How long does it take to port a number?

Switching phone providers sounds easy enough…Until you realize your number might be out of commission for days. The same number your customers use to book appointments, ask questions, or reach you in an emergency. 

So, you need to know exactly how long number porting takes and what could slow it down.

How long does it take to port a number?

The type of number you’re porting from (and to) has a huge impact on how long it takes. If you’re porting from  a wireless carrier (like Verizon) into another mobile carrier (like AT&T), the process can take minutes or hours.

Unlike porting a mobile number to another cell phone carrier, transferring your VolP phone number (classified as a wireline provider) isn’t an instantaneous process. To properly follow all telecom laws, VoIP porting can take 5-7 business days for US numbers and 10-12 business days for Canadian numbers.

Don’t worry, though. Your phone number should still be accessible to use with your current provider up until the date your number ports over. 

The answer to “How long does it take to port over a number?” ultimately depends on a variety of factors, including the responsiveness of your current provider, new carrier, your cell phone, and the accuracy of any documentation you provide. 

This article will help you gauge the time necessary to port your number to a new provider based on nine factors that can impact the porting time.

Why does porting a number take so long? 

The short answer? The system wasn’t built to make switching carriers easy. And the type of number you’re porting plays a big role, too.

Here’s why the process can drag:

• The system is designed to slow you down: Carriers don’t want to lose customers, so the porting process is often more complex than it needs to be. Delays and roadblocks are sometimes baked in on purpose.
  
• The rules work in their favor: Porting requires specific documents, and everything needs to match what your old provider has on file. If anything’s missing or incorrect, they can reject your request and force you to start the process over from scratch.
  
• Every provider handles ports differently: Coordinating between old and new service providers is often tedious since companies have different internal processes and timelines for handling port requests.
  
• The type of porting matters: Wireless to wireless is usually the fastest, but if you’re moving a VoIP or landline number — even to another VoIP provider — it’s considered a wireline port, which typically takes longer and requires more backend coordination.

Average time different carriers need to successfully port a number

Here’s the average time different carriers need to successfully port a number:

Service provider	Estimated time to port a number
OpenPhone	US numbers: 5-7 business days Canadian numbers: 10-12 business days
Verizon	Mobile: 4-24 hours Landline: 2-10 business days
AT&T	Mobile: Minutes to 5 business days Landline: Minimum 5-7 business days
T-Mobile	Mobile: 10 minutes to 3 hours Landline: 3-10 days
Google Voice	Calls: Up to 48 hours Texts: Up to 3 business days
Vonage	Up to 5-21 business days
RingCentral	Mobile: 5-10 business days Landline: 7-15 business days
Grasshopper	Up to 2 weeks

Why is my number taking so long to port? 9 factors that delay number porting time

From documentation accuracy to complex number transfers, these nine factors influence the porting process timeframe.

1. Incorrect or missing documentation

Missing documentation is one of the biggest reasons for port delays. The transfer process has several required documents that must be filled out prior to the number transfer.  The longer you take to submit complete and accurate paperwork, the longer your number will be stuck in limbo.

If your port request is complete and everything checks out, you should receive a confirmation email from your new provider.

Didn’t get one? That might mean something’s missing or doesn’t match what your old carrier has on file, and your port won’t move forward until that’s resolved.

Some common types of incorrect or missing documentation include:

• No LOA (Letter of Authorization) provided
• LOA provided but not signed
• No billing receipt provided
• Wrong billing receipt provided
• Incorrect phone number listed on the invoice
• Invoice information is under another name than LOA
• Incorrect port-out/transfer PIN provided (keep in mind this isn’t your account PIN; check with your current provider to confirm the correct port-out PIN)

Most phone carriers provide porting documents on their website or through a number porting portal. If you’re not sure where to find them or if the instructions are unclear, contact your provider for additional help.  

