Google Voice is the main way to get a phone number from Google

Google Voice is Google's service that gives you a phone number you can use to make calls, send texts, and receive voicemails — all through the internet. You don't need a separate phone plan. The number works on your smartphone, tablet, or computer, and calls to other US numbers are free.

To get a Google Voice number, you need a Google account (the same one you use for Gmail or YouTube), a real phone number to link it to, and to be in the United States. The setup takes about five minutes. Google will send a verification code to your existing phone to confirm you own it, then you choose your new Google Voice number from available options in your area.

Once you have it, you can give out your Google Voice number to people and businesses instead of your personal cell number. Calls and texts to that number ring through to whatever phone you've linked it to, or you can answer them directly in the Google Voice app or website.

Key Takeaways

  • Google Voice requires a Google account and an existing phone number to verify, and is only available in the United States.
  • You choose your Google Voice number from available options in your area code or any area code you want.
  • Calls between Google Voice users and calls from Google Voice to US phone numbers are free; international calls cost money.
  • Your Google Voice number forwards to whatever phone you link it to, or you can answer calls and texts directly in the app.
  • You can change your linked phone number, pause your account, or delete your Google Voice number at any time.

Step-by-step: setting up Google Voice

Start by going to voice.google.com on any web browser and sign in with your Google account. If you don't have one, create it first at accounts.google.com — it's free and takes two minutes.

Click "Create a Google Voice account" or the setup button. Google will ask for your real phone number (your cell phone, home phone, or any number you can receive a text or call on). Enter it and choose whether you want to receive the verification code by text or call. Google sends the code when ready.

Enter the code when it arrives. Then you'll see a list of available Google Voice numbers. You can search by area code if you want a number from your hometown or a specific region. Pick one and click "Select." Google will confirm your choice, and your new number is active right away.

read the Google Voice app on your phone if you want to use it there, or just use the website. You can answer calls and texts from either place. Go to Settings in Google Voice to choose which phone number(s) ring when someone calls your Google Voice number.

What happens when someone calls your Google Voice number

When a person calls your Google Voice number, the call rings through to whichever phone you've linked to it — usually your cell phone. You answer it like a normal call. The caller sees your Google Voice number on their end, not your personal cell number.

If you don't answer, the call goes to voicemail. Google Voice transcribes voicemails to text (though the transcription is sometimes imperfect) and stores them in your account. You can listen to the audio or read the text version.

You can also answer calls and texts directly in the Google Voice app or website without forwarding to another phone. This is useful if you want to keep your personal cell number completely private. Some people use Google Voice as their main number and never give out their cell phone at all.

Costs and what's free

Google Voice itself is free. You don't pay a monthly fee to have a number or to receive calls and texts. Calls from your Google Voice number to other US phone numbers are free. Texts to US numbers are free. Voicemail is free.

International calls cost money. The rate depends on the country you're calling — Google shows you the per-minute cost before you dial. You can set a spending limit in Settings so you don't accidentally run up a bill.

If you use Google Voice on your phone and you're not on WiFi, the call uses your cell phone's data. If you have a limited data plan, lots of calls could add up. On WiFi, there's no data cost to you beyond what you already pay your internet provider.

Privacy: what Google knows and what callers see

When you use Google Voice, Google stores your call logs, text messages, and voicemail transcripts in your account. Google can see this information. If you're concerned about privacy, understand that Google Voice is a Google product and follows Google's privacy policy — your data is tied to your Google account.

On the caller's end, they see your Google Voice number, not your personal cell number. This is the main privacy benefit: you can give out your Google Voice number to people you don't fully trust, and your real cell number stays private. If you later want to stop talking to someone, you can block them in Google Voice without affecting your personal phone.

Text messages and calls through Google Voice are not encrypted end-to-end the way some messaging apps are. If privacy from Google itself is a concern, Google Voice is not the right tool. But for keeping your personal number separate from your public number, it works well.

Changing, pausing, or canceling your Google Voice number

You can change which phone number rings when someone calls your Google Voice number anytime. Go to Settings, click "Linked numbers," and add or remove phone numbers. Calls will ring through to whichever numbers you've selected.

If you want to pause your Google Voice account temporarily without deleting it, you can disable call forwarding in Settings. Your number stays yours, but calls won't ring through to your phone. You can re-enable it later.

If you want to delete your Google Voice number permanently, go to Settings and click "Delete Google Voice account." Google will ask you to confirm. Once you delete it, the number goes back into the pool and someone else can claim it. You can't recover it after deletion.

If you haven't used your Google Voice number in a long time, Google may reclaim it. The exact timeline varies, but if you want to keep your number, use it at least once every few months.

Google Voice vs. other options

Google Fi is different from Google Voice. Google Fi is a phone plan (you pay monthly) that gives you a phone number and cellular service. Google Voice is free and works over the internet. If you want a full phone plan from Google, you'd use Fi. If you just want an extra number that forwards to your existing phone, Google Voice is the right choice.

Burner apps like Burner or Hushed also give you temporary phone numbers, but they charge a monthly fee and are designed for short-term use. Google Voice is better if you want a permanent number you can keep for years.

Your carrier's number (from Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.) is your main phone number. You can't change it without switching carriers. Google Voice is useful because it's separate — you can give it out publicly and keep your carrier number private.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a Google Voice number if I'm outside the United States?

No. Google Voice only works in the United States. If you're outside the US, you can't create a new account or use the service. Some people use VPNs to try to work around this, but it violates Google's terms of service and may result in your account being closed.

Do I need a smartphone to use Google Voice?

No. You can use Google Voice on any device with internet access — a computer, tablet, or smartphone. You can answer calls and texts through the website at voice.google.com on a desktop. The app is optional.

What if someone keeps calling my Google Voice number and I want to stop them?

Open Google Voice, find the conversation or call log entry, and click the three-dot menu. Select "Block" or "Report spam." Blocked callers won't be able to reach your Google Voice number. You can unblock them anytime in Settings.

Can I use the same Google Voice number on multiple phones?

Yes. You can link multiple phone numbers to your Google Voice account in Settings under "Linked numbers." When someone calls your Google Voice number, it rings on all of them at the same time. You can also answer calls directly in the app on any device.

Will my Google Voice number work if my internet goes down?

If you've linked a phone number to Google Voice, calls will still ring through to that phone even if your internet is down. But if you try to answer calls directly in the app or website, you need internet. For reliability, always link at least one regular phone number.