# Number Transfer PINs Explained on iPhone: How It Works URL: https://byshahid.com/blog/number-transfer-pins-explained-iphone/ App: Secret Codes: IMEI & Carrier (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/secret-codes-imei-carrier/id6807154322) Author: Muhammad Shahid Updated: 2026-11-04 > The one-time code your new carrier needs, and why it expires fast. Every major US carrier now gates port-outs behind a short-lived PIN that only the account holder can generate. The point is that a criminal who knows your name, address and phone number still cannot move your line without a code that only lands on your device or in your logged-in account. - **What it does:** The one-time code your new carrier needs, and why it expires fast. - **Published for:** Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and UScellular - **Type:** Support varies The one-time code your new carrier needs, and why it expires fast. This page explains what it does, how to use it on an iPhone and which carriers it applies to. I build **Secret Codes: IMEI & Carrier**, a free iPhone app with 317 checked codes and guides, including this one. If you would rather tap than memorise, [get Secret Codes on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/secret-codes-imei-carrier/id6807154322). ## What is Number Transfer PINs Explained? Every major US carrier now gates port-outs behind a short-lived PIN that only the account holder can generate. The point is that a criminal who knows your name, address and phone number still cannot move your line without a code that only lands on your device or in your logged-in account. The details differ. Verizon calls it a Number Transfer PIN and will not issue one at all while Number Lock is on. T-Mobile lets the primary account holder generate a temporary transfer PIN from the T-Life app or T-Mobile.com, and Port Out Protection must be disabled first. AT&T PINs expire after 4 days for consumers and 14 for business. UScellular issues a port-out PIN through Customer Service or a store associate, valid for 4 days. The rule that applies everywhere: generate the PIN immediately before you hand it to the new carrier, and never generate one because someone asked you to. **Important:** A caller claiming to be from your carrier who asks you to read out a transfer PIN is stealing your number. Legitimate carrier staff never need it. ## How do I do it? - Turn off any port-out lock on the line first, or the PIN cannot be generated. - Verizon: request the Number Transfer PIN from the Security settings in My Verizon. - T-Mobile: as Primary Account Holder, request the Transfer PIN in T-Life or on T-Mobile.com. - AT&T: use the AT&T app, your online profile Settings, or dial *7678. - UScellular: contact Customer Service or a store associate for a port-out PIN. ## Which carriers does this apply to? | Published for | Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and UScellular | | Type | Support varies | | Good to know | All four carriers use transfer PINs, but validity periods, who may request one and where the setting lives all differ. | _Screenshot: The Secret Codes detail screen shows the steps, the carriers and an Open in Phone button._ ## Related security and scam reporting - [*7678: Get An AT&T Number Transfer PIN](/blog/get-an-att-number-transfer-pin-star-7678-iphone/) - [Verizon Account PIN](/blog/verizon-account-pin-iphone/) - [UScellular Account Lock](/blog/uscellular-account-lock-iphone/) - [T-Mobile Account PIN Or Passcode](/blog/t-mobile-account-pin-or-passcode-iphone/) - [AT&T Wireless Account Lock](/blog/att-wireless-account-lock-iphone/) - [AT&T Passcode And Extra Security](/blog/att-passcode-and-extra-security-iphone/) See all [security and scam reporting](/blog/iphone-codes/security-and-scams/) or [every category of iPhone codes](/blog/iphone-codes/). ## How Secret Codes helps Secret Codes keeps this and every other entry a search away. Pick your carrier once and each entry says whether it is published for your line. You can save favourites, add a private note, and record whether a code worked on your line. This entry is part of Secret Codes Pro. **Secret Codes: IMEI & Carrier** is free on the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/secret-codes-imei-carrier/id6807154322 ## FAQ ### What is Number Transfer PINs Explained on iPhone? The one-time code your new carrier needs, and why it expires fast. Every major US carrier now gates port-outs behind a short-lived PIN that only the account holder can generate. ### What else should I know about Number Transfer PINs Explained? The point is that a criminal who knows your name, address and phone number still cannot move your line without a code that only lands on your device or in your logged-in account. The details differ. Verizon calls it a Number Transfer PIN and will not issue one at all while Number Lock is on. ### What are the steps for Number Transfer PINs Explained? 1. Turn off any port-out lock on the line first, or the PIN cannot be generated. 2. Verizon: request the Number Transfer PIN from the Security settings in My Verizon. 3. T-Mobile: as Primary Account Holder, request the Transfer PIN in T-Life or on T-Mobile.com. 4. AT&T: use the AT&T app, your online profile Settings, or dial *7678. 5. UScellular: contact Customer Service or a store associate for a port-out PIN. ### Where do I find Number Transfer PINs Explained? In the carrier's or Apple's own app, as described on this page. ### Is there a dial code for Number Transfer PINs Explained? No keypad code is listed for it. The way to do it is: App. ### Which carriers does Number Transfer PINs Explained work on? It is published for Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and UScellular. All four carriers use transfer PINs, but validity periods, who may request one and where the setting lives all differ. ### Is there anything to watch out for with Number Transfer PINs Explained? A caller claiming to be from your carrier who asks you to read out a transfer PIN is stealing your number. Legitimate carrier staff never need it. ### Does Number Transfer PINs Explained work on Android phones too? These steps are for iPhone. Android phones have their own menus. ### Will Number Transfer PINs Explained work outside the US? The iPhone steps stay the same, although some features depend on your carrier and region. ### What if Number Transfer PINs Explained does not work on my iPhone? Check that it applies to your carrier first, because carriers decide which services they offer and can change them. If it should apply to your line, contact your carrier. ### What is related to Number Transfer PINs Explained? *7678: Get An AT&T Number Transfer PIN. AT&T publishes this as *PORT — the digits spell it out. ### What else is in this category? Verizon Account PIN. The 4-digit code Verizon uses to verify you on the phone. ## Sources - [FTC: ReportFraud](https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/) - [National Do Not Call Registry](https://www.donotcall.gov/) - [FCC: Stop unwanted robocalls and texts](https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/stop-unwanted-robocalls-and-texts)