When you sign up for Beside, you are assigned an Beside number. If you prefer to use your own number with Beside, we offer two options: call forwarding & porting.
📞 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:
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)
Start from your app settings
Go to Settings → Phone section → Configure Number → Port & Replace, and follow the on-screen instructions.
Business plan users: under Phone Numbers, tap the line you want to port first, then tap Configure Number in the Phone section → Port & Replace.Submit your documents directly in the app
Everything is handled through the porting flow, no need to contact Support unless you need help.
Verification by Support
Once you've completed all steps, your information is automatically sent to the Beside Support team.They will review the details and documents, validate everything is correct, and submit the porting request on your behalf.
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.
Toll-free numbers: after porting, Beside will support calls only. Outbound texts will not work.
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 it up:
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: go to Settings → Phone section → Configure Number → Outgoing Calls → Get started with Caller ID
Business plan users: under Phone Numbers, tap the line first, then tap Configure Number in the Phone section.Enter and verify your primary number.
Once verified, your primary number will display as your caller ID.
⚠️ Important notes
Texts sent through Beside will always use your Beside number, not your primary number.
🧠 Summary: Porting vs Call Forwarding
| Porting your number | Call Forwarding |
Callers dial your primary number | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Callers see your primary number | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (when caller ID customized in Beside) |
Calls go through Beside | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Texts sent through Beside show | ✅ Your ported number | ⚠️ Your Beside number |
2FA (bank / verification codes) | ❌ Not supported | ✅ Still handled by your carrier |
Setup time | 1–2 weeks | Instant |
❓ FAQs
Can Beside display my business name as Caller ID?
Can Beside display my business name as Caller ID?
No, Beside does not currently support displaying a business name on outgoing calls.
Beside only supports showing a phone number as Caller ID, either your Beside number, your verified mobile/primary number or another verified number.
In the US and Canada, Caller ID names are controlled by the recipient's carrier, not the calling app.
Third-party apps (like Beside, WhatsApp, Google Voice, etc.) cannot force a business name to appear.
Does Beside work with dual SIM or eSIM setups?
Does Beside work with dual SIM or eSIM setups?
Yes. Beside works normally. And call forwarding must be set per line.
If forwarding behaves incorrectly, turn off call forwarding on all lines, then reactivate it only on the line you want to forward to Beside, from your phone settings.
If you don't see call-forwarding settings for your lines, your carrier/eSIM provider controls them. ➡️ Contact your carrier to enable, update, or disable forwarding.
Why do I see Beside as a calling option on my iPhone?
Why do I see Beside as a calling option on my iPhone?
You may see Beside appear as a calling option when tapping a phone number on your iPhone.
This is a feature introduced in iOS 18 that allows you to choose which app handles outgoing calls.
Even if you only have one SIM or one line, iOS can still route calls through different apps (like Beside) instead of the native Phone app.
This does not mean you have multiple phone lines.
Why does Beside open automatically when I tap a phone number?
Why does Beside open automatically when I tap a phone number?
If Beside opens when you tap a phone number in Contacts, Safari, or Mail, it means Beside is currently selected as your default calling app in iOS.
When selected, iOS routes calls directly through Beside instead of the native Phone app.
You can change this anytime in your iPhone settings.
How can I choose Beside as the app used to place calls on my iPhone?
How can I choose Beside as the app used to place calls on my iPhone?
On iOS 18 and later, you can select which app handles your outgoing calls.
To set Beside as your calling app:
Open Settings on your iPhone
Scroll down and tap Apps
Tap Default Calling App
Select Beside
👉 Once selected, tapping a phone number (in Contacts, Safari, Mail, etc.) will open the call directly in Beside instead of the native Phone app.
This does not change your phone number or SIM, it only controls which app places the call.