2. Delays hearing back from your current provider

Porting from a traditional cell phone carrier to a VoIP provider can take longer than the normal 5-7 business day timeframe. You can also run into similar delays if your current provider isn’t responsive and you’re trying to track down specific information, such as your port-out/transfer PIN. Unfortunately, some providers don’t prioritize these requests because they don’t want you to leave.

Moving from VoIP to VoIP is generally faster and more hassle-free — unless your existing provider is slow to respond. If that’s the case, strap in for a few extra days’ of wait time.

Number portability will be more or less difficult according to the carriers you use. A delay of three or four days may not be out of the ordinary.

3. Number porting rejections

One of the most common reasons for number porting delays includes form rejections. Some rejections may only set you back by a few hours, while others could take a week or more. Despite the headache, most rejections can usually be avoided.

Below are some of the most common porting rejections:

• There is a discrepancy between the information you provide to your existing provider during your port-out request and the information they have on file
• Your account number is incorrect
• The customer’s signature is from an unauthorized source
• Your PIN is invalid
• Information was provided from the wrong source
• Errors in spelling

In order to reduce your risk of number rejection, you can:

• Reach out to your existing provider to confirm the information they have on file for you
• Contact the new carrier and request a port-in for your existing phone number well in advance
• Pay all port-out fees and follow your current provider’s requests for port outs (if you ever change your mind, Quo doesn’t charge you any money to move your number to another provider)
• Submit personal information that matches what’s on your phone bill
• Quadruple-check all required information to make sure it’s accurate
• Call your carrier immediately after a rejection to learn more

Rarely do number porting rejections take longer than two weeks to resolve. If you are concerned there are bigger porting issues, be sure to contact your new carrier right away.

4. Moving landline to wireless

The type of phone transfer you require can also have a significant impact on the overall timeline of how long it takes to port a number. 

For example, landline numbers can be ported to a VoIP platform more easily since both are considered wireline. But if you’re moving a landline number to a traditional cell carrier, it can take longer for the ported number to be active, especially if there are service area restrictions or extra verification steps. 

The vast majority of porting from landline account requests take more than 24 hours to begin processing. In addition, landline numbers may become disconnected as the porting process continues, which means you may be without service for a certain amount of time.

💡 Pro tip: Be sure to pay off any early termination fees or backlogged payments to speed up the porting process. For additional peace of mind, call your provider and ask about any holds that may be on your account.

5. Phone number location 

International numbers require different porting processes. When porting your Canadian number to a new provider, it’s best to anticipate longer wait times. The average range is 10 to 12 days, although the time is contingent on the factors listed above.

If your current carrier or old provider is outside North America, it may take longer to port in a new mobile number.

Moving could also be a make-or-break factor in the number porting process. In fact, some geographic areas won’t allow number transfers at all. If your new carrier does not have access to a certain location or if you are moving to a very rural area, you may run into some problems.

Some wireline service providers will need to apply for waivers, taking up to a month to process your number port request. If you’re concerned about your portability in a new area, get in touch with your state public utilities commission. 

🌟 Silver lining: Some businesses, including Quo, allow you to port a US, Canadian, or North American toll-free number to your account regardless of your current location. This provides flexibility and speed throughout the porting process, decreasing unwanted downtime.

6. Canadian carrier-specific requirements

Canadian carriers require their customers to respond to an SMS authentication to approve and schedule the port. This text notification typically occurs after the existing carriers receive the port request from the new provider.

💡 Pro tip: If you don’t receive a text or are unable to respond to it, ask your carrier if a call authentication or a pre-approval can be set up instead.

7. Complex number porting

Not all phone numbers are treated the same. Some are considered “simple” ports. Others are classified as “complex” and often take longer to process.

Here’s what each one means:

1. Simple port: If your phone number only receives and sends basic calls and text messages, it will likely be classified as a simple port. Simple ports are generally classified as only offering basic services, although your old carrier is the one to determine this.
2. Complex port: If your phone number is tied to additional services or is part of a group of numbers under one account, it may be flagged as complex by your current carrier. Most business phone numbers fall into this category.

