Last Updated: October 17, 2025
Key Takeaways
- What It Is: A free, virtual second phone number from Google that works over the internet, keeping your personal number private.
- Best For: Anyone needing a separate line without a second phone-perfect for freelancers, online sellers, and small business owners.
- The Biggest Risk: The verification code scam is a serious threat. You should never share a Google verification code with anyone, for any reason.
- The Cost: It’s completely free for personal use in the U.S. and Canada. Business plans with more features are available as a paid service.
Get a Google Phone Number: The Ultimate 2025 Guide
Ever wished you had a separate phone number for your side hustle, online listings, or just to keep your personal number private? You’re in the right place. Getting a Google phone number is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to add a second line to your life, and this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
We’ll cover how to get your number, master its best features, and most importantly, how to use it safely. This is the complete, human-friendly guide to Google Voice for 2025.
What Is a Google Voice Number, Really?
The Core Idea: One Number, All Your Devices
Think of a Google Voice number not as a new phone, but as a smart, flexible layer that sits on top of your existing phone service. It’s a virtual phone number, which means it lives in the cloud and works over the internet.
Here’s where it gets really clever: when someone calls your Google Voice number, you can have it ring on your cell phone, your laptop, and your tablet all at once. You can answer the call wherever it’s most convenient. It’s a simple way to unify all your communication without juggling multiple devices.
So, Is It Actually Free?
Yes, for most people, it’s 100% free. Here’s the simple breakdown:
- What’s Free: Getting your number, all calls within the US and Canada, sending and receiving texts, and the fantastic voicemail transcription service.
- What Costs Money: Making international calls (the rates are very low), changing your number after you’ve picked one (a one-time $10 fee), and moving your existing cell number over to Google Voice (a one-time $20 fee).
And to put a common rumor to rest: Google Voice is not being shut down. As of late 2025, it’s an actively supported service that Google is continuing to integrate into its other products, especially for business users.
How the Magic Happens: A Quick Look at the Tech
Google Voice uses a technology called VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). That just means it sends and receives calls over your internet connection. Based on our years of using the service, you have two main options for making calls, which gives you great flexibility:
- Use Wi-Fi or Data: When you make a call directly from the Google Voice app, it uses your internet connection. This is a lifesaver when you have spotty cell service but a solid Wi-Fi connection.
- Use Your Carrier Minutes: You can also set the app to use your regular phone plan to make calls. The magic here is that the person you’re calling will still see your Google Voice number on their caller ID, not your private number. This is the best option for call quality if your internet is unreliable.
Personal vs. Business – Which Version Is for You?
Google Voice for Personal Use
The free version of Google Voice is a powerhouse. It’s perfect for freelancers, people who use dating apps, or anyone who wants to post a number online without exposing their real one. You get one free number with all the core features like call screening, spam filtering, and voicemail-to-text, all neatly tied to your personal Google account.
Google Voice for Business (Part of Google Workspace)
If you’re running a business, you’ll quickly outgrow the free version. Google Voice for Business is a paid monthly subscription that’s part of Google Workspace. You can check out the official pricing on the Google Workspace Voice page. The extra cost is well worth it for the professional features it unlocks:
- Auto-Attendant: A virtual receptionist that can greet callers and direct them (e.g., “Press 1 for sales, Press 2 for support”).
- Ring Groups: Make a single number ring on multiple team members’ phones at the same time.
- Desk Phone Friendly: It can connect to physical office desk phones.
This upgrade transforms your second number into a legitimate business phone system.
Step-by-Step: Let’s Get Your Google Phone Number
Setting Up Your First Account
Ready to go? The process is surprisingly quick. Here’s exactly how to create your Google Voice account.
First, you’ll need two things:
- An active Google Account (your Gmail account is perfect).
- A real U.S. phone number that can receive a text or a call for a one-time verification. This can’t be another internet phone number.
Now, here’s the walkthrough:
- Head to the Official Website: Open your web browser and go to the official Google Voice site: https://voice.google.com/.
- Pick Your Number: The site will ask you to search for a number. A little tip from our experience: searching by smaller, specific area codes often turns up more memorable numbers than searching for a broad city name.
- Verify Your Real Phone: This is the most critical step. Google will send a 6-digit verification code to your existing phone number to prove you’re a real person. Enter that code on the website. This links your two numbers so Google can forward calls.
- You’re Done! That’s it. Your new Google number is active and ready to use immediately.
Don’t forget to download the Google Voice app on your smartphone. It’s where you’ll manage everything on the go.
Using Your New Number Like a Pro
The Basics: Calling and Texting
Using your new number feels natural. From the app or the website, you can make calls and send texts just like you normally would. All your conversations are synced across your devices, so you can start a text on your phone and finish it on your laptop.
