Getting a Google Voice number takes about five minutes and requires a Google account and a phone number where Google can send a verification code

Google Voice is a free service that gives you a phone number you can use to make calls, send texts, and receive voicemails through the web or a mobile app. The number stays with you even if you change phones or carriers. To get one, you visit voice.google.com, sign in with your Google account, and follow the setup steps. Google will ask you to verify a real phone number (your existing mobile or home phone) before assigning you a new number to use.

The process doesn't replace your current phone number — it adds a second one. People can call or text your new Google Voice number, and you can choose which device receives those calls and messages. This is useful if you want a separate number for work, online dating, selling items, or any situation where you'd rather not give out your personal number.

Key Takeaways

  • You need an active Google account and access to a real phone number (mobile or home phone) to verify your identity before Google assigns you a new number.
  • The setup happens at voice.google.com and takes about five minutes; Google sends a verification code to your existing phone to confirm you own it.
  • Your new Google Voice number is free and works on any device where you install the Google Voice app or access the website.
  • You can forward calls and texts from your Google Voice number to multiple devices, and choose which ones receive notifications at any time.

Step-by-step setup on your computer

Open a web browser and go to voice.google.com. Sign in with your Google account (create one first if you don't have one). Click the button to set up Google Voice — it usually says "Get a number" or "Set up Google Voice".

Google will ask you to choose a phone number. You can search by area code or city to find a number with a local prefix, or let Google suggest one. Once you pick a number, click to claim it. Google will then ask for a real phone number where it can send a verification code — this is your existing mobile phone, home phone, or any number you can access right now. Enter that number, and Google sends a code by text or call within seconds.

Type the code into the box on the screen. Once verified, your new Google Voice number is active. You'll see it displayed on the screen and in your account settings. From this point forward, calls and texts to that number arrive in your Google Voice inbox, and you can forward them to any phone you choose.

Setting up on your phone with the Google Voice app

You can also set up Google Voice directly from your phone. Download the Google Voice app from the Google Play Store (Android) or Apple App Store (iPhone). Open the app and sign in with your Google account. Tap the button to set up a new number — the app walks you through the same steps as the website: pick a number, verify your existing phone number, and enter the code Google sends.

After setup, the app becomes your main way to use Google Voice on that phone. You'll see incoming calls and texts in the app, and you can reply from there. If you also use Google Voice on your computer or another phone, messages sync across all your devices, so you see the same conversation everywhere.

Choosing which phones receive your calls and texts

Once your Google Voice number is active, you decide which of your phones actually ring when someone calls it. Go to voice.google.com on a computer, click the settings gear icon, and select "Linked numbers." Here you can add or remove any phone number you want to receive calls on — your mobile, home phone, work phone, or any combination.

You can turn linked numbers on and off anytime. If you're at work and don't want your Google Voice calls ringing your personal phone, toggle it off. When you get home, toggle it back on. Only the phones you've linked and enabled will ring; the others won't receive anything. This gives you full control over when and where your Google Voice calls reach you.

What happens if you already have a Google Voice number

If you set up Google Voice years ago and haven't used it, you still own that number. Sign into voice.google.com with the same Google account, and your old number appears. You can start using it again immediately — no new setup needed. Google keeps inactive numbers for a while, but if a number hasn't been used in a very long time, Google may release it so someone else can claim it.

If you want a different number instead of your old one, you can release your current number and claim a new one. Go to settings, find the option to change your number, and follow the prompts. You'll lose the old number permanently, so make sure you're ready before you do this. After you release it, you can claim a new one right away.

Using your Google Voice number for calls and texts

Once your number is set up, you can make calls and send texts from it through the Google Voice website or app. Open Google Voice, click the button to start a new call or message, type in the phone number or contact name, and proceed as you would on any phone. The person on the other end sees your Google Voice number, not your personal number.

You can also receive voicemails through Google Voice. When someone calls your Google Voice number and you don't answer, they can leave a message. Google Voice transcribes the voicemail to text (the transcription isn't always perfect, but it's usually close enough to understand). You see the transcript in your Google Voice inbox and can play the audio recording anytime.

Keeping your Google Voice number active

Google Voice numbers are free, but Google does have rules about keeping them. If you don't use your number for a long period — typically six months or more with no calls, texts, or voicemails — Google may deactivate it. The exact timeline varies, but the point is to keep numbers in circulation for people who actually use them.

To keep your number active, make or receive at least one call or text every few months. This can be as simple as sending yourself a text message or making a test call. If your number is deactivated, you can reactivate it by signing back into Google Voice and following the prompts, though Google may not always allow this depending on how long it's been inactive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep my Google Voice number if I change phones?

Yes. Your Google Voice number is tied to your Google account, not to any specific phone. You can sign into your account on a new phone, tablet, or computer, and your number and all your messages follow you. As long as you have your Google account login, you keep the number.

What's the difference between Google Voice and my regular phone number?

Google Voice is a separate number that works through the internet and the Google Voice app or website. Your regular phone number is tied to your carrier (like Verizon or AT&T) and works through cellular service. You can have both at the same time. Google Voice doesn't replace your regular number — it adds a second one you control.

Can I port my Google Voice number to a different carrier?

Google Voice numbers cannot be transferred to a traditional phone carrier. They only work through Google Voice itself. If you want to switch to a regular carrier number, you'd need to get a new number from that carrier. However, you can keep your Google Voice number active and use it alongside a carrier number.

Do I need to pay for Google Voice?

The basic Google Voice service is free. You get a number, can make calls and send texts, and receive voicemails at no cost. Google Voice does offer paid features like international calling rates, but you're not required to use them. The number itself and standard calling within the US are always free.

What if someone keeps calling my Google Voice number and I want to block them?

Open Google Voice, find the conversation with that person, click the three-dot menu, and select "Block." Blocked callers can't reach you through that number anymore, and their calls go straight to voicemail (which they won't be able to leave). You can unblock them anytime through the same menu.