Want to switch networks? Learn exactly how to port your Jio SIM to Airtel with our step-by-step 2026 guide. Covers both online doorstep and offline
Are you experiencing network drops, or maybe you just found a better prepaid plan on Airtel? Whatever your reason for switching, the Mobile Number Portability (MNP) process in India has become incredibly streamlined.
As a Tech Specialist, I test network setups and telecom apps constantly. Over the years, I’ve noticed that while the telecom operators make big promises about “seamless transitions,” users often get stuck on the technical details – like failing to generate the porting code or missing the tele-verification window.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to port a Jio SIM to Airtel without losing your number, your contacts, or your sanity. We’ll cover both the traditional offline store method and the much faster online doorstep delivery method.
⚠️ Pre-Porting Checklist: Do This First
Before you send any SMS or visit a store, you must meet the standard Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) rules. If you skip these, your port request will bounce back:
- The 90-Day Rule: You must have been on the Jio network for at least 90 days. If you just bought your Jio SIM two months ago, you cannot port it yet.
- Active Tariff Plan: You cannot port a “dead” SIM. Your Jio number must have an active recharge plan that includes outgoing SMS benefits (this is crucial for generating the port code).
- Clear Your Dues: If you are a postpaid Jio user, ensure your current billing cycle is completely paid off.
Step 1: Generate Your Unique Porting Code (UPC)
The UPC is a digital handshake between Jio and Airtel. It proves that you own the number and authorize the transfer. Here is the exact way to get it:
- Open the default SMS app on your phone.
- Type PORT followed by a space, and then your 10-digit mobile number. (Example:
PORT 9876543210) - Send this message to 1900.
Within a few minutes, you will receive a reply from 1901. This SMS will contain your 8-digit alphanumeric Unique Porting Code (UPC) and an expiry date.
Techrytr Pro Tip: Write this code down or take a screenshot. The UPC is only valid for 4 days in most telecom circles (and 30 days in Jammu & Kashmir, Assam, and the North East). If it expires, you have to start over.
Step 2: Choose How to Port to Airtel
You have two choices here: doing it from your couch (Online) or getting it done instantly at a shop (Offline).
Method A: How to Port Jio to Airtel Online (Doorstep Delivery)
If you search for “how to port jio to airtel online,” you’ll find that Airtel has built a very efficient doorstep delivery system. This is my highly recommended method.
- Visit the official Airtel Prepaid Porting webpage or download the Airtel Thanks App.
- Select the Prepaid or Postpaid plan you want to buy. (Usually, there is a first-time recharge or FRC required).
- Enter your details: Name, current Jio mobile number, and your delivery address.
- An Airtel executive will be assigned to you. They will visit your home/office at your chosen time slot.
- Keep your documents ready: Hand over your Aadhaar card (or any valid ID) to the executive for biometric KYC, and show them the UPC code you generated in Step 1.
- The executive will hand you your new, inactive Airtel SIM card.
Method B: The Offline Store Visit
If you need the SIM card in your hand today, the traditional route is best.
- Use Google Maps to find your nearest Airtel Store or an authorized local mobile retailer.
- Bring your smartphone (with the Jio SIM inside) and your Aadhaar Card.
- Tell the representative you want to do a “Jio to Airtel port.”
- Provide them with the UPC code. They will scan your fingerprint for e-KYC and hand you the new Airtel SIM.
Step 3: The Activation & Tele-Verification Process
You have the new Airtel SIM, but do not throw away your Jio SIM yet. The actual network switch takes about 3 to 5 working days (or faster if you are porting within the same telecom circle).
- Keep using your Jio SIM.
- One night, usually around midnight, your Jio network signal will completely disappear.
- That is your cue. Swap the Jio SIM out and put the new Airtel SIM into your smartphone.
The Final Step: Tele-Verification
Once the Airtel SIM shows network bars, you must verify it before making calls or using 5G data.
- Open your dialer and call 59059.
- Follow the automated voice instructions to confirm your identity (usually by entering the last 4 digits of your Aadhaar or an OTP sent to your alternate number).
- Once verified, your First Recharge (FRC) will activate within 15 to 30 minutes.
Troubleshooting: Why is my Port Request Failing?
As a developer, I always look at the failure points. If your Jio to Airtel port fails, it’s almost always one of these three reasons:
- “SMS not sending to 1900”: Your current Jio plan likely doesn’t have an SMS pack. Recharge with a basic top-up that includes outgoing messages.
- Mismatch in Details: If the name on your Jio account is “Gnaneshwar G.” but your Aadhaar card says “Gnaneshwar Gaddam,” the port might be rejected due to a mismatch.
- Corporate SIMs: If your SIM is owned by your company, you cannot port it using a standard UPC. You need a NOC (No Objection Certificate) from your employer first.
Final Thoughts
Switching from Jio to Airtel used to be a headache of paperwork and waiting in lines. Today, thanks to digital KYC and doorstep delivery, you can complete the hardest part of the process in about five minutes.
Just remember to backup your contacts to your Google Account before making the switch, as contacts saved directly to your old Jio SIM will not carry over to the new Airtel SIM!
