You can change your Google Voice number, but only once every 30 days
Google Voice lets you change the phone number attached to your account, but the process has real limits. You can change your number once every 30 days, and you lose your old number permanently — Google does not hold it for you or let you switch back to it later. Before you change, make sure contacts have your new number, because calls and texts to the old one will stop working when ready.
The change takes effect right away. Any voicemails, text messages, or call history tied to your old number stays in your Google Voice account, but the old number itself becomes inactive and may eventually be reassigned to someone else.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your Google Voice number once every 30 days by going to your Voice settings and selecting the option to change your number.
- Your old number is deleted permanently and cannot be recovered, so tell your contacts your new number before you make the change.
- All your voicemails, text history, and call logs stay in your account even after you change the number.
- If you have forwarding set up to a mobile phone or landline, those settings carry over to your new number automatically.
How to change your number in Google Voice
Open Google Voice on a computer or phone and sign in to your account. On the left side of the screen, click Settings. Under the "Account" section, look for Change number or Phone number — the exact wording depends on whether you are on a computer or phone. Click that option.
Google Voice will show you available numbers in your area code or a code you choose. You can search by area code if you want a number from a different region. Select the number you want, then click Verify or Confirm. Google may ask you to verify your identity by sending a code to your phone or email. Enter that code, and your new number becomes active when ready.
The entire process usually takes less than five minutes. Your old number stops working as soon as the new one activates.
What happens to your old number and your account history
Your old Google Voice number is permanently deleted. You cannot get it back, and Google does not reserve it for you. After some time, that number may be given to another person, so do not share it with anyone after you change it.
Everything else in your account stays the same. Your voicemails, text message history, call logs, and contacts all remain. If you had a greeting or voicemail message recorded, that stays too. The only thing that changes is the phone number itself.
If you set up call forwarding to a personal phone number or landline, those settings automatically explore to your new Google Voice number. You do not have to reconfigure them.
Why you might want to change your number
People change their Google Voice number for several reasons. You might want a number from a different area code if you moved or want a local number for a new job. You might change it if you are getting spam or unwanted calls on your current number. Some people change it if they shared the number with someone they no longer want to contact them.
If spam is the problem, you can also block individual callers or turn on the "Filter unknown callers" setting instead of changing your number entirely. That setting sends calls from people not in your contacts to voicemail automatically. Changing your number is more drastic and should be your last option if blocking and filtering do not solve the problem.
The 30-day waiting period between changes
After you change your Google Voice number, you must wait 30 days before you can change it again. This limit applies whether you change to a different number or try to get back to a previous one — you cannot switch back when ready if you regret your choice.
If you need a different number urgently, you have no way around this rule. Plan your change carefully and make sure your new number is one you want to keep for at least a month. If you are changing because of spam, consider using the blocking and filtering tools first, since those do not have waiting periods.
What to do before you change your number
Tell anyone who calls or texts you regularly that you are changing your number and give them the new one. This includes family, friends, coworkers, and any services that use your Google Voice number for two-factor authentication or account recovery. If a bank or email account uses your Google Voice number to verify your identity, update those settings with your new number before you change it, or you may lock yourself out.
Check your Google Voice settings to see if anything is forwarding to your old number. Call forwarding settings move to your new number automatically, but if you have any custom rules or integrations tied to your old number, write them down so you can set them up again if needed.
If you use Google Voice for work or business, give clients and customers advance notice. Changing your number can disrupt communication, so plan the change for a time when you can monitor your new number closely for the first few days.
If you cannot change your number or the change does not work
If the "Change number" option does not appear in your settings, your account may not be set up correctly. Google Voice requires a valid phone number linked to your Google account. If you have not verified a phone number yet, do that first before trying to change your Voice number.
If you see an error message when you try to change your number, wait a few hours and try again. Sometimes Google's servers are busy or updating. If the problem continues, sign out of your Google account completely, clear your browser cache, and sign back in. That often fixes temporary glitches.
If you have a Google Voice number that came with a Google Fi phone plan, you may not be able to change it through the regular settings. Check your Google Fi account settings instead, or contact Google Fi support directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my old Google Voice number back after I change it?
No. Once you change your number, the old one is deleted permanently and you cannot recover it. Google does not hold old numbers in reserve. If you think you might regret the change, wait a few days before making it.
Do my contacts automatically get my new number?
No. Google Voice does not send a notification to your contacts when you change your number. You have to tell them yourself by text, email, or phone call. If you do not tell them, they will keep trying to reach you at your old number, which no longer works.
What if I have two-factor authentication set up with my old Google Voice number?
Update any accounts that use your Google Voice number for two-factor authentication before you change it. This includes email, banking, social media, and work accounts. If you change your number first, you may not be able to log into those accounts. Update the phone number in each account's security settings, then change your Google Voice number.
Can I change my Google Voice number more than once a month?
No. You must wait 30 days between changes. This limit is built into Google Voice and cannot be bypassed. If you need a different number urgently, you would have to wait the full 30 days.
Will my voicemails and text messages disappear when I change my number?
No. All your voicemails, text message history, and call logs stay in your Google Voice account. They are tied to your account, not to the phone number itself. You can still listen to old voicemails and read old texts after you change your number.