Do you want to maintain your phone number? If you’re looking for a means to maintain your USA mobile phone number while relocating abroad so that you may use it on return visits to the US or when you return for good, Google Voice is the way to go.
It took me 1.5 years of living abroad and 18 monthly payments to Verizon Wireless to finally discover a solution that enables me to maintain my USA cell number and continue communicating with other Americans in the US while living in the UK.
Despite countless Verizon live conversations from the UK and searching all the incorrect search phrases, it was American ex-pats in the UK that solved my USA mobile phone issue. I had no idea that Google Voice would be all I needed to discover the solution to my pricey multiple-nation mobile phone dilemma.
Whether you want to transfer carriers in the United States and retain your old number, or you want to move overseas and keep both (your old number and your new international number), Google Voice allows you to port your mobile number so that you can still receive calls and messages while living abroad.
The cost of porting your mobile phone number to Google Voice is just $20. When you’re ready to return to the United States and reactivate your mobile phone number with a USA mobile phone carrier, you unlock your number via the Google Voice unlock page (see Option 2) and notify your mobile phone provider that you wish to use your number. They will handle the rest of the setup. And it’s completely free!
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You should know a few things before porting your cell phone number to Google Voice.
Before you begin the process of porting your phone number, keep the following in mind:
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You MUST be able to receive calls or texts from Google Voice to your mobile phone number.
This is done to validate you and prevent misuse. Because you must be able to take a phone call or text, you must be in the United States at the time. You may activate an international plan on your cell phone if you are already in another country. Alternatively, ask a friend or family member in the United States to authenticate on your behalf using their own phone number, but keep in mind that they will never be able to join up that number with Google Voice.
Installing a VPN on your mobile device and laptop is another alternative if you are currently overseas. Set the country to the United States to simulate being in the United States, and have a friend or family handle the Google transfer procedure physically from the United States.
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You cannot cancel a port request after it has been submitted.
Within 10 minutes of submitting the port request, I panicked and hit the “Cancel” button out of worry that I hadn’t followed the Google Voice instructions properly. Contact your mobile service provider immediately if you did not intend to migrate your number.
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If you don’t make a payment to your mobile phone carrier within 24 hours, they will suspend your service.
Submit your port request as soon as possible, preferably within 24 and 96 hours after departing the United States. At the outset of my most recent journey to the United States, I decided to terminate my account after rapidly recognizing that I would be without mobile phone coverage for the duration of my stay. I waited until I was leaving for the UK again to make the port request, and according to Google Voice’s word, my mobile phone service was promptly suspended when the port request had finished processing. When your account’s expiration date approaches, you’ll get a notification email informing you that your service will be terminated.
Installing a virtual private network (VPN) and pointing it towards the United States on a mobile device is the next best thing to actually being there.
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Be aware that unused days on your cell plan will not be reimbursed.
Even if you have days or weeks remaining on your phone for the month, your phone carrier will not reimburse you for unused days. You pay for the whole month, regardless of consumption or suspension status. This is how Verizon and other mobile phone networks operate.
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Google Voice does not need a phone number to forward to in order to function.
If you do not have another mobile phone carrier to whom you may connect or forward your transferred mobile number, you can still use Google Voice by changing the Google Voice configuration to Wi-Fi and Data.
This option enables you to use the Google Voice app to make calls, text, and retrieve messages even if you do not have an active mobile phone carrier. You’re fine to go as long as you have a data connection (such as free Wi-Fi).
Can I keep my UK mobile number if I move abroad?
You can keep your UK mobile number when you go abroad. Just tell your network you are going to be abroad and they will arrange for your calls and texts to be forwarded to your UK mobile number.
How do I keep my Australian mobile number when moving overseas?
If you are moving overseas and would like to keep your Australian mobile number, you will need to contact your mobile service provider and advise them of your plans. They will then be able to assist you in keeping your mobile number.
Can I use Google Voice from outside the US?
Yes, you can use Google Voice from outside the US. You will need a US phone number to set up your account, but you can use your Google Voice number to make and receive calls from anywhere in the world. You may incur some charges for international calling, depending on your carrier‘s rates.
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