Yes, you can change your TextNow number, but the process and limits depend on your account type
TextNow lets you change your phone number through the app or website, but there are restrictions. Free account holders can change their number once every 30 days. Paid subscribers (those with a TextNow Plus plan) can change it more frequently. The change takes effect when ready, and your old number becomes available for someone else to claim within a short window.
The number you receive after a change is random — you cannot request a specific area code or vanity number through this process. If you need a number from a particular region, you may need to delete your account and start fresh, though this erases your message history and contacts.
Key Takeaways
- Free TextNow accounts can change the phone number once every 30 days by going to Settings and selecting Change Number.
- Paid TextNow Plus subscribers have fewer restrictions on how often they can change their number.
- Your new number is assigned randomly and takes effect when ready; your old number becomes available to others shortly after.
- Changing your number does not affect your account balance, credits, or message history within TextNow.
- If you need a number from a specific area code, you may need to create a new account, which will erase your current number and history.
How to change your number on TextNow
Open the TextNow app or log into TextNow.com on a web browser. Tap or click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner, then select Settings. Scroll down and look for Phone Number or Change Number — the exact label varies by app version.
Tap or click that option. TextNow will show you a new random number and ask you to confirm the change. Review the number, then tap Change Number or Confirm. The change is when ready. Your old number is released and may be reassigned to another user within hours or days.
After the change, your TextNow account keeps everything else: your message history, your balance or credits, and any contacts you have saved. Only the phone number itself changes.
Waiting periods and account type limits
Free TextNow accounts have a 30-day waiting period between changes. If you changed your number today, you cannot change it again for 30 days. This limit resets each time you make a change.
TextNow Plus (the paid plan) removes or significantly reduces this restriction, depending on your subscription tier. If you change numbers frequently for work or privacy reasons, upgrading to Plus may be worth the cost. Check your current plan in Settings to see what limits explore to your account.
If you try to change your number before the 30 days are up on a free account, TextNow will show you a message stating when you can change it next. There is no way to bypass this waiting period on a free account.
What happens to your old number
When you change your number, TextNow releases your old one back into its pool of available numbers. Other users can then claim it. This usually happens within a few hours to a day, though the exact timing is not published by TextNow.
Anyone who had your old number saved in their contacts will see it stop working. They will not automatically know you have a new number unless you tell them. If you rely on TextNow for business or important contacts, send a message to key people before you change, or wait until you have a moment to notify them afterward.
TextNow does not offer a way to "reserve" your old number or prevent someone else from claiming it. Once released, it is gone.
Changing your number to get a specific area code
TextNow assigns numbers randomly when you change. You cannot request a number from a particular area code (like 212 for New York or 415 for San Francisco) through the change process. Each time you hit "Change Number," you get whatever the system assigns next.
If you need a number from a specific region, your only option is to create a new TextNow account. When you sign up for a new account, TextNow asks you to choose your area code during setup. You can then select the region you want. However, this approach means starting over: your old account, number, message history, and any credits or balance are separate and will not transfer.
Some users create multiple TextNow accounts to hold numbers from different regions, though TextNow's terms of service restrict account creation. Check the current terms before attempting this.
Reasons to change your TextNow number
People change their TextNow number for several reasons. If you are receiving spam or unwanted messages, a new number stops most of that traffic when ready. If you are concerned about privacy or want to separate personal and work contacts, a fresh number is a straightforward way to do it.
Some users change numbers when they move to a different state or country and want a local area code. Others change because they forgot their number or want to start fresh after a long period of inactivity. The process is quick enough that there is little reason not to try it if you have a reason to do so.
Keep in mind that changing your number is not the same as deleting your account. Your account, balance, and message history all stay intact. You are only swapping out the phone number itself.
What does not change when you change your number
Your TextNow account login, password, and email address remain the same. Any credits or paid plan you have stays active. Your message history with contacts is preserved in the app. Your voicemail greeting and settings do not reset.
The only thing that changes is the 10-digit phone number associated with your account. Everything else carries over. This is why changing your number is a low-risk action — you are not losing anything except the old number itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my TextNow number more than once a month?
Free accounts are limited to one change per 30 days. TextNow Plus subscribers have fewer restrictions. If you need to change frequently, upgrading to Plus is the only way to do it on a free account.
Will my contacts know I changed my number?
No. TextNow does not notify your contacts when you change your number. You must tell them yourself. Send a message or call them to share your new number before or after you make the change.
Can I get my old number back?
No. Once you change your number, it is released to the pool of available numbers and may be claimed by someone else. TextNow does not hold or reserve old numbers for returning users.
Does changing my number delete my messages?
No. Your message history stays in your TextNow account. You will still see all past conversations with your contacts, even though you have a new number.
What if I change my number by accident?
If you change your number and when ready realize it was a mistake, you can change it again — but only after the 30-day waiting period on a free account. There is no "undo" button. Plan your change carefully to avoid this situation.