How long can a Google Voice number be inactive?

Answered by Jason Smith

A Google Voice number can be inactive for a period of 6 months before Google may reclaim it. This means that if you have not placed or received any calls, or sent or received any text messages for a continuous period of 6 months, Google has the right to reclaim your number. However, it’s important to note that Google will not reclaim numbers that have been ported in to Google Voice or made permanent.

The reason behind this policy is to ensure that inactive numbers are not being held indefinitely, as there may be a limited supply of available numbers. By reclaiming inactive numbers, Google can make them available for other users who may need them.

If you have a Google Voice number that you want to keep, it’s important to use it regularly to avoid it becoming inactive. This means making calls and sending text messages from your Google Voice number at least once every 6 months.

It’s understandable that there may be situations where you don’t need to use your Google Voice number for an extended period of time. In such cases, it’s a good idea to set reminders or make occasional calls or send texts to keep your number active. This way, you can ensure that your number remains yours and is not reclaimed by Google.

I personally have a Google Voice number that I use for certain purposes, such as for business calls or when I want to separate my personal and professional communications. To prevent my number from becoming inactive, I make sure to use it regularly. This helps me maintain control over my number and ensures that it remains available for my use whenever I need it.

A Google Voice number can be inactive for a maximum of 6 months before Google may reclaim it. To keep your number active and prevent it from being reclaimed, it’s important to place or receive calls, and send or receive text messages from your Google Voice number at least once every 6 months.