Porting Checklist: Google Voice
Porting a Google Voice number works differently from porting from a wireless carrier. Google Voice is classified as a VoIP / wireline number by the FCC, so the port goes through the wireline process (typically slower than wireless) and you use a simple unlock flow rather than generating a Transfer PIN.
This guide covers the full Google Voice port-out process, what info Phound needs, and what happens to your Google Voice account after the port completes.
What You Need from Google Voice
- Your Google Voice phone number (10 digits, also serves as the account number)
- Your Google Voice voicemail PIN (this is what the new carrier uses as the Transfer PIN)
- The name on your Google account and address on your Google Pay profile
- Confirmation the number has been unlocked (a $3 unlock fee applies)
Step 1: Unlock Your Google Voice Number
The unlock is the port-out authorization. There's no separate "port out" button — you just unlock, then initiate the port from Phound's side.
- On a computer, open voice.google.com. The unlock flow isn't available in the Google Voice mobile apps.
- Click Settings (gear icon, top right).
- Go to the Account section.
- Find the Google Voice number you want to port.
- Click Unlock.
- Complete the $3 USD payment with your Google Account's default payment method.
- When successful, the bottom left displays "Number unlocked."
About the Unlock Fee
- $3.00 USD, paid via Google Pay.
- Exception: If your number was originally ported into Google Voice from another carrier, the unlock is free.
- Google does not refund the fee if you change your mind.
Tip: Take a screenshot of the "Number unlocked" confirmation. Phound may ask for it during the port submission if there's any delay.
Step 2: Confirm Your Voicemail PIN
The new carrier uses your Google Voice voicemail PIN as the Transfer PIN — not a separate port PIN.
If you don't remember your voicemail PIN:
- Go to voice.google.com.
- Click Settings (gear icon).
- Go to Voicemail.
- Click Voicemail PIN and reset it.
Step 3: Update 2-Step Verification (important!)
If your Google Voice number is set as a second factor for your Google Account's 2-Step Verification, change it to a different number before porting. If you don't, you could lock yourself out of your Google Account during the port window.
- Go to myaccount.google.com/security.
- Under How you sign in to Google, click 2-Step Verification.
- Remove the Google Voice number as a backup method and add a different one.
Step 4: Gather Account Info for Phound
Before submitting the port, make sure you have:
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Account Number | Your 10-digit Google Voice phone number |
| Transfer PIN | Your Google Voice voicemail PIN |
| Account holder name | The name on your Google Account |
| Billing address | The address on your Google Account / Google Pay profile |
Warning: Google's official guidance: "If your carrier asks for your account number and PIN, provide your 10-digit Google Voice phone number and the PIN you use to access your Google Voice voicemail." The voicemail PIN is what they want — not a Google Account password.
Step 5: Submit Your Port Request in Phound
- Open Phound → Settings > Numbers > Port a Number.
- Enter your Google Voice number.
- Provide the account info above.
- Submit.
Timeline
Google Voice ports are wireline ports and typically take longer than wireless ports:
- Typical: 2–7 business days
- Can extend to: Up to 15 business days
Wireless-to-wireless ports can complete in hours; Google Voice ports almost always take at least a few days.
What Happens After the Port Completes
- Your Google Voice account remains active — you just no longer have a number attached unless you add another.
- You can claim a new free Google Voice number if your account was personal.
- Existing voicemails and SMS history stay in the Google Voice web archive, but new messages will arrive at Phound, not Google Voice.
- Google Voice for Workspace (paid): You must cancel the per-user Voice license in the Workspace Admin console — porting does not auto-cancel billing.
Things That Do NOT Transfer
| Google Voice Feature | After the Port |
|---|---|
| Voicemails and SMS history | Stay in Google Voice web archive; download first if you want them |
| Call forwarding / linked numbers | Reconfigure in Phound |
| Contacts, blocked numbers, call screening | Reconfigure in Phound |
| Obi / ATA hardware using Google Voice | Stops working — re-provision to Phound |
Tip: Use Google Takeout to download your Google Voice data (voicemails, call history, SMS) before initiating the port if you want to archive anything.
Common Google Voice Port-Out Issues
- Number not unlocked — the #1 rejection. Confirm "Number unlocked" appears in the bottom-left of Settings → Account before submitting.
- Payment failed — if the $3 unlock charge fails (declined card, no payment method), unlock won't complete. Fix Google Pay first.
- Account was originally Google Fi — Fi numbers must be ported out of Fi, not Voice. Unlink first.
- Workspace billing continues — cancel the Voice license in Admin console after port completes.
- Workspace tenants use a different path: Admin console → Apps → Google Workspace → Google Voice → Port out Voice numbers.
Warning: Do not delete or release the number inside Google Voice before the port completes. Doing so returns the number to the public pool, and you may not be able to recover it. Let the port process release it automatically.
Want to Change Your Mind?
If you unlock but haven't yet initiated the port with Phound, you can relock the number:
- Go to voice.google.com.
- Settings → Account.
- Click Lock next to the number.
Once Phound's port request is filed with Google, relocking will not stop the transfer.
Google Voice Support
Google doesn't offer phone support for Google Voice. Use the Google Voice Help Center or submit a case through your Google Workspace Admin console if you're on Workspace.
Still need help?
If you couldn't find what you were looking for, our support team is ready to assist. Contact Phound Support and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.