What Google Voice is and how to set it up
Google Voice is a free phone service from Google that gives you a single phone number you can use to make calls, send texts, and receive voicemails across your devices. You can use it on your computer, phone, or tablet, and calls and texts go through the internet instead of your phone plan. Setting it up takes about five minutes and requires a Google account and an existing phone number.
Google Voice works best if you want a second number for work, a business, or to keep your personal number private. It's also useful if you travel internationally, since you can make calls over Wi-Fi without paying roaming charges. The service is completely free — you don't pay monthly fees, and calls within the United States and Canada are free.
Key Takeaways
- You need a Google account and an existing phone number (your current cell phone or home phone) to set up Google Voice.
- Google Voice gives you a new phone number that works on any device with internet access, and calls within the US and Canada are free.
- The setup process takes about five minutes and happens entirely on the Google Voice website or app.
- After you set up Google Voice, you can choose which of your devices receive calls and texts, and you can forward calls to your regular phone number if you want.
Setting up Google Voice on a computer
Start by going to voice.google.com in any web browser and sign in with your Google account. If you don't have a Google account, create one first — it takes two minutes and requires only an email address and password.
Once you're signed in, click the Set up Google Voice button. Google will ask you to enter your existing phone number (the one you use now). This is the number where Google Voice will send a verification code. Type in your number, choose your country, and click Send code. You'll receive a text or call with a six-digit code within a few seconds.
Enter that code into the box on the screen and click Verify. Google will then show you a list of available phone numbers. These are real phone numbers with different area codes — pick one that matches your area or a place you want to be associated with. Once you choose, click Select, and your Google Voice number is active immediately.
Setting up Google Voice on your phone
If you prefer to set up Google Voice on your phone, download the Google Voice app from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android). Open the app and sign in with your Google account.
Tap Set up Google Voice and follow the same steps as the computer version: enter your existing phone number, verify the code, and choose your new Google Voice number. The process is identical, and your number will work on both your phone and any other device you sign into.
After setup, the app will ask which devices you want to receive calls and texts on. You can choose your phone, computer, tablet, or any combination. If you want calls to ring on your regular phone number as well, you can turn on call forwarding in the settings.
Choosing where calls and texts arrive
One of Google Voice's main features is that you control where your calls and texts go. After setup, open Google Voice and click the Settings gear icon in the top right. Click Devices and numbers on the left side.
Under "Devices," you'll see a list of every device signed into your Google account — your phone, tablet, computer, or any others. Toggle each device on or off to decide whether it receives calls and texts. For example, you might turn on your phone and computer but leave your tablet off.
If you want calls to ring on your regular phone number too, scroll down to "Forwarding numbers" and click Add another forwarding number. Enter your cell phone number, and Google will send a verification code to that number. Once you verify it, calls to your Google Voice number will ring on both your Google Voice app and your regular phone.
Making your first call or text
To make a call, open Google Voice on any device and click the Dial button (it looks like a phone keypad). Type the number you want to call and press the call button. The call will come from your Google Voice number, not your regular phone number.
To send a text, click the Messages tab and click the + button to start a new conversation. Type the person's phone number or name (if they're in your contacts), type your message, and click Send. The text will come from your Google Voice number.
You can also receive calls and texts from other people. When someone calls your Google Voice number, it will ring on whichever devices you turned on in settings. When someone texts you, the message appears in the Messages tab of Google Voice.
Turning on voicemail and transcription
Google Voice automatically records voicemails and can transcribe them into text so you can read them instead of listening. To turn this on, go to Settings and click Voicemail on the left side.
Make sure Voicemail transcription is turned on. Google will transcribe any voicemail left for you and send it to your email address. The transcription isn't always perfect — accents, background noise, and technical terms sometimes get misheard — but it's useful for quickly scanning what someone said without listening to the whole message.
You can also set a custom voicemail greeting. Click Voicemail greeting and choose Record a greeting. Google will call you, and you can record a message that plays when someone calls and you don't answer. If you don't record one, Google uses a default greeting with your name.
Common issues and what to do about them
If you don't receive the verification code when you enter your phone number, wait a few minutes — it sometimes takes longer than expected. If nothing arrives after five minutes, click Send code again and choose to receive it by call instead of text. If you still don't get it, make sure you entered the right phone number and country code.
If calls aren't ringing on your phone, check that you turned on the device in Settings > Devices and numbers. Also make sure the Google Voice app has permission to make calls — on iPhone, go to Settings > Google Voice > Phone and turn on Allow Google Voice to make and manage calls. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Google Voice > Permissions and turn on Phone.
If you're not receiving texts, the same device settings apply. Make sure the device is turned on in Google Voice settings and that the app has permission to send and receive messages. If you're using call forwarding and calls aren't reaching your regular phone, double-check that you verified the forwarding number correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use my Google Voice number instead of my regular phone number?
No. You can use both at the same time. Your regular phone number still works exactly as before. Google Voice is a separate number you can use when you want to, and you can ignore it if you prefer. Many people use their Google Voice number for work or online signups and keep their regular number for personal contacts.
Can I use Google Voice if I don't have a cell phone plan?
Yes. As long as you have internet access — through Wi-Fi or a data plan — you can make calls and send texts with Google Voice. You don't need a phone plan at all. This is useful if you have a tablet or computer but no phone, or if you want to avoid paying for a second phone line.
What happens to my Google Voice number if I stop using it?
If you don't use your Google Voice number for six months, Google may release it so someone else can claim it. If you want to keep your number, just make or receive at least one call or text every six months. You can also pay a small fee to keep the number permanently reserved.
Can I port my regular phone number to Google Voice?
No. Google Voice gives you a new number only — you can't transfer your existing cell phone number to it. However, you can set up call forwarding so calls to your regular number can also ring on Google Voice if you want. To actually move your phone number, you'd need to contact your phone company about porting, which is a different process.
Is Google Voice secure for sensitive calls?
Google Voice calls are encrypted in transit, but they're not as secure as some specialized services designed for privacy. If you're making calls about banking, medical information, or other sensitive topics, consider using your regular phone plan instead. Google Voice is best for general calls and texts where privacy is less critical.