📞 What callers will dial & see

No matter which setup you choose:

Your callers will keep dialing your usual phone number, the one they already know and use.
From your callers’ perspective, nothing changes, they’ll always see your regular number and won’t notice whether the call is handled by Beside or your carrier.
The difference is only in how calls are routed behind the scenes.

Option 1️⃣ : Port your existing number to Beside (=transfer ownership to Beside)

🌟 Best if: you want to use your number exclusively through Beside and no longer rely on your current carrier. Your number is officially transferred to Beside and handled directly through the app.

If you're using a second number app like Google Voice, Sideline, or Quo (formerly OpenPhone), you can easily transfer (port) your existing number to Beside. Before starting the porting process, ensure your number is unlocked with your current provider.

When you port your number, it fully moves to Beside. Your primary number becomes your Beside number. All calls and texts happen directly through Beside, and your carrier account will eventually close for that line.

➡️ Steps to port your number:

Contact Support: Start the porting process by opening a chat and sending the message, "I'd like to port my number."
Prepare required details:
- Completed porting form (we’ll send it to you)
- Proof of ownership (latest bill/receipt, or account screenshot showing your name and number)
- Account number from your current carrier
- 4-digit PIN (your carrier can provide this if you don't have one)
Share your documents with our support team
Wait for confirmation: porting usually takes 1–2 weeks, often less than a week.
Start using Beside: Once complete, your number will work seamlessly in Beside.

💡Good to know: There's no disruption in service while your number is being ported.

⚠️ Important notes

Numbers with data plans (e.g., Verizon or T-Mobile) are not supported for porting. Since Beside isn’t a data provider, porting these lines would result in losing your data plan.
Beside does not currently support receiving two-factor authentication (2FA) messages - like verification codes from banks or apps. If you rely on 2FA regularly, we recommend keeping your current provider and using Call Forwarding instead.
Once your number is ported, it will replace the Beside number originally assigned to your account.

Option 2️⃣ : Use Call Forwarding and Caller Identity (=keep your provider)

🌟 Best if: you want to keep your existing carrier and have Beside handle your calls. Your carrier simply redirects your incoming calls to your Beside number in the background.

If your number is with a traditional carrier (e.g., T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T), you can use call forwarding and customize your caller ID through the Beside app.

➡️ Steps to set ip tup:

Enable Call Forwarding: set up call forwarding with your carrier to route calls to your Beside number.
Check your carrier’s instructions or our Call Forwarding Guide for help.
Set Caller Identity in Beside:
- Open the Beside app → Settings → Caller Identity
- Enter and verify your primary number.
- Once verified, your primary number will display as your caller ID.
  Check out our Caller ID Setup & Troubleshooting Guide for step-by-step instructions and fixes if you’re having trouble enabling Caller ID.