How to Switch to AT&T Wireless from Verizon Wireless | AT&T

5. Unfreeze any frozen credit accounts

Make sure that your credit accounts aren’t frozen. Freezing or suspending a credit account protects you from fraudulent credit account activity, but it will also block you from opening a new AT&T Wireless account. If you have frozen your accounts, contact your credit bureaus and temporarily unfreeze them before starting your move to AT&T.

If you can’t or aren’t willing to unfreeze your credit accounts, you can open an AT&T Prepaid® account without a credit check. Learn about prepaid
 

6. Back up your old device

If you’re getting a new device from AT&T, first back up your old phone so you can easily sync your contacts, apps, and photos. Many smartphones have a built-in app or cloud service that helps you do this.

Also, keep in mind that voicemails from your current phone will likely not transfer to your new device, so listen to any old messages before switching carriers. 
 

7. Get your Number Transfer PIN from Verizon

A Number Transfer PIN is a numerical code that allows you to transfer phone numbers from one wireless carrier to another. To transfer your phone number(s) from Verizon to AT&T, you’ll need to generate a Number Transfer PIN on the Verizon website and provide it to us when you open your new AT&T Wireless accounts.

Only Verizon wireless account owners and account managers can generate a Number Transfer PIN.

Note: If you want to transfer wireless lines away from a Verizon wireless account due to domestic violence or abuse, please contact Verizon.

Dial #PORT (#7678) from the account owner’s/manager device for a login link. Log in to your Verizon online profile and select My Profile > Number transfer PIN > Generate PIN.

Or you can use the Verizon app to generate your number transfer PIN.

Once you have your number transfer PIN, keep it safe and be sure not to share it with anyone (other than AT&T, of course). The PIN is valid for seven days. 

Important: Don't disconnect your Verizon line of service until after your number or numbers have been moved to, and activated on, your AT&T account.
 

8. Make any device decisions

Did you want to buy new devices from AT&T or bring your existing devices from Verizon? Either way is totally fine—AT&T has great deals on the latest devices, but we also understand the appeal of keeping your favorite phone, tablet, or smartwatch, especially if you have already paid them off.

If you still have a device payment agreement with Verizon that has a remaining balance, or you bought a device using a special promotion that grants you bill credits every month, the credits will stop when you switch to AT&T. In this case, the balance owed for all devices will be added to your last Verizon bill.
 

9. Transfer your number(s) to AT&T

Whether you’re bringing your existing device or buying new, if you want to transfer your phone numbers from Verizon to AT&T, you’ll do that during the checkout process.
After entering your device info or shopping for your new devices, you’ll verify all your delivery/shipping info during checkout. After that, we’ll ask you if you want to transfer your mobile number or get a new one. To transfer your existing number from Verizon, you’ll need to enter:
 

Verizon will send you a text message to verify that you want to transfer your phone number(s) to AT&T—follow the message’s instructions to confirm the number transfer. After that, AT&T will work with Verizon on your behalf to ensure the numbers are fully transferred over, and disconnected from your old Verizon account. 

Don’t forget to transfer your other devices, too! Tablets, smartwatches, and hotspots can be transferred to AT&T, too.

When should I close my Verizon account?

Wait to close your Verizon account until after you’re up and running with AT&T.  

If you plan to transfer all your cell phone numbers from Verizon to AT&T, keep your Verizon account open until you’ve paid it in full and all lines have been fully moved. After AT&T transfers your phone number(s) and your bill is fully paid, Verizon will automatically close your account.  

If you decide to get new phone numbers from AT&T instead of transferring your Verizon phone numbers, you’ll need to close your Verizon wireless account yourself—Verizon won’t do it for you. But you should still wait until your new AT&T Wireless account is active before closing your Verizon wireless account. 

How much does it cost to leave Verizon?

Verizon doesn’t charge you for leaving for another carrier, but there are some costs that might be applied if you have an unpaid device installment balance, and overdue bill, or a minimum contract length that has not been met (this mostly applies to business lines). 

For instance, if you still have a device payment agreement that has a remaining balance, or you bought a device using a special buy one, get one (BOGO) promotion that grants you bill credits every month, the balanced owed for all devices will be added to your last bill.

When I cancel service, can I stop paying Verizon?

Technically, you can only stop paying Verizon once you no longer owe Verizon any money; this is true of any carrier. And while canceling your service means that Verizon will stop billing you for future cell phone service, you might still have a remaining balance to pay even after service is canceled and you no longer use a wireless plan at Verizon. 

According to Verizon, account cancelation doesn’t take effect the day you cancel your account, but rather on the last day of the billing period in which you cancel. Because of this, the best time to cancel your Verizon service is close to the end of your billing cycle. 

If you have canceled Verizon service but still owe money to Verizon, you can sign in to your Verizon disconnected mobile account for up to six months after canceling. After six months, you’ll need to use Verizon's one-time payment page.

What happens to my Verizon play+ perks and subscriptions?

If you have a perk membership (like Disney+, YouTube Premium, Walmart+, Apple Music, Calm, etc.) through your Verizon account, you can still manage your subscriptions through the My Verizon website even after you’ve canceled your Verizon wireless account. However, you might not get the perks or promotions for these subscriptions that were available through Verizon—prices will be standalone pricing. 

Verizon will contact you after you cancel your wireless service to explain how you can keep using your play+ account.

What happens to my Verizon phone number if I don’t transfer it to AT&T when switching?

If you don’t transfer your Verizon phone number(s) to AT&T, Verizon is required to wait 45 days before reassigning the phone number to any other users. You can use this time frame to reach out to your contacts, bank, credit card companies, utility companies, and workplace to let them know that your phone number has changed.