Can I keep my US phone number?

[Iconoclaste]

I lived in the USA for 6 years and now I'm moving back to Canada. Can I keep/transfer my US phone number?

[softech]

@Iconoclaste   why not port your number to Google Voice?

https://support.google.com/voice/answer/1065667?hl=en#:~:text=Port%20your%20mobile%20number%20to%20a....

[DennyCrane]

No you can't port a phone number from another country. You could port the number to TextNow for your US contacts to be able to reach you at your old number, but I personally wouldn't recommend using this as your primary number. Get a new Canadian number and have TextNow for your existing US contacts to reach you at.

[BKNS27]

@dust2dust 

I wish iPhones have double SIM tray. I have to pop out the PM SIM and switch to the TextNow SIM.

My TextNow SIM and app have the same number with a 360 area code.

[dust2dust]

@BKNS27- Ask the big 3 and the regulator why that is. hmm. I wonder. 🙂

I have a US service with a sim that can use the normal dialer and texting app and uses vowifi. But the sim needs to be in a phone. Works here too. No app. Maybe the US TextNow is more flexible. I have the app-only Canadian TextNow too. And Google Voice. I think that one is superfluous with the other options present.

[BKNS27]

@dust2dust 

You can use the app on WiFi to make free texts and calls while in Canada and US. 
The SIM will allow you to connect to T-Mobile network where there is no WiFi available while in the US.

All using the US number that is ported over.

Funny they only offer to US residents and TextNow is a Canadian company.

[dust2dust]

@BKNS27- Does the app need the sim in the phone? When in the phone does the service include vowifi to dial through the normal dialer? Or does the service need to use the app all the time?

[BKNS27]

@Iconoclaste 

All Canadian carrier will only port Canadian numbers.

One option is to get a TextNow SIM in the USA for $4.99usd but it needs to be shipped to a US address, purchase with an American CC but they take PayPal and activated in the US on T-Mobile network.

You can port your number to the SIM and use the app to text and make calls in Canada for free and when the US, the SIM will work while in the US for free calling and texting.

Just an Option!

[dust2dust]

I don't think any provider will take numbers from outside the country.

Maybe you could look at changing to a US service that includes roaming to Canada. Many companies offer roaming to different areas.

Keep in mind of course that people calling you would likely need long distance methods to call that US number.

[Dunkman]

@Iconoclaste 

From my understanding, No.

But, you can try this Koodo link to see whether your number is able to be transferred to Telus/Koodo/Pulbic mobile:

https://secure.koodomobile.com/checktransfereligibilityparrot/default.do?lang=en&appname=otherportal

[itteam]

Go with some one else don't go with them. I try for almost one week to be up and running and nothing.