Porting transfers your Google Voice number to Beside entirely - Beside becomes your new carrier for that number, which will no longer work on Google Voice. All calls and texts will go through Beside directly.
Why porting is recommended:
Full integration - calls and texts, all in Beside
No reliability issues - unlike call forwarding, porting has no known limitations with Google Voice
Your number stays the same - nothing changes for the people who already know how to reach you
🟡 Prefer to try call forwarding first?
Due to Google Voice's own limitations, call forwarding may not work reliably.
If you still want to try it, follow the detailed setup guide to maximise your chances: 📖 Forward a Google Voice number to Beside
Things to know before you start
The app will walk you through the full porting flow step by step, but it's worth reading these points first so there are no surprises.
⚠️ Two-factor authentication codes (2FA):
Beside does not support receiving 2FA messages by default, such as codes sent by banks or online services.
If 2FA is important to you, reach out to our Support team - we can request an exemption on a case-by-case basis.
📌 Porting during your free trial:
You can submit a porting request during your trial, but our team will only approve it once your trial ends and your paid subscription begins.
Start the porting process in Beside
The app guides you through each step - you can pause at any point and return later to continue.
1️⃣ Open your Beside app settings
Go to Settings - Phone section - Configure Number - Port & Replace, choose Google Voice, and follow the on-screen instructions.
On a 👥 Business plan: under Phone Numbers, tap the Beside line you want to use with your Google Voice number, then tap Configure Number - Port & Replace.
2️⃣ Unlock your number and get your PIN
The app will link directly to Google Voice for both steps, but you can also do this in advance:
Unlock your Google Voice number for porting (Google may charge a $3 fee)
Get or create your voicemail PIN - you'll need it in the next step
3️⃣ Enter your phone number and PIN
Enter your 10-digit Google Voice number and your voicemail PIN in the app.
4️⃣ Upload proof of ownership
Upload a document that clearly shows your phone number and registered name. Accepted documents:
A screenshot of your Google Voice account showing your name and number
Your latest monthly bill
A receipt for the number purchase
5️⃣ Fill out and sign the authorization form
The app will open a Twilio Letter of Authorization (LOA) for you to fill out and sign. This authorizes the transfer of your number.
6️⃣ Submit
Once submitted, a support conversation will open automatically in your Beside app - you'll get a notification you can tap to access it.
Our team will review your request and take care of the rest.
💡 You can check your porting status at any time under Settings - Configure Number. From there you can also contact Support or cancel the porting process if needed.
📌 Service continuity:
Porting usually takes about a week, up to two. Your Google Voice number keeps working throughout - there should be no disruption.
Once porting is done, your Google Voice number becomes your Beside number, and your original Beside-assigned number is replaced.
FAQ
Is there a cost to port my Google Voice number?
Is there a cost to port my Google Voice number?
Google charges a one-time $3 unlocking fee before you can port your number. The porting process itself is handled by Beside at no extra cost.
How long does porting take?
How long does porting take?
Porting typically takes about a week, though it can take up to two. You'll be notified in your support conversation once it's done.
Can I still receive calls while porting is in progress?
Can I still receive calls while porting is in progress?
Yes - your Google Voice number continues to work normally during the porting process. There should be no disruption to your service.
Can I port my number during my free trial?
Can I port my number during my free trial?
You can submit the request during your trial, but our team will only approve and complete the port once your trial ends and your paid subscription begins.
Why not just use call forwarding instead of porting?
Why not just use call forwarding instead of porting?
Due to Google Voice's own limitations, call forwarding can be unreliable. Porting gives you full integration - both calls and texts - with no known reliability issues. If you still want to try forwarding, see 📖 Forward a Google Voice number to Beside.