Description
How to Use Google Voice
Google Voice is a service from Google that gives you an additional phone number you can use to receive and make calls on your iPhone or Android mobile phone as well as the web.
It’s a unique and useful service that you can use for personal reasons, just to have another phone number or a business number that directs calls straight to your mobile phone.
How to Set Up Google Voice
Go to voice.google.com and sign up either for personal use or business use.
The personal use option is free, while the business use option comes with a monthly charge. You can use it on the web or your mobile phone (both Android and iPhone).
How to Set Up Google Voice on the Web
When you click on the personal use option button, you’ll get a drop-down menu to select Android, iPhone, or web options. If you select the web option then, you will be prompted to sign in to an existing Google account.
The business option will direct you through a series of steps on how to set up the service for your company.
How to Set Up Google Voice on your Phone
Step 1: Download the app on Play Store or the App Store. The app will detect any existing Google account on the first page or screen and ask you to log in to continue with the setup. You can also choose to add another account.
Step 2: On the next page, select a Google service number from the available options, by city or area code. Press the search button at the bottom and select a number near you or in your area code
Note that to qualify, you must have an existing US-based number (landline or mobile). You also need this number for verification or you won’t be able to set up the service.
Step 3: When you select your number, the app will take you through the verification steps and if successful, your Google voice account will be ready to use.
How to Make Calls on the Google Voice App
At the bottom of the interface, you have four menu options; call contacts, messages, and voicemail.
For phone calls, tap on the dial button, and a number pad will pop up just as it would on your phone. Type the number you want to call and tap on the dial button to make the call. When you receive calls, the app will forward them the number associated with the service and your phone will ring.
*Note that you will have to purchase credits for international calls.
It might look a little different on the web version in terms of the visual design but the overall principle is the same. This applies to the text messaging option as well.
As for voicemail, Google Voice actually transcribes your voicemail to text by default. This is a really super useful feature that can allow you to copy, email, or do several other things with the text.
Additional Settings
Tap on the three lines at the top left side of your screen to access additional settings and general information about your account. You can view your Google Voice number, your credits, and how you want the service to handle your calls.
How to Make Google Voice Calls on the Web
Once you have a Google Voice account, you can also sign-in on the web at voice.google.com. You can go ahead and make calls, send texts, or go through your voicemails on your web browser using the same account and the same Google Voice number.
Conclusion:
Setting up Google Voice on any device is super simple. It works on Android, iOS, and the web, with all your devices communicating under the same account and phone number.
The fact that several people can receive the same call on their mobile phones makes Google voice a powerful business tool. You can check out more options, advanced settings, and other features.