What is the Cheapest Way to Keep a Phone Number?

Are you looking for the cheapest way to keep a phone number? Here are some of the most effective places that will allow you to do this.

There are many reasons why you want to keep your phone number.

We’ve rounded up the most cost-effective ways to keep your number for under $5 a month.

Here’s how we kept ours!

The cheapest way to keep a phone number would be to port it to a carrier that offers this service. There are a lot of virtual network operators that will happily take your number. Google Voice offers the most extensive suite of features, allowing you to forward calls to up to 6 numbers simultaneously.

Before we dive into the different places where you can keep your number, let’s look at some of the factors you should consider.

Things to Consider When Porting and Keeping a Phone Number

Porting an existing number from one phone service to another can cost you a very small fee or not cost anything at all.

However, if you’re looking to buy a number to port or switch carriers immediately, you’ll need to be careful.

There are several things you need to take into account before you start the process of storing your number.

1. Maintain Ownership Of The Number

Keeping your number in “storage” allows you to maintain ownership. Leaving it inactive for several months will reset and return it to the pool of unassigned numbers.

2. Going Overseas For An Extended Period

If you’re always traveling or plan to spend several months out of the country, keeping your phone number ensures that you still own it when you return.

3. Effective Call Blocking Or Forwarding

Some services offer excellent call blocking or forwarding features allowing you to filter calls to your number.

4. Spending Less To Keep The Number

Porting and keeping your number is significantly cheaper compared to continuing to pay for your current subscription.

Now that you have a better understanding of the advantages of keeping your number let’s look at several ways that will allow you to achieve them.

What is the Cheapest Way to Keep a Phone Number

If you have decided that you want to put your number in storage, the good news is that you do have several options.

There are different services that are willing to get your number from your current carrier for a small fee, of course.

Whether you’re going to change carriers, use a virtual one, or a third-party service, here are some of the options you want to consider:

Solution #1: Cheapest Way to Keep a Landline Phone Number

You might be wondering if maintaining a landline is still necessary given the prevalence of smartphones and wireless phones.

Despite not being as cutting-edge as smartphones, landlines are still one of the most dependable means of communication.

Businesses also rely on landlines.

There are instances when you want to keep your business number in storage so you don’t have to go through the hoops to apply for one again.

Here are some of the cheapest ways to keep your landline phone number:

1. Port your landline to Google Voice for a one-time fee.
2. Port your number to Spectrum and park it for $14.99 a month.
3. Port your number to a service like MagicJack for only $39 a year.
4. Port your number to a prepaid landline service from T-Mobile or AT&T.

Note: You can also consider other services like NetTalk and Vonage.

Solution #2: Cheapest Way to Keep a Cell Phone Number

Everyone has a cellphone number nowadays.

However, it’s always a challenge if you want to travel overseas for several months and want to make sure that you keep your number active while you’re gone.

Changing numbers is always a hassle, so if you can keep your number while paying the least amount, that will be an amazing proposition.

Here are the cheapest ways to keep your cellphone number:

1. Suspend your account with AT&T for 6 months for only $10 a month.
2. Use T-Mobile’s temporary suspension feature for 90 days at $10 a month.
3. Verizon offers reduced rate billing for up to 90 days at $10 a month.
4. Google Fi allows you to pause and resume your service at any time.
5. Port your number to Mint Mobile and get their most affordable plan.

Note: These great options will allow you to pause or suspend your account for at least 3 months.

Solution #3: Use Google Voice for Excellent Forwarding Features

One of the best options for the most affordable way to keep your phone number is Google Voice, hands down.

It’s an interesting service that allows you to keep your old phone number in case you’re going to need it.

They also offer the most extensive call forwarding features that enable you to forward calls to your new number as long as it’s linked to your Google Voice account.

You can also forward to up to 6 numbers giving you a lot of flexibility over your old number.

Here’s how to use Google Voice to keep your number:

1. Port your old number to Google Voice for a $20 one-time fee.
2. Verify your new number on your Google Voice account.
3. Setup call forwarding to your new number.

Note: The best part about Google Voice’s service is that you’ll still be able to make calls using your old number as long as you have a data connection.

Solution #4: Use a Carrier Prepaid Plan

Prepaid plans are one of the cheapest ways to get a phone plan.

If you’re not using your number since you rely on the internet for most of your communication needs, it’s the best way to keep your number without paying a lot.

Carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon offer prepaid plans. Virtual network operators also offer prepaid plans for users not inclined to get traditional phone plans.

Choosing the right carrier is the best way to keep your phone number and ensure you own it.

Here’s how to use a prepaid plan:

1. Call your carrier and transfer your subscription to a prepaid plan.
2. Port your number to a carrier that fits your needs and budget.
3. Consider checking out prepaid plans from operators like Mint and Cricket.

Tip: Get the plan that only offers the basics in terms of minutes, messages, and data for the most affordable price.

Solution #5: Use Third-Party Providers

If you feel like the previous options still hurt your budget, there are third-party services that allow you to put your number into storage.

A couple of services are under $5 and can be considered the cheapest way to keep your number.

Thanks to the FCC’s rules on number portability which state that it’s legal for you to keep your number, you can use these services to retain ownership.

Moving your number to a different carrier means you’ll still have to pay for additional services.

However, these storage providers offer plans that only do the minimum so you can keep your number.

Third-party number parking providers to use:

1. NumberBarn offers number parking services for only $2 a month.
2. Voip.ms provides the same service for $0.85 a month.
3. ParkMyPhone offers plans for only $3 a month.
4. Park your number with Google Voice for only a one-time porting fee.

Note: These services may not offer other features like call and message forwarding; you’ll have to pay extra for those.

Solution #6: Port Your Number to the Service of Your Choice

There are a lot of services that will allow you to port and keep your number for as long as you want.

Your job is to choose which one fits your needs best so you can choose to move your number there.

Do you need call or message forwarding? Are you looking for temporary service while you’re away on vacation?

Or do you simply need a way to keep your number until you decide to use it again? Answering these questions helps you determine what service to take.

Porting your number to the parking service you choose:

1. Get your account details from your current provider.
2. Check your number if it’s available to be ported.
3. Apply to port your existing number on the service you choose.
4. Wait for 24 to 48 hours for the process to complete.

Note: Make sure that you don’t cancel your current plan while you’re in the process of porting your number.

You’re now ready to save money while keeping your phone number for later use.

If you run into any issues, you can always contact your current and new providers to check on the progress of your number porting request.

Read Next: How Do I Change My Phone Number with Consumer Cellular?

Bottom Line

Now that you know the cheapest way to keep a phone number, you can enjoy your extended vacation or keep your business phone number without worrying about losing it.

You also don’t have to check on your budget if you choose the perfect provider for your needs.