How to Change Your Google Voice Number: A Step-by-Step Guide
Google Voice is an incredibly useful service that provides a free phone number for calls, texts, and voicemail. It integrates seamlessly with your Google account, allowing you to manage your communication across various devices. However, there might be reasons why you need to change your Google Voice number. Perhaps you’re moving to a new area code, experiencing unwanted calls, or simply want a fresh start. Fortunately, Google makes it relatively easy to change your number, although it’s crucial to understand the implications and steps involved.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of changing your Google Voice number, covering everything from the prerequisites to potential issues and troubleshooting tips.
## Understanding the Basics Before You Begin
Before diving into the steps, it’s essential to understand a few key aspects of changing your Google Voice number:
* **Cost:** Changing your Google Voice number is generally free if you haven’t changed it recently. However, there’s a fee (usually around $10) if you’ve already changed your number within a specific timeframe (typically within the last 90 days). This fee is in place to prevent abuse of the system.
* **Availability:** You can only choose a Google Voice number from available area codes and prefixes within the regions Google Voice supports. The availability depends on Google’s inventory and can fluctuate. It’s possible the area code you desire might not be available at the moment.
* **Number Porting (Outside this Guide):** If you want to keep your existing phone number and use it with Google Voice, you’ll need to *port* it. This is a separate process from changing your Google Voice number and involves transferring your number from your current carrier to Google Voice. Porting a number incurs a fee (typically $20) and requires you to unlock your number from your current carrier.
* **Temporary Number:** When you change your Google Voice number, you’re essentially getting a new number. Your old number will be released back into Google’s pool of available numbers, and it might be assigned to someone else in the future. There’s no guarantee you can reclaim your old number if you change your mind later.
* **Impact on Linked Numbers:** Changing your Google Voice number won’t directly affect the phone numbers you’ve linked to your Google Voice account for forwarding calls and texts. However, you’ll need to inform your contacts of your new Google Voice number so they can update their contact information.
* **Google Workspace (formerly G Suite):** The process might vary slightly if you use Google Voice through Google Workspace. Google Workspace accounts may have different administrative settings and limitations.
## Prerequisites
Before you begin, make sure you have the following:
* **A Google Account:** You need a Google account to use Google Voice. If you don’t have one, you can create one for free at accounts.google.com.
* **Google Voice Setup:** You should already have Google Voice set up with an existing Google Voice number. If you haven’t set it up yet, you’ll need to do that first.
* **Payment Method (If Applicable):** If you’ve recently changed your Google Voice number or are trying to choose a number that Google charges for (e.g., a vanity number), ensure you have a valid payment method linked to your Google account.
* **Access to a Computer or Mobile Device:** You can change your Google Voice number from a computer using a web browser or through the Google Voice app on your Android or iOS device. The instructions below will primarily focus on the web browser method, but the app steps are similar.
* **Stable Internet Connection:** A reliable internet connection is essential for a smooth process.
## Step-by-Step Instructions: Changing Your Google Voice Number
Here’s a detailed walkthrough of how to change your Google Voice number using a web browser:
**Step 1: Access Google Voice Settings**
1. **Open a Web Browser:** Open your preferred web browser (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Safari).
2. **Go to Google Voice:** Navigate to the Google Voice website: voice.google.com.
3. **Sign In:** Sign in to your Google account associated with your Google Voice number. Make sure you’re logged into the correct account if you have multiple Google accounts.
4. **Access Settings:** Once logged in, look for the settings menu. The location of the settings menu can vary slightly depending on updates to the Google Voice interface. Typically, you can find it by clicking on the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) in the top-left corner of the screen, or by clicking the gear icon (settings icon) in the top-right corner.
5. **Navigate to ‘Account’ or ‘Number’:** In the settings menu, look for an option labeled ‘Account,’ ‘Number,’ or something similar that clearly relates to your Google Voice number settings. The exact wording may change, but it should be intuitive.
