You can move an active AT&T Mexico mobile line to Telcel or Movistar without changing its 10-digit number. Number portability is free: request a four-digit NIP from the AT&T line, give that NIP and your identification to the carrier you are joining, keep the AT&T SIM working until the transfer-confirmation SMS arrives, then insert the destination SIM. A normal port should execute within 24 hours; if you choose a later date, it may be scheduled no more than five business days after submission.
What mobile number portability changes—and what it does not
Portability transfers your mobile number and service to a new operator. The old AT&T telephone service is cancelled automatically when the port completes, so you do not need to submit a separate cancellation request for that line. The process does not erase other obligations. Device instalments, equipment financing, balances, or unrelated services remain governed by their contracts, even after the telephone number moves.
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The Instituto Federal de Telecomunicaciones (IFT) describes this as a user right: “Tienes derecho a cambiarte gratuitamente de compañía telefónica conservando tu número.” The right applies whether you choose Telcel or Movistar, subject to completing the identity and NIP checks.
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Gather these items before you start
Prepare everything while the AT&T line is still active. The request can fail if the receiving carrier cannot verify the number or if you lose access to the line before the NIP is used.
| Item | Why it matters | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Active AT&T line | The NIP is issued and verified through the number being ported. | The line can make and receive calls and SMS. Do not cancel it first. |
| Four-digit portability NIP | The receiving carrier uses it to authorize the move. | Request it from the AT&T number and use it within five natural days. |
| Valid official identification | The destination operator must verify the subscriber. | Depending on the channel, use an INE credential, passport, professional ID, or CURP. Telcel requires valid official ID when you collect the replacement SIM. |
| Unlocked handset | A SIM from another operator may not register in a carrier-locked phone. | Confirm the phone accepts a non-AT&T SIM, or arrange an unlock or another unlocked phone. |
| Destination SIM and porting folio | The SIM provides service after completion; the folio proves what was submitted. | Keep the SIM, folio SMS, and all confirmation messages until calls, texts, and data work. |
Step 1: Confirm that your phone is unlocked
Portability moves the number, but it does not unlock the handset. Test the device before submitting the request if possible. A phone that accepts only AT&T SIMs will not connect to Telcel or Movistar after the transfer.
- Power off the phone and remove the AT&T SIM.
- Insert a SIM from a different operator, if you have one, and restart the phone.
- Check whether the phone registers on the other network and can place a call. A request for an unlock code or an “invalid SIM” message indicates that the handset may still be locked.
- If it is locked, ask AT&T for an unlock under the conditions of your equipment agreement, or use an unlocked replacement phone. Buying a new phone is optional; the number itself can be ported independently.
Movistar lists an unlocked smartphone as a requirement. An unlocked device is also the safest way to avoid a service gap when you change SIMs.
Step 2: Obtain the portability NIP from AT&T
The NIP is a four-digit authorization code. You must request it yourself from the AT&T number you want to keep; another phone cannot initiate the normal mobile process on your behalf.
- From the AT&T line, send an SMS containing
NIPto051, or call051. - Record the four-digit code exactly as delivered. Save the message or write down the issue date and time.
- Submit the code to Telcel or Movistar before its validity ends.
Each NIP is valid for five natural days, according to the IFT’s mobile-portability guide. “Natural days” include weekends and holidays, so count calendar days rather than business days. If the code expires, request a new one from the AT&T line; do not try to reuse the old code.
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The IFT guide warns that hidden caller ID, call forwarding, or answering services can prevent the NIP call-back or verification. Temporarily disable those features, make sure the line has signal, and ensure SMS and calls are not blocked. Do not share the NIP with anyone who is not handling your porting request.
Step 3: Prepare identification and account details
Have a current official identification document available before you contact the destination carrier. Movistar lists an INE credential, passport, professional ID, or CURP among acceptable documents. Requirements can vary by channel, so follow the document list shown by the specific representative or form you use.
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- Your 10-digit AT&T mobile number.
- The four-digit NIP and the date it was issued.
- Your official identification details.
- The destination plan or recharge modality you selected.
- The phone’s unlock status and, if requested, its device information.
Do not disconnect the AT&T service while preparing these items. The old line must remain reachable until the transfer is confirmed.
Step 4: Submit the request to your new operator
Moving to Telcel
Telcel uses different starting points for prepaid and rental-plan customers.
- For Amigo prepaid, begin the portability request through Telcel’s portability form.
- For a rental plan, go to a Telcel Customer Service Center and ask to port your AT&T number.
- Provide the 10-digit number, current NIP, identification information, and the requested plan details.
- Keep the folio sent by SMS. It is the reference for the pending request.
- After the port executes, Telcel sends another SMS. Go to a Telcel Customer Service Center with valid official identification to collect the Telcel SIM.
Do not replace the AT&T SIM merely because you received the folio. The folio confirms that the request was registered; it is not the completion notice.
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Moving to Movistar
Movistar accepts portability requests through its website, WhatsApp, telephone channel, or a Customer Service and Sales Center. Choose whether you want a prepaid recharge modality or a mobile plan before finalizing the request.
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- Open the Movistar digital channel or visit a Customer Service and Sales Center.
- Tell the representative that you want to port your AT&T Mexico number.
- Submit the 10-digit number, the NIP, and the requested identification details.
- Select the plan or recharge modality and confirm how you will receive the Movistar SIM.
- Save the folio and every SMS or message that shows the request status.
Movistar says an executive can help obtain the NIP if you need assistance. The code still has to originate from the number being ported, and the five-natural-day validity period still applies.
