Google prompting for Re-certification of Linked Numbers

[whacker]

I have three numbers set up as being linked to my main GV account.

I can't say in the 13 years or so I've been using GV that I've ever run into this, but just last week I got an email to my associated Gmail account that they would like me to re-certify a particular one of my numbers to continue it working for receiving calls forwarded from my GV account, and to do it within 30 days. I could either click on a link or go directly to my GV app's Settings area. I did the latter and found there was a prompt that said something to the effect that the number was already suspended, which it was not, but I went on and did the procedure, which just sent a code via SMS text directly to that phone, which you then enter into a form that appears through the app. All done.

Today in waking up I found a similar email notification waiting to re-certify a second number. I knew the drill and went for it.

I'm now just waiting to see how long it takes to receive a prompt regarding the remaining number.

Like I wrote earlier, I've never encountered this re-certify routine. Are others of you seeing this too? At first I thought it was aimed at my least used number, which would've been that first one. But now it appears they're just going down the list. I wonder, since it's not something based on simple house-cleaning on their part, if it'll be every several years when this happens again. Is there any word on the street about this that anyone's heard?

[WheelieBoot]

I've had the notice before about using the GV numbers when I had 3 of them. I let two expire and have one now that I ported to GV.

I don't get the expiration notice now but they do still make me reverify a phone's number occasionally, one I associate with the GV number.

Sent from my moto g(7) optimo maxx(XT1955DL) using HoFo mobile app

[Boz1]

I've seen this before for my mom and dad's phone #, which I had added some time ago when I was helping them with something, and answering on their home phone was just easier, but hadn't had enabled for a long time.

I didn't reverify, but it's still showing on my GV account with a "Reverify" button next to it.

Had you received any forwarded calls on the numbers in question recently?

[whacker]

Generally speaking I'm usually covered by Wi-Fi, except when driving. So with as few calls as I get not many would have a chance to ring by forwarding to cell. That is a bit of a change for me, as the VoIP part of GV wasn't doing it's job too well for incoming calls, so at that time (earlier this year) it was mostly ringing via carrier/cellular. But that problem has been fixed.

I'm tending to think it's simply that a predetermined time interval has passed, and their computer control is just making the rounds in inquiring through the prompt for people (me) to make sure things are up to date regarding how you've got GV configured. Similar to how they're trying to get people to indicate they want to keep un- or rarely used Gmail accounts active, but in that case by using them (this was publicized recently in various tech press). In the case of this aspect of GV, they're not insisting the linked numbers be used, just re-verified.

I have a second GV account (which would imply a Gmail account and everything that goes with it) which I've been warned to use (several years ago) if I don't want to lose the GV-provided number, so for that I just developed the habit of sending texts between it and any other number that comes to mind (like my work phone or my primary GV number) about once a month. Which reminds me...

This current thing isn't seen as an issue. I just haven't encountered it. And even if you blow it off and that phone falls off your list in the GV app (just the linked number part, not the VoIP calling aspect), you just set it up again when you discover it. It would be nice to know what that interval check is set to though, and if there are actually any minimum usage stats they look for.

All three of my linked numbers (formerly "forwarded phones") have been configured into my primary GV account since it originated (~13 years ago), so that's a good long while.

[zapjb]

I let 2 GV #s expire. Have only the one linked to my phone left. It was silly of me to have those extra GV #s.

[Boz1]

I let 2 GV #s expire. Have only the one linked to my phone left. It was silly of me to have those extra GV #s.

I have 4 GV #s set up in my GV app, which I use over data only.

1) Original GV # I got in 2009, which is my primary #.
2) Old home phone # I ported to GV in 2015.
3) GV # I got in 2019 to test the then new GV app's VoIP capabilities, after it was announced that Hangouts GV integration would be ending.
4) GV # I got in early 2023 when I had many extra temporary Tracfone phone #s when I was playing the points game to get a plethora of free phones, and it seemed like a good idea at the time to use one to claim another GV #...

1) and 2) are necessary. 3) and 4) are bonus and probably not needed, but there's no reason I can see to NOT keep them.