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You are here: MacNN Forums > Hardware - Troubleshooting and Discussion > iPhone, iPad & iPod > iPhone ordered from Apple: when does it transfer the mobile number?

iPhone ordered from Apple: when does it transfer the mobile number?
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Cold Warrior
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Dec 5, 2009, 03:25 PM
 
If I order an iPhone from Apple's site, where it asks about transferring a current mobile number, when does that number get transferred (thereby terminating the present service) -- shortly after you purchase it or only when you activate it through iTunes?

edit: I'm in the US.
( Last edited by Cold Warrior; Dec 5, 2009 at 04:13 PM. )
     
Spheric Harlot
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Dec 5, 2009, 04:09 PM
 
Over here, the number gets transferred as soon as (well, within a day or so of when) your former service is terminated. Activation is a separate process that does not necessarily coincide with the transfer.

I activated my iPhone two weeks before the old contract was terminated and the phone function actually went live on the iPhone's SIM - it was basically a GPS/compass-equipped iPod touch until then.
     
Cold Warrior  (op)
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Dec 5, 2009, 04:15 PM
 
In the US an attempt at number transfer will automatically terminate service on the other line, which makes my timing important: too soon and I get hit with a fee.
     
imitchellg5
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Dec 5, 2009, 04:48 PM
 
When the iPhone first came out it was when it was activated by iTunes, I assume it's the same.
     
Spheric Harlot
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Dec 5, 2009, 05:11 PM
 
Originally Posted by Cold Warrior View Post
In the US an attempt at number transfer will automatically terminate service on the other line, which makes my timing important: too soon and I get hit with a fee.
Ah, I see.

Over here, you can't actually apply for a number transfer without proof that you've terminated your contract for a certain date.

It might be that there's no appropriate infrastructure in place to allow a company to terminate another company's contract, or that a phone number has to be properly released before it's transferred to another carrier - either way, it's all in customers' hands, here.
     
Cold Warrior  (op)
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Dec 20, 2009, 10:19 PM
 
well I decided to order from at&t's site since they appeared to let me order two iphones at once (something apple does not). I ordered Friday but just got an email about them canceling the order. Stupid at&t. I'm not even a subscriber yet and they can't get it right.

Anyway, I'll just walk into one of their stores tomorrow and pick up two. I hear you can activate at home via iTunes, including porting a number.
     
zacharace
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Dec 21, 2009, 04:47 PM
 
Originally Posted by Cold Warrior View Post
well I decided to order from at&t's site since they appeared to let me order two iphones at once (something apple does not). I ordered Friday but just got an email about them canceling the order. Stupid at&t. I'm not even a subscriber yet and they can't get it right.

Anyway, I'll just walk into one of their stores tomorrow and pick up two. I hear you can activate at home via iTunes, including porting a number.
I don't believe iTunes activation is an option anymore--only for 2G iPhones. My 3G was activated at the store (in this case, a Best Buy Mobile outlet), but maybe there's still a backdoor? Porting is done through AT&T; I had no need to do this, so I can't (unfortunately) offer any guidance. My guess would be at the store during/after activation.
     
imitchellg5
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Dec 21, 2009, 06:58 PM
 
There actually is a way to activate current iPhones... you'll need the prefpane "Secrets." It'll have the option to activate iPhones underneath iTunes options.
     
Cold Warrior  (op)
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Dec 21, 2009, 09:22 PM
 
I went by a corporate store today and had to activate there. No worries, it went smoothly. I just got a new number and will port in a week or two.
     
zacharace
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Dec 22, 2009, 10:17 PM
 
Originally Posted by imitchellg5 View Post
There actually is a way to activate current iPhones... you'll need the prefpane "Secrets." It'll have the option to activate iPhones underneath iTunes options.
Interesting...I thought there was, but hadn't heard for sure, so I didn't say so .

OP, glad to hear everything worked out.
     
   
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