How to Keep Your Number on Skinny: 4 Easy Steps

If you’re switching to Skinny Mobile, you probably want to keep your current phone number. Good news: it’s free and typically takes 24–48 hours, according to Skinny Mobile’s official help page (New Zealand mobile carrier).

Skinny mobile customers in New Zealand: over 1.2 million ·
Number portability requests processed daily (approx.): 500 ·
Steps to keep your number on Skinny: 4 ·
Time to complete number transfer: 24-48 hours ·
Free bonus data when switching to a $17+ plan: 8GB

Five key facts, one pattern: Skinny treats number porting as a simple, free feature that happens after you activate your SIM.

How do I keep my old number Skinny?

Skinny’s process is straightforward: you sign up, activate your SIM, and then request the number transfer online. Here are the four steps.

Step 1: Sign up with Skinny

1. Buy a Skinny SIM from any retailer or order online. You can also choose an eSIM.
2. Activate the SIM by calling 456 from within New Zealand, or by scanning the eSIM QR code (Skinny Mobile activation guide).
3. Register for an online My Skinny account at Skinny’s activation page (New Zealand mobile carrier).

Step 2: Provide required information

1. Log into your My Skinny account.
2. Go to Phone, SIM & Number and select Keep your number (Skinny Mobile help page).
3. You’ll need your previous carrier’s account details (account number, name, and address).

Step 3: Initiate number transfer

1. Fill in the online number-porting form. Skinny asks for your old carrier, account number, and the SIM serial number (Skinny Mobile).
2. Choose the preferred porting time: as soon as possible or a specific date/time (Unofficial guide (community blog)).

Step 4: Finalize transfer with new SIM card

1. Keep your old SIM active until you receive an SMS confirmation that the transfer is complete.
2. Once confirmed, insert your new Skinny SIM (or activate eSIM) and your old number will work on the Skinny network.

The implication: the entire process hinges on having an active Skinny SIM and a working old SIM. If you lose the old SIM before porting, you’ll need to contact your previous carrier.

How do I transfer my old number to a new SIM card?

If you already have a Skinny SIM and want to move your number to a new one, the process is slightly different. You’ll need to do a SIM swap.

Activate new Skinny SIM by calling 456

1. Insert the new SIM and call 456 from your new Skinny SIM to activate it (Skinny Mobile activation guide).
2. You must be in New Zealand to complete activation.

Insert new SIM into phone

1. Once activated, place the new SIM into your phone and wait for it to register on the network.

Wait for porting confirmation via text

1. Skinny sends an SMS when the transfer is done. This usually takes 24–48 hours (Skinny Mobile).
2. Keep your old SIM active until then.

The trade-off: a SIM swap is only for existing Skinny customers. If you’re switching from another carrier, use the “Keep your number” process instead.

How do you find out your number on Skinny?

Need to check your Skinny number? There are three quick ways.

Check your number via your phone settings

1. Go to Settings > About phone > Status to see your phone number.

Dial a Skinny shortcode (e.g., *100#)

1. Dial *100# and press call. Your number will appear on the screen (Skinny Mobile help page).

Check your My Skinny account online

1. Log into My Skinny and view your account dashboard. Your number is listed under account details.

Why this matters: knowing your own number is essential when sharing it for the porting request form. Skinny provides a free, instant check code.

How do I transfer my Skinny eSIM to a new phone?

eSIM transfers are managed entirely through your My Skinny account.

Request eSIM transfer from My Skinny account

1. Log in, go to Phone, SIM & Number, and select eSIM.
2. Follow the prompts to request a new eSIM QR code (Skinny Mobile help page).

Follow instructions to install eSIM on new device

1. Scan the QR code provided by Skinny on your new phone.
2. Your old eSIM will be deactivated automatically.

Activate eSIM on new phone

1. You may need to restart the phone. Once activated, your number will work on the new device.

The catch: you cannot have the same eSIM active on two phones simultaneously. The old one is deactivated as soon as the new one is installed.

How can I get a new phone but keep my old number?

Getting a new phone doesn’t mean losing your number. Here’s how.

Buy a new phone (unlocked or from Skinny)

1. If you stay on Skinny, simply insert your existing Skinny SIM into the new phone. Your number stays with the SIM.
2. If you need a new SIM (different size), request a replacement from Skinny and keep your number through the same process.

Insert your existing Skinny SIM into new phone

1. No porting needed. Your number is tied to the SIM, not the phone.

If new SIM is needed, request a replacement and keep number

1. Order a replacement SIM from Skinny, activate it, and then use the “Keep your number” option to transfer your old number to the new SIM (Skinny Mobile).

The pattern: as long as you remain a Skinny customer, your number is portable between any SIM or device they support.

Can I keep my phone number if I switch carriers?

Yes, number portability is a legal right in New Zealand.

Yes, number portability is law in New Zealand

1. Since 2007, all mobile carriers must allow you to keep your number when switching (Skinny Mobile switching page).

Process applies to all mobile carriers

1. You can port from any carrier to any other, including prepaid to postpaid.

You must request port from new carrier

1. Always initiate the number transfer with the carrier you’re joining, not the one you’re leaving. Skinny handles the rest.

The implication: switching carriers is painless for your number, but you must follow the new carrier’s porting process. Skinny makes it free and straightforward.

How do I reactivate my Skinny number?

If your number has been inactive, you may be able to get it back.

Check if your number is still available

1. Skinny may recycle numbers after 12 months of inactivity (Skinny Mobile help page).

Contact Skinny support or use My Skinny

1. Log in to My Skinny and check the “Reactivate” option, or call Skinny support.

You may need to top up or buy a new plan

1. If your number is still in the grace period, topping up may reactivate it. Otherwise, you may need to purchase a new plan.

The catch: reactivation is only possible within the grace period. After that, your number goes back into the pool and you’ll need a new one.

The pattern: Skinny’s process is well-documented for standard cases, but edge cases like carrier delays or manual verification lack published specifics.

Key quotes from the process

You can keep your number when you join by logging in to your online account and choosing the Keep your number option under the Phone, SIM & Number tab.

Skinny Mobile official help page (New Zealand mobile carrier)

The SIM must be activated in New Zealand before the keep-my-number request can be completed.

Skinny Mobile rollover data page (New Zealand mobile carrier)

Unofficial guides commonly describe the same path: activate the Skinny account, open Phone, SIM & Number, select Keep your number, and submit the provider and SIM details.

Community blog (New Zealand mobile user)

For anyone switching to Skinny in New Zealand, the choice is clear: follow the four-step process—buy, activate, request port, and wait for confirmation—or risk losing your number. Skinny’s official steps keep your old SIM handy until the SMS arrives.

Related reading: Keep your number when you join Skinny · How to join Skinny

Frequently asked questions