You can delete a Google Voice number through your Google Account settings, but the process is permanent and takes time to complete

To delete your Google Voice number, sign into your Google Account, go to voice.google.com, click the settings gear icon in the top right, select Settings, then scroll to Delete Google Voice account at the bottom of the page. Click that option and follow the prompts. Google will ask you to confirm, and the deletion takes a few days to process fully.

Before you delete, understand what happens: your number becomes unavailable to you immediately, but Google holds it for 90 days before releasing it back into circulation. During those 90 days, you cannot reactivate the same number. After 90 days, someone else can claim it. Any voicemails, text messages, and call history tied to that number are deleted and cannot be recovered.

Key Takeaways

  • Deletion happens in Google Account settings under voice.google.com, not in the Google Voice app itself.
  • Your number is locked for 90 days after deletion, then released for others to use — you cannot get it back after that window closes.
  • All voicemails, texts, and call logs attached to the number are permanently erased when you delete the account.
  • If you want to keep your number but stop using Google Voice, you can forward it to another phone instead of deleting it.
  • The deletion process takes a few days to complete, so your number may still receive calls or texts briefly after you request deletion.

What happens to your number after deletion

Once you delete your Google Voice account, your number enters a 90-day holding period. During this time, the number is yours in name only — you cannot use it, and it will not ring your phone or accept new voicemails. Google keeps it reserved so that if you change your mind within the 90 days, you have a window to contact Google Support and ask them to restore it, though restoration is not may provide.

After 90 days pass, Google releases the number back to the pool of available numbers. This means another person can sign up for Google Voice and claim that same number. If you had the number for years and people still have it saved in their contacts, their calls will eventually reach whoever gets assigned that number next. This is why deleting should be a deliberate choice, not something you do on impulse.

How to back up your data before deleting

Google Voice does not offer a built-in export tool for voicemails or text messages. However, you can take screenshots of important conversations or use your phone's screen recording feature to capture voicemails before deletion. Open each conversation in Google Voice on your computer (the web version shows more detail than the app) and photograph or record what you need to keep.

For call logs, you can see a list of all calls made and received in the Calls tab on voice.google.com. Write down or screenshot any numbers or dates you need for your records. Once the account is deleted, this information is gone permanently, so spend time on this step if you have important contact history or voicemails you may need later.

The difference between deleting and disabling Google Voice

Deletion is permanent. Disabling or pausing is not an option Google Voice offers — you either keep the account active or you delete it entirely. However, you have a middle ground: you can stop using Google Voice without deleting it by changing your forwarding settings. Go to Settings > Forwarding and devices and turn off all forwarding destinations. This means calls and texts to your Google Voice number will no longer reach you, but your account and number remain intact.

This approach is useful if you are not sure whether you want the number long-term, or if you want to keep it reserved under your name without actively using it. You can reactivate forwarding at any time. If you later decide you truly do not want the number, you can then delete the account knowing you gave yourself time to reconsider.

Transferring your number instead of deleting it

If you want to keep your Google Voice number but move it to a different service, Google allows you to port it to a carrier or another VoIP provider. This is different from deletion — you keep the number, but it stops working through Google Voice and starts working through your new provider instead. Porting typically costs money (usually $20 to $30) and takes one to two weeks.

To port your number, you will need your Google Voice PIN, which you can find in Settings > Account. Write this down before you start the porting process. Contact the carrier or VoIP service you want to move to and ask them to initiate a port-in. They will guide you through providing your PIN and other account details. During the port, your number may be unavailable for a few hours.

What to do if you cannot access your Google Account

If you have lost access to the Google Account tied to your Google Voice number, you cannot delete the number through the normal settings path. Instead, you will need to recover your Google Account first. Go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery and follow the recovery steps, which usually involve verifying your identity through a recovery email or phone number you set up when you created the account.

If you cannot recover your account and you no longer have access to the email or phone number associated with it, contact Google Support directly. Explain that you cannot access your account and want to delete your Google Voice number. Google may ask you to verify your identity in other ways before proceeding. This process takes longer than a standard deletion and may take several weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my Google Voice number back after 90 days?

No. After the 90-day holding period ends, Google releases the number to the public and you cannot reclaim it. If you think you might want the number again, contact Google Support within the 90 days to request restoration before the deadline passes.

Will people still be able to call or text my old Google Voice number after I delete it?

During the 90-day holding period, calls and texts to your old number will fail or go unanswered. After 90 days, if someone else claims the number, their calls and texts will reach that new person instead. This is why it is important to notify your contacts before deleting.

Do I need to delete Google Voice if I am just switching phones?

No. Your Google Voice number is tied to your Google Account, not to any specific phone. You can use it on a new phone by signing into the same Google Account and reinstalling the Google Voice app. Deletion is only necessary if you want to stop using the number entirely.

What if I delete my Google Voice account but keep my Google Account?

Deleting your Google Voice account does not affect your main Google Account. You will still be able to use Gmail, Google Drive, YouTube, and other Google services. Only the Google Voice number and its associated data are removed.

Can I delete just the voicemails without deleting the whole account?

No. Google Voice does not allow you to selectively delete voicemails or texts while keeping the account active. You can delete individual messages one at a time, but there is no bulk delete or archive feature. If you want to clear everything at once, you must delete the entire account.