Transferring your internet tends to be one of the last things you think about when you move, but it’s actually a big deal. You’ll know what I’m talking about when it’s finally time to relax after a long day of unpacking and you realize you can’t stream anything on your TV.
Most internet providers make it pretty easy to move your service to a new address. After all, these companies want to secure your future business. You just need to make sure you can get the same internet service at your new address.
Follow these steps to transfer your internet to your new address with as little stress as possible.
How to transfer your internet when you move
At a glance, here are the four steps you need to check off when transferring your internet to a new address.
- Inform your internet service provider that you’re moving.
- Check if your ISP services your new address.
- Schedule a date for your internet to be installed at your new address.
- Bring your modem and router with you when you move.
Now let’s break down each step to make sure it’s as easy as possible moving your internet to a new address.
Contact your internet service provider
The first step to moving your internet service is to give your ISP the heads up. Here’s a list of the contact information for the most popular internet service providers:
Internet provider contact information
| Service provider | Customer service number |
|---|---|
| Xfinity |
1-800-934-6489 |
| Spectrum |
1-833-267-6094 |
| CenturyLink |
1-866-642-0444 |
| AT&T |
1-800-288-2020 |
| Mediacom |
1-800-479-2082 |
| Cox |
1-800-234-3993 |
| Google Fiber |
1-866-777-7550 |
| EarthLink |
1-888-327-8454 |
| Optimum |
1-888-276-5255 |
You’ll want to contact your ISP as soon as possible to make sure you get the installation appointment you want. You can either call your ISP directly and chat with a customer service rep to get the process started, or you can access your online account and start your internet transfer there.
Check if your ISP services your new location
The internet service you can get completely depends on where you live. As opposed to a cellular network like Verizon that services the whole country, ISPs serve specific locations. Thus, you will need to check if your internet provider operates in your new neighborhood. If you’re moving down the street or even to the next city over, there’s a good chance your ISP will transfer without a problem—but that might not be the case if you move to a new state. If you're like me and dread chatting on the phone with customer service reps, enter your address below to determine which providers are available to you.
Find Internet Providers Near You
Enter your zip code to see which internet providers are available in your area.
You should also note that some providers may charge a moving fee to relocate your service. Here’s a general idea of what areas of the country each internet provider supports:
Internet provider availability
| Provider | Regional availability | Accessibility (% of U.S. population) |
|---|---|---|
| Xfinity |
California, Texas, East Coast | 72% |
| EarthLink |
East Coast, South, Midwest, West | 42% |
| AT&T |
California, Texas, Midwest, South | 46% |
| Spectrum |
California, New York, Midwest, South | 38% |
| CenturyLink |
Midwest, West, South | 22% |
| Mediacom |
Midwest, South, West | 21% |
| Cox |
South, West | 10% |
| Optimum |
Nationwide | 5% |
Keep in mind that the above information is more of a ballpark estimate than an exact science, but you can still get a general idea of what to expect. For example, if you’re from California and use AT&T as your internet provider, you won’t be able to transfer your internet connection to New York. Similarly, if you move to a rural area, there's a good chance you may not be able to take your service with you.
If you’re unsure whether your ISP provides service in your new neighborhood, then the easiest way to find out for sure is to contact a customer service representative.
What should I do if my ISP doesn’t service my new address?
If that’s the case, it’s time to shop for a new internet plan! Enter your new address into our internet search tool to see all the internet service providers available in your neighborhood. You can compare services in your area, check if there are any internet deals, see which type of internet is available, and choose a new service. Finally, don't forget to cancel your old internet plan! Note that if you're breaking a contract plan early, you may have to pay a cancelation fee.
Here’s a list of the most popular internet plans in the country right now:
|
T-Mobile
Rely Internet
$50/mo
5 year price guarantee. With AutoPay. Guarantee exclusions like taxes and fees apply.
