How to Port a Phone Number to Google Voice?

Before transferring your number to Google Voice, confirm that your account and number type meet the eligibility requirements. Plus, enquire about the fee and waiting period involved, and get the details necessary for the porting process.

1. Make sure you create a personal Google Voice account first to port your number, as you cannot port your number directly to a Google Workspace account.
2. Check your number’s portability by using Google Voice’s online checker tool.
3. You cannot directly port a traditional landline, toll-free, or a virtual number to Google Voice. Although porting a toll-free number is not possible, in case of a landline or a VoIP number, there is a workaround like porting the number to a mobile carrier first and then to Google Voice.
4. Google Voice primarily supports porting active US mobile phone numbers. However, it does not allow porting requests if the account belongs to a minor.
5. You must be physically located within the United States to initiate and complete the porting request for a personal Google Voice account.
6. Porting requests cannot be placed on accounts belonging to minors.
7. If your number is part of a family plan or an account with multiple lines, contact your current service provider before initiating the port.

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.

1. 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.

You can track your porting process by accessing “Track your progress” in the account section of the app’s Settings.

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 porting issues while transferring a number to Google Voice include porting request errors, number transfer failures, and carrier detail errors, often caused by incorrect data, ineligible numbers, or account verification problems.

These errors usually appear when something in the porting request doesn’t align with Google Voice’s requirements. It might happen due to technical mismatches between carriers or incomplete transfer data. Often, these are general alerts signaling that the system can’t proceed without a closer check of your request details.

This message means Google Voice is unable to process the number transfer at that moment. The key reason could be a locked number due to being tied to a business account or simply not being supported by Google Voice. If the porting process is unsuccessful, Google will email you specific instructions on resolving the issue.

This error occurs when the information you provide doesn’t exactly match what your carrier has on record. Even small differences in account name, billing address, or PIN can trigger this error. It usually means the system can’t verify ownership until the details perfectly align.

To avoid common errors, make sure no other port requests are active and double-check your account number, PIN, and billing details. Also, enter all data accurately, avoiding typos or abbreviations.

1. Cancel any other active port requests to prevent processing conflicts.
2. Verify account details carefully, including the correct account number, PIN, and billing address.
3. Use the main account holder’s information if you are on a shared or family plan.
4. Avoid typos, abbreviations, or special characters when entering your information.
5. Enter the account number without dashes or extra symbols for accurate verification.
6. Clear your browser cache and cookies, then try again after 24 hours if an error occurs.

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.

The key downsides of moving a number to Google Voice are minimal user assistance, delays in receiving calls or texts, and restrictions when transferring certain numbers. It also lacks a desktop app and advanced call-handling options.

• Limited Customer Support: Google Voice doesn’t offer dedicated customer service for most users. So, you often have to rely on community forums or help articles, which may not always provide quick or clear solutions.
• Delayed Text and Call Notifications: In some cases, messages and missed call alerts take longer to appear. It can be due to a poor internet connection or when multiple devices are linked to one account. Such timing gaps can lead to missed opportunities or late responses.
• Porting Limitations and Fees: Google Voice only allows direct porting for mobile numbers and charges a one-time fee of $20 for the process. So, you’ll have to go through workarounds if you’re trying to port a landline or VoIP number.
• Absence of a Dedicated Desktop App: Google Voice doesn’t offer a native desktop application. You have to access it through a browser, which can feel limiting if you prefer standalone software.
• Lack of Advanced Features: In the case of a personal Google Voice account, it 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.

Porting your number to Google Voice offers flexibility and convenience; it brings your calls, texts, and voicemails into one place and lets you access them from any device linked to your Google account.

However, it’s not without limitations. Google Voice provides limited customer support, is available mainly in the U.S., and charges a one-time $20 porting fee. These drawbacks may not work for users who need wider coverage or more reliable assistance.

If you’re looking for a more versatile option, Calilio can be a strong alternative. It offers free U.S. number porting, making the switch more affordable, and comes with advanced features like call forwarding, voicemail-to-text, multi-device access, and 24/7 customer support.