Porting Phone Numbers
Overview​
Number porting allows you to transfer your existing phone numbers to FlyNumber while maintaining business continuity. Keep your established phone numbers while gaining access to FlyNumber's advanced features and capabilities.
You can create a FlyNumber account before starting the porting process. This lets you set up your account details and prepare for the port without needing to order a number first.
Porting In Numbers​
Starting the Port Request​
To initiate a number port:
- Navigate to My Account > Tickets
- Create a new ticket with the following information:
- Full phone number you want to port
- Current carrier/provider billing the number
- Underlying carrier (if known)
Porting Fees by Country​
While porting is free for most countries, some have one-time fees:
| Country | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | $75 USD | All number types |
| Hungary | $95 USD | Both national and local numbers; additional documentation required |
| Sweden (Mobile) | $75 USD | Mobile numbers only |
| Sweden (Toll-Free) | $210 USD | Toll-free numbers only |
| All other countries | Free | Standard documentation required |
Additional fees that may apply:
- Rejected port (UK): $15 USD if a port request is rejected due to incorrect information
- POV request: $15 USD for Proof of Verification to identify the underlying carrier
For country-specific porting requirements, see the detailed sections below or visit the product pages:
Required Documentation​
After submitting your initial request, you'll need to provide:
- Completed Porting Form: We'll send this after confirming portability
- Recent Invoice: A copy of your most recent bill for the number
For online service providers like Skype or Google Voice that don't issue traditional invoices, screenshots of your account dashboard showing the number and account details may suffice as proof of ownership.
Additional Requirements​
Depending on your situation, we may also need:
- Photo ID of the account holder
- Tax ID information
- PIN code (if number is carrier-locked)
- Additional carrier-specific documentation
Service-Specific Requirements​
Some providers have unique requirements for porting out:
Google Voice
- You must first unlock your number in your Google Voice settings
- Unlocking costs $3 USD (free if the number was ported into Google Voice)
- Provide your 10-digit Google Voice number and voicemail PIN as account credentials
- Do not delete your Google Voice number during the porting process
Other VoIP Providers
- Check for number locking or porting restrictions
- Obtain any required PINs or authorization codes
- Ensure your service is active and in good standing
Having all documentation ready can significantly speed up the porting process. Make sure the information on your bill matches your porting request exactly.
Porting Timeline by Country​
US and Canada Porting​
Porting US and Canadian numbers is a straightforward process:
- Timeline: Typically 2-7 business days
- Success Rate: High portability rate
- Process Flow:
- Submit porting request
- Current carrier reviews request
- Carrier approves and schedules port
- Number transfers to FlyNumber
The exact porting timeline depends on how quickly your current carrier processes and releases the number. Some carriers may take longer than others.
UK Porting Considerations​
UK number porting requires special attention to detail:
- Strict Verification: UK carriers enforce strict verification of account details
- Rejection Fee: If a port request is rejected due to incorrect information, a $15 USD rejection fee may apply
- Common Rejection Reasons:
- Incorrect postcode
- Mismatched name or address information
- Wrong account details
Always confirm your account details with your current carrier before submitting a UK port request. Sometimes, the provider you're dealing with is just a reseller, not the underlying carrier who actually holds the number. Knowing the underlying carrier can significantly smooth the porting process.
Hungary Porting Requirements​
Hungary has specific documentation requirements for both national and local number porting. For current fees, see the porting fees table.
- Timeline: 7-14 business days
- Applies to: Both national and local Hungarian numbers
For detailed requirements, see the Hungary porting information.
Required Documentation:
-
Letter of Authorization (LOA):
- Must use the Hungary-specific template (cannot be altered)
- Requires your place of birth
- Requires mother's maiden name
-
Proof of Ownership:
- Most recent invoice from current provider showing the number
- For online providers like Skype: screenshot of account dashboard showing the number
-
Personal Identity Verification:
- Full legal name
- Contact phone number (not the one being ported)
- Passport or national ID copy
- Date of birth
- Personal Tax ID
-
Address Verification:
- Complete Hungarian address (street, building number, postal code, city)
- Proof of address document (required if local address is not shown on the provider invoice)
Hungary has strict documentation requirements. Ensure all information matches exactly across all documents to avoid delays or rejection.