Step 5: Understand the execution date
The IFT’s 2023 rights information states a standard maximum execution period of 24 hours. You may request a later execution date, but the IFT’s 2026 limit is no more than five business days from submission. The two periods are different: 24 hours is the ordinary maximum, while five business days is the ceiling for a user-selected later date.
| Situation | Applicable period | Practical meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary portability request | Up to 24 hours (IFT, 2023) | Expect the transfer on the next available execution window after the request is accepted. |
| User chooses a later date | No more than five business days from submission (IFT, 2026) | You can defer the change, but not beyond this limit. |
| Telcel request submitted during its operating window | Generally scheduled for 2:00 a.m. the next day | Telcel describes this as its usual schedule unless you select a later date. |
| NIP validity | Five natural days (IFT, 2019) | The code can expire before the port executes if you wait too long to submit it. |
Execution time can be affected by the receiving carrier’s operating hours and whether the request needs correction. Keep the AT&T SIM in the phone while you wait, and monitor both SMS messages and the folio status.
Step 6: Change SIMs only after the completion message
Wait for the receiving carrier’s confirmation SMS that the number has been ported. Changing SIMs early can make it difficult to receive a status message or a replacement NIP if the request needs correction.
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- Leave the AT&T SIM installed until the completion message arrives.
- Turn off the phone and remove the AT&T SIM.
- Insert the Telcel or Movistar SIM and restart the phone.
- Wait for network registration. If you are joining Movistar, call
*611for its welcome message after insertion. - Test an outgoing call, an incoming call, an SMS in each direction, and mobile data.
- Keep the old SIM and all messages until the new service is stable and the billing status is clear.
The transferred number should appear on the new network. If the phone shows “no service,” first restart it and check that the SIM is seated correctly. Then verify the execution SMS and contact the receiving operator with the folio.
Choosing between Telcel and Movistar
The portability rules are the same, but the better destination depends on where and how you use the phone. Official portability pages establish the procedure; they do not provide a current, location-specific comparison of network coverage or plan prices. Check those details for your actual addresses before submitting a request.
| Decision factor | Questions to answer | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | Which network has reliable indoor and outdoor service at home, work, school, and along your regular routes? | A lower price is of little value if calls or data fail in the places you need them. |
| Prepaid versus plan | Do you want recharge-based spending or a recurring rental plan? | Your destination workflow, documentation, and recurring commitment can differ. |
| Data allowance | How much mobile data do you use each month, and what happens after the allowance? | Compare the current offer shown at checkout rather than relying on an old plan name. |
| SIM or eSIM | Does your particular phone support eSIM, and does the selected offer provide it? | Physical-SIM collection and eSIM activation are not interchangeable steps. |
| Service channel | Would you rather use a form, WhatsApp, telephone support, or a store? | Choose the operator whose channel is practical for correcting a rejected request or collecting a SIM. |
| Support after porting | How will you reach an agent if calls, SMS, or data fail after activation? | Save the operator’s support route and your folio before removing the old SIM. |
Prices, coverage maps, eSIM availability, and plan allowances change. Confirm them immediately before submitting, and keep a screenshot or written record of the offer you accepted.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If you already cancelled the AT&T line
A cancelled postpaid number can generally be recovered for portability if no more than 40 natural days have passed since cancellation. This recovery window is stated in an IFT mobile guide and in Movistar’s current FAQ. It is not a reason to cancel early: an active line is simpler and avoids the risk of losing the number.
For the recovery process, Movistar says to bring the cancellation letter showing:
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- The subscriber’s name.
- The former operator.
- The cancellation date.
- The complete 10-digit mobile number.
Contact the destination operator as soon as possible, because the 40-day period is measured in natural days. If the number has already been reassigned or the documentation is incomplete, the operator may not be able to recover it through this route.
Troubleshooting a delayed or rejected port
The NIP has expired
Request a new NIP by SMSing NIP to 051 or calling 051 from the AT&T number. Submit the replacement code promptly and update the folio if the carrier asks for it.
The request was rejected
Do not discard the rejection SMS. Read the stated cause, compare it with your identification and number details, correct the problem, and resubmit. Keep the old folio and the new folio so an agent can see the sequence. Common practical checks include the 10-digit number, an unexpired NIP, matching identification, and an AT&T line that is still active and reachable.
No confirmation SMS arrived
Check the folio status with the receiving operator and verify that the phone can receive SMS. Do not cancel AT&T or assume completion solely because the planned time has passed. If the statutory period has elapsed, give the operator the folio and request a status explanation.
The phone shows no service after the transfer
Restart the phone, confirm that the new SIM is inserted correctly, and check that the handset is unlocked. Test the SIM in another compatible unlocked phone if available. If the transfer SMS confirms completion but service still fails, contact the receiving operator and quote the folio and execution time.
The number was ported without your consent
Contact the current operator immediately, preserve every SMS, and report the unauthorized transfer through the operator’s complaint process and the regulator’s support channels. Prompt reporting helps establish when the transfer occurred and what evidence is available.
Quick Recap
Final checklist
- The AT&T line is active and can send and receive calls and SMS.
- Caller ID is not hidden, and forwarding or answering features will not block NIP verification.
- The phone is unlocked or you have an unlocked replacement ready.
- You obtained the NIP from the number being moved and checked its five-natural-day expiry.
- You have valid identification and selected the destination modality.
- You submitted the request through Telcel’s form or service center, or through a Movistar digital, telephone, or store channel.
- You saved the folio and confirmation messages.
- You left the AT&T SIM installed until the completion SMS.
- After confirmation, you inserted the new SIM, restarted the phone, and tested calls, SMS, and data.
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