Yes, you can change your Google Voice number, but only once every 30 days

Google Voice lets you change the phone number tied to your account, but the process has a hard limit: you can change it only once per 30-day period. After you change it, you cannot change it again for 30 days. The old number is released back to Google's pool and may be reassigned to someone else, so if you need it later, you cannot get it back.

The change takes effect when ready. Calls and texts to your old number stop working right away. Anyone who has your old number will not be able to reach you through Google Voice unless you give them the new one.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Google Voice number once every 30 days by going to Settings in the Google Voice app or website and selecting a new number from available options.
  • The old number is released when ready and cannot be recovered, so tell your contacts your new number before you change it.
  • You cannot change the number again for 30 days after you make the change, so choose carefully.
  • If you have forwarding set up to a mobile or landline, calls to your new Google Voice number will still ring those phones.

How to change your number in the Google Voice app

Open the Google Voice app on your phone. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner, then tap Settings. Scroll down and tap Phone numbers. You will see your current Google Voice number listed.

Tap Change number. Google Voice will show you a list of available numbers in your area code or a code you choose. Browse the list and tap on a number you want. Google Voice will show you that number's details — the area code and the specific digits. Tap Select this number to confirm. The change happens right away.

How to change your number on the Google Voice website

Go to voice.google.com in a web browser and sign in with your Google account. Click the gear icon in the top right corner and select Settings. On the left side, click Phone numbers. Your current number appears at the top.

Click Change number next to your current number. A list of available numbers will load. You can filter by area code if you want a number from a specific region. Click on a number to see its details, then click Select to confirm. The new number is active when ready.

What happens to your old number

Once you change your number, the old one is gone from your account permanently. Google releases it back into its pool of available numbers. Someone else may get that number weeks or months later. If you change your mind within minutes, you cannot undo the change — you would have to wait 30 days and then select a different number.

Any voicemails, text messages, or call history tied to your old number stays in your Google Voice account. You can still read old messages, but new calls and texts to the old number will not reach you.

The 30-day waiting period explained

After you change your number, Google locks you out of changing it again for 30 days. This is a hard rule with no exceptions. The 30 days starts the moment you confirm the change, not when you first open the Settings page.

If you realize you made a mistake, you have to wait the full 30 days before you can pick a different number. This is why it matters to look at the available options carefully before you tap Select or click Confirm.

Forwarding still works with your new number

If you have set up call forwarding to a mobile phone, home phone, or work phone, that forwarding continues to work with your new Google Voice number. When someone calls your new Google Voice number, it will ring the phone or phones you have forwarded to, just as it did with the old number.

You do not have to change your forwarding settings. Text messages sent to your new Google Voice number will still arrive in the Google Voice app or on your linked devices, depending on how you have notifications set up.

When you might not be able to change your number

If you have not verified a phone number with your Google account, you may not be able to change your Google Voice number. Google sometimes requires account verification before allowing changes. If you see an error message, check that you have a verified phone number on file in your Google Account settings.

If you are in the middle of your 30-day waiting period, the Change number option will be grayed out or will show you a message saying when you can change it next. You cannot bypass this wait.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my old Google Voice number back?

No. Once you change your number, it is released to Google and you cannot reclaim it. If you think you might need it later, do not change it. Write down your current number and keep it somewhere safe before you make any changes.

What if I change my number by mistake?

You cannot undo the change when ready. You have to wait 30 days, then select a different number. During that 30 days, your old number is no longer yours. Plan your change carefully and double-check the new number before you confirm.

Do I have to tell my contacts my new number?

Yes. Your contacts will not know your number changed unless you tell them. Calls and texts to your old number will fail. Send a message to everyone who uses your Google Voice number with your new one.

Will my voicemails transfer to the new number?

Your old voicemails stay in your Google Voice account and you can listen to them anytime. New voicemails will be tied to your new number. You do not lose the old messages, but they are associated with the old number in your message history.

Can I choose any number or only numbers in my area code?

Google Voice shows you available numbers in your current area code by default, but you can filter by a different area code if you want. Not all area codes have numbers available at all times. If you do not see a number you want, try searching a different area code.