Porting Checklist: AT&T
If you currently have a phone number with AT&T and want to bring it to Phound, this guide walks through every step on the AT&T side before submitting your port request. AT&T has a specific process that requires a Number Transfer PIN (separate from your regular account PIN) and, as of July 2025, disabling AT&T's Wireless Account Lock if you have it enabled.
Follow this checklist carefully and you'll be ready to port in just a few minutes.
What You Need from AT&T
Gather three pieces of information before you start:
- Your AT&T account number
- A Number Transfer PIN (not your regular account PIN)
- The name and billing address on your AT&T account (must match exactly)
Let's walk through each.
Step 1: Find Your AT&T Account Number
Your AT&T account number is a unique identifier for your account. It is not the same as your phone number.
Option A: myAT&T App (fastest)
- Open the myAT&T app and sign in.
- Scroll down and tap See bill overview.
- Your account number appears at the top of the My billing center page.
Option B: Paper or PDF Bill
Check the upper-right corner of the first page of your bill, below the page number and issue date.
Option C: att.com
Sign in to your account at att.com. The account number is shown in the account overview.
Option D: Call AT&T
Dial 611 from your AT&T line. When the automated system asks what you're calling about, say "Account number" — the system can read it aloud or text it to you.
Tip: If you're on AT&T Prepaid, the account number is not on a traditional bill. Dial 611 from the prepaid device and ask the representative to provide it.
Step 2: Disable Wireless Account Lock (if enabled)
In July 2025, AT&T launched Wireless Account Lock as protection against SIM-swap and unauthorized port-out. If it's on, you must turn it off before you can generate a Transfer PIN.
- Open the myAT&T app and sign in.
- Tap your profile icon.
- Select Manage or remove account.
- Tap Settings.
- Find Wireless Account Lock (sometimes labeled Account Lock).
- Toggle it Off.
For business accounts: Sign in to your AT&T business account → Account lock settings → set to Off.
Warning: AT&T will never call or text asking you to turn off Wireless Account Lock. Any such contact is a scam. You turn it off yourself, only when you're ready to port.
Step 3: Generate Your Number Transfer PIN
AT&T calls it the Number Transfer PIN. You can generate one three ways.
Option A: myAT&T App
- Open the app and sign in.
- Tap your profile icon.
- Select Manage or remove account.
- Tap Settings.
- Scroll to Transfer phone number.
- Tap Request a new PIN.
Option B: Dial *PORT (*7678)
Dial *PORT (*7678) from the AT&T device. You'll need your account passcode. The PIN is sent to you by text.
Option C: att.com
- Sign in at att.com.
- Click Manage profile (top left).
- Go to People & permissions.
- Scroll down and click Request a new PIN.
Transfer PIN Validity
| Account Type | PIN Valid For |
|---|---|
| Consumer (postpaid) | 4 days |
| Business | 14 days |
Warning: If you don't complete the port within the validity window, the PIN expires and must be regenerated. Plan to submit your port to Phound within a day of generating the PIN.
Step 4: Verify Account Name and Billing Address
The receiving carrier (Phound) will submit the port to AT&T using the exact name and address on your account. Any mismatch triggers rejection.
- Full legal name — including middle initials and suffixes (Jr., Sr., III)
- Business accounts — match the business name exactly, including "LLC," "Inc.," etc.
- Billing ZIP code (always required) and often the full billing address
- For family plans, use the Account Owner's name
Pull up a recent bill or myAT&T profile screen to confirm the exact format.
Step 5: Confirm Account is Active
Your AT&T account must be active at the time of the port request.
- Do not cancel AT&T service before the port completes. AT&T's own guidance: "If you disconnect your AT&T number too soon, you'll have to reactivate it before your request can be completed."
- No suspensions or fraud holds
- Pay any past-due balance — it can block or delay the port
Step 6: Submit Your Port Request in Phound
Now you're ready to submit:
- Open the Phound app and go to Settings > Numbers > Port a Number.
- Enter the AT&T number you want to transfer.
- Provide your AT&T account number, Number Transfer PIN, and account name/billing address exactly as shown on AT&T.
- Submit.
Phound handles the rest. Track your port in Check Your Porting Status.
Common AT&T Rejection Reasons
From AT&T's own port-rejection documentation:
- Name mismatch — including suffix differences ("Bob's Bagel Shop" vs. "Bob's Bagel Shop, LLC")
- Service address mismatch — must match the address on file and the correct city/state for the number's rate center
- Unauthorized requester — person submitting isn't an authorized user on the AT&T account
- Wireless Account Lock still enabled
- Transfer PIN expired (past the 4-day / 14-day window)
- Account suspended or in collections
- Number already ported or disconnected
See Why Your Port Was Rejected for fixes.
Special Account Types
AT&T Prepaid
Prepaid accounts don't use the standard Transfer PIN interface. Call 611 and ask the rep to set or retrieve a port-out PIN. (In practice, many prepaid accounts default to 0000 if no PIN is set.) The account number isn't on a bill — you'll need to ask the rep for that too.
Business Accounts
- PIN validity is 14 days instead of 4
- Only authorized users (listed in People & Permissions) can request the PIN
- For bulk moves (10+ lines), see AT&T Corporate LNP procedures
Family Plans / Multi-line
Each line has its own Transfer PIN. The Account Owner — or an authorized Secondary User — must request the PIN for that specific line.
AT&T Support Contact
- AT&T Wireless (consumer): 1-800-331-0500, or 611 from your AT&T phone
- AT&T Business: 1-800-331-0500 (same line, select business options)
Still need help?
If you couldn't find what you were looking for, our support team is ready to assist. Contact Phound Support and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.