Keep Your TextNow Number

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At TextNow, we understand the importance of a phone number so we do our best to make getting a free phone number easy. Sadly, there aren’t an infinite number of available phone numbers. Rather, phone numbers are regulated country-per-country. What that means is it is possible for TextNow to temporarily run out of numbers.  

That’s why if an account is not in use, we may recycle that number to make sure that we have enough for people who really need it. That leads to a question we get often: How do I keep my TextNow number?  Well, the answer is easy - although maybe not as well known.

There are two simple ways for you to make sure you keep your TextNow number:

1. Keep your TextNow phone number active!

Simple, right? Any number on a free WiFi-supported account runs the risk of expiring if the number is not used regularly. Because we don't have an unlimited number of phone numbers to give out, we want to make sure that the number on that account does not go to waste – especially in more popular area codes. A number on a dormant account expires so it can be readied to give to an active subscriber to use.

We recommend you use your TextNow number for an outgoing call or text at least once every 2 days. While your number won't necessarily expire after two days, every account and area code is different. So if you are adamant about keeping that number, make sure to stay active with calls and texts!

On that note, though, keep in mind that incoming calls and texts do not count towards keeping your TextNow number active. There must be an indication that the account is in use, so that's why an outgoing call or text is required.

2. Upgrade your TextNow subscription.

You can also keep your TextNow number by purchasing one of our flexible add-ons:

Premium numbers: When you sign up for TextNow, you can either pick a number from our regular pool of numbers or pick from one of the Premium numbers. Premium numbers are "easy to remember" numbers like 555-555-1000 or 555-555-1234. Buying a premium number subscription will lock the number to your account for as long as you have the subscription active. Cost: $4.99/year (US)

‍Lock-In Number: Even if you don't have a Premium Number, you can buy the Locked-In Number add-on separately, which will keep your number locked to your account for as long as your locked-in subscription is active. Also, locking in your number allows you to receive verification codes from other services. Cost: $6.49/year

As long as these add-ons are active, your phone number remains locked to your TextNow account.

Last but definitely not least: purchasing a TextNow SIM Card for only 99¢ and activating your phone with TextNow will also lock in your number.

There you have it – a few different ways to keep your number active with TextNow, so you don't have to worry about your number being recycled. Use the one that fits your needs!