Lately I have been getting requests from my AT&T business clients to transfer numbers or Port a number out of AT&T. Employees that are leaving a company can take their mobile number that the employee used while working at the company. If the employee is staying with AT&T they would be transferring their number to another account. If the number is going to another wireless provider this is called a port.
Transferring a number.
This process is used when the phone number is staying with AT&T, the term is called transfer of billing responsibility or TOBR. The employee will need to have their own AT&T mobility account to accept the transfer of the number. This can be an existing AT&T account in their name, friends name or family member’s name. This is the same process if the number is transferred to another business on AT&T.
In the past I would just note the business account that the owner gives permission for the employee, or another business can assume responsibility of the number and the end user would call customer service and accept the number 1-800-331-0500. This was the normal process, but I have seen errors being made that could be avoided if the process were done correctly. The errors are mostly because if you go into a store the representative does not get credit transferring your number. They AT&T want you to get a brand-new AT&T number as they will get credit for new numbers. I want to make it as easy as possible for AT&T customers, AT&T now has a website to transfer numbers from one AT&T account to another. att.com/billtransfer
On this link you can learn how to initiate a transfer of billing responsibility for a wireless number from one AT&T account owner to another OR learn how to accept a transfer. You can start the transfer online, and the future account owner can accept billing responsibility online.
Porting a number out of AT&T
“Porting” a number means taking the number and transferring it to another. In that case, the losing carrier AT&T would be porting the number out. The gaining carrier would be porting the number in! AT&T process for business has changed and to port a number out you will need the phone number, the bill account number, the name of the business and a transfer pin.
Learn about Number Transfer PINs
You’ll need to request a Number Transfer PIN to transfer your number from AT&T to another service provider. Use this Number Transfer PIN, and other required account info, to transfer your number to another provider
Heads up:
- Don’t disconnect your AT&T service before requesting a number transfer with your new service provider. If you do, you’ll have to reactivate your AT&T number before your request can be completed.
- Trading in your device to your new service provider? Make sure you request the Number Transfer PIN before signing up with them.
Get your Number Transfer PIN
Request your Number Transfer PIN close to the time you’ll submit the transfer request to the new provider. You can use a single Number Transfer PIN for all numbers that are on the same account. The Number Transfer PIN will expire four days after you request it. If you need a new one, you can ask for another by following the same steps.
From your AT&T mobile device
Call *PORT. Follow the prompts to get your Number Transfer PIN sent to you via text. You’ll need your account passcode to generate the Number Transfer Pin when calling *PORT.
With the myATT app
- Sign into the myAT&T app.
- Go to your profile and select People & Permissions.
- Scroll to Transfer phone number and select Request a new PIN. Your Number Transfer PIN will display on the screen.
Online with myAT&T
- Go to your myAT&T profile.
- Choose People & Permissions.
- Select Wireless.
- Scroll to Transfer phone number and select Request a new PIN. Your Number Transfer PIN will display on the screen.
Heads up: AT&T employees can’t generate a Number Transfer PIN on your behalf.
