Are you looking to change your phone number on TextNow, to a different one?
Whether you keep getting old messages from the previous owner or you simply want to start over with a fresh slate, changing your phone number on TextNow is a very straightforward process.
In this article, I’ll be going over step-by-step how to change your TextNow number, along with other things you should know once you receive it!
How To Change Your Number On TextNow
To change your phone number on TextNow, you must first release the old phone number from your account. This can be done by following these instructions:
- Open the TextNow app.
- Tap on the icon with three horizontal lines in the top-right corner.
- Tap on ‘Settings.’
- Tap on ‘Account.’
- Tap on ‘TextNow Number.’
- Tap on the three vertical dots in the top-right corner.
- Tap on ‘Release Number’ to remove your old nu
If you want to keep your old number in addition to getting a new one, this will be explained later on in the article.
Note that the exact buttons may change depending on whether or not you’re on Android, or iOS. If using an iPhone to access TextNow, please follow these video instructions instead:
Do You Have To Wait Before Getting A New Number?
Once you remove your phone number from TextNow, it’s normal to wonder whether or not there is any sort of waiting period.
After all, it could be quite problematic if someone kept removing their phone number, and taking new ones constantly! So, does TextNow impose any sort of time limitation between removing a phone number, and getting a new one?
At this time, the answer is no.
Once you remove your old number from your account, you are free to immediately choose a new one. So, you shouldn’t let this possibility deter you from changing your TextNow number.
That being said, you should avoid removing and adding new phone numbers constantly, as it’s possible TextNow may impose some sort of limiting in the future (or prevent you from removing your number at all, leaving you stuck with the one you have.)
Is There Any Way To Choose A Custom Number On TextNow?
Now that we know you’re free to change your TextNow number whenever you want, you may be wondering – how much control do you have over the new numbers? Can you pick your own?
Sorta.
Currently, TextNow allows you to choose the area code you want to have your number from, which is useful as it can match the area you’re living in.
However, once you choose an area code, you will only be presented with a limited number of options to choose from.
While you can choose between any of the numbers presented (or wait to see if they refresh), there is no way to use a completely custom phone number.
After all, TextNow themselves only have a limited amount they can provide for you! So, just like a regular cellular provider, truly custom phone numbers are not available.
Can You Prevent Your Number From Being Recycled?
Although TextNow provides free phone numbers for you to use, the major downside of this is that they don’t truly belong to you.
This means that once you willingly give them up, they are freed up to be used by other people. Additionally, if you avoid using your phone number for too long, TextNow will automatically revote it and recycle it for someone else.
But is there any way to prevent this?
It turns out, there is!
TextNow has a ‘lock-in’ service that will hold your phone number indefinitely, as long as you pay for their subscription at $1.99 / week. So, even if you don’t use the number at all, it won’t be given to anyone else.
By doing this, you can make sure that nobody else gets your old number once you change it, if you want.
To do this, you’ll need to first purchase the service before you remove your old TextNow number. Then, you’ll actually need to create a new TextNow account as well.
Simply log out of the old account while your subscription for their lock-in service is active, then use your new number on your new plan.
Of course, you can also purchase the lock-in service for that plan as well. To order it, visit the ‘My Store’ section within the TextNow app.
Conclusion
Changing your number on TextNow is easy, and only takes a few moments to carry out.
Once you change it, remember to go back to any services using your old number, and update them with your new phone number in order for your accounts to stay secure. Additionally, reach out to your contacts to notify them that your number has changed.
I hope that you’ve managed to change your number successfully. If you run into any issues, please let me know using the comment form below and I’ll be happy to help.
Wishing you the best,
– James McAllister