Losing your number can be frustrating, depressing, and disheartening. We attach our daily activities, schedules, social life, and other things to our phone numbers, making communication and life more manageable.
When you lose your phone number, you lose part of your life. Your Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other social networks all require a mobile number before you can either create an account or login into your already created account.
The bitter truth is that our phone makes 70% of our life as many things have gone digital. Phone carriers and tech companies like AT&T, ATNI, Cellcom, Cellone Nation, etc., are owners of phone numbers.
They activate and deactivate them, especially when there is a connection or report of fraudulent activity using that phone number. Most times, your carrier or network service provider may not be able to help you at the moment. Therefore there’s a need for urgent action.
Many people have lost their phone numbers as a result of theft, accident, or carelessness. Whatever may cause losing your phone number, we created a detailed step-by-step guide on how you can retrieve your old phone number back. It can feel a bit strange to get a report from friends that your number now belongs to a stranger.
Why Your Number May Face Disconnection/Deactivation
There are many factors responsible for the deactivation of your number. Understanding how to retrieve an old number is easy. However, knowing why you may get deactivated is essential.
This will help you evade such issues in the future. The factors depend on the company or carriers who provide those numbers.
However, most phone numbers are deactivated due to not being used for an extended period. Hence, the carriers enforce the standard procedure by deactivating the number.
You can deactivate even an active phone number. Yes, it is possible to have an active number and still lose it. Almost all carriers have a 90-day auto deactivation policy.
This means that any phone number not used for a certain period gets automatically deactivated and recycled.
A phone number can also be disabled if it opts for cancellation. A phone number connected with such a line is recycled faster. In some cases, it can take more or less than a 30 days window to get such numbers recycled.
A subscriber may not be unable to receive texts or calls due to disconnection. For instance, the likes of T-Mobile and AT&T are well-known for this form of mobile termination. They will prevent the subscriber from receiving any texts and calls and initiating and sending texts and calls.
You can only reactivate your phone number when you renew your monthly subscription. In that case, you have full access to make calls and send texts again.
Now that you have seen some factors that may lead to the disconnection of your number, let’s look at how you can get your old phone number back.
Step 1: Make Enquiries Before Revoking Your Plans
When you plan on revoking or canceling your phone plan but still want your name tied to the number, make sure you ask as soon as possible.
When the canceling finishes, the phone number is returned to your mobile carrier. Thus, there’s little or no chance of possible retrieval.
Most carriers provide phone number choices, such as porting and parking. Unless you utilize either of these options, the carrier will transfer your phone number to another user.
Calling the carrier will be the best option. This option is more suitable and should be done personally; it will help quicken the process.
When you visit their store, they will give you a paper result to help you understand the situation. You can also achieve this when you call the carrier customer care line. It takes a few minutes to connect to an agent, so you must be patient.
Step 2: Switch The Number To Another Carrier
Number porting means transferring a phone number to another carrier.
You can only transfer the number if it is still operational on the former network. For instance, if you are moving from T-Mobile to any other carrier, you must begin the porting procedure before they cancel your subscription.
If the number does not port successfully after canceling the subscription, it will revert to the former carrier.
The FCC asked carriers to permit porting so that customers may keep their phone numbers for as long as they want. This option comes with a restriction: the customer must stay in that location.
However, this is not compulsory. When the new carrier carries out the porting process, the complete activation will not occur until the previous carrier releases the number.
Begin the porting procedure by alerting the new carrier you want to retain the phone number. In many circumstances, your carrier will handle the transfer.
However, the former carrier may request your explicit agreement before releasing the number. It is necessary to contact the former carrier and notify them about the porting, as this will save time.
Cancel the previous contract when the migration becomes successful. You can use the same phone number as the new carrier.
Should you switch carriers later, the same conditions are applicable. You must transfer your number before ending your contract.
Step 3: Park Your Phone Number
Number parking is a situation whereby you still have ownership of your phone number. Therefore, you don’t need to get a new number anytime.
Most carriers offer phone number parking options to their customers. It enables you to maintain your phone number even if you don’t have a service package.
Parking is great for traveling abroad and other occasions when there is no need for a local mobile plan.
If you don’t have a port or park plan attached to your number, they will return it to your carrier. This means that the phone number may be unavailable for you in the future.
Parking a phone number requires some payment, and keeping the number costs a small amount every month. Suppose you choose to register a new account with another carrier later.
In that case, you may easily port your parked phone number to them. If you want to park your number, ensure the carrier permits you to transfer your number without incurring any additional expenses.
Conclusion
It is entirely possible if you wonder whether you can get back your old phone number. Contacting your network service provider or carrier should be the first thing.
When you try contacting them, and they fail to help you retrieve the number, go to a physical outlet.
Before you travel or decide to do away with that number, follow this guide in summary. Make an inquiry, port, and park; you may need that number tomorrow. It will only cost you a few bucks to keep the number up and running.
In the event of fraud, accident, deactivation, or impersonation, don’t hesitate to reach out to your local security agents for help. Also, you can call your network provider to assist you.
We hope this guide gives you all you need to get your old number back. Good luck.