What a Google phone number is and what it does

A Google phone number is a real phone number issued by Google that forwards calls and texts to any phone you own — your personal cell, work phone, or home line. You don't replace your existing number; instead, you get a separate number that rings wherever you want it to. Google calls this service Google Voice.

The number works like a switchboard. Someone calls your Google number, and the call rings on whichever device you've set it to ring on that day. You can answer from your computer, phone, or tablet. Text messages sent to your Google number land in the Google Voice app or website. You can also make outgoing calls and send texts from your Google number, so the person on the other end sees your Google number, not your personal cell number.

This is useful if you want a separate number for work, a side business, online dating, or selling items — anything where you don't want to give out your real phone number. It's also useful if you're changing phone carriers or moving countries and want to keep a US number that friends can still reach.

Key Takeaways

  • You need a Google account and a phone that can receive a verification code by text or call to set up Google Voice.
  • Google Voice is free to use in the US, but you must claim your number within 30 days or it will be released back to Google.
  • You can choose your own number from available options or let Google assign one, and you can change it once every 30 days if you don't like it.
  • Calls and texts to your Google number forward to whatever phone you set in the app, and you can change which phone receives them at any time.
  • If you already have a Google Voice number from years ago, you can reactivate it instead of creating a new one.

Step-by-step: Creating a new Google Voice number

Go to voice.google.com in a web browser and sign in with your Google account. If you don't have one, create it first at accounts.google.com — it takes a few minutes and requires an email address and password.

Once you're signed in to Google Voice, click the Create a Google Voice number button. Google will ask you to enter a phone number where you can receive a verification code. This can be any phone — your cell, a landline, a work phone. Google will send you a code by text or call (you choose which), and you'll type that code back into the website to prove you own that phone. This step prevents someone else from creating a Google Voice number pretending to be you.

After you verify, Google shows you a list of available phone numbers. You can search by area code if you want a number that looks local to a particular city. Pick one you like and click Select. Google will ask you to confirm the number and agree to their terms of service. Once you confirm, the number is yours.

You now have 30 days to claim the number permanently. If you don't use it or log back in within 30 days, Google releases it and you lose it. To claim it, just use the number — make a call, send a text, or change a setting in the app. Any of those actions counts as claiming it.

Choosing which phone receives your calls and texts

After you create your Google Voice number, you need to tell Google which phone should ring when someone calls. Open the Google Voice app (download it from the Google Play Store if you use Android, or the App Store if you use iPhone) or go back to voice.google.com on your computer.

Look for Settings (usually a gear icon) and then Phones or Linked phones. Click Add a phone and enter the phone number where you want calls to ring. Google will send a verification code to that phone. Enter the code to confirm you own it. You can add multiple phones — your cell, your home phone, your work phone — and then choose which ones ring for calls and which ones receive texts.

You can change these settings anytime. If you get a new phone, add the new number and remove the old one. If you want calls to stop ringing on your work phone after 6 p.m., you can set that in the app too.

Making calls and sending texts from your Google number

Once your Google Voice number is set up, you can make outgoing calls and send texts from it. When you do, the person you're calling or texting sees your Google number on their end, not your personal cell number.

On your phone, open the Google Voice app. Tap the Calls tab to make a call or the Messages tab to send a text. Type in the phone number or contact name, and proceed as you normally would. The call or text will go out from your Google number.

On a computer, go to voice.google.com, and you'll see the same Calls and Messages tabs. You can make calls and send texts from there too. Calls made from your computer use your computer's microphone and speakers, or you can plug in a headset.

What happens if you already had a Google Voice number

If you created a Google Voice number years ago and haven't used it, it may still exist. Before you create a new one, check whether you already have one. Sign in to voice.google.com with your Google account. If you see a phone number displayed, you already have one.

You can reactivate that old number instead of creating a new one. Google will ask you to verify a phone number again (the same process as above), and then the old number will work again. This is useful because you keep the same number and don't have to tell people a new one.

If you want to get rid of an old Google Voice number and start fresh, you can delete it in Settings. After you delete it, you can create a brand new one. Keep in mind that once you delete a number, you cannot get it back — Google does not restore deleted numbers.

Changing your Google Voice number if you don't like it

If the number Google assigned you doesn't feel right, you can change it. In Settings, look for Change number or Get a new number. Google lets you change your number once every 30 days. When you click to change it, you'll see a new list of available numbers to choose from, just like when you first created your number.

Changing your number is free, but remember that anyone you gave the old number to will no longer be able to reach you on it. So only change it if you haven't shared it widely yet, or if you're willing to tell people the new one.

Privacy and security things to know

Your Google Voice number is connected to your Google account, so anyone who gains access to your Google account can see your calls, texts, and voicemails. Use a strong, unique password for your Google account — one you don't use anywhere else. Turn on two-factor authentication in your Google account settings so that even if someone learns your password, they can't sign in without a code sent to your phone.

Google Voice records some calls by default, but you control whether that happens. In Settings, look for Calls and check the recording option. You can turn recording on or off. If you do record a call, Google stores the recording in your Google Voice account, and you can listen to it later.

Text messages sent to your Google number are stored on Google's servers, not on your phone. If you delete a text in the Google Voice app, it's gone from your account. Google keeps deleted messages for a limited time before removing them permanently, but you should not count on recovering a deleted text.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Google Voice if I don't live in the US?

Google Voice is only available to people with a US address and a US phone number for verification. If you live outside the US, you cannot create a new Google Voice number. If you already have one from when you lived in the US, you may be able to keep using it abroad, but Google's support for international use is limited.

What if I lose access to the phone number I used to verify my Google Voice account?

You can update the verification phone number in your Google Voice settings. Go to Settings, find the phone number you used to verify, and click the option to change it. Google will send a new verification code to the new phone number you provide. This is important if you switch carriers or get a new phone.

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

No. Google Voice numbers cannot be transferred to a traditional cell phone carrier like Verizon or AT&T. Your Google Voice number only works through Google's system. If you want a number from a carrier, you'll need to get one directly from them.

Does Google Voice work if I don't have a smartphone?

Yes. You can use Google Voice on a computer at voice.google.com to make calls and send texts. You'll need a microphone and speakers or a headset for calls. You don't need the app on a phone, though the app makes it more convenient if you do have one.

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

Open the Google Voice app or website, find the number in your call history, and tap or click the three-dot menu next to it. Select Block. Blocked numbers will not be able to call or text your Google Voice number. You can unblock them later in Settings if you change your mind.