In short: You can bring your existing number to a new provider. It is called porting, it is regulated by law, and with Simsalasim it is free. With Simsalasim you decide whether to bring the old number after you buy, not during checkout.

What porting means

Number porting is your right to keep your number when you change provider. You request it with the new provider, who handles the rest with the old one. You do not have to cancel twice or chase anything yourself.

Step by step with Simsalasim

  1. At checkout: you choose “Keep your previous number” (the default) or “New number”. Nothing else is asked at this point.
  2. Working straight away: with “Keep your previous number” your plan starts right away on a temporary number, so you are reachable immediately and wait for nothing.
  3. Choose your number: once the eSIM is active, you find “Choose your number” in your profile settings in the app. Three options: transfer the previous number, keep the temporary number, or pick a new one.
  4. Enter the details: a transfer needs your previous providers name, previous number, first and last name and date of birth. These have to match your old provider’s records exactly, otherwise they decline.
  5. Wait for the check: your old provider checks the details within up to 3 business days. After that the app shows the date the number moves over.
  6. Switchover: until then the temporary number keeps working normally. Plan, calls and data run without interruption.

When a transfer is possible

What matters is the status of your current contract. A transfer works if it ends within the next 123 days or ended no more than 80 days ago. So you do not have to wait for everything to run out, and a number you have just canceled is not automatically lost.

If the old provider declines

This usually comes down to details that do not match, for example a different name on the contract or a typo in the date of birth. The app then names the reason and offers three routes: keep the temporary number, correct the details and try again, or choose a new number.

Worth knowing

  • Porting is free with Simsalasim.
  • There is no deadline. You can keep the temporary number for good, and you can still start a transfer later from your profile.
  • A running transfer can be stopped in the app. The temporary number then simply carries on.
  • You stay reachable throughout. There is no gap where your phone goes dead.