How to Bring Your Current Phone Number to Tello
Forget complicated port-in processes. Switching your existing phone number to Tello Mobile is simple and done entirely online through your Tello account. Here’s everything you need to know.
📌 Preliminary Step: Activate your Tello service
Before you can transfer your existing number to Tello, you first need to get your Tello service up and running. If you’ve ordered a Tello SIM but haven’t activated it yet, go to the Activate SIM page and follow the prompts.
This will assign you a temporary line that you can use while the process is completed.
💡 The number transfer option will only appear after your Tello line has been successfully activated.
Activate Tello using a physical SIM
- Go to the Activate SIM section of your Tello online account.
- Enter your activation code in the required field and follow the prompts.
- You can find the 8-9 digit Activation Code printed on the plastic card containing your SIM.
- Once our website has confirmed that the activation process has finished, insert the Tello SIM (logo side up) and switch the fully charged phone ON. Need some help with inserting the SIM into your device? Here’s how to do it.
- Follow any on-screen steps provided and your phone should start to automatically activate the Tello service.
- If your phone does not activate automatically, please wait 30 minutes, then reboot your phone and try again. These things happen.
- If you have activated your SIM in your Tello account but the service still does not work after following the above steps, follow these steps.
Activate Tello using an eSIM
If you already have an eSIM, you’ll find all the steps in the My SIM section.
🎉 Once you’ve successfully activated the Tello service, you’re ready to start the number transfer process.
📌 Important: before starting the transfer
Contact your current carrier and collect:
- Account number from your current provider
- Port out PIN (or Transfer PIN) from your current provider
- Your address as listed on the phone bill
- First name and last name as listed on the phone bill
If you have not done so already, you will need to contact your current provider to retrieve the above information directly from them. Guessing the details required below is a no-no because submitting incorrect information means that the port request will be canceled or unnecessarily delayed.
We’ve already got a list of every US carrier, so that it’s easier for you to get started!
⚠️ To keep everything on track, wait until your number has successfully transferred before canceling your old service.
⚠️ Make sure you don’t have any settings activated that prevent your number from being moved to a new provider.
Ask your carrier to remove:
- Number lock
- Port protection
- Fraud protection
📌 Step 1: Submit the Port-in request
Once your Tello line is successfully activated, or if you already have an active Tello line, and you’ve gathered all the required information from your current carrier, you’re ready to start the number transfer process:
- Log into your Tello account.
- Go to the Number Transfer page
- Select the line you want to port the number into.
- ⚠️ If you have multiple Tello lines, double-check that you’ve selected the correct line in the My Number drop-down menu.
📌 Step 2: Check number eligibility
- In the Port in section, enter your current phone number
- The system will verify if your number can be transferred.
- Numbers that are expired or restricted by your current provider cannot be ported.
📌 Step 3: Enter your current provider’s information
- If the number is eligible, fill in the Port-in form with:
- Account Number from your current provider.
- Port-out PIN (sometimes called Transfer PIN).
- Account Holder’s full name.
- Billing information exactly as it appears on your current account.
⚠️ Errors in these fields are the most common reason ports get delayed. Double-check all details before continuing. This information must be retrieved from your current provider.
Once you’ve completed the required fields, click “Continue” and follow any other prompts that might appear, and that’s it! You have successfully submitted your request.
📩 Any notification about the status of the transfer will be sent to the email address you registered with Tello.
📌 You can find more info on the carrier transfer info you’ll need right here!
⏱️ How long does it take to port your number to Tello?
Short answer: from 2 hours to 2 working days for cell phones. Up to 5 business days for landline and VOIP numbers.
Longer version: we’re super keen on getting you set up on Tello ASAP, but the reality is that the speed of the port-in process depends on your current provider. If any of the information submitted is invalid and is not corrected by you within 3 business days, we may cancel the port request.
Don’t worry, you’ll still have full service while the port-in is in progress.
Things to keep in mind about the Caller ID
✔️ Even after your number has been successfully ported to Tello, it may take up to 3 business days before your ported number is reflected correctly as your Caller ID.
✔️ If after this period, your Caller ID still shows the wrong number, please reach out to our Customer Support team with the details, and we’ll gladly assist you.
My Port-in is successful, now what?
YAY! You’re almost there.
Now, you just need to update the network on your phone. To do this, simply restart your device and follow any on-screen prompts.
The last step is to set up your Voicemail, which you can do by following these simple steps.
And that’s a wrap!
🛠️ Troubleshooting: What if my number transfer fails?
If the transfer failed, it usually means your current carrier rejected the request.
First, contact your current carrier and confirm:
- The account number and port-out PIN (transfer PIN) you provided are correct.
- Your name and service address match the information on your current account.
- There are no number locks or other security features preventing the transfer.
- They have received Tello’s request and can release your number.
If your request is in progress after the estimated completion date, contact your previous carrier and ask them to confirm that they have received the transfer request and will release your number.
Once the issue is resolved, the transfer can continue.
Important: If the information you provided is incorrect and you don’t correct it within 3 business days, Tello may cancel the transfer request.
The short version
Bringing your number to Tello comes down to 4 steps:
- Activate your Tello service. Get your SIM or eSIM working first.
- Get your transfer information. Ask your current carrier for your account number, Port-out PIN (or transfer PIN), account holder’s full name, and billing address associated with that account.
- Submit your request. Go to Number Transfer in your Tello account and follow the instructions.