**Step 2: Changing Your Google Voice Number**
1. **Find the ‘Change’ or ‘Get a New Number’ Option:** Within the ‘Account’ or ‘Number’ settings, you should see an option to change your Google Voice number. It might be labeled ‘Change number,’ ‘Get a new number,’ or something similar.
2. **Initiate the Change:** Click on the ‘Change number’ or ‘Get a new number’ option. This will start the process of getting a new Google Voice number.
3. **Verify Your Account (If Required):** Google may require you to verify your account for security purposes. This might involve entering your password or receiving a verification code via email or text message. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the verification process.
4. **Search for a New Number:** After verification (if required), you’ll be presented with options to search for a new Google Voice number. You can typically search by:
* **Area Code:** Enter the area code you want for your new number. This is useful if you’re moving to a new location and want a local number.
* **City or Region:** Some interfaces allow you to search by city or region, which can help you find numbers within a specific geographic area. This is less common, but still a possibility.
* **Specific Numbers:** In some cases, you might be able to enter a specific number or a partial number if you have a particular sequence of digits in mind.
5. **Browse Available Numbers:** After entering your search criteria, Google Voice will display a list of available numbers that match your criteria. The numbers shown will be a mix of available prefixes within the area code (or city/region) you selected. The availability of numbers can change frequently.
6. **Select Your New Number:** Browse through the list of available numbers and choose the one you want. Pay close attention to the full number, including the area code and prefix.
7. **Confirm Your Choice:** Once you’ve selected a number, Google Voice will usually ask you to confirm your choice. This is a crucial step to ensure you’ve selected the correct number. Review the number carefully before confirming.
8. **Payment (If Required):** If you’ve recently changed your number or are selecting a premium number, you’ll be prompted to enter your payment information. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the payment process.
9. **Activation:** After confirming your choice (and completing payment if required), Google Voice will activate your new number. This process usually takes only a few seconds, but in some rare cases, it might take a few minutes.
**Step 3: Verify the Change**
1. **Check Your Google Voice Settings:** After the activation is complete, go back to your Google Voice settings and verify that your new number is displayed correctly.
2. **Make a Test Call:** Use a different phone to call your new Google Voice number to ensure it’s working properly. Verify that the call is being routed to your linked phone numbers or devices.
3. **Send a Test Text Message:** Send a test text message to your new Google Voice number to confirm that text messaging is also working correctly.
4. **Update Your Voicemail Greeting:** Remember to update your voicemail greeting to reflect your new phone number. This is especially important if you previously mentioned your old number in your greeting.
**Step 4: Notify Your Contacts**
1. **Inform Your Contacts:** The most important step is to inform your contacts about your new Google Voice number. Send them an email, text message, or social media post letting them know about the change.
2. **Update Online Profiles:** Update your new Google Voice number in any online profiles, websites, or social media accounts where you’ve listed your old number.
3. **Update Business Cards:** If you use your Google Voice number for business, update your business cards and other marketing materials with your new number.
## Changing Your Google Voice Number Using the Mobile App (Android and iOS)
The process for changing your Google Voice number using the Google Voice mobile app on Android and iOS devices is very similar to the web browser method. Here’s a brief overview:
1. **Open the Google Voice App:** Launch the Google Voice app on your Android or iOS device.
2. **Sign In:** Sign in to your Google account associated with your Google Voice number.
3. **Access Settings:** Tap the menu icon (usually three horizontal lines) in the top-left corner of the screen.
4. **Tap ‘Settings’:** Scroll down and tap on ‘Settings.’
5. **Select ‘Account’ or ‘Number’:** Find and select the option related to your Google Voice number (e.g., ‘Account’, ‘Number’).
6. **Change Number:** Look for the option to change your number (e.g., ‘Change Google Voice number,’ ‘Get a new number’).
7. **Follow On-Screen Instructions:** Follow the on-screen instructions to search for, select, and confirm your new Google Voice number. The steps will be similar to those described for the web browser method.
