Google Voice

Getting Started with Google Voice

Already use Google Voice? Scroll down to "Tips and Tricks" or "Using Google Voice as Your Main Communication App".

Introduction

Google Voice is a free service offered by Google. When you sign up, you get a phone number you can use for texting, calling, voicemails, etc. It also integrates nicely with Google Contacts if you use that.

A couple of common uses for Google Voice are:

You would like a different phone number to use for business.
You do not have a mobile phone.

All of that is nice, and there are many other aspects that make Google Voice unique and useful. The best feature of Google Voice though is this: Forwarding. Your Google Voice number can forward calls to another phone number.

Another reason I use Google Voice is that I never lose my texts. I can search through years of texts and find exactly what I am looking for in a matter of seconds. As you can see, there are many reasons why Google Voice may be perfect for you!

Getting Started

When you go to the Google Voice website, it will have two buttons, "For personal use" and "For business". Select the one that applies to you. The personal one is free. Business use starts at $10 per user/per month.

After making your selection, it will guide you through the process to get everything set up, including choosing a phone number. We won't cover that here, as it should be pretty self-explanatory. If you have any questions though, feel free to email me at the address listed at the bottom of the page.

Once you are all set up, you're good to go! You can now make/receive calls, receive voicemails, and send/receive texts. The different screens for these options are on the left side (for desktop) or on the bottom (for mobile). Did I mention there is also a mobile app for Google Voice? It's pretty great!

Tips and Tricks

Forwarding

In the settings for Google Voice, you can add "Linked numbers". Once you've added one, you can turn on Call Forwarding. Forwarding calls to a linked number will send all calls you get to that linked number. They will also be logged in Google Voice.

Custom Call Forwarding Rules

You can set rules for how Google Voice handles incoming calls from specific contacts, or even anonymous callers. For a great guide on that, visit: https://www.theverge.com/2021/12/21/22848567/google-voice-custom-rules-phone-calls.

Ready to make Google Voice your main communication app?

Scroll down for info on how to do that!

Using Google Voice as Your Main Communication App

So you've used Google Voice for a long time, but don't know what to do now that text forwarding is discontinued?

There's a solution for you! Use Google Voice as your main communication app. Here are three easy steps to set it up:

Step One – Replace the Messages Icon with the Google Voice Icon

The easiest step!

Phone Home Screen with Google Voice Icon

Step Two – Change Google Voice Settings

Turn on message and missed call notifications if they are not already on.
Change the "Making and receiving calls" setting to "Use carrier only". Assuming you have unlimited minutes, this is probably your best bet to seamlessly start high-quality voice calls from the Google Voice app. Note that once Google Voice starts the call, it transfers to your regular phone app, so there will be a call log in both your phone app and the Google Voice app.
The "Calls started from this device's phone app" setting is personal preference. It's just asking whether you want calls started in the regular phone app to use your carrier number or your Google Voice one. I set this to 'Yes (all calls)', which means your phone app will make calls with your Google Voice number. If you need to use your carrier number as well, you could set this to 'No' and your phone app will make calls with your carrier number. Or you can set it so you select which number to call with every time you make a call.

Step Three – Turn Off Battery Optimizations for Google Voice

This will allow messages to get through immediately, even if your battery is low.

Most Android Versions: (First Screenshot)

Go to your phone settings, then Apps & notifications > Advanced > Special app access > Battery optimization. You may have to change the drop-down from "Not optimized" to "All apps". Scroll down to Voice, tap it, and select "Don't optimize", then tap 'Done'.

Android 12+: (Second Screenshot)

Go to your phone settings, then Apps > See all [Number] apps > Scroll down and tap on Voice > Battery > Select "Unrestricted", then you're done!

Google Voice Battery Optimization Settings

Android 12 Google Voice Battery Optimization Setttings

All Set!

You are ready to go! You can still use Google Voice call forwarding to your carrier number. Step Two made it so you don't have to worry about saving the Google Voice forwarding numbers to make outbound calls anymore. Now using Google Voice as your main phone number is even easier than before!