Google Voice doesn't charge a monthly fee, so cancellation means giving up your number rather than stopping a bill

Google Voice is free to use, which means there is no subscription to cancel and no recurring charge to stop. What you are actually doing when you "cancel" is releasing your Google Voice number so that you and others can no longer use it. Once you release a number, Google recycles it after a waiting period, and you cannot get it back.

If you want to keep your number but just stop using Google Voice, you can straightforward stop logging in — nothing will happen to your account or your number. If you want to move your number to a different phone service (like a traditional carrier), you may be able to port it out before releasing it. If you want to delete your number permanently, the process takes a few clicks but is irreversible.

Key Takeaways

  • Google Voice itself is free, so you are not cancelling a subscription — you are releasing a phone number you no longer want.
  • Releasing your number is permanent; Google will not restore it, and you cannot reclaim it later.
  • If you want to keep your number but use it with a different carrier, you can port it out before releasing it from Google Voice.
  • If you straightforward stop using Google Voice without releasing your number, your account and number remain active indefinitely.
  • The release process happens in Google Voice settings and takes effect when ready, though the number enters a holding period before Google recycles it.

When you might want to release your Google Voice number

You may want to release your number if you have moved to a different phone service and no longer need it, if you are being harassed through that number, or if you straightforward do not use it anymore and want a clean break. Releasing it prevents anyone from calling or texting that number in the future, and it removes the number from your Google account.

Before you release, check whether anyone important still has that number as a contact. If you have used it for banking, work, or other services that send verification codes, releasing it means you will lose access to those codes. If you think you might want to use the number again with a different carrier, look into porting it out first — this moves the number to another phone service and keeps it active under a new provider.

How to release your Google Voice number

Go to voice.google.com and sign in with your Google account. On the left side, click Settings. At the top of the page, click the Account tab. Scroll down until you see Delete Google Voice account. Click that option.

Google will show you a warning that explains you are about to release your number permanently. It will ask you to confirm by typing your phone number or selecting it from a dropdown. Once you confirm, the number is released when ready. You will no longer be able to make or receive calls or texts on that number, and it will disappear from your Google Voice account.

If you have call forwarding set up to another phone, that forwarding stops as soon as you release the number. Any voicemails left on the number will be deleted. The Google Voice app on your phone will no longer work for that account.

Porting your number to a different carrier before releasing it

If you want to keep your Google Voice number but move it to a traditional phone carrier (like Verizon, AT&T, or a smaller provider), you can port it out. This is different from releasing it — porting moves the number to a new service so it stays active under a different company.

To port your number, contact the carrier you want to move it to and ask about their porting process. They will ask for your account number and PIN from Google Voice. You can find these in Google Voice settings under Account > Google Voice account and settings. The carrier will handle the technical transfer, which usually takes a few business days. Once the port is complete, your number works through the new carrier, and your Google Voice account becomes inactive.

Porting costs money — most carriers charge between $15 and $30 — but it lets you keep your number. If you do not port and straightforward release, the number is gone for good.

What happens to your Google Voice account after you release the number

When you release your Google Voice number, your Google account itself remains active. You can still use Gmail, Google Drive, YouTube, and all other Google services. Only the Google Voice service and that specific phone number are removed.

If you want to sign up for a new Google Voice number in the future, you can do so using the same Google account. Google will assign you a different number. However, you cannot reclaim the number you just released, even if you sign up again when ready.

If you want to keep your number but stop using Google Voice

You do not have to release your number if you straightforward want to stop using Google Voice. You can just stop logging in, and nothing will happen. Your number stays active, voicemails can still be left, and the account sits dormant. This is useful if you think you might use the number again later or if you want to keep it as a backup.

If you want to prevent calls and texts from reaching you on that number without releasing it, you can turn off call forwarding and disable the Google Voice app. This stops new messages from coming in, but the number itself remains registered to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my Google Voice number back after I release it?

No. Once you release a number, Google will not restore it under any circumstances. The number enters a holding period and is eventually recycled for other users. You cannot reclaim it, even if you sign up for Google Voice again when ready after releasing it.

Will releasing my number affect my Google account or Gmail?

No. Releasing your Google Voice number only removes the phone service. Your Google account, Gmail, and all other Google services continue to work normally. You can still use Google Voice in the future with a different number if you want.

What if I have already ported my number to another carrier?

If your number has been ported to a different carrier, it no longer belongs to Google Voice. You cannot release it through Google Voice settings because Google no longer controls it. Contact your current carrier if you want to cancel service or release the number.

Do I need to do anything before releasing my number?

Yes. Check any accounts that use your Google Voice number for two-factor authentication or recovery codes — banking, email, work systems, and social media. Update those accounts with a new phone number before you release your Google Voice number, or you may lose access to those accounts.

How long does it take for my number to be fully released?

The release happens when ready when you confirm in settings. You cannot use the number right away, and it cannot receive new calls or texts. Google holds the number for a period before recycling it, but this waiting period is not visible to you.