How Can I Get A New Google Voice Number
How Can I Get A New Google Voice Number: A Simple Guide
So, you've decided it's time for a fresh start. Maybe your old Google Voice number is getting too much spam, or perhaps you've moved to a new area code and want something local. Whatever the reason, figuring out How Can I Get A New Google Voice Number can seem complicated, but I promise you, it's a straightforward process. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, step by step, focusing on the essential requirements and ensuring you don't lose access to your account.
Google Voice is an incredibly useful service, offering free calls, texts, and a dedicated secondary number linked to your Google account. However, changing that number involves understanding a few key rules set by Google. Let's dive into what you need to prepare before making the switch!
Understanding Google Voice Number Limits
Before asking, "How Can I Get A New Google Voice Number?" you must first understand a fundamental rule: generally, Google only allows one free Google Voice number per account. This means you aren't actually adding a new number; you are replacing your existing one. Once the swap is complete, your old number will be deactivated (unless you choose to pay to keep it active for a fee, which we will discuss later).
It's essential to be certain about this change, as the process is usually irreversible once committed. The number you select becomes the primary number for your service.
The Initial Number Selection Process
When you first signed up for Google Voice, you likely went through a verification process linking your account to a specific forwarding number (usually your mobile phone). This initial setup limits your access to a specific geographic region based on where your phone is located or the area code you verified.
When you seek to get a new Google Voice number, you will be searching for available numbers in a specific area code. If you have moved, you may need to update your forwarding phone number details first to ensure geographical compliance, although this isn't always strictly required just for the number change itself.
Can I Get Two Google Voice Numbers?
Technically, maintaining two separate Google Voice numbers on a single account is possible, but it comes with a catch: it involves paying a one-time fee to keep the old number active. If you don't pay this fee, your old number is released back into the pool after 90 days. Most users, however, simply want to replace the old number entirely, which is a free service the first time you do it.
If you genuinely need a second, permanent number, the easiest solution is to create a second, separate Google account. Each distinct Google account can host its own unique, free Google Voice number, provided you have a separate, unlinked mobile number to verify it.
The Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Your Existing Number
Ready to make the switch? Here is exactly how you can get a new Google Voice number by swapping out the old one. Remember that while this process is often free for the first replacement, subsequent changes usually incur a fee.
Preparation Before Requesting a New Number
A little preparation goes a long way. Before starting the swap, ensure you save any important information tied to your current number and confirm your account status.
- Back up Data: Download and save any crucial voicemail messages, call logs, or text messages associated with the old number. These records usually remain with your Google account, but it's wise to archive them just in case.
- Notify Contacts: Make a list of essential contacts who rely on your Google Voice number and prepare to notify them immediately once the change is finalized.
- Check Account Status: Log into the Google Voice app or website to ensure you are signed into the correct Google account.
- Ensure Verification: Verify that you still have a linked mobile or landline number that Google can use for verification purposes during the number change.
The Actual Swap: Getting Your Replacement Number
The process is managed entirely within the Google Voice settings interface. Follow these steps precisely to secure your new number.
- Access Settings: Go to the Google Voice website (voice.google.com) and click on the Settings gear icon located in the top right corner.
- Locate Your Number: Under the "Account" section, find your current Google Voice number listed.
- Select "Change": Next to your current number, you should see an option that says "Change" or "Change/Port." Click this option.
- Search for New Number: You will be prompted to search for a new number, either by ZIP code or area code. Type in your preferred location.
- Choose and Confirm: Select a number from the list of available options. Google will then ask you to confirm that you want to replace your current number with the new one.
- Review Fees (if applicable): If this is your second or subsequent change, Google will display the $10 fee. If it's your first change, the replacement is generally free. Confirm the transaction.
- Finalize: After confirmation, your new Google Voice number will immediately become active, and the old number will be removed (or placed on a temporary hold if you chose to pay the fee to keep it).
That's it! You have successfully figured out How Can I Get A New Google Voice Number. Make sure you test the service right away by placing a quick call or sending a text.
Important Considerations When Getting a New Google Voice Number
While the process is easy, there are a couple of crucial points related to costs and number permanence that you need to be aware of.
The Cost of a Number Change
Many users assume the replacement process is always free, but Google has established limits. Your very first choice of a Google Voice number is free, and the first replacement is usually free as well, depending on regional policies and account age. However, subsequent attempts to get a new Google Voice number will cost you a non-refundable one-time fee, typically $10 USD.
If you are also choosing to port a number from another carrier into Google Voice, that process carries a separate, one-time porting fee of $20. Make sure you distinguish between simply replacing a GV number and porting in an external number.
What Happens to Your Old Number?
When you successfully replace your existing number with the new one, the fate of your old number depends on whether you paid the fee to keep it linked to your account. If you did not pay the fee, here's what happens:
- The number is immediately disconnected from your account and stops receiving calls and texts.
- Google holds the number in a pending state for approximately 90 days.
- If you regret the change, you might have a short window to reclaim it (though this is not guaranteed).
- After 90 days, the number is released back into the pool of available numbers and can be claimed by another Google Voice user.
Therefore, ensure all contacts are updated quickly after the change to avoid missing important communications.
Remember that the old number will still appear briefly in your account history, but it will no longer function for calling or texting purposes once the new one is activated. This ensures a clean break and allows you to fully utilize your new line.
Conclusion
Finding out How Can I Get A New Google Voice Number is simply a matter of accessing your account settings and initiating the replacement process. Whether you are changing location or escaping spam, the procedure is quick and generally inexpensive (often free for the first change). Remember the key limitation: one free number per Google Account. By following the preparation steps and utilizing the settings guide, you can quickly secure a number that better suits your current needs, giving you a fresh start with your preferred area code.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- How many times can I change my Google Voice number?
- You can change your number as many times as you like. However, the first number replacement is typically free, while all subsequent changes usually cost a one-time fee of $10 USD.
- Will changing my Google Voice number affect my existing voicemails?
- No. Your voicemails, texts, and call history are tied to your overall Google Voice account, not the specific number. When you get a new Google Voice number, all your historical data should remain accessible in the archives.
- Can I revert to my old Google Voice number after changing it?
- If you did not pay the fee to keep the old number, it is very difficult to get it back once it has been replaced. Google holds the number for 90 days before releasing it, but there is no guaranteed way for you to reclaim it yourself during that period. It is always best to be sure before committing to the change.
- Why can't I select a new area code for my number?
- Google Voice requires that your account be verified using a linked U.S. mobile or landline number. If you are trying to select a number in an area code far from your verification number, or if there are simply no available numbers in that area, Google may restrict your selection.
- Is there a difference between "changing" and "porting" a Google Voice number?
- Yes, "changing" means replacing one Google Voice number with another free number from Google's pool. "Porting" means taking a number you own from an outside mobile carrier (like Verizon or T-Mobile) and moving it into your Google Voice account, which always costs a $20 fee.
How Can I Get A New Google Voice Number
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