Want to switch networks? Learn exactly how to port your Jio SIM to Airtel with our step-by-step 2026 guide. Covers both online doorstep and offline
Are you experiencing network drops, or maybe you just found a better prepaid plan on Airtel? Whatever your reason for switching, the Mobile Number Portability (MNP) process in India has become incredibly streamlined.
As a Tech Specialist, I test network setups and telecom apps constantly. Over the years, I’ve noticed that while the telecom operators make big promises about “seamless transitions,” users often get stuck on the technical details – like failing to generate the porting code or missing the tele-verification window.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to port a Jio SIM to Airtel without losing your number, your contacts, or your sanity. We’ll cover both the traditional offline store method and the much faster online doorstep delivery method.
⚠️ Pre-Porting Checklist: Do This First
Before you send any SMS or visit a store, you must meet the standard Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) rules. If you skip these, your port request will bounce back:
- The 90-Day Rule: You must have been on the Jio network for at least 90 days. If you just bought your Jio SIM two months ago, you cannot port it yet.
- Active Tariff Plan: You cannot port a “dead” SIM. Your Jio number must have an active recharge plan that includes outgoing SMS benefits (this is crucial for generating the port code).
- Clear Your Dues: If you are a postpaid Jio user, ensure your current billing cycle is completely paid off.
Step 1: Generate Your Unique Porting Code (UPC)
The UPC is a digital handshake between Jio and Airtel. It proves that you own the number and authorize the transfer. Here is the exact way to get it:
- Open the default SMS app on your phone.
- Type PORT followed by a space, and then your 10-digit mobile number. (Example:
PORT 9876543210) - Send this message to 1900.
Within a few minutes, you will receive a reply from 1901. This SMS will contain your 8-digit alphanumeric Unique Porting Code (UPC) and an expiry date.
Techrytr Pro Tip: Write this code down or take a screenshot. The UPC is only valid for 4 days in most telecom circles (and 30 days in Jammu & Kashmir, Assam, and the North East). If it expires, you have to start over.
Step 2: Choose How to Port to Airtel
You have two choices here: doing it from your couch (Online) or getting it done instantly at a shop (Offline).
Method A: How to Port Jio to Airtel Online (Doorstep Delivery)
If you search for “how to port jio to airtel online,” you’ll find that Airtel has built a very efficient doorstep delivery system. This is my highly recommended method.
- Visit the official Airtel Prepaid Porting webpage or download the Airtel Thanks App.
- Select the Prepaid or Postpaid plan you want to buy. (Usually, there is a first-time recharge or FRC required).
- Enter your details: Name, current Jio mobile number, and your delivery address.
- An Airtel executive will be assigned to you. They will visit your home/office at your chosen time slot.
- Keep your documents ready: Hand over your Aadhaar card (or any valid ID) to the executive for biometric KYC, and show them the UPC code you generated in Step 1.
- The executive will hand you your new, inactive Airtel SIM card.
Method B: The Offline Store Visit
If you need the SIM card in your hand today, the traditional route is best.
- Use Google Maps to find your nearest Airtel Store or an authorized local mobile retailer.
- Bring your smartphone (with the Jio SIM inside) and your Aadhaar Card.
- Tell the representative you want to do a “Jio to Airtel port.”
- Provide them with the UPC code. They will scan your fingerprint for e-KYC and hand you the new Airtel SIM.
Step 3: The Activation & Tele-Verification Process
You have the new Airtel SIM, but do not throw away your Jio SIM yet. The actual network switch takes about 3 to 5 working days (or faster if you are porting within the same telecom circle).
- Keep using your Jio SIM.
- One night, usually around midnight, your Jio network signal will completely disappear.
- That is your cue. Swap the Jio SIM out and put the new Airtel SIM into your smartphone.
The Final Step: Tele-Verification
Once the Airtel SIM shows network bars, you must verify it before making calls or using 5G data.
- Open your dialer and call 59059.
- Follow the automated voice instructions to confirm your identity (usually by entering the last 4 digits of your Aadhaar or an OTP sent to your alternate number).
- Once verified, your First Recharge (FRC) will activate within 15 to 30 minutes.
Troubleshooting: Why is my Port Request Failing?
As a developer, I always look at the failure points. If your Jio to Airtel port fails, it’s almost always one of these three reasons:
- “SMS not sending to 1900”: Your current Jio plan likely doesn’t have an SMS pack. Recharge with a basic top-up that includes outgoing messages.
- Mismatch in Details: If the name on your Jio account is “Gnaneshwar G.” but your Aadhaar card says “Gnaneshwar Gaddam,” the port might be rejected due to a mismatch.
- Corporate SIMs: If your SIM is owned by your company, you cannot port it using a standard UPC. You need a NOC (No Objection Certificate) from your employer first.
Final Thoughts
Switching from Jio to Airtel used to be a headache of paperwork and waiting in lines. Today, thanks to digital KYC and doorstep delivery, you can complete the hardest part of the process in about five minutes.
Just remember to backup your contacts to your Google Account before making the switch, as contacts saved directly to your old Jio SIM will not carry over to the new Airtel SIM!