This article will give you an insight on the features of the Google Voice, how to use the Google Voice App and what the Google Voice has got to offer.
Just when one thought the mobile telecommunication companies have done all there is, in making communication between people who are distances apart, exquisite, Google comes up with a telephony service that offers voice and text messaging, voicemail services, call forwarding, and even U.S. and international call termination for Google account customers in U.S. and Canada. It keeps getting better and better!
The telephony service is known as Google Voice; and you will know more about the Google Voice app and how to use it, as you read through this article.
What does Google Voice offer?
Google Voice is a telephony service which allows users to get a free phone number for calling, text messaging and for voicemail. It also gives users the liberty to link the free phone number to mobile or landline number.
With Google voice, you can make international calls at lower call rates; search through and get access to your voicemail like it is email, create personal voicemail greetings, send text messages from your device, and get to scrutinize callers.
To enjoy Google Voice services, you will need a Google account, U.S. phone number that can forward calls after ringing, and a Smartphone or computer that can access the internet.
Getting the Google Voice App
The Google Voice runs on the web, Android and iOS devices. For Android device, you can download and install the Google Voice App from Google play store while for an iOS device, you can download and install the App from iTunes store.
You can also access the Google voice using your computer web browser by going to https://voice.google.com.
Setting up a Google Voice account from your Android and iOS device
To set up a Google Voice account using your Android or iOS device’s Google Voice App, follow these steps:
- On your Android or iOS device, launch the Google Voice App. You will have to sign in to your Google account.
- Sign in to your Google account by filling the provided field.
- Click “continue” to accept terms of service and privacy policy. And you will be signed in to Google voice.
- You will then have to choose a Google voice number by searching for available numbers. Click “search”. You can search by city or area code for a number.
- From the search results, select a preferred number by clicking “select” that is next to the number.
- You will then be asked if you want to link your device’s phone number to your account. To do that, click the “NEXT”.
- Click “NEXT” and you will have to enter your phone in the provided field.
- Enter your phone number and “SEND CODE”. A 6-digit code will be sent as text to the entered phone number.
- Enter the 6-digit code in the provided field to confirm your phone number. Follow subsequent instructions to complete the setup.
Note: You will need at least one U.S. number to make or receive calls with your Google Voice number
Setting up a Google Voice account from your computer
To set up your Google voice account using the web, follow these steps:
- On your computer browser, go to https://voice.google.com
- Click the “SIGN IN” button at the top right corner of the page
- Sign in to your Google account using your email or phone number and password
- Accept the terms of service and privacy policy
- You will then be asked to choose a Google voice number by searching for available numbers. Click “search”. You can search by city or area code for a number.
- From the search results, select a preferred number by clicking “select” that is next to the number
- You will then be asked if you want to link your device’s phone number to your account. To do that, click the “NEXT”.
- Click “NEXT” and you will be asked to enter your phone in the provided field.
- Enter your phone number and “SEND CODE”. A 6-digit code will be sent as text to the entered phone number.
- Enter the 6-digit code in the provided field to confirm your phone number. Follow the subsequent instruction to complete the setup.
A look at the Google Voice | Usage
The Google Voice is a pretty plain platform. It has the search box and the menu icon. Clicking the menu icon will bring other options like messages, calls, voicemail, settings and so on. You can get a view of the Google Voice platform from your computer, by going to https://voice.google.com on a browser or you can also get a view of the platform from your iOS or Android device by opening the Google Voice App.
Making voice calls using Google voice from your computer
It is possible to make domestic and international calls using your Google voice number. To make calls using Google Voice from your computer, follow these steps:
- On your computer browser, go to https://voice.google.com
- Click the “SIGN IN” button at the top right corner of the page
- Sign in to your Google account using your email or phone number and password
- Click the “main menu” icon and then click “calls”
- Click “make a call”
- Type in the name or phone number of the person you want to call, in the provided field.
- Click the “call” at the bottom.
- Select how you want to make a call: either using linked number or Hangouts
Text messaging using Google voice from your computer
You can text message using Google Voice from your computer by first going to the https://voice.google.com. On the page, tap the menu icon at the top left corner and click messages.
Then, click “send a message” and type a contacts name or phone number. Type the message you want to send at the bottom and click the send icon.
Making Voice calls using your Android device’s Google Voice App
To make a voice call using your Android device’s Google Voice App, follow these steps:
- On your Android device, open the Google Voice App.
