Table of Contents
Introduction
Being the world’s third-largest telecommunications company, AT&T is a subsidiary of AT&T Inc that offers wireless communication services. It is a good alternative to Google Voice, another VoIP service.
A lot of Google Voice users are looking for an alternative because Google Voice isn’t diverse with respect to the functionalities it offers, doesn’t provide any integrations, and can sunset products abruptly.
If you wish to port a Google Voice number to AT&T but have reservations about the process involved, you’re at the right place. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the entire process of porting your Google Voice number to AT&T.
How to port a Google Voice number to AT&T?
Transferring your number from Google Voice to AT&T is not as cumbersome as it appears. Follow these steps to port a Google Voice number to AT&T:
Step-1: Check whether your number is eligible for porting
Before doing anything else, just head to https://www.att.com/wireless/transfer-your-number/ and check whether your number is eligible for porting.
If your number is eligible, then follow the steps below. AT&T accepts Google Voice numbers, However, existing AT&T numbers and the numbers not associated with a wireless device are not accepted.
Step-2: Go to your Google Voice profile and unlock your Google Voice number.
Before you transfer your Google Voice number to AT&T, you will have to unlock the number. To unlock your Google Voice number, go to Google voice profile > Settings > Account. You will be redirected to the Google Voice unlock page. There, you need to select the number you need to port and click on ‘Unlock my number’, and then hit ‘Continue’. This is how it will look:
Step-3: Pay the $3 fee
The next steps will take you to the payment portal wherein you will have to pay $3 to Google Voice to unlock your number. Once the payment is successful, you will get a confirmation email from Google Voice.
Step-4: Contact AT&T and submit your porting request
Now you need to contact AT&T support and submit your transfer request.
You need to keep the following information handy while submitting your request:
- Google Voice number
- Google Voice account number
- 4-digit PIN
- Social Security Number
AT&T will notify Google Voice to release your number by providing the necessary documentation, including the LOA and invoice (past invoice from google voice), for verification and processing.
Upon unlocking the number and placing a porting request, the status of your number on your Google Voice account will change to ‘Unlocked’ within a couple of minutes. At most, it will take a couple of hours. If it still doesn’t change, then there is some issue with the porting request.
How the Porting Process Works
Once you submit the signed LOA to AT&T, your job is done. AT&T will take it from there. The porting process will take around 3-5 business days. AT&T will start working with your current carrier to approve the number transfer.
Will I face any downtime while my number is getting ported?
You might think that if you’re getting your number ported, there would be a downtime of 3-5 days until it gets ported and you wouldn’t be able to use your number. But that’s not the case.
Until the request gets approved and the number gets ported to AT&T, you can access it on Google Voice. If you have unlocked your number on Google Voice, it doesn’t mean that you cannot use it unless the porting process is completed. You can easily do business with your number on Google Voice till it gets transitioned. You won’t face any downtime.
Once the port is completed, you can simply move it over/ trigger the move. It simply means that you will have to tell AT&T to make the number live. You need to authorize the transfer to complete the port. Your number stays yours. If you port a number from one carrier to another, you’re simply switching services.
Even if AT&T is taking care of the porting process, it doesn’t own your number. You will have to ask AT&T to take it live. If you don’t trigger the move, then the port will get canceled and the number will go back to Google Voice.
When your number is ported, you’ll get a confirmation from AT&T. After this, if you go to your Google Voice account, you’ll no longer see your Google Voice number there. It means that your number has been successfully ported. However, make sure that everything has been migrated to your new carrier to ensure the smooth functioning of your business number. Keep this checklist handy to ensure that you don’t miss out on anything:
If the porting request is successful, you will get a confirmation regarding the same. However, you still need to check whether your phone has gotten a cell signal and is able to place outbound calls. Once your port is correctly setup, you will be able to make outbound calls and your inbound calls and messages will get re-routed to AT&T. If your number porting hasn’t been completed within the suggested time frame, then make sure to contact AT&T for the same.
Pro tip: There is a possibility that you reach out to AT&T to check the porting process and they ask you to check in with the losing carrier, Google Voice. In such a case, you can head to the support page of Google Voice – https://support.google.com/voice/community?hl=en&sjid=11168822883155127865-AP
Here are some things to keep in mind throughout the porting process:
- Do not cancel your account with Google Voice until the port is completed. If you do that, your number transfer will get cancelled
- Make sure to add all the information correctly while placing the porting request. Any incorrect details will lead to confusion and hence delay in porting
- While placing your request with AT&T, choose ‘Keep my number’ at checkout
- You might experience ‘mixed services’ immediately after your number gets activated. This is because the entire system is getting transferred. However, this will last no longer than 4 hours. Your messages could take up to 8 hours to work properly. However, the data will start working immediately as soon as the service gets activated.
- The number will continue to work on Google Voice until you trigger the move. Just remember that if AT&T doesn’t confirm the status of your transfer immediately, it will continue to work with Google Voice and give you an update via email.
- Your current plan with Google Voice will continue to work unless you approve the transfer to AT&T.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I find the Account number and PIN on Google Voice?
Answer
You can locate your PIN and Account number from your Google Voice account. The account number if your 10-digit Google Voice number and the PIN is the one you use to access Voicemail.
Can I request porting on my mobile device?
Answer
No, you cannot request porting from your mobile device. You need your desktop to unlock your Google Voice number and initiate a porting request.
What to do if I get stuck with the porting process?
Answer
If you get stuck with the process or you don’t get any confirmation from your gaining provider AT&T, then feel free to reach out to their community forums and support team:
- https://forums.att.com/
- https://www.att.com/support/
- Call 855.401.9291
What if I forget my Google Voice PIN?
Answer
If you can’t remember your PIN, log in to your Google Voice Account. From there click Settings. Now go to the Voicemail tab and click ‘Enable Call To Listen’. Hit ‘Reset’ and enter the new PIN. Click ‘Save’ and then send the new PIN to AT&T.
What are some good Google Voice alternatives?
Answer
In addition to AT&T, some great Google Voice alternatives are:
Emitrr, OpenPhone, RingCentral, Ooma, Nextiva, Telzio, Vonage, Ringover, Talkroute, Ringblaze, JustCall.
Conclusion
Porting your Google Voice number to AT&T isn’t as cumbersome as it looks. Just make sure to follow the above instructions to the T and make sure to track the porting status. Happy porting!
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