Google Voice

What is Google Voice? What are the benefits?

Google voice is a VoIP (voice over internet protocol) phone service that allows you to make texts and calls using the internet. Unlike WhatsApp, you can port your American number to your account. Additionally, calls and texts are treated as normal calls and texts; the recipient does not need to have or understand Google Voice.

Google Voice can be accessed on your desktop or mobile phone through an app.

Here is what it looks like on desktop. You can also download an app on your phone to receive calls and texts.

This is the mobile application interface. As long as you have an internet connection, everything works the same as a normal call or text.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Accessing personal financial accounts – banking, credit card, and investment accounts nowadays use 2 factor authentication. Most of these accounts do not allow international numbers. If you are going to live abroad in Spain, it is important to maintain access to your American finances.

Google Voice allows you to keep your American number and use it as normal without the cost of international texting, calling, or monthly payments. After porting your number, you can cancel your American phone plan.

Remember, you need internet to use Google Voice, so it is important to get a phone plan in Spain with data.
Making customer service calls – I’ve had situations in Spain where I needed to call my bank or credit card company after having my account frozen for suspected fraud. Emailing or messaging were not options. 1 short international call from Spain cost $30. After getting Google Voice, I was able to make the same call for $0.
Contacting your less tech savvy family and friends – I’ve tried, but my grandparents can’t understand WhatsApp. They use it for 1 or 2 days then forget how to answer my calls or messages. Google Voice lets you contact them, and they will receive a normal call or text. No learning curve!

Don’t confuse grandma with messaging apps!

Job hunting – There is no bigger red flag in a C.V. than a foreign phone number when looking for an online American job. Many job ads also require you to make a profile with your contact info. Spanish numbers need not apply. Having an American phone number (and a reliable VPN) can help you secure American income while living in a low cost of living country.
Save your American number – By porting your number to Google Voice, you can reserve your phone number for when you return to the U.S. You won’t have to pay a monthly phone plan for a service you won’t use.

Cons

Getting blocked – Some companies and services can recognize and block VoIP numbers. I have not had this experience with 2 factor authentication for my accounts, but it has happened when I applied to a job in the tech sector before. If you want to be safe, check below to see if your accounts accept a VoIP for 2 factor authentication before making the switch.

Crowdsourced List of Google Voice’s 2FA Compatibility
Set-up – Transferring your phone number to Google Voice will terminate your number with your provider. Make sure to organize things accordingly (cancel your plan after getting everything transferred correctly). The transfer process requires a little bit of extra information you will need to hunt for, but it’s not too difficult. There is also a one time $20 fee.
Spam – You will not receive more spam than typical. Again, this number will act as your normal American number.

I went 1 year without an American number before discovering Google Voice. My Spanish number might get 1 spam call a week. My American number receives multiple a day. Yes, it has been a huge convenience to have access to an American number, but I am constantly reminded of how much spam Americans get.

Set-up Requirements and Steps

Transferring your number to Google Voice will terminate your number with your current provider. The process can take a few days if you do everything correctly and a bit longer if you make mistakes entering your information.

I recommend going through this process just prior to your departure (3-4 days). In the short period of time between transferring your number and getting a Spanish phone plan, you will only have access to your phone number though WIFI.

If you are concerned about not having access to phone calls, texts, and data while you are between phone plans (remember, porting your number terminates your number with your current provider), you have a few options:

Option 1: Use a travel eSIM service that provides data while abroad for as little as 4 dollars for 7 days of service. This will allow you to use your phone for vital tasks when travelling and give you time to find a Spanish provider upon your arrival.

Saily – Affordable eSIM data provider
Get a 10% discount when using my link.

In the link above, you can select the country you are travelling to, check if your phone is eSIM compatible, and get your eSIM plan set up in just a few clicks.

Option 2: You can also wait until you are in Spain to port your number. You would have to use a VPN to set up Google Voice. With a VPN, you can connect to the U.S. and trick Google into thinking that you are still stateside.

(you may need to be able to receive an SMS confirmation with your US number while abroad)

Getting a VPN
(use the sponsored link to receive a 70% discount)

Required Items:

An American phone number. You can use your current number, or if you are already living in Spain with a Spanish number, you can get a temporary pre-paid plan in the States.
Be located in the USA either physically or with a VPN. Google Voice is not available outside of America.
Have an unlocked phone. This will allow you to change your SIM card on your phone after transferring your number to Google Voice and getting a Spanish phone plan.
$20 for the one time transfer fee. This will be paid during the set-up process.

Set-up
(During the set-up you will make a one time $20 payment)

Step 1:

On your computer, open Google Voice. You will open an account for personal use.

If you haven’t used Google Voice on your account before, set up Voice. You must pick a new number. Your ported number replaces the new number, so it won’t matter what the new number is.

Pick any random available number. This will not be a permanent number.

At the top right, click “Settings”
Go to the “Account” section
Under “Port a number to Google Voice,” click Port a number.

Click Get Started
Enter the phone number you want to port. Google Voice will send you a text message with a 6-digit code. If you prefer, you can choose to receive the code by call.

Enter the code you receive.
If your number can be ported, you’ll be prompted to enter your carrier account information. You can check your bill or carrier’s website for the account information.

They will request information such as a port-out PIN and your account number (not your phone number). All of this information can typically be found or requested on your provider’s website.

Your account number can be typically found on your monthly bill.

The transfer PIN (port-out PIN) can usually be requested or found at your carrier’s website.

Enter all the necessary information.
Review the porting request.

Phone numbers can take up to 48 hours to port. Text messages can take up to 3 business days to transfer to your Voice number.

Do NOT cancel your current phone plan until you receive a message stating that the porting request was successful.

Conclusion:

After finishing the set-up process, I recommend downloading the app on your phone and adjusting the notification settings to your preference.

At this point, you can also cancel your American phone plan. I continue to use my Google Voice number from a plan I cancelled over 8 months ago without problem. Some phone service providers will try to convince you that you need to keep your American phone plan for Google Voice to work. This is not true.

When you go to Spain, you will get a much cheaper Spanish phone plan (and Spanish phone number). Using data or WIFI, you can also continue to use your American phone number

Google Voice may ask you to link numbers. This basically forwards calls and texts from your ported number to your real, current number. As someone who doesn’t want to receive the constant U.S. spam calls on my Spanish number, I recommend not linking anything. You can always hit “skip” when they ask.

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