Google Voice allows you to retain your existing phone number, though the process of transferring it is time-consuming and may have negative implications. So it’s important to be prepared.

This guide provides an overview of the process of porting a number to Google Voice, including porting from different providers, FAQs, and other related information.

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Is porting your number to Google Voice a good option?

Google Voice is a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service that allows users to make and receive phone calls and text messages over the internet. The free version of Google Voice requires users to verify a US phone number to create an account. If a user wants to transfer an existing mobile number to Google Voice, there is a one-time porting fee.

It's also worth noting that on the free version of Google Voice, there is no shared access to the number. This means that team members cannot view communications from the number, which may be a limitation for some users.

In terms of migrating a phone number to Google Voice, the process can be involved and may not always be successful. There is a risk of losing the original number, so it's important to weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks before making the switch.

It's also worth noting that while Google Voice may be a cost-effective option for some users, it is considered a basic service compared to more modern VoIP systems. The paid version of Google Voice does offer additional features, but there may still be limitations compared to other options on the market.

So there are potential costs and limitations associated with using Google Voice for Google Workspace. You should consider your own requirements before opting in.

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It is recommended to complete a checklist before starting.

Before beginning the porting process, here are some key points to consider:

• It is important to verify that your area code and carrier are eligible for Google Voice before starting the porting process.
• It is recommended that you do not terminate your contract with your current service provider until Google Voice has confirmed that your number has been ported properly. Otherwise, the porting process may not be successful, resulting in the loss of your mobile number.
• Before beginning the porting process, any open service requests with the current carrier should be closed.
• To ensure successful porting, it is recommended that a single request should be made for all numbers from the same carrier. If you have numbers from multiple carriers, create separate port requests for each.
• When requesting a port for Google Voice, make sure you have the following information available:

• Latest billing statement
• Please provide a list of phone numbers you wish to transfer (ensuring all are unlocked and associated with the primary billing number).
• The PIN er required for porting, if necessary.
• Additional country-specific details may be required for the completion of the process known as 'port'.

• Google Voice does not support features such as DSL internet or hunt groups, so these should be disabled before porting a number.

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What is the process for porting your phone number to Google Voice?

The steps to port a number to a Google Voice personal account and a Google Voice for Google Workspace account differ, as detailed here.

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Transferring your number to the personal version of Google Voice.

You must be based in the US and have a US phone number to avail Google Voice’s free version. There is a cost associated with transferring a phone number to a personal Google Voice account, which is $20; as such you need to have a credit card ready.

• To use Google Voice, you will have to set up an account. You will receive a free number upon signing up, however, it will be replaced by the ported number once the port request is complete.
• To access the Account settings, open Settings from the top-right of the screen and navigate to Settings > Account.
• To start porting a number to Google Voice, select the option under the "Port a number to Google Voice" section and click "Get Started".
• Enter the number that you wish to port and request to be sent a 6-digit verification code via call or SMS.
• Enter the code.
• If your number is eligible for porting, Google Voice will require carrier account information. This information can typically be found in your phone number account.
• Please review the information, then make the payment.

Your number should be ported within 48 hours; however, text messages could take up to three business days to transfer to your Google Voice account.

You can port your number to Google Voice for Google Workspace.

When porting your number to Google Voice for Google Workspace, there are some restrictions. Numbers associated with the following cannot be ported:

• Calls to toll-free numbers are free of charge.
• The EU has nongeographical numbers.
• Telephone numbers in the EU are dependent on the location.
• Quantitative data related to Gmail.com user accounts.
• Numbers for unmanned accounts or Google Fi can be moved to Voice for Google Workspace-controlled accounts.

• Different Google Workspace domains have varying number configurations.

These are the steps required to port numbers to Google Voice after setting up a Google Workspace account.