## Potential Issues and Troubleshooting
Even with careful planning, you might encounter some issues when changing your Google Voice number. Here are some common problems and how to troubleshoot them:
* **Area Code Not Available:** If the area code you want is not available, it means Google doesn’t currently have any available numbers in that area code. You can try again later, as number availability can change. Alternatively, consider choosing a number in a nearby area code.
* **Payment Issues:** If you’re having trouble with payment, make sure your payment method is valid and up-to-date in your Google account. Check your credit card details, expiration date, and billing address. If the problem persists, contact your bank or credit card company.
* **Verification Problems:** If you’re having trouble verifying your account, double-check that you’re entering the correct password or verification code. If you’re not receiving the verification code, check your spam folder or try a different verification method (e.g., email instead of text message).
* **Number Not Activating:** If your new number doesn’t activate after you’ve confirmed your choice, wait a few minutes and try again. If it still doesn’t work, contact Google Voice support.
* **Calls Not Routing Correctly:** If calls aren’t routing to your linked phone numbers after you’ve changed your number, double-check your forwarding settings in Google Voice. Make sure your linked phone numbers are correct and that call forwarding is enabled.
* **Text Messages Not Sending or Receiving:** If you’re having trouble sending or receiving text messages after changing your number, try restarting your device and clearing the cache and data for the Google Voice app.
* **Google Workspace Issues:** If you’re using Google Voice through Google Workspace, you might need to contact your Google Workspace administrator for assistance with changing your number. Some settings might be controlled by the administrator.
* **”This Number Cannot Be Used to Sign Up for Google Voice” Error:** This can happen if the number you are trying to use has been previously used with Google Voice, or is from a carrier that Google doesn’t allow. You will need to choose a different number.
* **”An Unexpected Error Occurred”**: This is a generic error, but try again after clearing your browser cache and cookies. If the problem persists, try using a different browser or device.
## Important Considerations and Best Practices
* **Plan Ahead:** If possible, plan your number change in advance. This will give you time to notify your contacts and update your online profiles.
* **Consider a Temporary Number:** If you’re unsure about changing your number, consider getting a temporary number for a specific purpose. This will allow you to test the waters without permanently changing your primary Google Voice number.
* **Backup Your Data:** Although changing your number shouldn’t affect your voicemail messages or call history, it’s always a good idea to back up your data before making any major changes to your Google Voice account.
* **Be Mindful of Business Use:** If you use your Google Voice number for business, changing it can have a significant impact. Make sure you have a plan in place to notify your customers and update your marketing materials.
* **Monitor for Spam:** After changing your number, monitor your account for spam calls and messages. If you start receiving unwanted communication, block the numbers and report them to Google.
* **Read Google Voice Documentation:** Always refer to the official Google Voice documentation for the most up-to-date information and troubleshooting tips.
## Alternatives to Changing Your Number
Before you commit to changing your Google Voice number, consider whether there are any alternative solutions to your problem:
* **Blocking Numbers:** If you’re experiencing unwanted calls or messages from specific numbers, you can block those numbers in Google Voice. This will prevent them from contacting you in the future.
* **Filtering Spam:** Google Voice has built-in spam filtering that can automatically identify and filter out spam calls and messages. Make sure this feature is enabled in your settings.
* **Call Screening:** You can enable call screening in Google Voice to require callers to state their name before you answer the call. This can help you avoid unwanted calls from unknown numbers.
* **Do Not Disturb:** If you need a break from calls and messages, you can enable Do Not Disturb mode in Google Voice. This will silence notifications and send all calls to voicemail.
## Conclusion
Changing your Google Voice number is a straightforward process that can be accomplished in a few simple steps. By following the instructions in this guide, you can easily get a new Google Voice number and update your contacts. Remember to consider the implications of changing your number and to plan ahead to minimize any disruptions to your communication. Always back up your data, notify your contacts, and monitor your account for spam. With careful planning and execution, you can successfully change your Google Voice number and continue to enjoy the benefits of this valuable service.