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You can leave AT&T Mexico for Telcel or Movistar and keep the same 10-digit mobile number through Mexico’s free number-portability process. Keep the AT&T line working, obtain the portability NIP from that number, submit it with identification to the new carrier, and change SIM cards only after the completion message arrives.
What number portability does
Mobile number portability lets you change companies without changing your 10-digit mobile number. The request is free, so you do not pay AT&T, Telcel, or Movistar simply to transfer the number. When the port finishes, the AT&T telephone service is cancelled automatically, but portability does not cancel separate obligations such as a financed handset, an instalment balance, an unpaid bill, or unrelated services on your account.
The process is controlled by Mexico’s telecommunications regulator, the Instituto Federal de Telecomunicaciones (IFT). The IFT’s 2023 user-rights charter states: “Tienes derecho a cambiarte gratuitamente de compañía telefónica conservando tu número.” Movistar describes portability in similar terms as the user’s right to change companies while keeping the same telephone number, and Telcel describes changing companies as free, easy, and secure.
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Portability transfers the number, not every product attached to your AT&T account. You still need to choose a Telcel or Movistar offer, obtain its SIM or eSIM activation, and check how your existing device financing or other contract obligations will be settled.
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Check these requirements before you begin
- An active AT&T line: It must be able to make and receive calls and SMS so the NIP request can be authenticated.
- An unlocked phone: The handset must accept the destination carrier’s SIM. Movistar lists an unlocked smartphone as a requirement. If your AT&T phone is locked, request an unlock from AT&T or use another unlocked phone.
- Official identification: Depending on the channel, use an INE credential, passport, professional identification, or CURP. Telcel requires valid official identification when you collect the replacement SIM after the port.
- The four-digit NIP: This is generated from the number you are moving and is not the same as your account password or SIM PIN.
- The destination SIM and folio: Keep the receiving carrier’s SIM and every SMS or folio number until service is confirmed.
You do not have to buy a new phone to port. A carrier-unlocked handset that supports the destination network and SIM format is enough. Check whether your model uses a physical SIM, eSIM, or both before selecting an activation channel. If you intend to use eSIM, confirm that the carrier can issue it for your exact model and that you can complete the activation while connected to Wi-Fi.
Before requesting the NIP, disable hidden caller ID, call forwarding, or answering services that could prevent the NIP verification call-back. The IFT mobile guide specifically warns that these settings can interfere with the request. Make sure the line has signal and can receive ordinary text messages; a line that is suspended, unreachable, or unable to receive the verification communication can delay the request.
Step-by-step: move your AT&T number to Telcel or Movistar
1. Confirm that the handset is unlocked
Insert a SIM from a different network if you have one. A phone that displays a network-lock message, rejects the SIM, or will not register on another network may still be locked to AT&T. Resolve that issue before scheduling the port; number portability changes the network serving the number, but it does not remove a handset lock.
If you cannot test with another SIM, ask AT&T about the unlock procedure or prepare a known-unlocked replacement handset. Record the phone’s model and verify that the destination carrier supports the required network bands. An unlocked phone can still have compatibility limitations, so check before relying on it for work, travel, or emergency communications.
2. Request the portability NIP from the AT&T number
- From the AT&T mobile number you intend to keep, send an SMS containing
NIPto051, or call051. - Record the four-digit NIP exactly as received. Do not request it from a different phone number.
- Use it promptly. The IFT says each NIP is valid for 5 natural days (calendar days, including weekends and holidays), as stated in its 2019 portability guide.
The mobile user must initiate the portability request. A store representative cannot legitimately replace the requirement that the code originate from the number being moved. Never share the NIP with someone who is not handling your requested port, and keep the message in case you need to prove when it was issued.
If the NIP expires, simply request a new one from the AT&T number and use the replacement code. Because the five-day period is measured in natural days, do not assume that a weekend or holiday extends validity.
3. Prepare identification and keep a record
Have your valid official ID ready before contacting the new carrier. Write down the NIP, the AT&T number, the date you requested the code, and any folio issued by Telcel or Movistar. Save confirmation texts; they are useful if the request is delayed, rejected, or disputed.
Use the same name and number details in every channel. If your identification has an accent, compound surname, or different ordering from an old account record, ask the receiving carrier how it wants the information entered rather than guessing. Carry the original document when a store visit is required; a photograph may not satisfy an in-person identification check.
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4. Submit the request to Telcel
Telcel Amigo prepaid
For an Amigo prepaid line, start the portability request through Telcel’s portability form. Enter the requested details, including the NIP, and retain the folio SMS Telcel sends. Confirm whether you need to obtain a physical Telcel Amigo SIM before the transfer or collect one after execution, following the instructions tied to your folio.
Telcel rental plan
For a rental (postpaid) plan, go to a Telcel Customer Service Center with your identification and the portability information. The center creates the request and provides the folio. Ask the representative to state the selected plan’s recurring price, data allowance, renewal terms, taxes, and any equipment financing separately from the free portability procedure.