• Log in to the Google Admin console with an administrator account.
• To port a number, go to the Select Menu > Apps > Google Workspace > Google Voice section and click on Users > Number porting.
• Select the Create port order option located at the top of the page.
• Enter a Port name to identify the request, select the Country of service, then select Continue.
• Please provide the name and number of your primary Google Voice partner to be contacted in case of any queries regarding the porting request.
• You need to fill in the form under Enter port details with the information from your latest billing statement.

If you're in the EU and using a reseller-provided number, then you will need to select the underlying service provider from the list of available options. If you do not find your current provider on this list, then you will not be able to transfer your number to Google Voice.

• Select the checkbox to approve Google Voice, then click 'Continue'.
• Enter the phone numbers to be ported in the List numbers section.
• Select the Activation date for your Google Voice phone number, if provided, and then select Continue.
• Please review the information and click Continue.
•  Click Create Port Request.

In certain countries and regions, Google Voice may require a letter of authorization for the number being ported.

To do this, go to the number port page on the web portal, find your current request, and click the "Download Template" symbol in the Required Documentation section. Print the letter, complete and sign it digitally. Click “Upload Signed Document” to upload it, then “Submit for Review.”

Once the request has been submitted, the ported numbers will be visible in your account. Before porting is successful, you can assign Google Voice numbers to users, auto attendants, or ring groups.

Transferring phone numbers from particular providers to Google Voice.

When porting your mobile number to Google Voice, take note of additional considerations due to variations in the process based on the current service provider.

You can port a number from Verizon, Sprint, or T-Mobile to Google Voice.

The process for porting a Google Voice number to another carrier is typically the same, though there may be slight variations. To obtain instructions on the port-out process, you can refer to your carrier's website.

When porting your number from a mobile carrier to Google Voice, please take note of the following:

• If your number is located in an area that is not accessible by Google's carrier, Google Voice cannot complete the process of transferring (or "porting") your number. Additionally, transferring to another carrier first is also not possible.
• To transfer your Verizon number to Google Voice, you'll first have to obtain a Number Transfer PIN from Verizon. When you're ready to do the transfer, use the PIN and your Verizon account number for authorization.
• To continue a number transfer to Google Voice from Verizon, it is necessary to generate a Number Transfer PIN. This can be done by dialing #7678 or contacting customer support.
• When transferring your account from Sprint, take note of your account number as it is not the same as your phone number. Additionally, you may need to set up or reset your PIN via your online account page if it has never been activated or you have forgotten the details.
• T-Mobile has distinct processes for prepaid and postpaid customers. For instance, postpaid customers have a unique account number, whereas the account number for prepaid users matches their phone number.

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What is the process of porting a Google Voice number?

If you are on Google Voice's free plan and would like to transfer your number out of Google Voice, this guide will provide steps on how to do so.

• Visit www.google.com/voice/unlock.
• To port out a specific number, locate it and select the 'Unlock my number' option.

• A pop-up message will appear indicating that messages will remain in your Google Voice account upon the number transfer, alongside a prompt for the $3 fee for service.
• Pay the fee.

Once the process is complete, you can transfer the released number to a different service.

If you choose to utilize Google Voice for Google Workspace, the process is slightly more complex and involves these steps.

• Log in to the Google Admin console.
• To port a number, navigate to Google Workspace>Google Voice>Users in the Apps tab.
• To view the port-out code, select Port-out info and then Preview.
• Copy the code.
• Your new provider may ask for additional information depending on your location. Here are examples of the information needed in certain countries.

Once you have obtained the code, check the porting-in process on the carrier's website.

LimePhone offers an easy process for transferring your existing numbers. You can take advantage of a free trial before committing to the service and see if it's suitable for you. To transfer a local US, Canadian, or North American toll-free number, you may submit a request through the app.

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What are the benefits and drawbacks of porting to Google Voice?

When considering if Google Voice or another Google Voice alternative is the right option for you, consider the advantages and disadvantages of both.

