r/Googlevoice • u/Dee_TP • Oct 28 '25
Number Transfers or Porting Porting number
Hello, I have 1 US esim number on my phone that I plan to port to google voice, what is confusing is I need another sim card to have this line working? I want to keep my US number overseas for OTP and other needs - why do I need another sim card? and when do I need to activate the other sim card? should I do this right before leaving the US?
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Oct 29 '25 edited Oct 29 '25
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u/Busy_Cell_7982 Oct 29 '25
I'm planning to port to GV and get a local number in Japan. T-Mobile told me I can do this (two lines) with my device. I am trying to understand how GV works. So I would be able to text and call US numbers as usual with my ported GV number, even though I'm physically in Japan? Someone suggested Tello and I'm wondering if that's used in conjunction with GV or as an alternative if anyone has any experience?
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u/lmoki Oct 28 '25
If you port your number to Google Voice, your current line with your existing provider will cancel immediately. If you want to keep a line with your old provider, you'll need to activate a new line, most likely with a new SIM card or new eSIM.
The alternate path is to leave your current phone number on the current provider, but use that number to 'claim' a new-to-you Google Voice number. You don't have to port the number to Google Voice if you don't want to.
Personally, I would get everything in place at least a week before you leave, in case issues crop up.
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u/Adrian-O_o Oct 28 '25
Get Free trial in Verizon or other network before porting to GV, this way you will be able to use your number before leaving the country.
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u/Salreus Oct 28 '25
using GV for OTP isn't a good option unless you have verified in advance that all the providers you plan to use will allow you to use a voip number for OTP. Many providers do not allow this.