You can get a Google Voice number through your Google account in about five minutes
A Google Voice number is a phone number that rings to any phone you choose — your mobile, home phone, or computer. Google assigns you a real phone number with a real area code, and you can use it to make and receive calls, send texts, and receive voicemails. The number stays yours as long as you use it at least once every six months.
To get one, you need a Google account and a phone number where Google can send a verification code. The process happens entirely online, and you'll have a working number by the time you finish.
Key Takeaways
- You need a Google account and a phone number (mobile or landline) to receive a verification code before you can claim a Google Voice number.
- Google Voice numbers come with a real area code you choose from available options, and you can change it once every 30 days if you want a different region.
- The number is free to own, but calls to some destinations (like certain international numbers) cost money, while calls within the US and Canada are always free.
- You must use your Google Voice number at least once every six months or Google will reclaim it and reassign it to someone else.
What you need before you start
Have your Google account username and password ready. If you don't have a Google account, you'll need to create one first at accounts.google.com — it takes a few minutes and requires an email address and password.
You also need a phone number where Google can text you a verification code. This can be your mobile phone, a landline, or any number where you can receive text messages or phone calls. Google uses this number only to verify you're a real person; it doesn't become part of your Google Voice setup.
The steps to claim your Google Voice number
Go to voice.google.com and sign in with your Google account. Click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left, then select "Settings." On the left side, click "Account," then look for the option that says "Get a Google Voice number" or "Set up Google Voice." If you see this option, click it.
Google will show you available area codes. You can search by area code or city name to find a number in a region that matters to you — this might be where you live, where you work, or where you have family. Select the area code you want, and Google will show you several numbers to choose from. Pick one and click "Select."
Enter the phone number where you want to receive the verification code. Google will text or call you with a code. Enter that code into the Google Voice page, and your number is now active. You can immediately start giving it out to people or using it for accounts and services.
How to set which phone rings when someone calls your Google Voice number
Once your number is active, you need to tell Google which phone should ring when someone calls it. Go back to voice.google.com, click the menu, and select "Settings." Click "Devices and numbers" on the left side.
You'll see a list of phones you can add. Enter any phone number — your mobile, home phone, work phone, or any combination. Google will send a verification code to each number you add. Once you verify a phone, calls to your Google Voice number will ring to that phone. You can add up to six phones, and you can turn any of them on or off whenever you want.
If you want calls to ring to multiple phones at the same time, you can set that up too. In the same "Devices and numbers" section, you can choose whether each phone rings together or one at a time.
What happens with texts and voicemails
Text messages sent to your Google Voice number arrive in the Google Voice app or at voice.google.com — they don't automatically go to your regular phone's text message app. You can download the Google Voice app from the Google Play Store (Android) or the App Store (iPhone) to see texts and make calls from your Google Voice number on your phone.
Voicemails are transcribed and stored in Google Voice. You can listen to them, read the transcript, or have Google email you a copy. If someone leaves a voicemail, you'll get a notification, but the voicemail doesn't go to your regular phone's voicemail system.
Changing your Google Voice number later
If you want a different number, you can change it once every 30 days. Go to voice.google.com, click the menu, select "Settings," then click "Account." Look for "Change your number" and follow the same process as before — pick a new area code and select from available numbers. The old number is released back to Google and may be assigned to someone else.
If you want to keep your current number but change the area code, you still use the same "Change your number" option. There's no separate process for area code changes.
Costs and what's free
Owning a Google Voice number is free. Calls you make to phone numbers in the US and Canada are free. Texts you send within the US are free. International calls and texts cost money, and the rates vary by country — you can see the full price list at voice.google.com/about/rates.
If you don't use your Google Voice number for six months, Google will reclaim it. You won't be charged, but you'll lose the number and have to claim a new one if you want to use Google Voice again.
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 add a new phone number to your Google Voice settings, and calls will ring to the new phone instead. The number itself stays the same.
What if the area code I want isn't available?
Google shows you which area codes have numbers available at the moment you claim one. If the one you want isn't listed, you can try again later — availability changes as numbers are claimed and released. You can also change your number once every 30 days if you want to try a different area code.
Can someone find out my real phone number if I give them my Google Voice number?
No. Your Google Voice number is separate from your personal phone number. When you call someone from Google Voice, they see your Google Voice number, not the phone number you set up to ring. Texts sent to your Google Voice number go to the Google Voice app, not your regular text messages.
Do I need to pay to use Google Voice on my phone?
No. The Google Voice app is free to download and use. Calls within the US and Canada are free. You only pay for international calls and texts, and only if you make them.
What happens if I stop using my Google Voice number?
If you don't make or receive any calls, texts, or voicemails for six months, Google will reclaim the number. You won't lose your Google account, but you'll have to claim a new Google Voice number if you want to use the service again.