How to Make Free Google Voice Calls on Android?

[la sal]

I have been reading on how to setup your Android phone to make free Google Voice Calls. Is there a step-by-step guide like you see with rooting on Youtube? I bought an Android phone for my mom to use on wifi. She lives in the sticks where there is no major provider coverage. When she is at a business with wifi, I would like for her to be able to make calls with it. Anyone out there that can help?

 

[saptech]

I'm new to using android phones myself, but from my understanding you need to create a GV account and choose a phone number (it can be local), on your computer. Then need to install the GV app on the cell phone. Then you would need another 3rd party app, (I hear GrooveIP is good).

After setting things up, I assume you would be good to go. Have you looked at the link below?

Google Voice for your phone

 

[la sal]

I'm new to using android phones myself, but from my understanding you need to create a GV account and choose a phone number (it can be local), on your computer. Then need to install the GV app on the cell phone. Then you would need another 3rd party app, (I hear GrooveIP is good).

After setting things up, I assume you would be good to go. Have you looked at the link below?

Google Voice for your phone

I installed Google Voice on my Android but...

My options in settings are:
Do not disturb
My phone number
Voicemail playback
Sync and notifications
Sign out
Legal
My google number
Build number
Dogfood settings

From what I have read on this forum, Making Calls is supposed to show up between Do Not Disturb and This Phone's Number.

Basically...my Samsung Epic 4G won't let me choose a number.

I checked the link but couldn't find anything on a step-by-step process.

 

[saptech]

I think on your computer and GV, you have to give it a phone number, such as a cell number or home number, I believe it can be any legit number and GV send a msg to that number for verification or similar.

Then it should show in Settings:
Do not disturb
"Making calls"
My phone number, should be the number already available.(cell or home)
Voicemail playback
Sync and notifications
Sign out
Legal
My google number
Build number
Dogfood settings

I'm surprise no one else jumped in to help. Search under the Applications section for my name, I had asked similar questions about GV.

Hope this helps.

 

[batman61]

You can use GV with the Sipdroid app (and a PBXes account) to make free calls over WiFi.

Take a look at this thread:

http://androidforums.com/android-ap...voip-calling-using-google-voice-sipdroid.html

 

[la sal]

You can use GV with the Sipdroid app (and a PBXes account) to make free calls over WiFi.

Take a look at this thread:

http://androidforums.com/android-ap...voip-calling-using-google-voice-sipdroid.html

Thank you. I'm stuck, though, as Google never gave me a phone number when I installed Google Voice. What am I missing here?

 

[batman61]

Use a web browser from your PC and get your Google Voice account/number setup first.

 

[la sal]

Use a web browser from your PC and get your Google Voice account/number setup first.

Google Voice for your phone

I clicked "Send to Phone". Received the text message that directed me to the Market. Downloaded the app (after uninstalling it before starting this process) and I still don't have the option "Making Calls".

Samsung is known for buggy phones...could this be the issue?

 

[la sal]

I give up. One star for Google Voice in the Market. The text messages were all broken up and the written voicemails were basically unreadable with all the errors in them.

Going to use Skype instead.

 

[Martimus]

I give up. One star for Google Voice in the Market. The text messages were all broken up and the written voicemails were basically unreadable with all the errors in them.

Going to use Skype instead.

That sounds more like a WiFi/carrier issue. I use GV daily with almost no issues, well other than the so-so transcribing of voice mails.

 

[KENNECTED]

That sounds more like a WiFi/carrier issue. I use GV daily with almost no issues, well other than the so-so transcribing of voice mails.

I agree, I love Google voice. I love the fact that I can answer texts on my computer and sync contacts, emails, message in my google account.

In addition, the latest update allows you to answer/compose messages when your device is "off line".

Now if they could only give us MMS.

 

[Clementine_3]

Now if they could only give us MMS.

Yeah, that is my only true issue with GV! I want my MMS.

well other than the so-so transcribing of voice mails.

That is the best part of GV, hours of fun!

 

[mplevy]

Google Voice for your phone

I clicked "Send to Phone". Received the text message that directed me to the Market. Downloaded the app (after uninstalling it before starting this process) and I still don't have the option "Making Calls".

Samsung is known for buggy phones...could this be the issue?

I think you skipped a step. You need to visit http://voice.google.com and register your Google account for Voice. The registration process assigns you (or lets you pick) a GV number and sets up your first phone to be linked to the number. Once you do that the Voice app on the phone becomes fully functional.

This post is as much for others interested in the solution since someone else suggested this step, and you seem to have disregarded it. I'll assume you'll do the same to my suggestion as you seem to be reluctant to accept this as the cause of your problem.

 

[la sal]

I think you skipped a step. You need to visit http://voice.google.com and register your Google account for Voice. The registration process assigns you (or lets you pick) a GV number and sets up your first phone to be linked to the number. Once you do that the Voice app on the phone becomes fully functional.

This post is as much for others interested in the solution since someone else suggested this step, and you seem to have disregarded it. I'll assume you'll do the same to my suggestion as you seem to be reluctant to accept this as the cause of your problem.