After Telcel approves the port
Telcel sends an SMS when the port has executed. Only then go to the designated Customer Service Center with valid official identification to collect the Telcel SIM. The number remains associated with your AT&T SIM until the scheduled changeover, so do not discard it in advance. If a center visit is required, check opening hours and bring the folio as well as the same ID used in the request.
5. Submit the request to Movistar
Movistar accepts portability requests through its website, WhatsApp, telephone channel, or a Customer Service and Sales Center. Choose whether you want a plan or a recharge (prepaid) modality and provide the NIP and identification requested by that channel. Movistar says an executive can assist with obtaining the NIP if you need help, but the code still has to be generated from the number being ported.
Ask for the request folio and keep the confirmation message. Before accepting a plan, compare the stated monthly charge, included data, validity, renewal conditions, and any device cost with the prepaid alternative. When Movistar instructs you to change SIMs, insert the Movistar SIM and follow the welcome instructions; its guidance directs customers to call *611 for the welcome message after insertion.
6. Select or wait for the execution date
The IFT’s standard maximum execution period is 24 hours (2023 rule). You may request a later date, but the selected date cannot be more than 5 business days from submission under the IFT’s 2026 timing information. “Business days” for this later-date limit are not the same as the NIP’s five natural days, so plan carefully if the code is close to expiring.
Telcel says an in-hours request is generally scheduled for 2:00 a.m. the next day, unless you select a later date. The exact schedule shown in your carrier’s SMS and folio controls your changeover, so keep the AT&T SIM available until confirmation. Avoid scheduling a change immediately before a trip or a period when you cannot visit a service center or troubleshoot a SIM.
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- Wait for the receiving carrier’s message stating that portability is complete.
- Turn off the phone and remove the AT&T SIM.
- Insert the Telcel or Movistar SIM and restart the phone.
- Test an outgoing call, an incoming call, an SMS in both directions, and mobile data.
- If using Movistar, call
*611when prompted for the welcome message.
Changing the SIM before the completion message can leave you without the expected service while the request is still pending. Keep the old SIM and all texts until every test succeeds. If you use two SIMs, label them before the change so you do not accidentally test the wrong line.
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Telcel or Movistar: how to choose the destination
The portability rules are the same, but the practical experience depends on where you live and how you use your line. The official portability pages establish the procedures above, not a current, location-specific comparison of prices or signal. Check the current offer and coverage at the places where you call, work, and travel before submitting the request.
| Decision factor | What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | Coverage at your home, workplace, route, and frequent destinations | A cheaper plan is of little use if the network is weak where you need it. |
| Payment type | Telcel Amigo or Movistar prepago versus a rental or mobile plan | Prepaid avoids a recurring contract; a plan may package data and other allowances. |
| Current allowances and price | Data, voice, SMS, validity, renewal terms, and taxes shown at the time you sign up | Offers change, and the portability procedure does not lock in a particular tariff. |
| SIM or eSIM | Whether the chosen channel provides a physical SIM or eSIM for your unlocked model | Your phone may support only one of these formats, or require a specific activation step. |
| Support channel | Stores, website, WhatsApp, phone support, and distance from a service center | Telcel’s post-port SIM collection is handled through a center; Movistar offers several digital and in-person channels. |
Do not treat a promotional price as the cost of portability itself. Porting remains free, while the SIM, recharge, monthly plan, taxes, or optional handset are priced under the destination carrier’s current offer. Read the terms at the moment you submit the request because allowances and promotional periods can change.
Documents and information checklist
- Original valid official ID: INE, passport, professional ID, or CURP where accepted.
- The four-digit NIP received after texting
NIPto051or calling051. - The active AT&T number being ported.
- A carrier-unlocked handset compatible with the destination network.
- The destination SIM or the information needed for an eSIM activation.
- Telcel or Movistar request folio and every status or completion SMS.
Use the same name and number details consistently. If a carrier reports that information does not match, ask which field caused the rejection, correct that field, and submit a new request while the NIP is still valid or after obtaining a new one. Do not throw away the AT&T SIM, the cancellation paperwork, or the folio until calls, messages, and data work on the new network.
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| Item | Time limit or validity | Source and qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Standard portability execution | Within 24 hours | IFT user-rights information, 2023 |
| User-selected later date | No more than 5 business days after submission | IFT timing information, 2026 |
| NIP validity | 5 natural days | IFT mobile portability guide, 2019 |
| Telcel typical in-hours schedule | 2:00 a.m. the next day | Telcel guidance; a later date can be selected |
These are rights and stated scheduling rules, not a promise that every technical issue will resolve instantly. A request can be delayed by an incorrect NIP, mismatched identity data, an unreachable AT&T line, or a carrier rejection. The SMS and folio supplied for your individual request are the practical status record. If the 24-hour period passes without a completion or rejection message, contact the receiving carrier first with that folio rather than submitting multiple overlapping requests.
What happens to your AT&T service and contract
Once the number ports, the old telephone service is cancelled automatically. That automatic cancellation applies to the mobile service associated with the number; it does not erase device-financing payments, an unpaid balance, or separate services covered by your AT&T agreement. Review your contract and final bill rather than assuming every charge disappears with the port.