As for integrations, the old Google Hangouts and Google Duo apps have been phased out, but their DNA lives on. Google Voice’s calling and messaging features are now more smoothly integrated with Google’s current apps, like Google Chat and Meet.
The Best Voicemail on the Planet
This is arguably Google Voice’s killer feature. You get a visual list of all your voicemails, but the best part is the free transcription. It automatically converts voicemails into text, so you can read a message in a meeting instead of having to listen to it. This works especially well and feels like a native upgrade to the standard Google Pixel voicemail experience.
Security & Privacy – Please Read This Section Carefully
The Google Voice Verification Code Scam
Let’s be blunt: scammers love Google Voice, and you need to know how their main trick works. They will try to fool you into setting up a Google Voice number for them, using your personal phone number for verification.
It usually starts after you post something for sale online. They’ll contact you and say, “I need to send a code to your phone to make sure you’re real.” If you agree, they go to the Google Voice website, enter your phone number, and Google sends you the 6-digit code. If you share that code with them, they complete the setup and now control a Google Voice number that is tied to you. They then use that number for scams.
Here’s what you do:
- If someone sends you a Google Voice verification code out of the blue, IGNORE IT. DELETE IT. DO NOT SHARE IT.
- There is absolutely no legitimate reason for a stranger to ask you for this code. Ever.
The Truth About Buying a “PVA” Google Voice Account
You might see ads online to “buy Google Voice number” or get a “PVA” (Phone Verified Account). Avoid these completely. They are almost always a waste of money because they violate Google’s rules, and the original creator can reclaim the number at any time, leaving you with nothing.
What to Do if You Think You’ve Been Hacked
If you suspect someone has compromised your account or stolen your number, act fast. The first step is to secure your main Google Account. Go to Google’s Security Checkup tool, change your password, and make sure 2-Step Verification is on. Then, head to the Google Voice site to see if you can reclaim your number. If you want to learn more, consider reading a guide on how to secure your Google account.
Troubleshooting Common Hiccups
Even great services have their quirks. A common mistake we’ve seen people make is leaving the “Do Not Disturb” setting on in the app, which sends all calls straight to voicemail.
A more common frustration is hitting a roadblock during signup. You might find there are no numbers available in your area, or that your existing phone number isn’t eligible for verification. When this happens, the free method simply won’t work.
Can’t Get a Free Number?
For users who are unable to complete the verification process or need a reliable number immediately, using a professional acquisition service is a straightforward alternative. We offer secure, pre-verified Google Voice numbers to get you started without the hassle.
Learn more about our secure Google Voice acquisition service.
How Google Voice Stacks Up Against the Competition
Google Voice vs. Paid Alternatives
While Google Voice is the king of free services, how does it compare to paid options? Here’s a simple breakdown for 2025:
Google Voice (Personal)
- Cost: Free
- Auto-Attendant: No
- Shared Numbers for Teams: No
- Best For: Individuals & Freelancers
Google Voice (Business)
- Cost: Starts at $10/user/mo
- Auto-Attendant: Yes
- Shared Numbers for Teams: Ring Groups only
- Best For: Teams Already on Google Workspace
OpenPhone
- Cost: Starts at $15/user/mo
- Auto-Attendant: Yes
- Shared Numbers for Teams: Yes
- Best For: Modern Startups & Small Teams
Grasshopper
- Cost: Starts at $28/mo
- Auto-Attendant: Yes
- Shared Numbers for Teams: No
- Best For: Established Small Businesses
For more detailed information, you can check out popular alternatives like OpenPhone or the business-focused Grasshopper.
Your Questions, Answered (FAQ)
How do I create a Google Voice account?
Go to voice.google.com, sign in with your Google Account, and follow the on-screen steps to choose a new number and verify your current phone.
How do I set up my new Google number?
Once you have the number, download the app. From there, you can record a voicemail greeting, manage call forwarding, and customize your settings.
Can I really get a Google Voice number for free?
Yes. For personal use in the United States and Canada, the service is completely free.
Can people tell if I’m calling from a Google Voice number?
Not usually. To the person you’re calling, it just looks like a normal phone number. A deep lookup might show the carrier as Google, but it’s not obvious.
Does Google Voice hide my real number?
Absolutely. That’s one of its main benefits. When you call or text through the app, the only number people see is your Google Voice number.
About the Author
James Cooper is a tech writer and reviewer with over a decade of experience covering communication and productivity tools. He has been an active, hands-on Google Voice user since 2012, using it to manage his own freelance business communications. James is passionate about helping everyday users understand technology through clear, practical, and honest advice.
