Yes, you can change your TextNow number, but the process and cost depend on whether you have a free or paid account

TextNow lets you change your phone number through the app or website. Free account holders can change their number once every 30 days at no cost. If you have a paid TextNow Plus subscription, you can change your number as often as you want without waiting. The change takes effect when ready, and your old number becomes available for someone else to claim.

The actual steps are straightforward: open the TextNow app, go to Settings, select Phone Number, and tap Change Number. The app will show you available numbers in your area code or let you search for a different area code. Once you pick a new number and confirm, the switch is done. You do not need to contact TextNow support or wait for approval.

Key Takeaways

  • Free TextNow users can change their number once per 30-day period at no cost; paid subscribers can change as often as they want.
  • The change happens when ready in the app and takes effect right away for calls and texts.
  • You can choose a number in your current area code or search for a different one during the change process.
  • Your old number is released and may be assigned to another user, so anyone texting your old number will not reach you.
  • TextNow does not charge a fee for changing your number, even if you switch multiple times in a month on a paid plan.

How to change your number on the TextNow app

Open TextNow and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner. Select Settings, then tap Phone Number. You will see a button that says Change Number. Tap it, and the app will display available numbers. You can filter by area code or search for a specific one if you want a number from a different region.

Once you find a number you want, tap it to select it. TextNow will ask you to confirm the change. After you confirm, your new number is active when ready. The app will show your new number in the Phone Number section of Settings. All your existing contacts, message history, and voicemail settings stay the same — only the phone number itself changes.

What happens to your old TextNow number

When you change your number, TextNow releases your old number back into its pool of available numbers. This means another TextNow user can claim it within a short time. If someone you know gets assigned your old number later, they will receive texts and calls meant for you until you tell people about your new number.

For this reason, you should update your contacts, social media profiles, and any services that use your TextNow number as soon as you change it. If you use your TextNow number for two-factor authentication on banking apps or email accounts, change those settings before you switch numbers, or you may lock yourself out of those accounts.

The 30-day waiting period for free accounts

TextNow's free tier limits you to one number change per 30 days. The 30-day window resets from the date you last changed your number, not on a calendar month. If you changed your number on March 15, you cannot change it again until April 15. If you need to change your number more often, you will need to wait out the period or upgrade to TextNow Plus.

The waiting period applies only to free accounts. If you are on a paid plan, this restriction does not explore, and you can change your number as many times as you want without waiting.

TextNow Plus and unlimited number changes

TextNow Plus is a paid subscription that removes the 30-day waiting period and gives you unlimited number changes. The subscription also includes other features like ad-free texting, call recording, and a custom voicemail greeting. TextNow Plus costs money per month, and you can cancel anytime.

If you only need to change your number once in a while, the free tier is usually enough. But if you change numbers frequently for work, privacy, or other reasons, TextNow Plus removes the friction and lets you switch whenever you want.

Reasons people change their TextNow number

Some users change their number to get a local area code when they move to a new city. Others change it to escape spam or unwanted contacts who have their current number. Some people use TextNow as a temporary number for online dating or selling items and change it regularly for privacy. Business users sometimes change numbers to separate work and personal texting.

TextNow does not ask why you are changing your number, and there is no penalty for changing it. The only limit is the 30-day waiting period on free accounts. If your reason for changing is urgent — like harassment or a data breach — you can change when ready on a paid plan or wait out the 30 days on a free account.

What to do before you change your number

Before you switch, make a list of places where your TextNow number is registered. This includes email accounts, banking apps, social media profiles, dating apps, online marketplaces, and any services that use your number for two-factor authentication. For critical accounts like email and banking, update your phone number in those services first, or use a backup authentication method (like a backup code or a different phone number) before you change your TextNow number.

Send a message to your regular contacts letting them know you are changing your number and what your new number will be. This prevents confusion and makes sure people can still reach you. If you use your TextNow number for work or business, give your clients or colleagues advance notice so they can update their records.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my old TextNow number back?

No. Once you change your number, TextNow releases it and you cannot reclaim it. If you think you made a mistake, you can change your number again (after the 30-day wait on a free account), but your old number will not be reserved for you. Choose your new number carefully before confirming the change.

Will my contacts and message history disappear when I change my number?

No. Your contacts, text message history, call logs, and voicemail all stay in your TextNow account. Only your phone number changes. The people you message will see your new number on their end, but your side of the conversation remains intact in the app.

Do I lose my TextNow account if I change my number?

No. Your TextNow account stays the same. Your username, password, account settings, and all your data remain unchanged. Only the phone number associated with your account is different. You log in the same way and use the app exactly as before.

Can I change my TextNow number on the website instead of the app?

Yes. Log into your TextNow account on the website, go to Settings, select Phone Number, and follow the same steps as the app. The process is identical, and the change takes effect when ready on both the app and website.

What if I change my number and then when ready want to change it again?

On a free account, you must wait 30 days from your last change before you can change again. On a paid TextNow Plus account, you can change when ready. If you are on the free tier and need to change again right away, you would need to upgrade to Plus or wait out the 30-day period.