Do not cancel the AT&T line yourself before the transfer completes. The active line is needed to obtain and validate the NIP. Cancelling first can turn a routine port into a number-recovery case. If you have autopay, check the final statement and keep proof of payment for any remaining balance.
If the AT&T line was already cancelled
A cancelled postpaid number can generally be recovered for portability only within 40 natural days of cancellation, according to the IFT mobile guide (2020) and Movistar’s current FAQ. This is a recovery window, not the normal procedure for an active line.
Movistar says to bring a cancellation letter showing:
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- the account holder’s name;
- the former company;
- the cancellation date; and
- the complete 10-digit number.
Ask the receiving carrier whether it needs the original letter or an additional identification document. If more than 40 natural days have passed, the number may no longer be recoverable through this route. Ask the receiving carrier what options remain before purchasing a new service.
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The NIP has expired
Request another NIP from the AT&T number by SMS to 051 or by calling 051. Start the carrier request again with the new code; each code has its own five-natural-day validity.
The carrier rejects the request
Keep the rejection SMS and folio. Read the stated cause, correct the relevant information or condition, and resubmit. Common process blockers documented by the IFT include an unreachable line caused by hidden caller ID, call forwarding, or answering services. Make the line reachable, obtain a fresh NIP if necessary, and try again. If you cannot identify the cause, ask the carrier to explain the exact field or condition that failed rather than repeatedly sending the same request.
No completion message arrives
Do not swap SIMs based only on an expected date. Contact the receiving carrier with the folio and ask for the request status. Keep the AT&T SIM active and retain every message until the carrier confirms execution. If the carrier cannot locate the folio, provide the date, channel, number, and the identity information used in the original request.
The new SIM shows no service after confirmation
- Power the phone off and on with the new SIM installed.
- Confirm that the handset is unlocked and compatible with the destination network.
- Test calls, SMS, and data separately.
- Contact the receiving carrier and provide the folio, confirmation SMS, and the time you inserted the SIM.
Check that airplane mode is off and that the phone has selected the destination network, but do not change advanced network settings unless the carrier instructs you. If calls work but data does not, report those as separate symptoms so support can diagnose the correct service.
You did not authorize the port
Contact the current carrier immediately and preserve the SMS, folio, and any account records. Use the regulator’s complaint and support channels if the carrier does not resolve an unauthorized transfer. Fast reporting helps establish when the change occurred and which carrier now controls the number. Change account passwords and review linked services that use the number for sign-in while the investigation is underway.
Final pre-submission checklist
- The AT&T number can make and receive calls and SMS.
- Caller ID is visible, and forwarding or answering services will not block verification.
- The handset is unlocked, or you have an unlocked replacement ready.
- You requested the NIP from the exact number being moved.
- The NIP is within its 5-natural-day validity period.
- Your official ID matches the information you will provide.
- You selected Telcel or Movistar’s current plan or prepaid option after checking coverage where you need it.
- You saved the folio and confirmation SMS.
- You will keep the AT&T SIM until the completion message.
- You understand that portability ends the old mobile service but not unrelated contractual debts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to port an AT&T Mexico number to Telcel or Movistar?
The number-portability request is free. You may still pay for the destination SIM, a recharge, a monthly plan, taxes, or an optional handset under the new carrier’s current offer.
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What is the NIP for portability in Mexico?
It is the four-digit portability code generated from the mobile number you want to move. Text NIP to 051 or call 051 from that AT&T number. The code is valid for five natural days.
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Can I cancel AT&T before the port is complete?
Do not cancel first. Keep the AT&T line active so you can obtain and validate the NIP. Cancelling early can require the separate number-recovery process.
How long does portability take?
The IFT standard maximum execution period is 24 hours. You can select a later date, but it cannot be more than five business days after submission. Telcel says an in-hours request is generally scheduled for 2:00 a.m. the next day.
Do I need to buy a new phone?
No. Use a carrier-unlocked, compatible phone. Number portability does not unlock an AT&T handset, so request an unlock or use another unlocked device if necessary.
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Depending on the channel, carriers accept valid official identification such as an INE credential, passport, professional ID, or CURP. Telcel requires valid official ID when you collect its SIM after execution.
What if my AT&T postpaid line was already cancelled?
A cancelled postpaid number can generally be recovered for portability within 40 natural days of cancellation. Movistar says to bring a cancellation letter with your name, former company, cancellation date, and complete 10-digit number.
What should I do if the request is rejected?
Save the rejection SMS and folio, correct the stated cause, obtain a new NIP if needed, and resubmit. Ensure caller ID is visible and that forwarding or answering services are not preventing verification.
The Bottom Line
Porting from AT&T Mexico is free: keep the line active, request NIP from that number at 051, submit the code and valid ID to Telcel or Movistar, save the folio, and wait for the completion SMS. Then install the destination SIM, test calls, SMS, and data, and remember that any AT&T device financing or other separate contract obligations remain.
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