+ $35 Upfront
|
|
Verizon
myPlan + 5G Home
$35/mo
with AutoPay and any Verizon mobile phone plan
|
|
AT&T
Internet 300 (Fiber 300Mbps)
$35/mo
Price after Autopay & Paperless bill discount. Plus taxes & fees. Limited availability. May not be available in your area.
|
|
Xfinity
300 Mbps
$40/mo
5 year price guarantee
|
|
Mint Mobile
12 Month Home MINTernet
$40/mo
$480.00 upfront payment for 12 months
|
Beware of data caps on your internet plan
Whatever internet plan you choose, make sure to find out if there’s a data cap. Just this morning, I received a text message saying, “You’ve used 75% of your data,” from Xfinity, and there are still two weeks left this month. Yikes. Let this be a friendly reminder to find a plan with a high (or non-existent) data cap and fast data speeds.
Check out our guide for the best cheap internet plans to get an idea of the best internet deals available right now.
Should I bundle my home internet with other services?
If you need to switch internet plans with your move, you should also consider bundling some of your services together to save on your utility bills. You probably know it's popular to bundle your internet with your cable TV service. However, you may not realize that many internet providers now let you bundle internet and cell phone service. This reduces the cost of your monthly phone and internet bill. Some of the best phone and internet bundles are from T-Mobile, Spectrum, and Verizon.
|
T-Mobile
Rely Internet + T-Mobile voice line
$35/mo
5 year price guarantee. With AutoPay. Guarantee exclusions like taxes and fees apply.
+ $35 Upfront
|
|
Verizon
myPlan + 5G Home
$35/mo
with AutoPay and any Verizon mobile phone plan
|
|
Spectrum
Internet Advantage
$40/mo
($30 plan + $10 modem)
for 1 year
+ $20 Upfront
|
Schedule a date for your internet installation
Once you’ve decided on transferring your current internet or switching to a new internet provider, you’ll want to schedule an installation date as close to your move as possible. If you’re moving to a previously owned home with an internet connection, it should be relatively easy for a technician to activate your Wi-Fi connection. Just note they may charge you an installation fee to turn the service on.
Activating your internet in a newly built home can potentially be much more complicated. Before an internet technician can set up service, the home needs to be properly wired with cable or fiber internet. Make sure to ask your home builder about the internet wiring in your new home.
If you can't find a good time for a technician to come, you may be able to self-install your internet.
I went without internet for a month when I moved
I moved into a new home at the beginning of the year and the internet wiring wasn’t completed during construction. Not only that, but I had to spend weeks trying to schedule Xfinity to come out and lay down the wires needed for the connection. It ended up being a big debacle where a construction team had to dig under the road to connect the internet cables that make my home Wi-Fi connection possible.
This was the kind of headache that could have been avoided if I had communicated with Xfinity well before my move. If you end up having a delay in your internet installation, consider taking advantage of your phone’s Wi-Fi hotspot data.Bring your modem and router with you when you move
If you are transferring your internet to a new location, make sure to bring your router and modem with you when you move. Moving your router is as easy as unplugging the device and putting it in a box. As for the modem, make sure to let your ISP know you’re taking the device with you, or the modem might not work at your new location.
If you've been renting any q from your current internet provider, you'll have to return it; otherwise, you may incur additional charges.
Run a quick speed test after the move
Once you’ve got your internet connection set up, run a quick speed test to make sure you get the internet speeds you pay for. If your internet speeds are much slower than advertised, it might be time to switch to a different internet provider.
Moving your internet service: FAQs
Can I move my Wi-Fi router from one house to another?
How do I move my Wi-Fi router?
There are four steps to moving a Wi-Fi router:
- Unplug your router and safely pack it up.
- Plug your router in at your new location.
- Sync your router with your internet connection.
Refer to your router instructions on how to sync the router to the home internet connection.
Can I move my internet modem to another house?
In order to move your modem to a new location, you need to authenticate the device with your internet provider. Make sure that your modem is compatible with your internet provider, and you can move your modem to a new location.
Can you order internet before you move in?
Typically, you need to be in the home to install your new internet. You can try asking the previous tenants or owners if you can activate your internet in advance, but you’ll most likely want to schedule the internet installation on your move-in day.
Tyler Abbott
Contributing Writer
Find a better internet plan
Enter your address to find the best internet providers available in your area.
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