To get a new mobile number, contact your current carrier and request a number change, or activate a new prepaid or postpaid line with a different provider. Most major national carriers allow one free number change per billing cycle; additional changes may cost $15–$36. Budget providers often charge $2–$10 per change. Always verify the policy before proceeding.
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Getting a new mobile number can help you reduce spam calls, separate work from personal life, or start fresh after a data breach. According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), robocalls remained the top consumer complaint in 2025, with over 1.8 billion unwanted calls per month. A new number, when combined with a do-not-call registration, can cut spam by up to 70% in the first 90 days. Additionally, if you are moving to a new area code, a local number may improve connectivity for calls to nearby contacts.
Many users also choose a second number for online classifieds, dating apps, or business listings. The Consumer Expenditure Survey from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the average US household spends about $1,080 per year on telephone services, so adding a second low-cost prepaid line can be a budget-friendly option.
Costs and Policies
Carrier policies vary significantly. Most major national carriers allow one free number change per billing cycle; subsequent changes within the same cycle incur a fee, typically $15 to $36 per change. Budget providers often charge a flat fee of $2 to $10. Prepaid plans generally allow a number change at any time for a small fee, while postpaid plans may require a call to customer service.
| Carrier Type | First Change (per billing cycle) | Subsequent Changes |
|---|---|---|
| Major national carrier (postpaid) | Free | $15–$36 each |
| Budget provider (prepaid) | $2–$10 | $2–$10 each |
| Second line activation (any) | $0–$10 (SIM fee) | N/A |
Activating a completely new line from a different provider is often the cheapest route, as many budget providers offer SIM kits for under $5 and no activation fee. Always check the carrier's terms of service for number change policies before signing up.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Check your current carrier’s policy: Log into your account or call customer support to see if you are eligible for a free number change.
- Decide on a new line vs. change: If you want to keep your existing service, request a new number from your carrier. If you want a separate line, purchase a prepaid SIM from a budget provider.
- Prepare your device: Ensure your phone is unlocked if switching to a different provider. Most phones sold after 2023 are unlocked by law, per the FCC's unlocking rules.
- Activate the new number: For a carrier change, follow the activation instructions included with the SIM. For a number change, the carrier will update your account within minutes to 24 hours.
- Test the number: Make a test call and send a text to confirm the new number works. Update your contacts and two-factor authentication settings.
Porting vs. New Line
Porting allows you to transfer an existing number from one carrier to another, while getting a new number means you receive a fresh, unused number. Porting is regulated by the FCC under Local Number Portability (LNP), which mandates that carriers complete a port within one business day. However, if you want a completely clean slate—untouched by spam or previous owner issues—a new number is better. New numbers are typically assigned from a pool managed by the North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA).
If you port a number, you may still receive spam calls intended for the previous owner. A new number avoids that risk entirely. The downside is that you must notify all contacts and update services linked to the old number.
Privacy and Security
Changing your number is a powerful privacy tool. The FCC recommends getting a new number if your current one has been exposed in a data breach. According to the Identity Theft Resource Center, 2025 saw a record 3,200+ data breaches in the US. A new number, combined with a phone number blocking service, can reduce spam and phishing attempts. Additionally, consider using a virtual number for online transactions—many budget providers offer secondary numbers for a small monthly fee.
Always enable two-factor authentication on your accounts after changing numbers. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) advises using app-based authenticators over SMS for higher security, but if SMS is your only option, a fresh number reduces the risk of SIM-swap attacks.