So why do complex ports take so long? Because they often come with layered features or are grouped into multi-line setups.

For example, if you have bundled numbers ( multiple phone numbers managed under one account), some carriers won’t allow you to port out just one without first unbundling it from the rest. That extra step can delay the process, so if you’re only moving one or a few numbers, it’s worth checking with your current carrier about their port-out policy in advance.

In the US and Canada, other factors that can trigger a complex port include features like call forwarding, specialized call groups, or custom voicemail services — all of which may require extra time to transfer or disconnect properly.

There’s no way to avoid the lengthier time frames associated with complex numbers. Your best bet is to contact your provider well in advance and avoid any other pitfalls that could slow its processing.

8. A2P Registration

Many virtual phone number providers now mandate carrier registration to send texts to US numbers from local phone numbers. A2P 10DLC regulations are being enforced by major phone carriers to help reduce phishing texts and spam. 

To minimize texting disruptions when switching to Quo, we advise completing the necessary US carrier registration beforehand. In some cases, though, you may still experience temporary texting delays due to emerging regulations.

📚 Learn more about 10DLC registration and requirements.

9. Delays due to the holiday season

Carrier networks often freeze changes during major holidays, which can delay number porting requests. If you plan to switch providers, it’s best to schedule your port-out ahead of time to avoid running into seasonal backlogs.

Try out your new provider before porting over

Porting your number can take time, and if you change your mind, switching again means repeating the whole process. 

So it’s smart to test your new provider before making the switch official. It gives you a chance to get a feel for the platform, try out features, and make sure it fits how you work.

With Quo (formerly OpenPhone), you can start with a free seven-day trial using a temporary number. That means you can explore calling, texting, voicemail setup, and team features without committing to a full port right away. Once you’ve had a chance to try it out, porting over your business number is simple (and free!).

All you need to do is submit a porting request through the Quo app. On average, it takes 1-2 weeks to port a number to Quo, depending on your number format, location, and how quickly your current provider responds.

To kick off the process, we just need two things:

1. ​The most recent phone bill from your previous carrier
2. An online authorization form that can be virtually signed

Once we’ve processed your documentation, we can start the porting process in four easy steps:

1. We send your current provider a port request and a negotiable start date.
2. You get an email letting you know the date and time of the port.
3. Your number will become available in your Quo account on the negotiated date.
4. Once the number is safely ported, you can cancel it through your previous carrier.

So, how do you know if your phone number porting is going according to plan?

You can easily check the status of your ported number at any time in the Quo web or desktop app.

While Quo works with your existing provider to port your number over, you can upload your existing contacts as a CSV and fully customize your phone number settings. 

You can even share your number with your team to make collaborating on communications easier. That way, everything’s ready to go once your number is ported over.

Make the porting process smoother with OpenPhone 

Porting a number isn’t always instant, but with the right prep and the right provider, it doesn’t have to be stressful. Now that you know what affects porting time, you can make the switch with confidence.

With Quo (formerly OpenPhone), you can use your free trial to get set up before the switch.You’ll get:

• One local US, Canadian, or North American toll-free number
• Unlimited calling and texting to US and Canadian numbers (requires mandatory carrier registration)
• Dozens of ways to save time texting with your customers, including snippets, scheduled text messages, and auto-replies
• Easily create a professional phone presence with set business hours, phone menus, away voicemail greetings, and more
• Work together with your team to respond to your customers through shared numbers
• Explore AI tools like Sona (Quo’s AI receptionist), automatic call tagging, and call transcripts and summaries to save time and stay organized

Quo plans start at just $15 per user per month.See why thousands of businesses use Quo by starting a free seven-day trial. Then when you’re ready, port over your number.

FAQs

After porting hundreds of numbers to Quo, we have a good handle on how it works. Here are the most common questions that come up: