Can I port a Canadian number for US based service?
u/JhulaeDr/USMobileOct 9, 2026
Non-US numbers are outside what we can port in, so if you're in the States, getting a new US number would be the way to go.
You can keep your Canadian number on Public Mobile or transfer it to Quo's internet phone service; get a separate US number if you also want a US cellular line.
“I recently moved to the US from Canada and have a US/Canada/Mexico plan with PublicMobile. Can I find a US service provider that lets me keep my current Canadian number, or do I need to start fresh with a new US number?”
Summary
You do not have to discard a number people already know. The important distinction is that keeping a Canadian number and getting a US cellular number are separate decisions.
You can keep the Canadian number; the choice is whether it stays on Public Mobile, moves to an internet phone service, or stays alongside a new US cell number.
Keep Public Mobileleast change
Keep your existing Canadian number and CAN–US–MEX subscription. Public Mobile says the subscription works in the United States and that US use is not subject to a fixed number of days, although its guidance does not expressly address permanent US residence. [Public Mobile](https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/get-help/articles/mex-subscription).
Move the Canadian number to Quokeep number
Quo says it accepts local Canadian numbers from traditional carriers. You can ask it to your Public Mobile number, but Quo turns it into a number used over Wi-Fi or mobile data—not a US cellular line. Keep Public Mobile active until the transfer finishes. [Quo](https://www.quo.com/porting); [transfer instructions](https://support.quo.com/getting-started/porting/overview).
Add a US cell numbertwo numbers
Keep Public Mobile for your Canadian number and start a separate US line if you need a US number or US cellular service. For example, T-Mobile allows an unlocked, compatible phone to activate a prepaid online and assigns a new number; a compatible dual-SIM phone can use two lines. [T-Mobile](https://www.t-mobile.com/support/account/prepaid-esim-activation); [Apple](https://support.apple.com/en-us/109317).
A Canadian number transferred to an internet phone service does not become a US number or a conventional US cellular line.
Read the full explanationHide the full explanation
Watch out for
Do not cancel Public Mobile before a transferIf you transfer your Canadian number, keep Public Mobile active until the transfer finishes. Canada's telecom regulator warns against canceling first, and Quo says your old SIM and cellular service will be deactivated after the transfer. [CRTC](https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/phone/mobile/num.htm); [Quo](https://support.quo.com/getting-started/porting/overview).
Watch for the approval textFor a Canadian mobile-number transfer to Quo, your current carrier sends an approval text. You have 90 minutes after it arrives to respond; missing that window cancels the request. Keep the Public Mobile line able to receive texts while the transfer is pending. [Quo](https://support.quo.com/getting-started/porting/overview).
An internet number is not a cell lineMoving your number to Quo changes it to an internet-based line. Quo says some verification texts will not arrive and its numbers do not provide 911 calling. Keep or obtain a cellular line if you need those functions. [Quo porting](https://www.quo.com/porting); [Quo messaging](https://support.quo.com/troubleshooting/messaging-issues).
The 15-day rule is for a different productPublic Mobile says roaming add-ons last 15 days, but separately says use of its CAN–US–MEX subscription in the US and Mexico is not limited to a certain number of days. Do not mistake the add-on deadline for a deadline on the subscription you described. [Public Mobile subscription](https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/get-help/articles/mex-subscription); [roaming add-ons](https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/get-help/articles/roaming-add-ons).
Next steps
Choose the service you need first, then follow only the steps for that route while protecting your existing number.
Before changing providers
Keep your Public Mobile line active
If its service meets your needs, no number transfer is required: Public Mobile says this subscription works in the US without a fixed limit on days of US use. If you intend to transfer the number instead, do not cancel Public Mobile beforehand. https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/get-help/articles/mex-subscription; https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/phone/mobile/num.htm.
Requirements
Your active Public Mobile CAN–US–MEX subscription
Only for the internet-phone route
Submit a Quo transfer if you want to leave Public Mobile but keep the number
Sign up through https://www.quo.com/porting. In Quo, go to Settings → Phone numbers → Port an existing number → Continue to porting; select Public Mobile or type its name, enter the requested account and billing details, and sign the authorization. Quo says the transfer itself is free; its Starter monthly subscription is listed at $19 per user per month. This changes the number into an internet-based line, not a US SIM. https://support.quo.com/getting-started/porting/overview; https://www.quo.com/pricing.
Requirements
An active Public Mobile number
Your account number and account PIN
Billing information and a recent statement
Within 90 minutes of receiving it
Approve Public Mobile's transfer text
Reply to the Canadian carrier's transfer-approval text within 90 minutes after it arrives. Quo says missing that window cancels the request; after completion, the old SIM and cellular service are deactivated. https://support.quo.com/getting-started/porting/overview.