POV (Proof of Verification) Request​
If you're unsure who the underlying carrier is for your number, we can submit a POV (Proof of Verification) request:
- Cost: $15 USD
- Timeline: Typically 2-3 business days
- Benefits: Provides concrete information about who owns the number
- Purpose: Reduces the chance of rejection (though doesn't completely eliminate the risk)
This service is particularly valuable for UK numbers but can be useful for complex porting situations in any country.
Sweden Porting Requirements​
Sweden has different requirements depending on the number type:
Mobile Numbers:
- Fee: One-time port-in fee of $75 USD
- Timeline: 5-10 business days
- Documentation: Standard LOA and recent invoice
Toll-Free Numbers:
- Fee: One-time port-in fee of $210 USD
- Timeline: 10-15 business days
- Documentation: Standard LOA, recent invoice, and company registration documents
For detailed requirements, see the Sweden porting information.
Other Countries​
Porting requirements and processes vary by country. Here's a quick reference:
| Country | Timeline | Special Requirements | More Info |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK | 7-14 business days | PAC code may be requested; strict verification | See details |
| Hungary | 7-14 business days | Extended documentation required | See details |
| Sweden | 5-15 business days | Fees vary by number type | See details |
| Switzerland | 5-10 business days | Fee applies | See fees |
| Germany | 3-5 business days | Provider cancellation confirmation | — |
| Australia | 5-15 business days | Service verification code may be requested | — |
| France | 7-10 business days | RIO number from current provider | — |
| Other Countries | Varies | Check the country page for porting details | All countries |
Most countries have a straightforward porting process requiring just basic documentation. UK, Hungary, and Sweden have more specific requirements due to their regulatory frameworks. For all other countries, we'll guide you through the specific requirements during the porting process.
General Porting Information​
Understanding the porting process helps set proper expectations:
What Can Be Ported​
- Most landline numbers
- Mobile numbers
- VoIP numbers (including Google Voice, Skype, etc.)
- Toll-free numbers
What Cannot Be Ported​
The main restriction for porting is that the number must be active with your current carrier. Canceled or inactive numbers cannot be ported.
SMS Considerations for Ported Numbers​
If you're porting a number that currently supports SMS, here's what you need to know:
- SMS availability depends on the number: Not all numbers support SMS after porting. Check the Coverage Page to see which countries and number types include SMS capability.
- FlyNumber must support SMS: For SMS to work on your ported number, FlyNumber needs to support SMS for that specific number type in that country.
- International SMS reliability: SMS works best when the sender and recipient are in the same country. See our SMS Information guide for more details on SMS limitations.
Before porting an SMS-enabled number, verify SMS availability on the Coverage Page. Look for the "S" icon which indicates SMS support. For complete information on SMS features, billing, and configuration, see our SMS Information documentation.
Best Practices​
- Keep your current service active until porting completes
- Ensure all account information matches exactly
- Respond promptly to any additional information requests
- Have a backup communication plan during the port
- Confirm details with your current carrier before submission
- For UK numbers, verify postcode and account holder information
Before initiating a port, verify that your number is not under contract and that there are no outstanding balances with your current provider. For international ports, especially in the UK, take extra time to confirm your account details to avoid rejection fees.
After Porting​
Once your number is successfully ported to FlyNumber:
- Configure your preferred call handling
- Set up any needed forwarding rules
- Test incoming and outgoing calls
- Cancel your old service if no longer needed
Do not cancel your existing service until the porting process is complete. Early cancellation can prevent the port from completing successfully.
Porting Out Numbers​
While we'd love to know why you're thinking of leaving (we're not crying, it's just something in our eye 😢), we understand that sometimes you need to move your number elsewhere. If you've had any issues with our service, please let us know - we often can work with carriers to resolve problems you might be experiencing!
Port Out Process​
We believe in making the porting process as smooth as possible, whether you're coming or going. Here's what you need to know about porting out:
- No Restrictions: We never block legitimate port out requests or lock numbers with PINs
- Account Information: Your new carrier will need details from your Account Settings
- Email Confirmation: We'll confirm port out requests via email
- Proactive Notification: You can open a ticket to let us know about planned ports
Port Out Fee​
There is a one-time $3 USD fee to port out a number. Please ensure your prepaid balance has at least $3 USD available. If needed, you can add funds to cover this fee.
If you're planning to port out a number, consider opening a ticket to let us know in advance. This helps ensure a smooth transition and gives us a chance to address any concerns you might have.