Google Voice

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I spent some time in July 2022 trying to set up a couple more Google Voice numbers, and learned the following along the way:

  1. G Suite accounts no longer allow personal Google voice activation.  Only paid business version is possible.
  2. Google allows parents to create child accounts. Google voice is not allowed on child accounts (learned this just before creating the accounts).
  3. Regular free Google accounts still can activate free Google voice personal version.
  4. A single US number can only be used to activate one Google voice number (need a different cell or landline phone number per account that you want to activate).
  5. Google Voice can port numbers in from other carriers, but they charge $20 for this.
  6. Google Voice numbers can be ported out to other carriers, but they are locked by default.  When you unlock your Google Voice number, it costs $3 USD. But if your number was originally ported in from another carrier, there’s no charge.

Note: Guam numbers still cannot be used to activate Google voice numbers.

Alternative: I was able to set up a free Talkatone US number while in Guam without needing a US line for verification.  It works for WhatsApp, but the Talkatone number cannot be used to activate Google voice (this and other free services must be blocked by Google ).