Google Voice setup starts with the official app, a Google Account, and a number selection screen. Once the number is active, you can link your phone, choose how calls work, and decide which devices ring.
Install the Google Voice app
Use this method when you want Google Voice working directly on your iPhone or Android phone. The mobile app is the normal starting point for phone setup.
On Android, open the Google Play listing for Google Voice and tap Install. Google lists support for Android phones, tablets, and Chromebooks that use Google Play.
On iPhone, open the App Store listing for Google Voice and tap Get. The App Store listing requires iOS 18.0 or later for iPhone and iPadOS 18.0 or later for iPad.
Open Voice and sign in with the Google Account you want tied to the number.
Pick your Google Voice number
Use the Google Account you plan to keep using with Google Voice, because the number is attached to that account.
Open the Voice app.
Sign in to your Google Account.
Review the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
On Android, tap Continue. On iPhone, tap Accept.
Tap Search.
Search by city or area code, then tap Select next to the number you want.
Follow the on-screen instructions to finish setup.
Choose a regular available number from the results, because Google Voice does not offer 1-800 numbers.
Link your phone number
Link your mobile number after the Google Voice number is selected.
- 1.Open the Voice app and tap Menu.
- 2.Tap Settings, then tap Devices and numbers under Account.
- 3.Tap New linked number and enter the phone number you want to link.
- 4.Tap Send code for a mobile number.
- 5.Enter the verification code, then complete Verify or Finish.
Choose the number for this phone
Choose which, if any, phone number is linked to this device. Google Voice uses the linked number to make calls when an internet connection is unavailable.
Open the Voice app and tap Menu.
Tap Settings.
Under Account, tap Devices and numbers.
Under This device, tap Change device number.
Choose Your device’s number, No number, or New linked number.
Tap Save.
Set how Google Voice makes calls
For internet calling, open the Voice app, tap Menu, then tap Settings. Under Calls, tap Making and receiving calls, then select Prefer Wi-Fi and mobile data.
Google says Voice calls use about 0.2 MB of data per minute. To place a call over Wi-Fi, start the call from the Voice app.
For carrier calling, go to Menu, tap Settings, tap Making and receiving calls, then select Use carrier only. Your carrier can charge for calls when Wi-Fi calling is not possible.
Control which devices ring
Use this when calls to your Google Voice number ring the wrong phone, tablet, or browser session.
Open the Voice app and tap Menu.
Tap Settings, then under Calls, tap Incoming calls.
Under My devices, turn off any device you do not want to receive calls on.
Leave your current phone turned on if this is where you want Google Voice calls to ring.
If this does not fix where calls go, open Google Voice on a computer and check Settings, Calls, Incoming calls, and Call forwarding for forwarding numbers you no longer use.
Use Google Voice from Android’s Phone app
The most common cause of confusion on Android is that calls started in the regular Phone app do not automatically use Google Voice until you set that behavior.
Open the Voice app and tap Menu.
Tap Settings.
Under Calls, tap Calls started from this device's phone app.
Select when you want Android’s Phone app to use Google Voice for calls.
Under Driving mode, choose when Google Voice should be used while driving.
This option is for Android personal Google Voice accounts in a non-work profile. It is not available for Google Workspace accounts or for personal accounts when Google Voice is installed in a Work Profile.
Set up from a computer instead
Use the web setup when you want a bigger screen or prefer to choose the number from a browser.
- 1.Go to voice.google.com and sign in to your Google Account.
- 2.Review the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, then click Continue.
- 3.Search for available numbers by city or area code.
- 4.Click Select next to the number you want.
- 5.Follow the on-screen instructions to finish setup.
Port your existing number or use Google Voice voicemail
To move an active mobile number into a personal Google Voice account, use a computer. Open Google Voice, click Settings, go to Account, then under Port a number to Google Voice, click Port a number.
Click Get Started, enter the number you want to port, complete text-message or phone verification, enter your carrier account information, review the port request, then click Next to pay through Google Pay.
Google charges $20 to port a number into a personal Google Voice account. US users are limited to active US mobile phone numbers and must make or update port requests in the US.
If you only want unanswered or busy mobile calls to go to Google Voice voicemail, set conditional call forwarding from your phone’s regular keypad using your carrier’s commands and your Google Voice number as the forwarding destination.
If porting fails, keep the Google Voice number you selected during setup and use a linked number instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set up Google Voice without a phone number?
For phone setup, Google says your phone must be on and able to receive texts for verification. A Google Voice account can link up to 6 numbers, and a number already linked to another Google Voice number cannot be linked again.
Is Google Voice available for personal accounts everywhere?
Google Voice personal accounts are for users in the US. Google Workspace accounts are available in select markets.
Can I get a toll-free 1-800 number with Google Voice?
No. Google Voice does not offer 1-800 numbers.
What happened to the old Google Voice settings older guides mention?
The legacy Google Voice interface has been replaced by the current Google Voice experience at voice.google.com. Legacy carrier call forwarding settings and ring schedules are not current setup methods.