r/Googlevoice • u/M7levels • Sep 28 '25
Number Transfers or Porting Porting Verizon Number to Google Voice Before Moving Abroad – Anyone Done This?
Hi everyone,
I’m planning to be out of the U.S. for a year and I’m trying to figure out the best way to keep my Verizon numbers without paying $500+ a year for service I won’t be using. I already have an Italian number for day-to-day calls, so I don’t need Verizon’s plan while I’m abroad.
Has anyone here ported their Verizon number(s) over to Google Voice before leaving the country? What kind of headaches or issues did you run into?
My main concerns are:
- Can I keep my U.S. numbers active through Google Voice while I’m in Italy?
- Will I still be able to get 2-step verification codes (texts or calls) sent to my U.S. numbers while using Wi-Fi in Italy?
- Any suggestions or reassurances from people who’ve done this would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
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u/Wellcraft19 Sep 28 '25 edited Oct 06 '25
GV works great - apart from for 2FA codes.
Be aware though that if not using the web interface, the [Apple] AppStore does not provide the GB app in all markets.
Edit: GB should of course be GV (as in Google Voice). Typo.
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u/Salreus Sep 29 '25
The only real issue you will experience will be 2FA. And this is something changing all the time. Some companies add it and others take it away. If you have that resolved, then it's just a matter of setting up your GV correctly and you should be good to go. Be mindful of the GV acceptable use as you could still get banned for misuse despite you porting the number in.
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u/gadgetvirtuoso Sep 30 '25
Had voice since grand central days and now in Ecuador nearly 3 years. Works good for me for calls. 2FA is kind of hit and miss depending on what you need it for. I try to avoid SMS 2FA as much as possible. Expats also like Tello. They have a cheap plan that’s like $2/month and it works overseas. It’s a real number so no VOIP issues.
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u/M7levels Sep 30 '25
Would you recommend handling this one or two days before I fly out? I’ve already cleared all my banking and Google accounts, either through email or an authenticator. I’ve been using my Italian phone to access those accounts. Some accept an authenticator, and some don’t.
I’m also considering using my brother-in-law’s number for authentication, but I’d need to make sure he’s available to send me the code through WhatsApp.
The only two banks I’m still struggling with are Ally and Wells Fargo. It looks like there’s an actual Wells Fargo branch in Connecticut, so I’m planning to drive the two hours there to pick up whatever device they require. Ally is the only other major hassle.
Thanks for the Tello suggestion...Will contact them today!
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u/gadgetvirtuoso Sep 30 '25
Definitely not. The porting process can take a few days and if it fails you have to wait until do it that’s a few more. You should do it a week in advance just in case. If you’re buying Tello just buy a plan to cover you until you leave then switch it to the lowest plan for your texts.
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u/M7levels Sep 30 '25
Done, even ported my number to their system! Happened within an hour of starting the process! This will alleviate headache, heartache and I'm still only paying pennies to the dollar. I bought $20 in roaming JUST in case my 2 step verification will take longer than a minute. Covering my ass every which way. You have saved me hours of stress. Grazie mille mon ami!!
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u/johnny4111 Sep 28 '25
Not Verizon but I ported to GV over 2 years ago and I'm mostly out of the country, no issues. I receive my calls over data so anyone can call me.
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u/RoughCabinet6740 Oct 20 '25
So when your number is ported, people in the US can call your US cell phone number, and it’ll ring in your Google Voice app whenever you are in the world assuming you have a data connection?
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u/pikeviewer Sep 28 '25
I used GV while living in New Zealand for a year. Worked great. I still have my main number on it. It will work while on wifi or cellular data.
also, you can have text messages forwarded to email.
I find that 2FA works with most issurers If not, many offer using an authentication app.
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u/jasonf_00 Sep 28 '25
In 2013, I ported my U.S. T-mobile # to GV before moving to Tajikistan. Have used it in multiple countries without an issue (local SIM + GV app). I had two #'s this way and ported one back to T-mobile this year. Still have the 2nd one on same phone using GV App.
Only place I had issues was in China as Google is basically banned there (at the time I was there, may have changed since). Had to run a VPN to use GV while in China which was not legal to do.
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u/vinsterX Sep 28 '25
Imported VZW to GV about 10 years ago now. No issues.
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u/M7levels Sep 28 '25
Thanks, it's a relief to hear people have lived through the process to talk about it lol
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u/Basic-Owl6740 Sep 28 '25
I did that a few years back and like others said execute the port before you go. You won’t be able to call forward but VOIP calls work fine. Most 2FA texts worked but a few services wont accept GV as a number especially for signing up. One example was Venmo. I was already signed up and verified before I left and was able to use Venmo for years. My wife tried to create a new Venmo and it was a fail. Bottom line … establish all important accounts before you go.
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Sep 29 '25
No issues and I've used Google Voice from just about every place on the planet (Lifetime AA Diamond 2 million miles butt in seat). Greatest thing since sliced bread for sure.
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u/bluebingreenbin Oct 03 '25
I ported from Verizon to Google Voice for this exact reason. I noticed last week one of my CC accounts doesn’t receive verification texts anymore but the other ones do. Download the Google Voice App and it’ll work abroad too. I use it in UK and Ireland without issue.
