What a Google phone number is and how to get one
A Google phone number is a real phone number that Google assigns to you through Google Voice, a free service that lets you make calls, send texts, and receive voicemails over the internet. The number works on any device — your computer, tablet, or phone — and forwards calls to whatever phone you choose. You do not need to switch carriers or sign up for a new phone plan.
Google Voice is available in the United States and Canada. To set one up, you need a Google account (which takes two minutes to create if you do not have one), a device with internet access, and a real phone number to link it to — usually your existing cell phone or home phone. The whole process takes about ten minutes.
Key Takeaways
- You need a Google account and a real phone number (cell or home) before you start, because Google will send a verification code to that number.
- Google Voice is free and works on computers, tablets, and phones, but you must set it up through a web browser first, not through an app.
- The number Google assigns to you is permanent once you claim it, so choose one you plan to keep for a while.
- Calls and texts through Google Voice use your internet connection, so you need WiFi or mobile data to make them work.
Create or sign into your Google account
Open a web browser on your computer or phone and go to accounts.google.com. If you already have a Gmail address, YouTube account, or any other Google service, sign in with that email and password. If you do not have a Google account, click "Create account" and fill in your name, a new email address you want to use, and a password. Google will ask you to verify your phone number by sending a code to your phone — this is a security step, not part of setting up Google Voice yet.
Once you are signed in, you will see your Google account dashboard. You are now ready to move to Google Voice itself.
Go to Google Voice and choose your number
In the same browser, go to voice.google.com. You will see a welcome screen that says "Welcome to Google Voice" with a button that says "Get a Google Voice number" or "Create a Google Voice account." Click that button.
Google will ask you to choose a phone number. You can search by area code (the first three digits) or by typing in a word that spells out a number on a phone keypad — for example, typing "PIZZA" will show you numbers that spell 74992. Browse the list until you find one you like, then click on it to select it. You can only claim one number per Google account, so take a moment to pick one you are comfortable keeping.
Link your real phone number for call forwarding
After you choose your Google Voice number, Google will ask you to enter a real phone number — your cell phone, home phone, or work phone. This is the number where Google Voice will forward incoming calls. Type it in and click "Send code."
Google will send a six-digit verification code to that phone number via text or call, depending on what you choose. Open the text message or listen to the call, find the code, and type it into the box on the Google Voice screen. Click "Verify" to confirm.
This step proves you own the phone number you are linking. Once it is verified, calls to your new Google Voice number will ring through to this phone.
Set up voicemail and customize your settings
After verification, Google Voice will ask you to record a voicemail greeting. Click the microphone icon, speak your message (something like "Hi, you have reached [your name], leave a message"), and click "Save." You can re-record it as many times as you want before you save it.
Next, you will see your Google Voice dashboard. On the left side, click "Settings" (the gear icon). Here you can change which phone numbers receive forwarded calls, set up a do-not-disturb schedule, block spam callers, and choose whether texts are forwarded to your linked phone. Most of these settings work fine as they are, but spend a minute looking through them so you know what is available.
read the Google Voice app (optional but useful)
You can use Google Voice from any web browser by going to voice.google.com, but Google also offers free apps for iPhone and Android phones. If you want to make calls and send texts directly from your phone without using the browser, read the Google Voice app from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android).
Open the app, sign in with the same Google account you used to set up your number, and the app will automatically connect to your Google Voice account. You can now make calls and send texts from the app just like you would from your phone's regular phone app, except they will come from your Google Voice number instead of your cell number.
Make your first call or send a text
To make a call from your computer, go to voice.google.com, click the phone icon on the left, type in the number you want to call, and click the call button. Your linked phone will ring first — answer it, and you will be connected to the person you called. They will see your Google Voice number on their caller ID, not your real phone number.
To send a text, click the message icon on the left, type in a phone number or contact name, type your message, and click send. Texts work the same way — the person receives a text from your Google Voice number.
If you downloaded the Google Voice app, you can do all of this from the app instead. The process is identical.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Google Voice on my phone without the app?
Yes. Open any web browser on your phone, go to voice.google.com, and sign in. You can make calls and send texts from the browser just like you would from the app. The app is faster and easier, but the browser version works fine if you prefer not to read anything.
What happens to my Google Voice number if I stop using it?
Google will keep your number active as long as you use it at least once every six months. If you do not make a call, send a text, or receive a call in six months, Google will release the number and you will lose it. You can reclaim it within 30 days if you realize this happened.
Can I port my Google Voice number to a different phone carrier?
No. Google Voice numbers cannot be transferred to a regular cell phone plan. If you want to switch to a traditional phone number, you would need to sign up with a cell carrier and get a new number from them. You can keep your Google Voice number active at the same time.
Do I need WiFi to use Google Voice, or does it work on mobile data?
Google Voice works on both WiFi and mobile data. As long as your device has an internet connection, you can make calls and send texts. If you lose internet, calls and texts will not go through until you reconnect.
Can someone call my Google Voice number from outside the United States?
Yes. Anyone anywhere in the world can call your Google Voice number just like they would call any other U.S. or Canadian number. They pay whatever their regular long-distance rate is, if any. You receive the call for free.