How to Port a Phone Number to Google Voice?

Before porting your number to Google Voice, ensure you have your current carrier’s account number, PIN, and billing address ready. Additionally, you should not cancel your phone service until Google notifies you that the port is complete.

1. Only personal Google Voice accounts are eligible for number porting (not Google Workspace accounts managed by schools or businesses).
2. You cannot directly port a traditional landline or a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) number to Google Voice. If you have such a number, you'll first need to port it to a mobile carrier, activate it as a mobile number, and then port it from that mobile carrier to Google Voice.
3. Google Voice does not allow porting of toll-free numbers.
4. You must be physically located within the United States to initiate and complete the porting request for a personal Google Voice account.
5. Porting requests cannot be placed on accounts belonging to minors.
6. If your number is part of a family plan or an account with multiple lines, contact your current service provider before initiating the port.
7. Google Voice primarily supports porting active U.S. mobile phone numbers.

1. Google Voice charges a one-time $20 fee to port in a mobile number. This fee is generally non-refundable if the port fails due to incorrect information provided by the user.
2. Porting usually takes up to 48 hours for calls and up to 3 business days for text messages to completely transfer.
3. Do not cancel your current phone plan until you confirm your number has been successfully ported to Google Voice. Canceling too early could result in losing your number. Your old service will end automatically after the port is complete.

To complete your port request, you need your account number and PIN to access your billing account with your current service provider.

To port your mobile number to a personal Google Voice account, open Google Voice on your computer, go to the "Account" section in settings, and then select "Port a number." You can then enter your phone number, verify it with a code, provide your current carrier's account information, and make a payment.

1. Open Google Voice on your computer.
2. Click the Settings icon in the top right corner.
3. Go to the “Account” section and click “Port a number to Google Voice.”
4. Click “Get Started” and enter the number you want to port.
5. You will receive a 6-digit verification code via text or phone call. Enter this code to continue.
6. If your number is eligible, provide your carrier account information, review your request, and complete the payment via Google Pay.
7. Once successful, you’ll receive a confirmation email and receipt.

Once you have submitted your request, you can monitor its status using the following steps:

1. Open Google Voice on your computer.
2. Click on the Settings icon in the top right corner and select Settings.
3. In the “Account” section, click “Track your progress”.
4. If "Track your progress" is unavailable, resubmit your porting request
5. If your account information was successfully verified, you'll see the estimated completion time here. If not, you'll have the option to edit and update the information.

Common Google Voice number porting issues often arise from incorrect account details, such as a wrong PIN, billing address, or account number. To troubleshoot, ensure your number is unlocked, your information matches your carrier’s records, and resubmit the request after clearing your browser cache.

If you receive an error message during your port request, follow these steps.

1. Unlock Your Number: Ensure the number is unlocked with your current carrier before initiating the port.
2. Re-submit the Request: Cancel the current port request and start a new one.
3. Clear Browser Cache: Clear your cache and cookies, then wait 24 hours and try again.
4. Cancel Other Port Requests: Ensure you don't have any other pending port-in requests with your carrier.
5. Verify Account Information: Double-check your account number and PIN.
6. Use Wireless Number: If you have integrated billing with your carrier, use your wireless number.
7. Billing Address Format: When entering your billing address, input numerical values first.
8. Family Plans: Use the account owner’s information if you are on a shared or family plan.

If your number port is unsuccessful, Google will email you specific instructions on resolving the issue.

This error occurs when the account information you provided for the port request is inaccurate. Even a minor discrepancy, such as a misspelled name, incorrect billing address, or an incorrect PIN, can cause the port to fail. 

You will have an opportunity to re-enter your information and try again. When re-entering, check the following:

1. No Typos or Abbreviations: Enter everything carefully and avoid using abbreviations or special characters.
2. Correct Spelling: Ensure all your information is spelled correctly.
3. Account Number and PIN Accuracy: Account numbers can be difficult to find, and PINs are easily forgotten. Contact your previous carrier directly to obtain the correct account number and PIN.
4. Account Number Format: Enter your account number without any dashes.

Porting your number to Google Voice allows you to manage calls and texts from a unified communication platform. This service offers advanced features such as voicemail transcription, smart spam filtering, and the convenience of managing calls and texts from any device with internet access.

1. Keep Your Existing Number: Your current phone number stays the same, so you don’t have to notify contacts about a new phone number.
2. Unified Communication Platform: You can manage calls, voicemails, and SMS in one place, reducing the need to switch between apps or devices.
3. Advanced Feature: Google Voice provides advanced features such as voicemail transcription, call screening, call blocking, and customizable call forwarding to enhance user communication.
4. Integration with Google Workspace: Seamlessly integrates with Gmail, Calendar, and other Google tools to streamline scheduling and communication.
5. Cloud-Based & Always Accessible: Google Voice is cloud-based, so you can make calls and send messages anytime from any internet-connected device.

Transferring your number to Google Voice can be complex and includes a one-time fee, with limited features compared to other VoIP services. It also lacks a desktop app and has texting limits that may not suit heavy users.

Porting a number to Google Voice involves several steps, including confirming eligibility and waiting for the transfer to complete. Any errors in the information you provide can delay the process.

Additionally, transferring a landline or VoIP number to Google Voice requires a two-step process. First, porting it to a mobile carrier and then to Google Voice can add complexity, time delays, and possible extra costs. Moreover, porting a Number from Google Voice to another service provider is complex.

Google charges a one-time fee ($20) to port your number into Google Voice. So, if you are looking for a free option or a low service charge, this may not be suitable for you.

Google Voice lacks advanced features like auto-attendants, call queues, Interactive Voice Response (IVR), and CRM integration compared to other VoIP services. So, it is important to choose a reliable telephone system that fulfils your business needs beyond basic calling.

Google Voice does not offer a dedicated desktop application, it is only accessible via web browser and mobile apps.

Google Voice isn’t designed for high-volume texting. There are daily limits on how many text messages you can send, which can be restrictive for users who rely heavily on texting.

While porting your mobile number to Google Voice is possible, the process can often be frustrating due to frequent porting errors, mismatched carrier details, and delayed activations. It also poses limitations for users outside the U.S. and lacks essential business features such as advanced call routing, IVR, call analytics, and international calling support.

Calilio, a cloud telephony service provider, offers a straightforward way to transfer your existing phone number while upgrading your phone system. It supports porting of any number, including local, toll-free, mobile, and virtual numbers, to over 25 countries. This ensures that businesses can keep their local presence and maintain continuous communication without any interruptions. Port your number to Calilio today!!

Porting a number to Google Voice typically takes 48 hours for calls and up to 3 business days for text messages.

You can check your number’s eligibility by visiting the Google Voice porting page and entering your number.

No, Google Voice does not support porting toll-free numbers.

Once the port is complete, your old carrier service for that number is automatically canceled.

No, you cannot port an international number to Google Voice, as it only allows the porting of U.S. phone numbers.