New Member
•
4 Messages
Need Port Code to Transfer AT&T Landline Number to New Cell Phone Carrier
I am trying to help my mother transfer her landline phone number (that she's had for over 50 years) to her new cell phone. The new carrier has asked for a port code which I cannot seem to acquire.
What I've tried:
1) We are not able to use her landline to make or receive calls. The account is active but the phone has rung busy for about a month. That being said, I was advised we could call *PORT but we are not able to do so from her phone. I am not even sure if it can be done from a functioning landline.
2) Calling the 800 number. Multiple times. Everyone I have spoken to says they cannot help me because my mother is not a UVerse customer. The one person who offered to connect me with someone who could help only managed to disconnect me after I was on hold for over 45 minutes.
3) Chat. Apparently that doesn't work for landline customers.
4) Logging into My AT&T online. The instructions that were posted elsewhere on this forum said that I should be able to find what I needed under People & Permissions. No such option exists in my mother's My AT&T account.
This has been going on for a little over 3 weeks. She hasn't been able to use her landline for a month and while I have finally convinced her to get a cell phone, she would be REALLY happy if we could port her landline number to it.
Please let me know if you have any other suggestions.
Accepted Solution
Official Solution
sandblaster
ACE - Expert
•
64.7K Messages
2 years ago
@spoom2 Just FYI, here’s the support article on the port pin, I’m not sure where else it might be posted. Note it specifically says “You’ll need to request a Number Transfer PIN to transfer your number from AT&T consumer wireless to another service provider.”, no mention of landlines.
https://www.att.com/support/article/wireless/KM1447526/
0
0
spoom2
Expert
•
19.7K Messages
2 years ago
The port two company controls the porting and tells you if the number is portable or not. Since your mom has a traditional landline there's a chance it's not portable, but again only the company you're porting to can answer that. They should have all the contacts to confirm this and if they're putting you in the middle, I'd drop them like a hot potato.
0
0
lisaw
New Member
•
4 Messages
2 years ago
The cell phone company asked for a port code from AT&T. Without that there is no way to prove that she has the right to transfer the number.
AT&T has instructions for obtaining the code but none of them work. Hence my post.
0
spoom2
Expert
•
19.7K Messages
2 years ago
I've never heard of a PIN being needed to port a landline and if AT&T can't provide it we as users can't. Where are you finding these instructions?
0
sandblaster
ACE - Expert
•
64.7K Messages
2 years ago
The transfer pin is for porting a cellular number, not a landline number. They should be able to port with her account pin.
0
lisaw
New Member
•
4 Messages
2 years ago
@sandblaster What is an account pin? And where do I find hers?
@spoom2 The instructions have been posted by AT&T representatives in response to other customers on multiple posts. They are also available in “help” on the website. They just don’t seem to work (maybe because it’s a landline) and I can’t get an AT&T rep to help. I know it can be done and I was hoping to find a community member who had solved this problem and could provide assistance.
0
0
sandblaster
ACE - Expert
•
64.7K Messages
2 years ago
Every account has an account pin, it’s something you set yourself. If you log into your account, you should be able to find where to set or reset the account pin.
0
0
lisaw
New Member
•
4 Messages
2 years ago
Ok… did another google search and found this. It’s not entirely accurate as her account number is her phone + 3. But there are four “extra” numbers. Will try the transfer with these numbers today. Wish me luck!
Your account number is your nine-digit landline phone number. Your PIN is the four digits to the immediate right of your phone number in the top-right corner of your bill.
(edited)
0
0
spoom2
Expert
•
19.7K Messages
2 years ago
I'm not going to hunt for them if you can provide a URL, I'd be happy to see what they pertain to. You need to understand most reps, including ATTHelp are not well versed on landlines.
The sad part here is the company you're porting to is the one that's supposed to run with a port and they should know what information to ask you for.
The information about the account PIN provided by @sandblaster is correct and what you found by searching is correct. As you know a phone number is 10 digits so the statement of "Your account number is your nine-digit landline phone number." So to me, that means the last number of your phone + the 3 other numbers. This assumes it didn't get changed. That's just opinion on my part. There is no special port code (special pin) issued by AT&T for porting other than cell to cell.
0
0
spoom2
Expert
•
19.7K Messages
2 years ago
@sandblaster Thank you. As I thought that only applies cell to cell. Since I'm far from an expert on wireless policies was why I asked. Hope that clears things up for the OP too. In the day of the disappearing landline guest confusion is to be expected.
0
0