How To Kiss Google Voice Goodbye: A Comprehensive Deletion Guide

So, you’re ready to sever ties with Google Voice? Maybe you’ve found a better telephony solution, or perhaps you’re simply streamlining your digital life. Whatever the reason, deleting your Google Voice number is a straightforward process, though it pays to understand the nuances involved. Here’s the straight dope:

To delete Google Voice and permanently remove your number, you’ll need to port your number to a new provider first if you want to keep it. If you’re okay with losing the number, you can release it from your Google Voice account and then, optionally, delete the service from your Google Account entirely. Let’s break down each scenario:

Scenario 1: Keeping Your Google Voice Number

This is the most common scenario. You’re not happy with Google Voice anymore, but you still want to use that number. In this case, you cannot simply delete Google Voice and keep the number. You must port it to a new provider.

1. Unlock Your Google Voice Number: Before you can port your number, you need to unlock it. This prevents unauthorized transfers. To unlock your number:

   • Go to the Google Voice unlock page (https://www.google.com/voice/unlock). You may need to log into your Google Account.
   • You’ll likely see a message stating that unlocking your number incurs a one-time fee of $3.00. Click “Continue to Google Voice Unlock” or similar wording. Pay the fee.
   • The page will then confirm that your number is unlocked and available for porting.

2. Choose a New Provider: Research and select a new phone service provider that supports number porting. This could be a mobile carrier, a VoIP provider, or any other service that allows you to transfer an existing number.

3. Initiate the Porting Process with the New Provider: This is where things get specific to your new provider. They will likely ask for the following information:

   • Your Google Voice number.
   • Account Number: Your Google Voice account number, typically your Google Voice phone number without dashes.
   • PIN: Your Google Account password.
   • Service Address: This is the address associated with your Google Account.

4. Wait for the Port to Complete: This can take anywhere from a few hours to a few business days. Your old Google Voice number will remain active until the porting process is complete. The new provider will notify you when the port is complete.

5. Release the Number in Google Voice (After Porting): Once the port is complete, you will no longer be able to use Google Voice with that number. At that point, you can release the number if desired by following the steps under “Scenario 2”. This isn’t strictly necessary as the number will naturally disconnect, but it’s good practice to keep things tidy.

Scenario 2: Releasing Your Google Voice Number (Losing the Number)

If you don’t care about keeping your Google Voice number, the process is simpler.

1. Access Google Voice Settings: Go to voice.google.com and log into your Google Account. Click on the settings gear icon in the top right corner.

2. Select “Delete Google Voice Number”: In the settings menu, navigate to the “Account” tab. You will see a link labeled something like “Delete Google Voice number.”

3. Confirm the Deletion: Google will present a confirmation screen warning you that you’ll lose access to your Google Voice number and all associated data. Read the warning carefully, and if you’re sure, click “Delete” or similar. You may need to enter your password to confirm.

Scenario 3: Removing the Google Voice Service Entirely from Your Google Account

This step is optional. Releasing your number effectively disables Google Voice, but the service still technically exists on your Google Account. If you want to remove it entirely:

1. Go to Your Google Account Settings: Go to myaccount.google.com and log in.

2. Navigate to Data & Privacy: In the left-hand navigation, click on “Data & Privacy.”

3. Find “Apps & Services”: Scroll down to the “Data from apps and services you use” section.

4. Select “Delete a Google service”: Click on “Delete a Google service.”

5. Find Google Voice: You’ll see a list of Google services associated with your account. Find Google Voice.

6. Click the Delete Icon: Click the trash can icon next to Google Voice.

7. Follow the Prompts: Google will walk you through the final deletion process. Be absolutely sure you want to do this, as it will remove all Google Voice data associated with your account.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Deleting Google Voice

Here are some common questions about deleting Google Voice, along with detailed answers:

1. Will I lose all my voicemails and text messages if I delete Google Voice?

Yes, you will. When you delete your Google Voice number or remove the service entirely from your Google Account, all associated data, including voicemails, text messages, and call history, will be permanently deleted. Before deleting, consider downloading any important voicemails or text message transcripts.

2. How do I download my Google Voice voicemails and text messages before deleting?

Google Voice doesn’t offer a direct “download all” option. You’ll need to download voicemails individually. To do this, open each voicemail in Google Voice, and there should be a download icon (usually three vertical dots). For text messages, you can manually copy and paste them into a document or use a third-party tool designed to back up Android messages (even though Google Voice works on iOS as well) and search for messages with your Google Voice number. Remember to install the third-party tool before you delete Google Voice.

3. Can I reactivate Google Voice after deleting it?

Potentially, but not with the same number. If you delete Google Voice entirely, you can reactivate it later. However, you’ll need to choose a new Google Voice number. Your old number will be released back into the pool of available numbers and may be assigned to someone else. Therefore it is very important to port your number to a new provider first if you want to keep your number.

4. What happens to my Google Voice number if I don’t port it out or delete it?

If you stop using Google Voice without porting or deleting, Google may reclaim the number after a period of inactivity, typically six months. You’ll receive warnings before this happens, so keep an eye on your associated Google Account email.

5. Can I port my Google Voice number to a landline?

Yes, you generally can, but confirm with your landline provider that they support number porting and that they can accommodate a number that was originally a VoIP number.

6. Is there a fee to delete Google Voice?

There is no fee to delete Google Voice if you’re simply releasing the number (losing it). There is a fee (usually $3.00) to unlock your number for porting to another provider.

7. How long does it take to delete Google Voice?

The actual deletion process is almost instantaneous once you confirm the action in your Google Account settings. However, if you are porting the number, the porting process itself can take anywhere from a few hours to a few business days.

8. Will deleting Google Voice affect my other Google services, like Gmail or Google Drive?

No. Deleting Google Voice only affects the Google Voice service itself. Your other Google services will remain unaffected.

9. What should I do if I encounter an error during the deletion process?

First, ensure you’re logged into the correct Google Account associated with your Google Voice number. Then, try clearing your browser’s cache and cookies. If the problem persists, contact Google Voice support for assistance.

10. Can I delete Google Voice from my phone app?

No, you cannot. You must manage Google Voice settings and delete the service through the Google Voice website (voice.google.com) using a web browser. The mobile app is just an interface for using the service, not for managing account settings.

11. Is it possible to temporarily suspend Google Voice instead of deleting it?

No, Google Voice does not offer a “suspend” feature. Your only options are to continue using the service, port your number, or release the number and potentially delete the service entirely. You could disable call forwarding and notifications within the Google Voice settings as a workaround for temporarily stopping calls and messages.

12. I accidentally deleted Google Voice. Can I get my number back?

Unfortunately, probably not. Once a Google Voice number is released, it goes back into the pool of available numbers. There’s a slim chance it might still be available if you act very quickly, but generally, once it’s gone, it’s gone. This is why porting your number is crucial if you want to keep it.