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The advantages of transferring to Google Voice include

· If you are looking for a free phone number, Google Voice offers an option to get a free number with unlimited calling. However, you will be required to provide an already-active US number to verify your account to take advantage of the free version.

· International calling is an additional cost but can be enabled.

· Google Voice provides some key features for businesses, including voicemail transcriptions and apps for Android and iOS. However, if the ability to send text messages or integrate with other tools is important for your business, then there are other solutions available.

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Negative aspects of porting to Google Voice.

· A Google Workspace subscription is required to access Google Voice for Google Workspace.

· There is an additional cost for transferring numbers onto Google Voice's free plan. The feature allowing incoming calls to be shared is available exclusively on their most expensive business plans.

· Porting a number to Google Voice requires multiple steps and documents to be submitted.

· Google Voice is accessible via web and mobile devices, but not via desktop applications.

· If using Google Voice for business purposes, it is important to be aware that messages exceeding 160 characters will be split into multiple texts.

· Google Voice might not be the best option if you want customers to be able to contact you without incurring any costs.

· There are no automation tools available, such as auto-replies and snippets, to make responding to contacts faster.

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What is the cost of transferring to Google Voice?

When you choose to transfer a number to Google Voice, here are the associated costs.

Google Voice has a one-time setup fee of $20 if you transfer a US number to a personal Google Voice account. Alternately, with certain business phone systems, such as LimePhone, you can avoid paying any transfer fees and add multiple phone numbers.

If you're in the middle of your contract with your current cell phone service provider, an early termination fee (ETF) may apply. Information about ETFs offered by providers such as AT&T can be found on their websites.

If you have any questions about an ETF, reach out to your VoIP provider or mobile carrier's customer support for further details.

If you are not already subscribed to Google Workspace, you will have to pay $6 per month for it in addition to the cost of Google Voice, which starts at $10 per user per month. The Starter plan permits up to 10 users and offers features such as call forwarding and voicemail transcription.

Higher-tier plans are available at a rate of $20 to $30 per user per month and include features such as multi-level auto-attendant and ring groups. There is also an option for advanced reporting and automatic call recordings for an additional fee of $30 per user per month with Google Voice.

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FAQs

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• Is Google Voice free?

       - For personal use, you can make calls for free in the US and Canada. However, you cannot make            calls outside the US or Canada. 

       - Again, the business version of Google Voice is not free.

• How much is Google Voice per month?

         - Google Voice has monthly plans starting from 10$ for the starter plan up to 30$ for the premier             plan. The latter provides unlimited users and international locations, along with other features.

• If I decide to port my number to Google Voice, what are the consequences?

        - To transfer your number to a different carrier, you will need to complete the port-out process             discussed above. This can be done anytime if you wish to switch from Google Voice to your             preferred provider.

Move your number to LimePhone for a modern business phone system.

Limephone makes transferring your number as simple as completing a form. Furthermore, you are provided with a set of VoIP functionalities for improved enterprise communication.

In comparison to Google Voice, you have the option to…

• Your team can acquire both toll-free and local (US and Canadian) numbers in the desired amounts.
• You can port your existing numbers without cost.
• Collaborate with your team using shared numbers and internal threads.

Limephone allows you to efficiently cultivate relationships with your clients by utilizing text messaging. It enables you to pre-write texts, organize your messages using snippets, and provides other useful ways to facilitate quick and efficient communication. 

Take advantage of the free trial which provides a temporary phone number; if satisfied, you can port in your number.

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The Last Word

In conclusion, porting to Google Voice can be a great option for those looking for a free phone number with unlimited calling and some business-oriented features. However, some drawbacks must be considered, such as the requirement for a Google Workspace subscription, additional costs for number transfers, and limited automation tools. 

It is important to weigh the benefits and the pitfalls carefully and assess whether Google Voice or another alternative is the right fit for your needs. Ultimately, by considering all the advantages and disadvantages, you can make an informed decision about whether or not to port to Google Voice.