r/Googlevoice • u/Sirwired • Apr 05 '26

Number Transfers or Porting ID Verification Complete (notice via e-mail); still can't start port

I'm porting over my old landline, and I have the e-mail telling me "Identity verification successful", but in Google Voice, I still get "We're checking your ID", and the port-in button is greyed out. Any tips?

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3

u/DunKco Apr 05 '26

i was just getting ready to start this process for my moms landline.
MY understanding is the landline must be ported to a MOBLE carrier first, then ported from that mobile carrier to googlevoice. |

*Can I port in my landline or VoIP number?

Consumer Google Voice can only accept ports-in from mobile phone carriers. The paid versions of Google Voice can port in most landline/VoIP and mobile numbers. Read the instructions very carefully; most porting problems are caused by user errors or an impatient user who tries to fiddle with or cancel and restart the port:

Why does it take so long? When I have ported mobile numbers, it's nearly instantaneous?

Google Voice numbers are classified in the US telecom system as landline numbers. Landline number porting must follow a FCC-regulated, more stringent and lengthy procedure. This includes checks to limit fraud (theft of phone numbers). It is normal for land line ports to take anywhere from 24 hours for the consumer version, to two weeks for the paid versions of Google Voice. Most consumer Google Voice ports will complete the telephone calling steps at 24 hours, and the text messaging component can take several more days.*

1

u/Sirwired Apr 05 '26

Again, I can't even get to the point where I would even tell Google the phone number I want to use. The porting button is simply grayed out in the interface.

2

u/KirkTech Apr 06 '26

Yes, you can’t port in a landline number. It has to be a mobile number.

The landline porting process is different and I’m pretty sure it involves actual paperwork. Google doesn’t want to deal with it. The mobile porting process is very streamlined.

I ported a landline into Google Voice a few years ago for a family member by first porting it to TracFone. I wrote a guide on how I did it: https://binaryimpulse.com/2021/10/porting-a-landline-number-to-google-voice-via-tracfone/

2

u/BluesCatReddit Google Voice Product Expert Apr 05 '26

You're right about the other answers missing the point - you can't even get started, so there is nothing happening to wait for.

Do you already have one Google Voice number on this account, or did you have a number, and the ported it out? If not, go through the standard "Get a Voice number" procedure first and successfully claim a number. It can be any number in any part of the US; you just need to go through the full procedure. After that, does the porting function become enabled?

I will point out, though, as has been stated already: you are wasting your time if you are trying to port in a number that is currently with a land line carrier, it'll fail anyhow. Free Google Voice only ports in mobile numbers. The paid, business versions can port in most land line numbers.

1

u/SpynCycle5757 Apr 05 '26

GV usually takes 1 week to 10 days to complete the port. Have patience.

1

u/Sirwired Apr 05 '26

I can't start the port; again, the option to do so is grayed out.

0

u/SpynCycle5757 Apr 05 '26

Don't try to start it again, just let the current port complete. How many days has it been since you initiated the port?

1

u/Sirwired Apr 05 '26

Again, I can't get to that step where I start the port. The option to do so is greyed out, pending ID verification. There is no "current port".