Reluctant? There always has to be one poster.

I was here looking for help and did try the link in the earlier post but was unsuccessful with my attempt. I will try your link (blocked at work) since even after uninstalling Google Voice, it won't allow my Sprint Voicemail to function now. My voicemails are still going to Google Voice despite the app being uninstalled.

 

[afmracer6]

thanks AWESOME!

 

[rhyansha076]

Just give up. I like to use skype. The voice quality is very good.

I have been reading on how to setup your Android phone to make free Google Voice Calls. Is there a step-by-step guide like you see with rooting on Youtube? I bought an Android phone for my mom to use on wifi. She lives in the sticks where there is no major throat cancer provider coverage. When she is at a business with wifi, I would like for her to be able to make calls with it. Anyone out there that can help?

 

[KENNECTED]

Reluctant? There always has to be one poster.

I was here looking for help and did try the link in the earlier post but was unsuccessful with my attempt. I will try your link (blocked at work) since even after uninstalling Google Voice, it won't allow my Sprint Voicemail to function now. My voicemails are still going to Google Voice despite the app being uninstalled.

I didn't answer this before.

la sal, have you actually registered for a Google voice account?

Please understand, installing the app on your phone does not create a Google Voice account.

On your desk/lap top, go to the Google Voice site and create an account. You must be logged into your google account to do this.

 

[la sal]

I didn't answer this before.

la sal, have you actually registered for a Google voice account?

Please understand, installing the app on your phone does not create a Google Voice account.

On your desk/lap top, go to the Google Voice site and create an account. You must be logged into your google account to do this.

Your link doesn't work but I went to the Google Voice site. Sprint has special instructions for setting it up. Rooting and flashing a ROM is a walk in the park compared to getting Google Voice to work on their network.

I guess I will call Sprint and see if I can at least get my Sprint voicemail back.

 

[mplevy]

Are you only using the phone to go to the site? Unfortunately, I think you NEED a computer to create the GV account or at least set your phone browser to load the desktop versions of sites.

 

[KENNECTED]

Your link doesn't work but I went to the Google Voice site. Sprint has special instructions for setting it up. Rooting and flashing a ROM is a walk in the park compared to getting Google Voice to work on their network.

I guess I will call Sprint and see if I can at least get my Sprint voicemail back.

What exactly are you doing. Setting up Google voice is simple and a breeze. Ignore the Sprint instructions unless you plan on integrating.

So that we can help you can you tell us in detail exactly what you're doing, when trying to set up your Google Voice account?

 

[la sal]

What exactly are you doing. Setting up Google voice is simple and a breeze. Ignore the Sprint instructions unless you plan on integrating.

So that we can help you can you tell us in detail exactly what you're doing, when trying to set up your Google Voice account?

First thing I did was install the Google Voice app on my phone.

Next, I used my PC and went to the Google Voice website. The website asks you to login to your Gmail account. I did that. That is where it becomes a mystery for me. I do not see anywhere to create a Google Voice number.

I don't know if this related but when I receive calls, I can't answer it directly anymore. It asks if I want to take the call. If I do, press 1. The majority of the time it ends the call and sends the caller to Google Voicemail. This happens despite pressing 1.

 

[mplevy]

Sounds like you told it to use your existing number for your GV number rather than assigning you a new GV number.

 

[la sal]

Sounds like you told it to use your existing number for your GV number rather than assigning you a new GV number.

Is there a way to start the process over?

 

[saptech]

When I first setup GV, instructions said to setup GV account on your home computer first, which should include creating a new phone number linked to the cell phone, unless you want to use the phones current number. Then download and install GV on android.

At this point, you may need to create a new google account, if what you've done so far stop you from using the current account. I'm not 100 percent about it though.

 

[Isthmus]

I'm not sure I understand the OPs problem. Google Voice is free for US calls by default. yes you need to associate it with a Google Wallet account (which itself is backed by a credit card), but GV won't touch it unless you make calls that trigger a fee (mainly international calls). You don't need to do any special configuring.

As for the texts, Try Google Talk instead of Google Voice. The interface works off the same engine but the display is better.

As for the Visual voicemail (transcribed voicemail messages), they are what they are. you won't find much better from any other service that I'm aware of. the transcriptions are never accurate, but they are usually close enough to tell more or less what is being said. You get the added benefit of saving your voicemails as MP3s which you can play at will.

Lastly my favorite feature of Google Voice is that you don't nee a phone to use it. You can use it on a phone sure, but you can also use it on any computer (via Chrome), as well as any android device that has a built in microphone (though if it also has a front facing camera, it works even better as it allows you to video call). For example, I have GV on my Galaxy nexus and use it for voicemail and to route all my international calls through it. I also have Google Voice on my Transformer prime (which is a Tablet) and use it to make and receive phone calls via WI-Fi all the time.

If you're concerned about the price, I put $10 in my GV account almost 2 years ago. I only get charged for international calls and I make about 2 or 3 of those per month. In almost 2 years I've only used about $2 of the original $10 I put in there.

I'm not sure I'm understanding the problem you are having.