Can I have 2 Google Voice accounts?

What is Google Voice?

Google Voice is a Voice over IP (VoIP) phone and messaging service provided by Google (Google Voice overview). It allows users to get a free phone number that can be used to make and receive calls, send and receive text messages, and access voicemail.

Some key features of Google Voice include:

Ability to choose a phone number with your area code

Transcription of voicemail messages into text
Call forwarding to link it with your existing number
Accessible across devices like mobile, desktop, etc.

In summary, Google Voice gives users a virtual phone number along with various calling and messaging features, without requiring a separate physical phone service.

Benefits of Google Voice

Google Voice offers several useful features that make it an attractive option for a phone number service. Some of the key benefits include:

Voicemail transcription – Google Voice can transcribe your voicemails and send them to you as text messages or emails. This allows you to quickly skim voicemails instead of having to listen to each one.

Call screening – The call screening feature allows you to see a caller’s number before answering. You can also screen calls by having Google Assistant ask for the caller’s name and reason for calling. This helps avoid spam calls.

Low international rates – Calling rates through Google Voice to international numbers are significantly lower than traditional phone plans. This makes it affordable to call family and friends abroad.

Other notable benefits are the ability to send SMS texts, customize voicemail greetings, and ring multiple phones. Overall, Google Voice brings helpful communication features not always available through regular phone numbers.

Limits of a single Google Voice account

The main limitation of a single Google Voice account is that you can only have one phone number per account. This means you cannot have separate numbers for personal and business use within the same account.

In addition, call forwarding features are limited with a single Google Voice number. You can only forward calls to one number at a time. For example, you cannot forward calls to both your mobile number and landline simultaneously. The call forwarding options are also limited to forwarding all calls, rather than selective forwarding based on caller ID or time of day.

According to Google’s support page, “About Google Voice account types,” a single personal account only allows call forwarding to one linked number at a time. Paid Google Voice plans for business offer more flexibility, with the ability to forward calls to multiple numbers.^[1]

So if you need multiple phone numbers or more advanced call forwarding features, a single Google Voice account has clear limitations. Upgrading to a paid business account or obtaining a second Google Voice number may be necessary.

^{[1] “About Google Voice account types.” Google Support. https://support.google.com/voice/answer/9249103?hl=en}

Reasons for wanting a second Google Voice number

There are several reasons why someone may want more than one Google Voice number associated with their account, including:

Separating personal and business numbers – Having two Google Voice numbers allows you to keep your personal and professional communications separate. This helps maintain privacy and prevent unwanted solicitations.
Having numbers with different area codes – You may want a local number for the geographic area you live and work in, plus another number with a different area code for friends, family, or business contacts located elsewhere.

As discussed in the How to Use Multiple Google Voice Numbers? article, some other reasons are:

Giving out alternate numbers to people you don’t know well.
Testing advertising or marketing campaigns with unique phone numbers.
Having an anonymous number for online services.

The main appeal of multiple Google Voice numbers is separating contexts, maintaining privacy, and compartmentalizing communications.

Can you have two Google Voice accounts?

Google Voice allows users to get a free phone number that can receive calls, texts, and voicemails. This virtual number works alongside your existing mobile number. However, Google only allows one Voice number per Google account.

While you can’t have two Voice numbers on the same Google account, it is possible to open additional Google accounts and get a unique Voice number for each one. According to Google’s policies, there are no restrictions on the number of Gmail accounts a person can create [1].

To set up a second Google Voice number, simply create a new Google/Gmail account and sign up for Voice again using your new account info. You’ll be provided with a different virtual phone number. The main limitations are that you can only link one mobile number to each Voice account for verification purposes. Additionally, switching between accounts requires logging in and out.

In summary, having two separate Google accounts allows you to obtain two independent Google Voice numbers. While inconvenient to manage, this approach lets you get around the single number restriction.

Steps to create a second Google Voice account

Here are the steps to create a second Google Voice account:

1. Use a different Google or Gmail account – You’ll need to sign up for the second Google Voice number using an alternate Google/Gmail account than your first one. You cannot use the same account for two numbers.

2. Verify with a separate phone number – When signing up, Google will ask you to verify ownership of the new account by having them call or text a number you specify. This needs to be a different phone number than the one you used for your first account.

3. Link to the new Google Voice number – Once the new account is verified, you will be provided with a second Google Voice phone number. Make sure to link this number to your new Google/Gmail account.

That’s the basic process. As long as you use a different Google account and phone number to verify, you can create and obtain a second Google Voice number to use alongside your first one.

Features available with two accounts

Getting a second Google Voice number provides some useful additional features, including:

Get 2 separate numbers – With two accounts, you can have two different Google Voice numbers, which can be useful for separating personal and business calls or having a dedicated number for specific groups or purposes.

Increased call forwarding options – Each Google Voice number can be forwarded to its own set of linked numbers, giving you more flexibility in call routing.
More voicemail, texts, storage – Each account gets separate voicemail, text messaging, and storage for voicemails and texts. You essentially double the capacities.

In summary, having two Google Voice numbers allows you to segment and manage your communications in more customized ways across the various Google Voice features. Just keep in mind that the core functionality remains the same as a single account.

Limitations of having two accounts

While it is possible to have two separate Google Voice accounts, there are some limitations to be aware of when managing two accounts:

You will need to separately log in and manage each Google Voice account. This means checking voicemails, texts, and settings in two different places. There is no way to combine the accounts into one login or interface [1].

The call and text history will be separate for each number. You cannot view a combined log of all calls/texts received across both numbers in one place [2].

Certain Google Voice features like call screening, voicemail transcriptions, and do not disturb must be enabled separately for each number. The settings don’t carry over between accounts.

You’ll also have separate voicemail boxes for each number. Transcriptions for one number’s voicemail will not appear in the other account.

Overall, having two separate Google Voice accounts requires more effort to manage than having one account. The features and histories do not integrate across accounts.

Alternatives to a Second Account

Rather than going through the steps to create an entirely new Google Voice account, there are a couple options to get some of the features of a second account while sticking with just one:

You can port your existing phone number to Google Voice to get a new Voice number without setting up a whole separate account. This allows you to have your main Google Voice number, while also being able to use your old number that others may already have. To port a number, go to Voice Settings > Phones and click “Port” next to your existing number. Follow the instructions to transfer it over.

The other option is using Google Hangouts, which is integrated with Voice. Within Hangouts you can create multiple virtual phone numbers to call and text from. These act similarly to having multiple Voice numbers. However, there are some limitations compared to true separate Voice accounts. But Hangouts virtual numbers can provide added flexibility without the need for a second account.

Overall, both porting your prior number and utilizing Hangouts virtual numbers are simpler alternatives that give some of the benefits of a second full Google Voice account.

Summary

In summary, while Google Voice only allows one account per Google login, it is possible to create a second Google Voice number by setting up a separate Google account. The key points are:

Google Voice provides useful features like a free phone number, voicemail, call forwarding, and more.

There are valid reasons for wanting a second Google Voice number, such as separating personal and business calls.
To get a second Google Voice number, you need to create a separate Google account and then open a new Google Voice account using that login.
Having two Google Voice numbers allows you to take advantage of Google Voice features twice over.

The main limitations are that you can’t merge the accounts and need to manage them separately.

In the end, it is possible to have two Google Voice accounts by using two different Google logins, but there are some limitations to keep in mind.