If I merge my Verizon # and my GV #, will iMessage work as expected?

Question

If I merge my Verizon # and my GV #, will iMessage work as expected?

Hi, I just bought an iPhone 4s on Verizon since being a long time Android user and becoming sick of the low quality phones they offer. Regardless, I'm trying to get iMessage to work properly because for years I had been using Google Voice as my main texting platform, which allowed for free texts and MMS over data with no additional cost. The issue is that Google Voice creates a primary number to which all other phones are linked, so I have 2 numbers basically - Verizon & Google Voice.

Whenever I send a text through iMessage is reverts to my Verizon number, which none of my family/friends have because I've been so accustomed to giving out my Google Voice number for convenience.

I don't mind giving out a new number, but TLDR - if I go to Google Voice and ask that they change my Google Voice number to my current Verizon number (effectively merging the two as one), would iMessage work as it's supposed to? By that I mean would it recognize that the two phones are iPhones and switch the texting over to iMessage?

I'd appreciate any help in this matter!

iPhone 4S, iOS 6, Google Voice and iMessage

Posted on Dec 30, 2012 7:29 AM

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Answer 1

wjosten

Level 10

95,321 points

Dec 30, 2012 7:38 AM in response to thejesteroftortuga

That won't work, because once you port your number, any existing plan you have is terminated & if under contract you then pay an early termination fee, and since Google is not a cellular provider, you'd still have to sign up for service...get a new number...from your carrier.

Sounds like a huge mess for little if any gain.

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Answer 2

Dec 30, 2012 7:39 AM in response to thejesteroftortuga

iMessage is only going to recognize the number that is attached to the phone by Verizon. If you try to port the phone's number to Google (doable), you'd have two problems. One, it would cancel the contract you have with Verizon on that number possibly resulting in an early termination fee and two, you would have to get another number on the iPhone and you'd be right back were you were.

If you try to port your GV number to Verizon (which you would do through Verizon, not Google), it should work. You'd then need to get a new GV account, though.

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Answer 3

Dec 30, 2012 8:04 AM in response to IdrisSeabright

ah, I think this cleared my confusion up quite clearly. Thanks for your help.

I would recommend anyone looking into this issue to check out this article, in addition to the above posts.

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Answer 4

Dec 30, 2012 8:07 AM in response to thejesteroftortuga

Useful article. However, I would not guarantee that Step 2 would actually work.

I wish it were easier to switch numbers around......

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