How long does porting my number to BitLink take?
It depends on where the number lives. Porting an Israeli mobile number is fast — both your old carrier and BitLink operate on Israeli telecom infrastructure, so the switch typically completes within 5 to 10 minutes of being initiated and feels close to instant from your side. Porting an international number from the US, UK, or Canada involves coordination with your current carrier abroad, so it typically takes 3 to 5 business days. In both cases your old number stays active until the port finishes, so there's no window where people can't reach you. If timing matters — say you're landing on a specific date — reach out to support and the team will help you sequence the port around your plans.
What does it cost to keep my number?
Porting an Israeli number to BitLink is free — there's no fee on top of your monthly plan. Porting an international number from the US, UK, or Canada carries a one-time $49.99 fee, which covers the coordination with your current carrier abroad. BitLink states this up front rather than burying it: it's the real cost, there are no other porting charges, and your monthly plan price is unaffected either way. Compare that with keeping an old US plan alive just to hold onto the number — often $10–$40 every month — and a one-time port usually pays for itself quickly.
Does my old number stay active during the port?
Yes. Number porting is designed so the old line keeps working until the new one takes over. For Israeli ports that window is minutes; for international ports it can be 3 to 5 business days — and through that whole period your existing SIM keeps receiving calls and messages as normal. The handover itself is the moment your number goes live on BitLink, and the team confirms with you once it's complete.
Can I start the porting process before I arrive in Israel?
Yes — and for international numbers it's actually the smart order of operations. Message support before you travel: the team confirms your current US, UK, or Canadian carrier supports porting, tells you exactly which details to gather (usually an account number and transfer PIN), and maps the steps around your arrival date. Israeli number ports happen once your BitLink line is active, which itself takes only minutes by eSIM — so even that can be done on the day you land.
Will my US bank and verification texts still arrive after porting?
Yes. A number ported to BitLink stays a real, live mobile number — calls and SMS keep arriving on your phone in Israel, including the verification codes US banks and services send. This has been tested with real Chase and Google codes arriving on a BitLink US number. It's the key difference from parking a number on a VoIP or forwarding service, which financial institutions often refuse to text: a ported BitLink number keeps the logins that depend on it working. As with any port, test your most important accounts while your old plan is still active — good practice regardless of carrier.
Can I port my number out of BitLink later?
Yes — any time, to any Israeli carrier, and BitLink deliberately keeps that door open. Every BitLink line is left open for porting out: no blocks, no release process to chase, no exit fee, and an Israeli port completes in minutes. This matters more than it sounds — many prepaid and kiosk SIMs in Israel are registered in a way that makes the number effectively unportable later (the airport SIM trap explains how people get stuck). BitLink's position is simple: your number is yours, and we'd rather keep customers with good service than with a locked door.