- Wait for your number to be ported in. Most mobile numbers transfer within 2 hours to 2 business days.
That’s it. No need to give up your number just because you’re switching carriers.
Need additional support?
Most number transfers go smoothly, but if you run into an issue that isn’t covered here, our Customer Support team is one click away.
Since troubleshooting a number transfer may require access to your order and account details, they’re best equipped to look into what happened and guide you through the next steps. Contact Tello Customer Support and have your order details handy so the team can review your case and help get things sorted.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I activate the Tello service?
Follow these steps from the Tello Help Center to activate your Tello service using a physical SIM or an eSIM.
Where do I start the number transfer?
Once your Tello service is successfully activated, log in to your Tello account and go to the Number Transfer page. Enter the phone number you want to bring to Tello and follow the prompts to submit your transfer request.
Note: The Number Transfer option will only appear after your Tello line has been successfully activated.
What is a temporary number?
Every new Tello line gets a temporary number when it’s activated. Your new Tello phone number will be auto-allocated based on the ZIP code entered & area code availability. We can’t control the exact prefix assigned, but the prefix will be from the area code you register. After activating the SIM in your online account, you’ll be able to port in the number you want and replace that Tello number.
Why do I need a temporary number?
Every new Tello line generates a new Tello phone number by default. This means you’ll have no numberless downtime and you can use your Tello service while your transfer is being processed.
Once your number transfer is complete, your existing phone number will automatically replace it.
How long does it take to transfer my number?
For most mobile numbers, the transfer takes 2 hours to 2 business days.
Landline and VoIP numbers can take up to 5 business days. The exact timing depends on your current carrier.
While the transfer is in progress, you can continue using your Tello service with your temporary Tello number.
What happens when the transfer is complete?
Once your number has been successfully transferred, your temporary Tello number will be replaced by your existing phone number.
Restart your phone and follow any instructions that appear on your screen.
You may also need to set up your Voicemail again.
How do I set up Voicemail?
To set up your Voicemail, check out these steps from the Tello Help Center.
What is a Caller ID?
Caller ID is the feature that shows the phone number, and sometimes the name, of the person calling you on your phone screen.
How your Caller ID works?
- Landline Displays: When you call a landline, the receiver will typically see “wireless caller” on their screen.
- Saved Contacts: If the person you are calling already has your name and number saved in their phone’s “Contacts,” your name will show up for them regardless of our system settings.
- Ported Numbers: If you moved your number to Tello from another carrier where a name was already set up, that name might follow you over, but we cannot guarantee this will happen.
When will my Caller ID be updated?
After your number is transferred, it can take up to 3 business days for the correct number to appear on Caller ID.
If your Caller ID still shows the wrong number after 3 business days, contact Tello Customer Support with your account details so they can look into it.
Can I set the caller ID name to one of my choosing?
No. Tello does not currently offer an option to set a personal name, business name, or nickname as your displayed Caller ID Name (CNAM).
How to fix an incorrect name for your Caller ID?
If your Tello number is showing a name that belonged to a previous owner, we can help you reset it to the default “wireless caller.” Please email our Customer Support team with:
- Your affected Tello phone number.
- The incorrect name currently being displayed.
- A phone number where you saw this incorrect name appear.
⚠️ Warning: No Personalized IDs
We can only reset an incorrect name back to the default “wireless caller.” We are unable to accommodate requests for personalized IDs, such as your own name or a company name, under any circumstances.
Question:
Whose transmitters/ towers does tello use for service to customer’s phone?
Hi Jessica,
We run on America’s largest, fastest, and most reliable network.
While the agreement with our partner doesn’t permit us to publicly use their name in our marketing efforts, a quick online search will probably provide you with the answer you are looking for.
its actully t mobile
Can you port a Canadian number?
Hello Patti,
You can only bring US numbers to Tello.
The information provided in the blog is not accurate. I switched to Tello on November 30, initiated right away the number transfer process. The site would tell me first that it was a successful request. Next day it showed that it had failed. I called customer service, they recommended that I talk to the previous carrier. I did, they released the number right away. Tello showed that it was succesful. A few days later, that it had failed. Now, that it was successful again. But Tello has been saying that it should be transferred by the 13th of December, for already almost two weeks. So, “up to 5 days for VOIP and landlines” is really not true. Some game is going on here. Customer Service people are very nice, but they don’t really know what is going on (at least with my number), so they keep repeating what I can read on the webpage. I suppose there may be some abnormal issue with the number (VOIP), perhaps someone had it before me, or something else, or who knows. I have the feeling that Tello keeps pushing the boundaries to make me give up and cancel the request. But for sure some fishy something is going on that they don’t say.
Hi Antonio,
Based on our checks, tomorrow would be the 5th working day since you’ve re-initiated the porting, so the information is accurate.
Please keep in touch with our Customer Service team for any inquires related to your porting process.
Thank you!
By my count, starting November 30, we have:
December: Monday 2 – Friday 6; Monday 9 – Thursday 12
That is, looking at the working days only, I am able to count 9 days, including today. That is almost twice 5.
Hmm…
Hi Antonio,
Based on what we see on our side, the port-in seems successful. Can you please confirm this by testing that everything works as intended?
Also, we’re sorry for this delay and inconvenience the port-in may have caused you, please note that there are several factors that may appear during the process. For more information and assistance, please don’t hesitate to keep in touch with our Customer Service team.
Thank you!