Porting your number to Text In Church lets you bring your existing landline, VOIP, or cell phone number to the Calling by Text In Church platform.
Once ported, you can use your familiar church number for both calling and texting through Text In Church without telling your congregation anything has changed. This article covers the difference between porting and hosting, what you need to get started, and what to expect throughout the process.
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Porting vs Hosting: What Is the Difference?
Porting transfers ownership of your number to Text In Church. You can then send and receive texts and make calls through that number using Text In Church and Calling by Text In Church. Once porting is complete, you can cancel your service with your current provider.
Hosting leaves your number with your current landline provider and allows you to send and receive texts through Text In Church. All calling stays with your existing provider. Hosting does not enable Calling by Text In Church features on that number. Learn more about hosting your number.
What to Know Before You Start Porting
Porting your number typically takes 2 to 4 weeks. Keep these requirements in mind:
Keep your current service active until the port is complete. Canceling early can cause delays or rejection of your porting request.
Cell phone numbers can be ported. Contact your current carrier to request your Account Number and PIN before submitting the request.
Texting downtime: After porting, your number works immediately for calling. Text messaging may take 2 to 3 business days to activate as carriers update their records.
Calling stays active until the transfer begins, so there is minimal downtime.
How to Submit Your Porting Request
Option 1 - Submit from your account:
Log in to your Text In Church account.
Go to Settings > Phone Numbers.
Select Use My Existing Number.
Follow the step-by-step prompts to complete the request.
Option 2 - Submit by email (if you have trouble with the in-app option):
Fill out the TIC Porting LOA form and email it to porting@textinchurch.com with the following:
Completed and signed LOA — the name and signature must be from someone authorized to make changes to your phone account with your current provider. The church name and address must match your current provider bill. Write the full year (e.g. 2025, not 25). The form must be less than 30 days old.
A copy of your most recent bill from your current provider
For wireless numbers only: your Wireless Account Number and Porting PIN
After receiving your paperwork, Text In Church will submit it to the phone carriers. Carriers typically respond within 7 to 10 business days with either a scheduled porting date or a request for more information. Porting dates are decided by the carriers and specific dates cannot usually be requested.
If you need to change your scheduled porting date, contact porting@textinchurch.com as soon as possible.
Next Steps After Porting Completes
Porting begins at 12 PM Central on your scheduled date and may take a few hours. You will receive an email notification when it completes.
Log out and log back in to your Text In Church account so your account reflects the ported number.
Edit and configure your ported number: Go to the Phone Numbers section in your Calling tab, click the three dots next to your number, and select Edit. Assign a Digital Receptionist to the number if needed.
Set as primary (optional): To use the ported number as your primary outbound number, click the three dots and select Set as Primary.
Troubleshooting Post-Porting Issues
Number not working for texts: After porting, texting may take 2 to 3 business days while carriers update their records. If messages are still failing after 72 hours, contact support@textinchurch.com.
Pending 10DLC registration: Check the Phone Numbers section of your Calling tab. A notice there will confirm whether your 10DLC registration is still pending.
Still have questions? Email porting@textinchurch.com or chat from the Resources tab.