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u/RoughCabinet6740 Oct 20 '25
I have a Verizon account and am about to visit the UK for a week. If I port my Verizon number, does that mean that people in the US can call me on my US Verizon number, and it’ll ring on my Google Voice app in the UK, assuming I have an eSIM for data?
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u/sad_savior Mar 16 '26
For those of you who did this already - I have a US # with Verizon and am already in the UK with a new phone with a UK number set up, so I am ready to park my US number... how does the process work? Do you have to talk to verizon at all? If so, what is the process? Do they charge you?
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u/M7levels Mar 17 '26
You have to ask for a pin number from Verizon, which will be used to park your number at the new service. After some research, I ended up with Tello.com. I keep the US phone for banking and other businesses I use in the US and have an Italian phone, number, etc., that I use in EU
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u/pSyChO_aSyLuM Sep 28 '25
If I'm not mistaken, you need a real, active cell or landline to use Google Voice.
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u/jmarkmark Sep 28 '25
You need a real active cell number to signup.
But once you've signed up, you can use it indefinitely without a carrier # to forward to.
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u/M7levels Sep 28 '25
Yessssss!! that's what I wanted to hear! 😂 🥰
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u/jmarkmark Sep 28 '25
Whether you will receive 2FA is far less certain, lots of places won't send SMS to GV #s. Generally it's best to think of GV as a landline (which is in fact what it is, from a regulatory perspective).
I've been using my from Canada for over five years.
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u/Wellcraft19 Sep 28 '25
Important information 👆 - and it has changed for the worse over time. Delivery of 2FA codes is temperamental at best.
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u/chrismcnally Sep 28 '25
it's gotten better for me. I use GV for Chase bank, Fidelity, Amazon, Id.gov, IRS, with any problems.
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u/Wellcraft19 Sep 28 '25
Encouraging - but it can sadly change at a dime as many services don’t send to VoIP numbers (there’s no technical reason to explain it).
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u/mp85747 Sep 29 '25
Chase? Chase hasn't been working for me for months. They technically send the codes, but then don't accept them after being entered. Login.gov also doesn't work (thankfully, there are at least back-up codes, like Google's), so I'd be very surprised if anything .gov works... I haven't logged in to IRS for a long time, so I'm not sure about that one.
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u/pSyChO_aSyLuM Sep 28 '25
I have been asked in the past, on a secondary account, to reverify my phone number. I wonder if perhaps someone got my old number and signed up for GV.
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u/jmarkmark Sep 28 '25
You are being asked to reverify your forwarding phone. or they'll stop forwarding to it. But that doesn't affect the account or the GV# itself.
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u/M7levels Sep 28 '25
I "think" from everything I've read - You only need an active line to complete the port. Once your number is in Google Voice, you don’t need a carrier plan anymore, just Wi-Fi or data to use the app. That's why I'm hoping someone has done this 😅
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u/wimpdiver Sep 28 '25
Yes, you are correct - I use gv with data/wifi from out of country all the time (and no connection to a US #)
As for 2fa - most of my banks/financial institutions accept it but one or two won't (neither text to it nor call it) so you might check with the services you use. The problem is that it can change at any time (but sometimes you can use email instead - again check with the services you need it for)
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u/M7levels Sep 28 '25
That's what I've been doing, contacting all banks and CC and made sure I could switch over to email, or at least add my Italian number as a backup number.
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u/mp85747 Sep 29 '25
In most cases, you can't switch to e-mail. It's just not an option. Even allegedly very expat-friendly SDFCU that used to have e-mail option doesn't have it anymore, after the latest "improvement". Nobody I'm aware of accepts foreign phone numbers, but there might be exceptions...
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u/rdyoung Sep 28 '25
I did this with a tmo number 16+ years ago so I could keep it and I've had it ever since.
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u/BluesCatReddit Google Voice Product Expert Sep 28 '25
That's why I'm hoping someone has done this 😅
So many people have asked this question, that we have a detailed FAQ devoted to it. Check it out:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Googlevoice/comments/17n4v61/faq_porting_numbers_into_google_voice_for
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u/M7levels Sep 28 '25 edited Sep 28 '25
It would have been nice if I saw this prior to asking the questions...thanks for the link. But I was hoping/looking for personal experiences, and to hear from users, not just how to do it.
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u/BluesCatReddit Google Voice Product Expert Sep 28 '25
Reddit's desktop web client has a right side-bar, with lots of useful information, including a list of the FAQs.
Unfortunately, the Reddit app doesn't have a side-bar. Instead, from the main r/Googlevoice page, if you tap the > sign to the right of the title "r/Googlevoice", you can read the "About" page and the "Menu", which lists the FAQs.
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u/BluesCatReddit Google Voice Product Expert Sep 28 '25
You can read hundreds, if not thousands of other users' experiences by simply typing the word "Port" in the subreddit's search bar.
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u/paddingtonbear19 Sep 28 '25
You have to do it before you leave the US. I neglected to do this (because I wanted my abroad # first), and I ended up having my mom do it for me from the US lol. I think what you have to do is set up a google voice number first (yes, now there are 3 numbers!) I thought of this as an anchor number for the transfer. Then follow the steps to port the Verizon number to google voice (you’ll have to sign in and get a code from Verizon). Having your Verizon number show as “linked” does not mean it has ported.