Get a Free Second Phone Number with Google Voice

Get a Free Second Phone Number with Google Voice

Google Voice gives you a free second phone number (with some caveats) for calls, texts, and voicemail. It works over the internet (VoIP) and forwards calls to your existing phones (mobile or landline). It’s not entirely free in all aspects (e.g., international calls cost money), and availability is limited to certain countries. Google Voice provides a separate number managed through Google that you can use as a second phone number.

Google Voice is easy to set up, it works great and allows you to make and receive phone calls without revealing your real phone number to the person or company you’re calling and without having to use the old *67 trick. I’ve been using Google Voice for almost two years now and I like it… it works great.

Using a Google Voice number is a great idea when calling people who you don’t know well and when calling companies you’re not familiar with. It’s also a great idea if you have a small business or side hustle but don’t have a business phone number.

Here are some of the many advantages of having a Google Voice phone number:

• It’s Free:  If you are in the USA, Canada, or another country where Google Voice is available and have a Google Account, you can get a Google Voice number for free. You can use it as a second number, a business phone number, etc. Google Voice. For a list of countries where Google Voice is available and additional info, see this page.
• Link your Google Voice number to your phone. You can link your Google Voice number to your cell phone or your landline number.
• You can make and receive free calls and send and receive free texts to the US and Canada. Google Voice users can make and receive free calls and texts to the US and Canada. Note: Most International calls are not free.
  
• Flexible call forwarding. Google Voice allows you to forward your calls to any phone number. This is great for managing multiple phone numbers or taking calls while you’re traveling.
• Voicemail transcription. Google Voice transcribes your voicemails into text. This is a great way to quickly and easily read your voicemails, especially if you are on the go. You can have the transcribed voicemails sent to your Gmail address.
• Call blocking and filtering. Google Voice allows you to block and filter unwanted calls. This can help you to reduce spam and telemarketing calls.
• Call recording. Google Voice allows you to record your calls (where legal). This can be useful for business meetings or personal protection.
• Call screening. Google Voice can screen your calls and let you know who is calling before you answer.
• Group messaging. Google Voice allows you to create group messaging threads with multiple people.
• Simultaneous ring. Google Voice can ring multiple phone numbers at the same time. This is great for when you are expecting an important call and want to ensure you don’t miss it.
• Call routing. Google Voice allows you to route your calls to different phone numbers based on the time of day or the caller’s identity.
• Use your Google Voice number as your business phone number. If you have a small business you could use your Google Voice number for your business number. Publish your new business number with confidence that your real number and identity will remain hidden.

How to get your free Google Voice number

If you have a Gmail Account (and if you have a Gmail address you do) you can create a Google Voice phone number in just a couple of minutes.

Click this link to go to Google Voice

If not already signed into your Gmail account, sign in.

Review the terms and proceed to the next step.

You’ll see a list of phone numbers you can choose from. Or, if you like, you can search by city or area code.

Verify the number and enter the phone number you want to link to your Voice account. You can link a landline phone or a cell phone number.

Google will then send you a six-digit code to enter to continue setting up your Google Voice account.

Once you’ve signed in, you can set up your Google Voice number and enable some of all its features by clicking on the Settings icon (the gear icon) at the top of the Google Voice page.

If you have an Android or Apple smartphone, download the Google Voice app. The Google Voice app makes it easy to use your Google Voice number and all its features on your smartphone.

It’s like getting a second phone number free!