhone and use any SIM card.

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

After you successfully obtain a new phone number, you will also want to change it on accounts associated with your old number, such as Apple ID, iCloud, and other services.

Go to Settings > Phone > My Number to manually update your phone number if it doesn’t update automatically.

Also, go to Settings > Messages & Settings > FaceTime to make sure your new number is used for iMessage and FaceTime.

Changing your phone number can be difficult, but is often necessary for privacy, security or personal reasons. By following the steps above, you can switch to a new phone number on your iPhone or Android phone without any hassle.