When you sign up for Beside, you're assigned a Beside number. If you'd rather use your existing phone number, there are two ways to do it: call forwarding or porting.
Not sure which is right for you? 📖 Port your number vs set up call forwarding
📌 What callers will dial and see: No matter which setup you choose, your callers keep dialing your usual number. From their perspective, nothing changes.
Option 1 - Call forwarding (keep your carrier)
📌 Best if: you want to keep your existing carrier and have Beside handle your calls. Your carrier simply redirects incoming calls to your Beside line 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 Numbers section → Caller Identity
Business plan users: under Phone Numbers, tap the line first.Toggle it on
Enter or verify your primary number.
Once verified, your primary number will display as your caller ID.
⚠️ Important: Texts sent through Beside will always use your Beside number, not your primary number.
Option 2 - Port your number (replace your provider)
📌 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 OpenPhone, you can transfer (port) your existing number to Beside. When you port your number, it fully moves to Beside - all calls and texts happen directly through the app.
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 Numbers 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.
Verification by Support: once you've completed all steps, your information is automatically sent to the Beside Support team. They'll review 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 works seamlessly in Beside.
⚠️ 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 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.
Porting vs Call Forwarding - at a glance
| 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) |
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 |
FAQ
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. In the US and Canada, Caller ID names are controlled by the recipient's carrier, not the calling app.
Does Beside work with dual SIM or eSIM setups?
Does Beside work with dual SIM or eSIM setups?
Yes. Beside works normally. 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. If you don't see call-forwarding settings for your lines, your carrier 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?
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. You can change this anytime in your iPhone settings: Settings → Apps → Default Calling App.
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?
Go to Settings → Apps → Default Calling App and select Beside. Once selected, tapping a phone number anywhere on your iPhone will open the call directly in Beside.