What a Google phone number actually is

A Google phone number is a real phone number that Google assigns to you through Google Voice, their free calling and messaging service. It is not a Google account number or a support line — it is a separate phone number you can give out to people, use to make calls, and receive texts on.

Google Voice lets you pick a number with an area code you choose (within limits), forward calls to your actual phone, and manage voicemail and text messages from a web browser or the Google Voice app. The service is free, though you pay normal rates if you call international numbers.

You do not need to switch phone carriers or get a new SIM card. Google Voice works alongside your existing phone service.

Key Takeaways

  • You need a Google account first; if you do not have one, you can create it free at google.com.
  • Google Voice is available in the United States and some U.S. territories, but not in most other countries.
  • You can choose your area code when you set up Google Voice, though popular codes may not be available.
  • Once you have a Google Voice number, you can forward calls to any phone you own — your cell, home phone, or work phone.
  • Google Voice numbers are free to set up and use for calls within the U.S. and Canada; international calls cost money.

Step-by-step: Getting your Google Voice number

Start by going to voice.google.com in a web browser. If you are not signed into a Google account, you will be asked to sign in or create one. Creating a Google account takes about five minutes and requires only an email address and password.

Once you are signed in, click the "Create a Google Voice account" button or the setup option that appears. Google will ask you to choose a phone number. You will see a search box where you can type an area code (like 212 for New York or 415 for San Francisco). Google shows you available numbers with that area code. Pick one and click "Select."

Next, Google asks you to verify a phone number — this is the phone where you want to receive calls and texts forwarded from your new Google Voice number. Type in your cell phone number or any other phone you want to use. Google sends a verification code to that phone via text or call. Enter the code on the screen, and your Google Voice number is active.

The whole process takes about ten minutes.

Choosing your area code and number

When you search for a number, Google shows you what is available in that area code at that moment. Popular area codes like 212 (New York), 310 (Los Angeles), and 415 (San Francisco) often have fewer choices because many people want them. Less common area codes usually have more numbers to pick from.

You do not have to live in the area code you choose. You can get a 212 number even if you live in Texas. This is useful if you want a number that matches where you do business or where you have family, or if you straightforward prefer that area code.

If the area code you want has no numbers available, try again in a few hours or days — Google releases new numbers regularly. You can also choose a different area code and change it later, though Google limits how often you can change your number (usually once every 30 days after the first change).

Where Google Voice works and where it does not

Google Voice is only available in the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands. If you are outside these places, you cannot set up a Google Voice account.

Even if you travel outside the U.S., you can still use your Google Voice number to make and receive calls and texts through the Google Voice app or website, as long as you have internet access. However, you cannot create a new Google Voice account from outside the U.S.

If you already have a Google Voice number and move abroad, your number stays active and people can still call it. You can still use it to call U.S. numbers for free, though calling other countries costs money at Google's international rates.

Forwarding calls to your real phone

After you set up Google Voice, you choose which phone numbers receive your calls. Go to voice.google.com, click "Settings," then "Phones." Add any phone you want — your cell phone, home phone, work phone, or multiple phones. When someone calls your Google Voice number, it rings on all the phones you have listed.

You can turn forwarding on and off from the Google Voice app or website. This is useful if you want to stop receiving calls on a particular phone without deleting it from your account. You can also set different phones to ring at different times — for example, your cell phone during the day and your home phone at night.

If you do not set up call forwarding, calls to your Google Voice number go to voicemail, and you can listen to them through the app or website.

Using Google Voice for texts and voicemail

Your Google Voice number can send and receive text messages just like a regular phone number. You can text from the Google Voice app, the website, or (on some phones) from your regular text message app if you set it up that way. People texting your Google Voice number do not know it is different from a regular number — it works the same way.

Voicemail from your Google Voice number appears in the app and on the website. Google Voice transcribes voicemail to text automatically, though the transcription is not always perfect. You can listen to the audio, read the transcript, or have Google read it to you.

You can also set a custom voicemail greeting and choose whether to receive voicemail notifications by email or text.

Costs and limits

Setting up a Google Voice account and getting a number is free. Calls within the U.S. and Canada are free. Text messages are free. International calls cost money — rates vary by country and are shown before you dial.

Google does not charge a monthly fee. If you do not use your Google Voice number for six months, Google may delete it and release it back into the pool of available numbers, though you can reactivate it if you use it again before that happens.

There are no limits on how many calls or texts you can make or receive within the U.S., though Google does monitor for spam and abuse. If you use Google Voice to send a very large number of texts or make a very large number of calls in a short time, Google may temporarily restrict your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I port my Google Voice number to a different phone carrier?

Yes, but only if you have had the number for at least 60 days. You need to unlock the number first through Google Voice settings, then contact your new carrier. The carrier charges a porting fee, usually between $15 and $30. Once ported, the number is no longer a Google Voice number — it becomes a regular phone number with your new carrier.

What happens if I delete my Google Voice account?

Your Google Voice number is deleted and released back to Google. You cannot recover it. If you think you might want to use Google Voice again later, it is better to stop using it temporarily and let it go dormant — Google keeps it for six months before deleting it.

Can I have more than one Google Voice number?

No. Each Google account can have only one Google Voice number. If you need a second number, you would need to create a second Google account.

Do I need to keep my old phone number if I get a Google Voice number?

Yes. Google Voice is an addition to your phone service, not a replacement. You keep your regular phone number from your carrier. Google Voice is a separate number you can use for specific purposes — like giving out to people you do not know well, or using for a business.

Can people see my real phone number if I call them from Google Voice?

No. When you call someone using Google Voice, they see your Google Voice number on their caller ID, not your real phone number. This is one reason many people use Google Voice — it keeps their personal number private.