Requirements
Access to texts on your still-active Public Mobile line
Optional; you can do this without transferring your Canadian number
Activate a separate US line if you need a US cellular number
At https://prepaid.t-mobile.com/, select prepaid eSIM activation, enter the requested details and choose a plan, then scan the displayed QR code to activate; T-Mobile shows your new number on the welcome screen. Its listed Starter Monthly price is $45 for the first month plus taxes and fees, then $40 per month for one line with AutoPay. A compatible dual-SIM phone can hold this line alongside your Canadian one. https://www.t-mobile.com/support/account/prepaid-esim-activation; https://prepaid.t-mobile.com/prepaid-plans; https://support.apple.com/en-us/109317.
Requirements
An unlocked, compatible eSIM phone
Your name, email, US ZIP code, and payment method
Others who faced this
You are not the first to go through this. Here is how it went for others who asked the same thing.
Legal sources
This answer draws on the CRTC and FCC's number-transfer guidance and the published instructions of Public Mobile, Quo, T-Mobile, and Apple.
Public Mobile CAN–US–MEX subscription guidance
Public Mobile identifies where its three-country subscription works.
Public Mobile CAN–US–MEX subscription guidance
Public Mobile’s CAN-US-MEX subscription plans allow you to use your mobile services seamlessly across Canada, the United States, and Mexico.
Public Mobile CAN–US–MEX subscription guidance
Public Mobile distinguishes this subscription from time-limited roaming add-ons.
Public Mobile CAN–US–MEX subscription guidance
Unlike roaming add-ons, your service in the US and Mexico is not limited to a certain number of days.
Public Mobile roaming add-ons guidance
The 15-day limit belongs to Public Mobile's roaming add-ons, not the cited subscription rule.
Public Mobile roaming add-ons guidance
Roaming add-ons will last 15 days.
CRTC number-transfer guidance
Canada's telecom regulator warns customers to leave the old service active during a number transfer.
CRTC number-transfer guidance
**Most importantly, do not cancel your service before you switch to the new provider.** Tell your new phone provider that you want to keep your number.
FCC porting consumer guide
US number-porting guidance does not guarantee a transfer when changing geographic areas.
FCC porting consumer guide
If you are moving to a new geographic area, you may not be able to keep your current phone number when changing providers.
Quo number-porting guidance
Quo itself advertises Canadian-number transfers, which is why a blanket claim that no US-oriented provider can keep the number would be wrong.
Quo number-porting guidance
You can port any local US or Canadian number, including North American toll-free numbers, into Quo from any traditional or virtual carrier.
Quo porting instructions
Transferring the number to Quo changes the type of phone service.
Quo porting instructions
Porting your number to Quo converts it from a cellular line to a VoIP (internet-based) line.
Quo porting instructions
A completed Quo transfer does not preserve the former cellular line.
Quo porting instructions
Once ported, **your SIM card and cellular service will be deactivated.**
Quo porting instructions
The transfer-approval text for a Canadian mobile number has a short response window.
Quo porting instructions
Once you receive it, you have 90 minutes to respond.
Quo number-porting guidance
Quo cannot promise that every account-verification text will reach the transferred number.
Quo number-porting guidance
Quo numbers aren't able to receive SMS verification codes from some services.
Quo number-porting guidance
Quo says its virtual phone numbers do not provide 911 calling.
Quo number-porting guidance
Virtual phone number providers like Quo do not offer emergency call services (eg 911).
Quo number-porting guidance
Quo does not charge for the number-transfer process itself.
Quo number-porting guidance
The porting process itself is free.
Quo pricing
Quo lists a $19-per-user monthly Starter price; porting and subscription charges are different.
Quo pricing
Starter monthly pricing
$ 19 Per user/per month
T-Mobile prepaid eSIM activation
T-Mobile states the phone condition for online prepaid eSIM activation.
T-Mobile prepaid eSIM activation
You can activate T-Mobile Prepaid service on the web for your existing eSIM device, as long as it's been unlocked for use on other carriers' networks.
T-Mobile prepaid eSIM activation
T-Mobile's activation process supplies a new phone number.
T-Mobile prepaid eSIM activation
Congrats and welcome to T-Mobile! Your new phone number will appear on the Welcome screen.
T-Mobile prepaid plans
T-Mobile lists the first-month and AutoPay prices for its cited prepaid option.
T-Mobile prepaid plans
Starter Monthly
Starter Monthly $40/mo. **for 1 line with AutoPay** $45 for the first month + taxes & fees.
Apple Dual SIM support
On a compatible iPhone, two lines can remain active on one device.
Apple Dual SIM support
Dual SIM enables you to have two active phone numbers or SIMs to make and receive calls and text messages.
These are the official agency and provider rules shown on the cited pages and dates; plans, prices, and transfer procedures can change.
This is general information about official processes, not legal advice, and SettleKit is not a law firm.
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