You can get a Google Voice number through Google's own setup process, which takes about five minutes and requires a Google account and a real phone number to link it to
A Google Voice number is a phone number that Google assigns to you. It rings through to whatever phone you choose — your cell, your home phone, your work line, or any combination. You can change which phone it rings to whenever you want, and you can use it to make calls and send texts from your computer or the Google Voice app. The number itself stays the same even if you switch phones or carriers.
Getting one is free. Google does not charge you monthly, though you do pay standard rates if you call internationally. The main catch is that you need an existing phone number to set it up — Google uses that number to verify you are a real person, then you can use the Google Voice number instead of giving out your real one.
Key Takeaways
- You need a Google account and an existing phone number (cell, home, or work) to create a Google Voice number.
- Google Voice numbers are free to obtain and use for calls and texts within the United States.
- The setup process takes about five minutes and happens at voice.google.com.
- Once you have a Google Voice number, you can change which phone it rings to at any time without losing the number.
- Google Voice works on computers, phones, and tablets through the app or the website.
The step-by-step process to claim your number
Go to voice.google.com in a web browser and sign in with your Google account. If you do not have one, you will need to create it first — that takes a few minutes and requires an email address and password.
Click the button that says "Create a Google Voice account" or "Get a Google Voice number". Google will ask you to enter your existing phone number — the one you actually use right now. This is the number Google calls to verify you are real. You will receive a verification code by text or call, and you enter that code back into Google to prove you own the number.
After verification, Google shows you available numbers in your area code or a code you choose. You can search for a specific area code if you want a number that looks local to somewhere else. Pick the number you want and confirm it. That number is now yours.
What happens to your existing phone number
Your real phone number — the one you gave Google to verify yourself — does not change and does not become public. Google uses it only to confirm you are a real person. You can keep it private, and only people you tell will know it.
When someone calls your new Google Voice number, it rings through to whatever phone you set up in Google Voice settings. You can choose your cell phone, your home phone, both at the same time, or none of them (so calls go to voicemail instead). You can change this setting whenever you want without telling anyone or changing your Google Voice number.
Using your Google Voice number on different devices
You can make calls and send texts from your Google Voice number using the Google Voice app on your phone, the website on your computer, or the Gmail sidebar if you use Gmail. All three are free. When you call or text from any of these, the person on the other end sees your Google Voice number, not your real phone number.
If you want to receive calls on your Google Voice number, you set up which phones ring in your Google Voice settings. You can have it ring your cell phone, your home phone, your work phone, or any combination. You can also turn off ringing entirely and just let calls go to voicemail, which you can listen to or read as a transcript.
The Google Voice app works on Android and iPhone. You can read it from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. On a computer, you just go to voice.google.com and log in.
Changing or replacing your Google Voice number
You can change your Google Voice number, but there are limits. Google lets you change your number once every 30 days, but only if you have had the current number for at least 6 months. If you just got a number, you cannot change it for 6 months.
To change it, go to your Google Voice settings, find the phone number section, and look for the option to change your number. Google will show you available numbers again, and you pick a new one. The old number goes back into Google's pool and becomes available to someone else.
If you want to keep your Google Voice number but stop using Google Voice entirely, you can delete your account. Once you do, the number is released and you cannot get it back.
Why someone might use a Google Voice number instead of their real number
Some people use a Google Voice number as a buffer between themselves and strangers. If you sell something online, sign up for a service you are not sure about, or give your number to a business, you can give them your Google Voice number instead of your real one. If they spam you or sell your number, you can change your Google Voice number without losing your actual phone number.
Others use it because they want a local number in a different city — a business owner in New York might get a California Google Voice number so customers there see a local number. Or someone might want to keep work calls separate from personal ones by using a Google Voice number for one and their real number for the other.
Some people use it straightforward because they like having one number that follows them across devices. You can call from your computer, your phone, or a tablet, and the person you are calling always sees the same number.
What Google Voice does not do
Google Voice is not a replacement for emergency services. You cannot call 911 from Google Voice in most places, and if you try, it may not work or may not send the right location information. Always use your real phone number for emergencies.
Google Voice does not work well for two-factor authentication codes. Many banks and services send security codes by text, and Google Voice can receive them, but some services block Google Voice numbers specifically because they are shared and temporary. If a service rejects your Google Voice number for a security code, you will need to use your real phone number instead.
Google Voice also does not port to other carriers. Your Google Voice number lives only in Google's system. If you want to move to a different phone service, you cannot take your Google Voice number with you the way you can port a regular phone number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pay anything to get a Google Voice number?
No. Getting a Google Voice number is free, and using it to call and text within the United States is free. You only pay if you call internationally, and those rates are shown in your Google Voice settings before you dial.
Can I use Google Voice without a smartphone?
Yes. You can use Google Voice entirely from a computer at voice.google.com. You can make calls, send texts, and listen to voicemail from your browser. You do not need the app or a smartphone.
What if I lose access to the phone number I used to verify my account?
If you change carriers or lose your old phone number, you can update the phone number linked to your Google Voice account in your settings. Google may ask you to verify the new number, but you can keep your Google Voice number itself.
Can someone else get the same Google Voice number if I delete my account?
Yes. Once you delete your Google Voice account, the number is released back to Google and can be assigned to someone else. If you think you might want the number back later, do not delete your account — just stop using it.
Does Google Voice work internationally?
You can receive calls and texts on your Google Voice number from anywhere in the world. You can make calls to most countries, but you pay per-minute rates that vary by country. Texting internationally costs money too. Check your Google Voice settings to see rates before you dial.