Friday, November 1, 2013

Port your number into Google Voice FAQ

About porting your number into Google Voice

Number porting is a feature in which your existing mobile number will become your Google Voice number. It allows you to take advantage of the full set of the Google Voice features like, one number to ring all of your phones, online voicemail, and more.

Porting your number will require a one-time fee of $20, payable via Google Wallet.

Remember, if you do not want to port your existing number, you can always choose a free Google Number upon set up of your Google Voice account. Or, if you’ve already created a Google Voice account, simply click on the Phones tab of your Settings, and select the link to Get a Google Number.

You will still need carrier service (Sprint, T-Mobile, Cricket, etc.) to receive calls on your mobile phone.

What you need to know before you port your mobile number to Google Voice

There is a one time $20 fee to port your number.
Your mobile phone service plan will be terminated when you port your number to Google Voice and your carrier may charge you an early termination fee. You may also experience disruptions in sending and receiving text messages for 5 business days or more, depending on the carrier from which you are porting to Google Voice.
Once porting is complete, you will not be able to receive calls to your mobile phone until you complete the following steps:
1. Google Voice is not a mobile phone service provider, so you must setup a new mobile phone service plan (with your existing carrier or a new carrier) and request a new number.
2. Once you’ve secured a new mobile service plan and a new number, you will need to add this new number to your Google Voice account as a forwarding phone. Learn how to add a forwarding phone
You should not cancel your mobile service plan before porting is initiated. You will need your phone to be able to accept calls in order to complete the porting verification process.
If you already have a Google number on this Google Voice Account, it will be replaced by the number that you wish to port and will be completely removed from your account 90 days after porting is complete

How to port your number into Google Voice

Here’s how to port your number into Google Voice:

Visit voice.google.com
If you already have a Google Voice account visit your Settings and selectChange / Port under your Phones tab. If you are new to Google Voice you may immediately see a pop-up asking you to select the type of account you want.
Select I want a new number.
Type your mobile phone number and then click Check for available options.
Select Port your number.
Select the checkboxes under “Things to understand before porting your number to Google Voice”.
Click Next: Phone Verification.
Follow the prompts to verify your phone number.
Enter your account information and then select Next: Confirmation.
Confirm your transaction and then select Next: Checkout.
Checkout with Google Wallet.