Google Voice: Please Help

[PowellShake2]

I just received a GV invite and I've set up all of the settings how I want them but I'm having a little trouble figuring out how things work. I've searched the internet and these forums and have yet to come up with an exact answer but I do apologize if this has already been answered.

I understand that with an Android device and the GV app, you can make all outgoing phone calls from your GV number and I can give everyone my GV number for incoming calls. So for outgoing/incoming calls, I'm all set up.

I also understand that my contacts can SMS my GV number and I will not incur any SMS charges from Verizon. My question is as follows:

How can I send an outgoing SMS (without replying to a recieved message) and still not incur SMS charges from Verizon? Also, how can I ensure that the incoming texts are indeed being received for free?

Thank you to everyone in advance.

 

[MathewS81]

You need to go into settings and make sure that it does NOT forward texts to your cell phone. That way they will not go into your regular text message inbox. They will instead go into the GV app inbox and you'll do all your texts from there.

 

[gparadox]

Good to know, Thanks!

 

[Adamx]

You don't receive them for free. What is happening is that whenever someone sends you a txt to your google account; it just forwards the message to your verizon account. So you still get charged for it.

To send a sms for free, you just send it from voice.google.com

not true.

If you don't forward your google sms to your phone you won't get charged, and the GV app will still send it to your phone.

 

[MathewS81]

You don't receive them for free. What is happening is that whenever someone sends you a txt to your google account; it just forwards the message to your verizon account. So you still get charged for it.

To send a sms for free, you just send it from voice.google.com

No, you can receive for free. Turn the forwarding to you cell off and only use the GV app. Both sending and receiving are free because it's seen as data, not texts.

EDIT: Adam beat me to it.

 

[PowellShake2]

So if I turn off the forwarding when I get my INC and do all texting through the GV app, I will have found my solution?

Thank you so much. This is exactly the answer I was looking for.

 

[crackers8199]

keep in mind google voice can't do mms or short code messaging.

if they ever made those two things work, i'd drop my text plan in a heartbeat...

 

[MathewS81]

So if I turn off the forwarding when I get my INC and do all texting through the GV app, I will have found my solution?

That's exactly right.

 

[gparadox]

So question, when you get a text on Google Voice; do you find out instantly through a notification on the phone just like you do with a real SMS?

 

[PowellShake2]

Nevermind. Found the answer.

 

[MathewS81]

So do I turn off forwarding in the GV settings or is it something that I change in the Incredible's settings? Or both?

I'm normally good with stuff like this but I feel like an idiot right now.

GV settings

 

[MathewS81]

So question, when you get a text on Google Voice; do you find out instantly through a notification on the phone just like you do with a real SMS?

I haven't actually used the app yet but, yes, it does notify you.

 

[PowellShake2]

So at the risk of being laughed at or everyone wanting to strangle me haha:

Where it says receive SMS on this phone and it lists my current VZW number, I should uncheck that box?

I ask because there is another box "SMS Forwarding" that says "Forward SMS messages to my email:"

 

[MathewS81]

So at the risk of being laughed at or everyone wanting to strangle me haha:

Where it says receive SMS on this phone and it lists my current VZW number, I should uncheck that box?

I ask because there is another box "SMS Forwarding" that says "Forward SMS messages to my email:"

Uncheck the box next to your cell phone and your good to go.

 

[mryark83]

I know this is a long shot, but is anyone willing to give me an invite to Google Voice? I have been trying forever to get one somehow but no avail...sorry to grovel, but it would be greatly, greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[liquidicem]

To turn off forwarding to your phone you want to do the following:
Go to Settings
Go to Phones
Click Edit for your mobile phone
Uncheck Receive SMS on this phone (mobile phones only)

That should do it. I also changed the setting in the Voicemail &SMS tab to Forward SMS messages to my email. This will create a permanent log of texts for me that is seachable.

 

[lethurnek]

I know this is a long shot, but is anyone willing to give me an invite to Google Voice? I have been trying forever to get one somehow but no avail...sorry to grovel, but it would be greatly, greatly appreciated. Thank you.

There are all sorts of threads on here asking for invites so there are literaly hundreds of people seeking them here alone. If it is really that important go to ebay and they are only around 5 bucks a piece. I actually saw an auction for 5 for $10 which is a really good deal if you know some others than want them as well. I feel your pain as I was trying for about a month to get one before I finally found somebody.