- Click the menu icon and then, click “settings”.
- Click the “phone number for outgoing calls”, under “calls”
- Select any of the call options: Yes (all calls), Yes (international calls only), and select number before each call.
- Click the call icon.
Making voice calls using your iOS device’s Google Voice App
To make a voice call using your iOS device’s Google Voice App, follow these steps:
- On your iOS device, open the Google Voice App
- Click the “add” icon at the bottom and then tap “make a call”
- Type the name or phone number of the person you want to call
- Click the call icon.
How can I send all calls to the voicemail?
To send all calls to the voicemail, go to the Google Voice app on your device, click on the menu icon to display its settings. Next, click on the ‘Do not disturb’. This is located under ‘phone numbers’.
How to send a Text message using Google voice from your iOS or Android device’s | Google Voice App
To text message, using the Google Voice in your Android or iOS device, follow these steps:
- On your Android and iOS device, open the Google Voice App
- Click the tab for messages
- Click the “add” icon
- Enter the name and phone number of the person you want to text a message to, in the provided field. You can create group text message by adding up to 30 persons.
- Type the message in the provided field and click the send icon
How to Add numbers to take your Google voice calls or text
To add numbers to take your Google Voice calls and text, follow these steps:
- On your device, open the Google Voice App
- Click the menu icon at the top left, and then click “settings”
- Click “new linked number” which is under “linked numbers”
- Follow subsequent instructions to add a number. You can add as many as six numbers.
How to change numbers that you want to take your Google Voice calls or text
To change the number that you want to take your Google voice calls, follow these steps:
- On your device, open the Google Voice App
- Click the menu icon at the top left, and then click “settings”
- Next, click “calls”
- Click “forward calls to linked numbers” and then uncheck the numbers you do not want calls or text forwarded to.
How to Unlink a number from Google voice
You can unlink a number from Google Voice by following these steps:
- On your device, open the Google Voice App
- Click the menu icon at the top left, and then click “settings”
- Click the “linked numbers” which is under “phone numbers”
- Tap the remove icon, next to number you want to remove Buying credit to make calls
Most calls made within U.S. and to Canada are said to be free. Calls to the outside of U.S. will be charged according to their international call rates. So you will need to have credit to make calls to places outside U.S.
It is essential to note that you cannot buy credit through the Google Voice App; you can only do that by going to http://voice.google.com from your device browser.
From your computer web browser, go to http://voice.google.com and sign in with your Google account details. Click the menu icon at the top left corner, and click “credit”. Now, click the “add credit” that is under “your current balance”, select an amount of credit to add, and then click “add credit”. Use your Google account to pay and you will be sent an email to confirm your purchase
From your iOS or Android device’s web browser, go to http://voice.google.com and sign in with your Google account details. Click the “setting” icon at the top right, and then tap “add credit”. Select the amount of credit you want to add. Use your Google account to pay and you will receive an email to confirm your purchase.
How to Block unwanted calls
You can block someone’s phone number and prevent the person from contacting you on Google voice. It is good to note that blocking someone on Google Voice will also block the same person in Hangouts.
To Block someone on Google Voice, from your computer, follow these steps:
- On your computer browser, go to https://voice.google.com
- Click the “SIGN IN” button at the top right corner of the page
- Sign in to your Google account using your email or phone number and password
- Click the “message”, “call” or “voicemail” on the menu icon, at the top left corner.
- Next, click the text message, call or voicemail.
- Click the “more” icon and then click “block number”
- Click the “block” to confirm
To block someone on Google Voice, from your Android or iOS device’s Google Voice App, follow these steps:
- On your Android or iOS device, open the Google Voice App
- Click the “message”, “call” or “voicemail” on the menu icon, at the top left corner
- Click text message and tap the “more options” icon. Tap “people and option” and then click “block number”.
- Click the call or voicemail and tap the “more options” icon. Then, click “block number”
Note: Google voice is only available in the US; and calls, using Google voice, from outside the US can be done using Google Hangouts.
Conclusions
So, there it is. One of the new-age modes of telecommunication, in the name of Google Voice, is up and running. Although it is only available in the United States, it is believed that Google is doing all they can to radiate the Google Voice service across the globe.
If you are in the United States, start enjoying the Google voice, but if you are outside the United States, just keep calm, because pretty soon, you will start enjoying the service too.