What a Google phone number is and whether you need one

A Google phone number is a real phone number that Google assigns to you through Google Voice. It works on any device — your computer, tablet, or phone — and lets you make calls and send text messages without using your carrier's minutes or texts. The number stays the same even if you change phones or move to a different carrier.

You might want one if you're selling items online and don't want to give out your personal number, if you travel and need a US number while abroad, if you want to separate work calls from personal ones, or if you're testing how your business phone system works. Google Voice is free, though international calls cost money at rates Google publishes on their pricing page.

The number Google assigns is a real US phone number with a real area code. People can call it from any phone, and it rings through to whatever device you've set up — your Android phone, iPhone, computer, or all of them at once.

Key Takeaways

  • You need a Google Account to create a Google Voice number, and the process takes about five minutes through the Google Voice website.
  • Google assigns you a real US phone number with an area code you can sometimes choose, and you can make calls and texts from any device.
  • Calls within the US and Canada are free, but international calls charge per-minute rates that vary by country.
  • You can port your existing personal phone number into Google Voice if you want to keep the same number, though this costs a one-time fee.
  • Google Voice works on Android, iPhone, computer browsers, and some smartwatches, but the app and features vary slightly by device type.

Step-by-step: Getting a new Google phone number

Start by going to voice.google.com in any web browser and sign in with your Google Account. If you don't have one, create it first — it takes a few minutes and you'll need an email address and password.

Once you're signed in, click the "Set up Google Voice" button or the phone icon. Google will ask you to choose a phone number. You'll see a list of available numbers, usually organized by area code. You can search for a specific area code if you want a number from a particular city or region. Pick one and click "Select."

Google will then ask you to verify a phone number — this is the phone where Google Voice will ring through initially. Enter your current phone number (your cell phone, home phone, or work phone), and Google will send you a verification code by text or call. Enter that code back into Google Voice, and you're done. Your new Google phone number is now active.

read the Google Voice app on your phone if you want to make calls and texts from the app itself. On Android, find it in Google Play. On iPhone, find it in the App Store. You can also make calls and texts from voice.google.com on any computer, so the app is optional.

Choosing your area code and number

When Google shows you available numbers, they're grouped by area code. If you want a number from a specific city — say, a 212 number for New York or a 415 number for San Francisco — search for that area code and Google will show you what's available. You don't have to live in that area to get a number from it.

You can't pick the exact last four digits of your number. Google assigns the full number, and you either accept it or search for a different one in the same area code. If none of the numbers Google shows you appeal to you, you can search a different area code and try again.

Once you've selected a number, you can't change it without deleting your Google Voice account and starting over. So take a moment to make sure you're happy with the area code before you confirm.

Moving your existing phone number to Google Voice

If you have a phone number you've been using for years and want to keep it, you can port it into Google Voice instead of getting a new number. This means your old number becomes your Google Voice number. Google charges a one-time fee of $20 to port a number in.

To port your number, go to voice.google.com, click the menu, and select "Settings." Under "Linked numbers," click "Change" and then "Port your number." Google will ask which carrier your number is currently with and will walk you through the steps. The process usually takes a few business days, and during that time your old number may not work on your old phone.

You can only port numbers that are active and in your name. If your number is suspended, disconnected, or registered to someone else, you'll need to contact your carrier first to fix that before Google will port it.

Making calls and sending texts with your Google number

Once your Google Voice number is set up, you can make calls and send texts in three ways: through the Google Voice app on your phone, through voice.google.com on a computer, or by setting up your Google Voice number to ring through to your personal phone.

If you use the app, open it, tap the phone icon to call or the message icon to text, and enter the number or contact you want to reach. The call or text will show as coming from your Google Voice number, not your personal number. Calls within the US and Canada are free. Texts to US and Canadian numbers are free. International texts and calls cost money — check Google's rates for the country you're calling.

If you want calls to your Google Voice number to ring on your personal phone automatically, go to Settings in Google Voice, click "Linked numbers," and add your personal phone number. Then turn on "Receive calls and texts on linked numbers." Now when someone calls your Google Voice number, it will ring on your personal phone too, and you can answer it like a normal call.

Using Google Voice on different devices

Google Voice works on Android phones, iPhones, computers, and some smartwatches, but the experience is slightly different on each one. On Android, the Google Voice app is built in and works smoothly. On iPhone, you read the Google Voice app from the App Store, but some features like voicemail transcription work better on Android.

On a computer, go to voice.google.com and you can make calls through your computer's speaker and microphone, or through your phone if you've linked it. You can also send texts from the web version. On a smartwatch, you can see incoming calls and texts, but calling and texting options are limited depending on whether your watch has cellular service.

Your Google Voice account syncs across all your devices, so a text you send from your computer will show up in the app on your phone, and vice versa. Voicemails are stored in Google Voice and you can listen to them from any device.

What costs money and what's free

Creating a Google Voice number is free. Calls and texts to US and Canadian numbers are free. Voicemail is free. Porting an existing number into Google Voice costs $20 one time.

International calls and texts cost money. The rate depends on the country — calling a landline in India might cost a few cents per minute, while calling a mobile phone in Japan might cost more. Before you call, you can check the rate on Google's pricing page by searching for the country. You can also set a spending limit in Google Voice settings so you don't accidentally run up a large bill.

If you don't use your Google Voice number for a while, Google may reclaim it. If you want to keep your number active, make or receive at least one call or text every six months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Google Voice on my iPhone the same way I use it on Android?

The Google Voice app works on both, but some features are better on Android. Voicemail transcription — where Google converts voicemails to text — works on both, but the iPhone version sometimes lags behind Android for new features. Both let you make calls, send texts, and check voicemail from the app.

What happens if I delete my Google Voice number?

If you delete your Google Voice account, your number goes back into Google's pool and someone else can claim it. You can't recover it. If you think you might want it back later, don't delete the account — just stop using it. Google will reclaim unused numbers after six months of no activity.

Can I have more than one Google Voice number?

No. One Google Account gets one Google Voice number. If you need a second number, you'd have to create a second Google Account, which means a second email address and a separate login.

Do I need to pay my carrier to use Google Voice?

No. Google Voice works over WiFi or your mobile data, so you don't need a phone plan with minutes or texts. If you're using it on a phone without a carrier plan, you just need internet access. If you have a carrier plan, Google Voice uses your data, not your minutes.

Can I keep my Google Voice number if I move to another country?

Yes. Your Google Voice number stays active as long as you use it at least once every six months. You can call and text from anywhere in the world using the app or the website, as long as you have internet. Incoming calls to your Google Voice number will still work the same way.