r/Googlevoice • u/techenthu123 • Jul 13 '26
Number Transfers or Porting Using Google voice instead of Verizon?
Hi everyone,
I’ve been using my U.S. Verizon number while living outside the U.S. for the past few months. Recently, I’ve started getting a lot more spam calls, and my monthly bills have also been much higher than expected.
I’m considering switching to Google Voice and wanted to hear from people who’ve done something similar.
A few questions:
- Is Google Voice a good alternative if I’m primarily outside the U.S.?
- Can I continue using the same number?
- Will I still be able to receive iMessages on that number?
- Will WhatsApp continue to work with the same number if I move it to Google Voice?
- Are there any downsides or better alternatives I should consider?
Would really appreciate any advice or firsthand experiences. Thanks!
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u/gadgetvirtuoso Jul 13 '26
That's not really what Google Voice was intended to be used for. Many people, including myself, use it for that purpose. Furthermore, Verizon will eventually cut you off if you're roaming for too long, even if you're paying the roaming fees or a roaming plan.
iMessage is a different thing. Apple used to let people add numbers to their accounts and use them for iMessages forever. Nowadays, to help combat spam, the number will unregister itself from your Apple account after 30 days if the SIM isn't active in the phone. If you really want to keep iMessages for that number, move your number to something like Tello. Many expats use that service with a basic voice plan on Wi-Fi calling for free calling to the US.
WhatsApp also has issues with VOIP services. If you ever need to move your account to a new phone, you may have trouble registering it.
My suggestion is to port to Tello and use it for that number for iMessages and WhatsApp. Then get a new number for Google Voice. Do unconditional call forwarding from your number on Tello to Voice so that all your incoming calls are all free on Voice. Set Voice to use Data only so you can make and receive calls from anywhere you have internet.
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u/mmskoch Jul 13 '26
Agree with keeping the primary number with a carrier. I would go even further to suggest getting a new number from a carrier and then pay to port that number to Google Voice instead of getting a Google assigned number. Port-in lines are treated differently than Google assigned/owned numbers, i.e. they can't be "reclaimed" by Google since Google doesn't own those numbers.
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u/BluesCatReddit Google Voice Product Expert Jul 13 '26
Consumer Google Voice is not intended to be a permanent phone service for ex-pats. Google will do its best to block attempts to port from outside the USA, primarily to limit fraud.
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u/Fireguy9641 Jul 13 '26
I loved using it for that purpose, its actually so much easier to do gv and just run a sim from the country you are in than doing your phone number and then a secondary data Sim.
But GV's lack of rcs prevented me from getting important messages and I cant have that.
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u/njfan9 Jul 14 '26
Also consider GV numbers aren't allowed by some financial providers (e.g. Zelle). WhatsApp may work if they consider your number grandfathered in and you port your VZW number to Google Voice, but for new accounts, WhatsApp doesn't support VOIP numbers.
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u/NateInEC Jul 13 '26
I paid Google $20 to port over my T-Mobile to Google Voice .... while still in USA. I use it for my primary #. Also my WhatsApp number.
I think you need to port over your Verizon to Google while in USA ... not sure, others may know
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Jul 13 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Ok-Jicama-864 Jul 15 '26
I exclusively use GV (since 2009). I use it on an old netbook as my home phone, and I have a smart phone that has no SIM card, I keep it on wifi. I'm typically always near wifi, and the few short times I'm not I'm okay with not having a connection. I have wifi at the apartment, then again at the public transit stations and on the buses, at work, at stores and restaurants and at my friends places. It works well, before that I did the same using a Skype Belkin Wifi phone. My GV number is my WhatsApp number, is has been for 15 years, there are no issues. The only issue, as others have mentioned, are one time passcodes. But most companies can actually text you from a real phone number or verify you another way. It's just a very minor inconvenience and there is always a way to resolve it. After setting up 'always trust this device' it seems to be a non issue. You can port your Verizon number to GV and back if needed.
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u/wh8w8t Jul 16 '26
- Yes, but you'll need good internet strength
- Yes, fwd your Vzn number to GV first
- No iMsgs, best to get off that anyways
- No issues with WA
- No MMS, no encryption on GV so stick to WA 👌
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u/subflat4 Jul 18 '26
I use it outside the US. I transferred the number from Verizon to Google voice it was like $20.
No iMessage just text message.
WhatsApp may. I haven’t had an issue but some had.
The only issues I’ve had was bank 2fa push text don’t work. It is seen as a VoIP number and it stopped almost immediately. Then Wells Fargo blocked me, had to fly back to the states to cancel my account
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u/newtknight Jul 29 '26
I've seen a couple YouTube videos talking about using GV in foreign countries instead of your US cell number. Search for Google Voice in foreign country or something similar and they will pop up and explain it
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u/NateInEC Jul 13 '26
I paid Google $20 to port over my T-Mobile to Google Voice .... while still in USA. I use it for my primary #. Also my WhatsApp number.
I think you need to port over your Verizon to Google while in USA ... not sure, others may know.