You can change your Google Voice number once every 30 days

Google Voice lets you change the phone number associated with your account, but the process has a waiting period built in. Once you change your number, you cannot change it again for 30 days. The change takes effect when ready after you confirm it, and your old number becomes available for someone else to claim within a few hours.

Before you change your number, understand what happens: any calls or texts sent to your old number will not reach you. Contacts who have your old number will need the new one. If you have forwarding set up to your mobile phone or other devices, that forwarding continues to work with your new number — you do not have to reconfigure it.

The change is permanent for that 30-day window. Google does not let you switch back to a previous number, so make sure you want a new one before you start.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Google Voice number once every 30 days by going to Settings, clicking on the phone number itself, and selecting "Change/Release number".
  • Your old number becomes available to other users within a few hours, so anyone with your old number cannot reach you after the change.
  • Forwarding to your mobile phone, email, or other devices stays active with your new number and does not need to be reset.
  • You cannot undo a number change or reclaim an old number, so confirm you want the new one before completing the process.
  • If you have not used your Google Voice account in a long time, Google may delete it and release your number without your action.

Step-by-step process to change your number

Open Google Voice on your computer — the mobile app does not have this option. Go to Settings (the gear icon in the top right), then select Phone number from the left menu. You will see your current number displayed.

Click directly on your phone number. A menu appears with the option Change/Release number. Click that option. Google will ask you to confirm that you understand the change is permanent and that your old number will be released.

After you confirm, Google shows you available numbers in your area code (or a code you choose). Browse the list and select the number you want. Some numbers may be unavailable if another user claimed them first. Once you pick a number and confirm, the change is complete. Your new number is active when ready.

What happens to your old number

Your old Google Voice number becomes available to other users within a few hours. You cannot reclaim it later, even after the 30-day waiting period passes. If someone else takes it, you would have to ask them to release it, which they have no reason to do.

Any calls or texts sent to your old number after the change will not reach you. The caller or sender will not get an error message — the call or text straightforward goes nowhere. If you have important contacts who use your old number, you need to tell them your new one before you change it.

Voicemails left on your old number after the change are not forwarded to you. If you want to preserve voicemails from your old number, read them before you make the change.

Forwarding and settings after you change your number

Your call forwarding rules stay in place with your new number. If you had calls forwarding to your mobile phone, your home phone, or any other device, those same devices continue to receive calls to your new Google Voice number. You do not have to reconfigure forwarding.

Your voicemail greeting, call screening settings, and do-not-disturb rules all remain active. Text message forwarding to email (if you set that up) continues to work. The only thing that changes is the phone number itself.

If you use Google Voice for business or have shared the number with customers or clients, update them with your new number. Consider sending a message to your contacts before you change the number so they have time to save the new one.

Reasons to change your Google Voice number

You might change your number if you are receiving spam or harassment calls that block features like call screening. A new number gives you a fresh start without the accumulated spam. You may also change your number if you move to a different area and want a local number there, or if you straightforward want a number that is easier to remember.

Some people change their number when they stop using Google Voice for a particular purpose — for example, if you set up a Google Voice number for a side business that you no longer run, you might want a new personal number instead. The 30-day waiting period prevents you from constantly switching, which protects the system from abuse.

If you cannot change your number

If the Change/Release number option does not appear in your Settings, you may have changed your number within the last 30 days. Google enforces the 30-day waiting period strictly. Check the date of your last change — you can change again once that period has passed.

If you have not used your Google Voice account in a very long time (typically over six months), Google may delete the account and release your number automatically. You would need to set up a new Google Voice account and claim a new number. This is rare, but it happens if the account shows no activity.

If you are having trouble accessing Settings or seeing your phone number, sign out of Google Voice completely and sign back in. Sometimes a browser cache issue prevents the interface from loading correctly. If the problem persists, try using a different browser or clearing your browser cookies for Google Voice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Google Voice number from my phone?

No, you can only change your number from a computer using the Google Voice website. The mobile app does not have the option to change or release your number. You must go to voice.google.com, open Settings, and click on your phone number to access the change option.

What if I change my number and then want my old number back?

You cannot reclaim an old Google Voice number. Once you release it, it becomes available to other users, and Google does not hold it for you. If someone else claims it, you would have to contact them directly to ask them to release it, which is unlikely. Plan your number change carefully because it is permanent.

Do I lose my voicemails when I change my number?

Voicemails left on your old number after the change do not transfer to your new number. Voicemails left before the change stay in your account. If you want to keep voicemails from your old number, read or save them before you make the change.

Will my contacts automatically know my new number?

No, Google Voice does not notify your contacts when you change your number. You must tell them yourself. Send a message or call them with your new number so they can update their contacts. If you use Google Voice for business, consider sending an email or text to all clients before you change the number.

Can I choose any available number or only numbers in my area code?

When you change your number, Google shows you available numbers in your current area code by default. You can select a different area code from the dropdown menu if you want a number from somewhere else. Some area codes may have fewer available numbers than others, so your choices depend on what is currently unclaimed.