Bringing your existing phone number to CloudTalk is easy! If you're new to number porting or moving your number for the first time, this guide will walk you through each step.
Watch our onboarding video for a quick overview of the process, or explore our dedicated YouTube channel for more CloudTalk feature tutorials.
What is Number Porting?
Porting a number means moving it from your current phone provider to a new one, like CloudTalk. Once your number is ported, it will only work through CloudTalk and no longer be active with your previous provider.
Not ready to fully move your number? We can still create a verified outbound caller ID of your number. This way, your outbound calls will display your familiar number even before the port is complete.
The Porting Process
Requirements for Porting
We recommend reading our recommendations for a smooth port before making your request.
To port a phone number into CloudTalk, please make sure you:
Are using a number type within our coverage for the given country
Have an active CloudTalk account
Have an active account with your current provider
Have the number(s) configured in CloudTalk before the port completes (we enable setup 48 hours after receiving your full porting request).
Before your porting date, set up business hours, call flows, and agents in the CloudTalk Dashboard so the number is fully functional once moved.
How to Start a Porting Request
Send us an email to [email protected] with the subject line: "Port-in request", and include the following:
Number(s) that you wish to port in E. 164 international format (e.g.,
+442012345678)Name of your current service provider (the company billing you for the number).
Name of the range holder or underlying carrier
This is often different from your service provider, especially if you're using a VoIP platform.
If you don’t know the underlying carrier, your current provider may be able to provide it. If not, CloudTalk can try to look it up - but please note this isn’t always visible from our side.
The registered name - person or company - that the number is assigned to with the underlying carrier.
Full service address registered with the number
This might differ from your billing address. We highly recommend confirming this with your current provider to avoid rejection.
A copy of your most recent invoice for the number(s)
To avoid unnecessary delays, always verify with your current provider that the number is portable and that you have the correct registration info.
What's the Underlying Carrier?
Your underlying carrier is the operator that technically owns the number. Your service provider (SP) is the company you pay.
In some cases (e.g., Vodafone, Verizon), the SP and underlying carrier are the same.
If you're porting from another VoIP service, they likely use a different underlying carrier.
Porting requires identifying the correct underlying carrier, as we must send the request directly to them.
Processing Timeline
Once we have all required documents, here's what happens:
We check if the number is portable from our side.
If so, we'll send you an LOA (Letter of Authorization) to fill out, plus any required documents. Please ensure everything is accurate before signing.
CloudTalk and our partner carrier (the "gaining carrier") will submit your documents to the current carrier (the "losing carrier").
CloudTalk will add the number to your Dashboard for configuration - but it won't go live until the port is complete.
Once the losing carrier approves, both carriers will schedule a port date.
Occasionally, we may know the exact time of porting, but this is not guaranteed.
On the agreed date, your number will be activated in CloudTalk.
If for any reason your number cannot be ported, you still have the option to purchase a new number from CloudTalk - we offer global coverage.
If you need assistance, contact our Porting Team anytime. We'll be happy to help!