Is Google Voice not meeting your verbal communication needs? Did you perhaps want to try a different service like it? Well, we have bad news and good news. The bad news is that you can’t remove your Google Voice account without closing your entire Google account. However, the good news is that you can stop using it by cancelling your Google Voice number and disabling voicemail forwarding to it. This tutorial will show you how to do that.
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A few notes before deleting your Google Voice account number:
- If you transferred your existing mobile phone number into Google Voice to use as your Google Voice number, you can’t delete it.
- Cancelling your Google Voice number won’t delete any messages or voicemails that you’ve kept; you’ll have to do that yourself.
- Before you remove your Google Voice number from your account, you should make sure that you’ve disabled voicemail auto-forwarding to Google Voice from all the numbers you’ve linked to it. Our tutorial for how to do that can be found here.
To cancel your Google Voice number:
1. Access your Google Voice account.
Open your web browser of choice, navigate to www.google.com/voice, and log into your account.
2. Open the main menu for Google Voice.
Click the three bars in the top-left corner of the main page; this is the Main Menu button.
3. Access your Google Voice settings.
When the main menu pane opens, click Settings.
4. Ask to delete your Google Voice phone number.
You should automatically be taken to the Phones section of the “Settings” menu (click it in this menu if you aren’t). Underneath your Google Voice number, click Delete.
(Image source: Zubair Alexander)
5. After you’re sent to Legacy Google Voice, ask to delete your number again.
You will be taken to the legacy version of Google Voice. Once again, click Delete beside your Google Voice number.
(Image source: Zubair Alexander)
6. Click “Proceed” if you’re sure you want to delete your number.
A pop-up box will appear that will inform you of the consequences of deleting your Google Voice number. If you’re okay with this information and are sure you want to get rid of your number, click Proceed.
(Image source: Zubair Alexander)
Once your Google Voice number is cancelled, you can’t get a new one for 90 days. However, within that same time period, you can reclaim your old number if you wish. If you don’t, another person is free to claim the number for themselves.
To reclaim a deleted Google Voice number:
1. Go to Google Voice and log into your account.
Open your preferred web browser and visit www.google.com/voice. When you are asked to log into your account, do so.
2. Open the Google Voice main menu.
In the top-left corner of your main screen, click the Main Menu button to open it.
3. Switch to the legacy version of Google Voice.
Click Legacy Google Voice in the main menu pane to go back to the old version of Google Voice.
4. Ask for your old Google Voice number back.
In the left-hand pane, you should see your deleted Google Voice number below Get Your Old Number Back. Click this.
(Image source: Zubair Alexander)
5. Link and verify your mobile phone number to your Google Voice account.
Now you’ll have to link a mobile phone number back to your Google Voice number and verify it. Basically, the process for this is the same as steps 6 and 7 in our tutorial on how to get a Google Voice number.
That’s the best advice we can give you for how to remove your Google Voice account from operation. Hopefully, in the meantime, you’ll find a similar product that serves you better!
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FAQs
- Open Google Voice on a web browser. - Click on the gear icon in the top right corner to access "Settings." - In the Settings menu, go to the "Linked numbers" tab. - Find the phone number you want to remove and click "Delete" next to it.
How do I unlink my number from Google Voice? ›
- Open Google Voice on a web browser. - Click on the gear icon in the top right corner to access "Settings." - In the Settings menu, go to the "Linked numbers" tab. - Find the phone number you want to remove and click "Delete" next to it.
Can you permanently Delete a Google Voice number? ›
If you choose to discontinue Google Voice, you can delete your number. You can also port your number out of Google Voice or transfer your number to a different Google Voice account. Learn how to port or transfer your personal number. Important: This feature operates differently based on the type of account you have.
How do I cancel my Google Voice account? ›
Click Google Voice. Cancel Subscription . Read about charges after you cancel. Choose a reason for leaving and then click Continue.
How do I Delete all data from Google Voice? ›
You can delete all calls in your call history at once.
- Go to Google Voice.
- In the top right, click Settings .
- On the left, click Calls.
- Next to “Remove call history,” click Remove.
- In the box next to “I understand," click Remove.
Sign in to your Google Account. In the top right, click Settings . Under Account, the number listed is your Voice number. If no Voice number is shown, it means Voice isn't set up for this Google Account.
What happens if someone uses my phone number for Google Voice? ›
Lastly, the scammer can also use your Google Voice number to scam other people, by pretending to be you or someone else. They can also access your personal information, such as your contacts, messages, and voicemails, that are linked to your Google Voice account.
Can Google Voice account be deleted? ›
If you are not happy with your Google Voice account, you can delete it. To delete it, you have to log in to your Google account and find the 'Delete account' option. Next, you have to turn off voicemail for deleted numbers. Alternatively, you can also disable voicemail by email/message.
Does deleting Google Account delete Google Voice? ›
Your Google Voice account can not be deleted (you can delete call logs, voicemai, recordings, everything contained in your account but you can't delete the Google Voice account itself) but if you truly don't need your Google Voice account and number anymore, you can disable Google Voice and delete your Google number, ...
Why won't Google Voice accept my phone number? ›
You have tried to submit and link numbers too many times in a short period of time. Wait at least 24 hours before trying again. Your Google account has been flagged for some violation of Google's Terms of Service or its Acceptable Use Policy. You are ineligible to get a Google Voice number.
On the left, click Account. Under “Google Voice number,” find the number you want to delete. Delete number. When you get the message "You don't have a Google Voice number," click Get a number.
Can you get Google to delete all your data? ›
You can manually delete all activity from My Activity or filter by date and product to delete activity items or groups of activity. You can always delete activity manually, even if automatic deletion is turned on. You can delete your Google Account or delete a Google service.
What happens when you delete a Google Voice number? ›
What to Know When Deleting a Google Voice Number. Once your number is deleted, you can't receive calls or text messages on the number. You can still view your call and message history, though. After deleting a number, if that was the only number in your account, you have up to 90 days to reclaim that number if you want ...
Can Google Voice number be traced back? ›
For somebody to track google voice number, they'll need to have excellent hacking skills, as Google offers complete security for your number and data. Even though a Google Voice call number isn't traceable, it doesn't mean one can use it to make spam calls.
How many times can you change your Google Voice number? ›
One time in a 12 month period.
