Transfer number from current account to new family plan

I don't think you can do this without her knowledge. Since she's on a different account, she would have to approve being added to your Family account.

As awesome a gesture as it is you're trying to do for your girlfriend, imagine what an AT&T rep would say? Because of security and billing concerns without the account holder's knowledge, it makes this practically impossible to do. Because of fraud issues, it would be a security liability for them to go through with this without account owner permission. There's also contract issues and the like. It's more complicated than it should be.

Your best bet is to surprise her with the iPhone sooner and have her approved the changes in time for Christmas, or wait until Christmas to give her the phone then do the account shifting.

 

Very sound advice.

 

Agreed, you can't do it without her knowledge. I did something similar when I got married. I was on Verizon and she was on AT&T. First, she had to port her number over to a Verizon individual account. Next, I had to assume responsibility for her account. Essentially, that's putting two lines under one account, but still separate plans. Lastly, I had to merge the accounts into a family plan.

At the time, this wasn't something that could be done in one visit to the store, but hopefully this sort of thing can be done quicker now. I actually got them to push it through because no one ever told me I'd have to wait until my wife's account was active for a month first.

Obviously, in your case the porting part is already done. You'll probably have to take ownership of her account so that her number has your billing information. That's the part she'll have to know about, because her permission would be required. After that it should be pretty simple for them to move the number to the iPhone and then close her current account.

 

there is a way... order a new line in your name... you will get a new number...activate it at your convieence... you have 60 days from purchase to do so....wrap it up and put it under the tree...after she showers you with affection... do a port in overlay... essentally putting her number with the other carrier over top of the temporary number... call the porting department when ready (do not cancel with the other carrier) Port Activation Center 888-898-7685 call from a land line with the phone in hand you will need the acount number of the othe carrier (on the bill) tell them its yourr wife (this makes it MUCH easier)