How to port a number to Google Voice

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If you are looking to port your telephone number to Google Voice, this guide will walk you through the process. The first thing you need to know is the difference between landline/wireline and wireless numbers.

Landline/Wireline Numbers

Our numbers are classified as landline/wireline numbers and Google Voice only supports wireless numbers. But have no fear! This means that you must first port your number to a mobile provider before porting to Google Voice.

The instructions below will walk you through how to quickly and inexpensively port your number to a mobile provider, then port it to Google Voice.*

*Note: Google Voice does not support toll-free numbers, so you will not be able to port your toll-free number over to Google Voice. 

Step 1 - Check the rate center

Before you start to port your number to Google Voice, check the Google Voice Number Porting Tool. to ensure that they can support your number and rate center. Click Here to access the tool. When you enter your phone number you will see one of the following messages. Note that you must be signed in to your Google Voice account for this link to work.

Note that you'll need to have SMS/Text Messaging activated on your telephone number prior to checking the portability of the number. Texting is not available on the Port Away plan. If you need to change your plan to enable texting, click on the following link to learn how: Change my plan

Google Voice will send you a text message to authenticate the request before determining if the number can be ported.

Message: Porting your mobile number to Google Voice is unavailable. Your mobile number can not be ported at this time. This number appears to be from an area we don't currently support for porting. Google Voice does not support porting of all area codes. If you see this message when you enter your phone number, you will not be able to port your number to Google Voice. You can only port your number to a provider that can support it. Either find a provider that can support it or contact customer support to help you find a new number.

Message: Your number can't be ported. At this time, Voice doesn't port numbers from your carrier. New carriers are being added, though, so you might be able to port this number in the future. This is a good sign because it means they can support the rate center. Once your landline number is ported to a mobile provider (instructions below), you can port it to Google Voice. Continue reading and follow the steps below to convert your landline number to a mobile number.

Step 2 - Port your number to a mobile provider

If Google Voice can support your number, you will then need to acquire a SIM card for a wireless carrier. A prepaid carrier is the most cost-effective option. Check your local Best Buy, Target, Walmart, or even Amazon to get a SIM card for about $5-$10.

The next step is to port your number to that wireless carrier. Initiate a porting request on their website. You can find your information for porting away from NumberBarn in the following article:

Find my port away information including account number and PIN

Step 3 - Port your number from the mobile provider to Google Voice

Keep in mind that Google Voice charges $20 to port a number in. The following article from Google Voice walks you through the process of porting a number:

Port or transfer your personal number

Miscellaneous notes to port to Google Voice

Here are a few helpful tips when it comes to working with Google Voice.

• Mobile numbers typically port in 24-48 hours assuming there are no issues. Numbers that were originally landline/wireline may take longer.
• Once porting is complete, you will not be able to receive calls to your mobile phone until you complete the following steps in Google Voice:
  • Set up a new mobile service plan (with your existing carrier or a new carrier) and request a new number.
  • Add this new number to your Google Voice account as a forwarding phone in order to receive calls on your mobile phone.
• If you already have a Google number on this Google Voice account, it will be replaced by the number that you are porting and will be completely removed from your account 90 days after porting is complete. During those 90 days, you will still be able to receive calls to that number.
• When you activate service with Google Voice you don't actually own your number with them until you pay an "activation fee" of $20. This may also come into play if you wish to port a number FROM Google Voice TO NumberBarn or NumberGarage.

Please note this guide is to be used as a suggested reference. Instructions can be changed at any time due to outside providers updating their websites.

GoogleFI and Google Workspace

These instructions are for Google Voice only and do not apply to Google Fi and Google Voice accounts that are managed by Google Workspace. To port to Google Fi, use our standard Port Away Information.

Finally, If you have an existing number with another wireline/landline provider that you want to port to Google Voice, these instructions might also apply, without having to port it. Please check with Google Voice to verify.