How to Deactivate a Phone

Permanently disconnect your phone with this user-friendly guide

Co-authored by Mitch Harris

Last Updated: August 23, 2022

Knowing how to deactivate your phone is an important skill to have - especially in the event of a lost or stolen device. Whether you want to deactivate a lost phone or switch carriers, deactivating your device is easy. Contacting the carrier directly is the quickest way to take care of the deactivation.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Deactivating a Lost or Stolen Phone

1
Call your carrier.^{[1]
X
Expert Source

Mitch Harris
Consumer Technology Expert
Expert Interview. 31 August 31 2021.} If you don't have access to the internet, you can call your carrier's Customer Service line and have a representative deactivate the line for you. You will need to be able to identify yourself as the account holder. You may be able to deactivate the phone using an automated menu system. If you have multiple phone lines on the same account, you will need to specify which line needs to be deactivated.
- Verizon - 1 (800) 922-0204
- AT&T - 1 (800) 331-0500
- Sprint - 1 (888) 211-4727
- T-Mobile - 1 (877) 453-1304
- Cricket - 1 (800) 274-2538
- Vodafone UK - 0333 304 0191
- You may need to provide the IMEI number for your missing device.
2
Log into your account on your carrier's website. If you can't call in your lost or stolen phone, you can use the carrier's website. Nearly all major carriers allow you to report your phone lost or stolen from your user page on their website. You will need to sign up for an account if you don't have one already, which usually involves confirming your phone number and personal information.
- Find the "Suspend Service" or similar option. You will be guided through the process of suspending your service.
- You may need to provide the IMEI number for your missing device.
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3
Change your passwords. If your iPhone or Android phone was lost or stolen, there's a good chance that it was tied to an account. As soon as you realize that your phone has been lost or stolen, change your Apple ID or Google password.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Canceling Service

1
Call your carrier from your phone. Most wireless providers let you quickly call the carrier directly from your mobile phone without having to enter in a long phone number. Use the code for your service to connect directly to your carrier's customer service department:
- T-Mobile - 611
- Sprint - *2
- Verizon - *611
- Cricket - 611
- AT&T - 611
- Vodafone UK - 191
2
Ask for your service to be canceled.^{[2]
X
Expert Source

Mitch Harris
Consumer Technology Expert
Expert Interview. 31 August 31 2021.} Canceling your service will deactivate your phone. If you are switching to a new carrier or phone, make sure that you have ported your number over to your new phone already.
- Canceling your account may result in early termination fees if you have not completed your contract.
- You may be able to suspend your phone and prevent it from being used and charges from accruing, but this may require you to report it lost or stolen.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I deactivate a lost phone?

Community Answer

Contact your carrier. Log into your account on your carrier's website. Change your passwords, then ask for your service to be cancelled.
Question

How can I block an IMEI?

Community Answer

Uou must contact the carrier and ask them to block it for you.
Question

How do I reactivate my phone if I don't know how I deactivated it?

Community Answer

You have to call the cell phone company and show them that you are you and then ask them to reactivate the cell phone.