# Choose a number during setup

> In setup, take the UK mobile number that Line picks for you, or search by town or digits, then pay through Stripe to make it live.

Source: https://useline.io/help/getting-started/choose-a-number  
Section: Getting started  
Last updated: 2026-11-05  
Roles: Owner, Admin

You choose your Line number in the **Number** and **Activate** steps of setup. Line suggests a UK mobile number. You can take it, or search for a different number.

## Before you start

- You need the **Owner** or **Admin** role.
- Your plan includes one or more numbers. See [Compare the Starter, Pro and Business plans](https://useline.io/help/billing/plans).

## Step 1: Choose how customers reach you

On the **Number** step, select one option:

| Option | What happens |
|---|---|
| **Get a new phone number** | You get a new Line number for calls, texts and WhatsApp. This option is selected first. |
| **Keep the number you already have** | Customers keep the number they know. You also get a Line number. Then you forward your number to it, or move your number to Line. |

If you keep your own number, select **Forward your calls to Line** or **Move the number to Line**. See [Forward your existing number](https://useline.io/help/calls/forward-your-existing-number) and [Port your number to Line](https://useline.io/help/calls/port-your-number).

Select **Continue**. Then choose your plan on the **Plan** step.

## Step 2: Take the suggested number

The **Activate** step opens with one UK mobile number already selected.

1. Read the tags beside the number. **Calls**, **SMS** and **WhatsApp** show what the number can do.
2. Check the **Auto top-up** box and amount. Auto top-up is on by default. It adds credit when your balance gets low.
3. Select **Use this Number**.
4. Enter your card on the Stripe page and pay.

## Step 2 (other option): Search for a different number

1. Select **Choose a different number**.
2. In the search box, type a town, or two or more digits that you want in the number.
3. In the type list, select **Any type**, **Local** or **UK mobile**.
4. Select a number in the list.
5. Select **Use this Number**, then pay on the Stripe page.

> **Important:** Some numbers show **SMS not available**. These numbers cannot send or receive texts or WhatsApp messages. Choose a number with the **SMS** tag if you need texts.

## After payment

Line returns you to setup and gets the number. This usually takes less than 30 seconds. The **Test** step then opens. Call the number from your own phone, or send a test text to your mobile.

## Common problems

**The number I wanted is no longer available.** Line cannot hold a number before you pay. Another customer can take it first. Pick another number from the search.

**The search shows no numbers.** Clear the search, or try another town. One digit is not enough for a digit search. Type two or more digits.

**The search is unavailable.** Wait a moment and try again.

**I turned off Auto top-up.** Your account stops sending and receiving messages when the balance gets too low. You must then top up by hand. See [Credits and usage](https://useline.io/help/billing/credits-and-usage).

## Related articles

- [Set up your workspace](https://useline.io/help/getting-started/set-up-your-workspace.md): After you verify your email, answer five short questions, then follow the six setup steps to choose a plan, get a number, pay and test it.
- [Forward your existing number to Line](https://useline.io/help/calls/forward-your-existing-number.md): Keep your number and your provider. Divert its calls to your Line number, and Line handles them with the call workflow of that number.
- [Port your number to Line](https://useline.io/help/calls/port-your-number.md): Ask the Line porting team to move an existing number to Line in Channels › Calls › Number porting. A UK mobile takes about a week, other numbers 4–6 weeks.
- [Get a phone number](https://useline.io/help/calls/get-a-number.md): Buy a UK mobile, local or national number in Channels › Calls. Line adds it to your workspace at once and sets it to ring your team.