Free VoIP Calling Using Google Voice + Sipdroid

blue45 said:

That link in your first post is down from where you got your info from.

So do we not need sipgate now?

Updated Sipdroid/G. Voice Guide (from XDA) Gurnted's Blog

I was trying to follow that guide but i noticed sipgate was not letting new people sign up.

As far as directions go, can you please explain what I need to do to connect pbxe to google voice?

Click to expand...

Do we need sipgate? No, Sipdroid in addition to GV (Google voice) is all you need.

Assuming you have a GV account and you have forwarded your calls to your mobile. DL and install Sipdroid and enter the required info. Sipdroid will create a "trunk", "extension", etc... as you enter your info regarding GV. Hope that helps! GL!

Eric.

riffdex said:

While I am not familiar with Virgin Mobile, I think you are misunderstanding what you need to do to set up Voicemail. What I did to set up voicemail was I went to the GV website www.google.com/voice, clicked settings at the top right, choose voice settings, and you should have your phone listed as one of the phones (you needed to add it to activate Google Voice), and next to it click "Activate Google voicemail on this phone". Then it will determine what carrier you have (in this case Virgin Mobile) and what steps you need to do to set it up to forward correctly. I believe that only AFTER you do this step, will you have the correct options under settings. This way you can easily switch between Google vm and the regular vm if you ever need to. As least this is how I understood it. If that does not work, reinstalling the GV app couldn't hurt. I definitely think there's a way for you to set it up, but you might need to end up starting from scratch like you were saying if you can't get it figured out.

EDIT: Also, about reinstalling the Google Voice app... theoretically, it should not affect your SIPDroid/PBX/Global GV settings. When I say Global GV settings I am referring to the settings you can change by going to "www.google.com/voice". This SIPDroid/PBX setup should be completely separate from the Google Voice app so you should be good to go if you decide to do that.

Click to expand...

Thanks much for sticking with me. You're right, I should have done it from the web page link for "Voice Settings" (though in my defense, their Help is a bit misleading in calling this web page link the "Settings application").

My guess now is that this feature isn't available on Virgin Mobile. I tried last night and this morning, doing as it told me:
- clicking "Activate Google voicemail on this phone",
- dialing the * + number that appears in the popup.

Both times I get the call answered with this automated answer:My Voice Settings page then changes the link to "Deactivate Google voicemail on this phone", as if the change took. But I get the same old ring-race behavior.

The same happens when I reverse the voicemail setting, i.e., Click on "Deactivate Google voicemail on this phone". I dial the number that appears in the popup and get the same recording, and the Voice Settings page changes to "Activate Google voicemail on this phone".

Another clue for non-support by Virgin is that the Google Voice popup for "Activate Google voicemail on this phone" defaults to Sprint, and the "Change carrier" drop-down doesn't offer Virgin Mobile as a choice.

Thanks again, I really appreciate your help on this. I'll keep on the lookout in case I've misinterpreted these clues or committed operator error (and maybe I'll try re-installing Google Voice), but it may just be that I've got a low-cost, no-frills carrier that doesn't support this "frill."

So far I'm not very impressed with sipdroid+google voice. Yesterday the calls to my friend were static-y and jittery.

Today everything sounded better--but the call would spontaneously disconnect. Sometimes after a couple of minutes--sometimes within seconds. I tried several times--but never ended a call when I wanted to--they all disconnected on their own.

I have JuiceDefender set to kill WiFi when the screen goes blank--but that wouldn't explain calls dropped within 5 seconds of being placed... Unless there's some kind of proximity sensor turning off the screen? I checked the "Screen On" option in SipDroid hoping that would, well, keep the screen on...

Any other thoughts on what the problem could be?

Hi,

I am trying to set up Sipdroid+pbxes.org as per the instructions here
http://androidforums.com/android-ap...s-org-googlevoice-free-n-america-calling.html (thread locked)

I have installed Google Voice app and Sipdroid. I setup google voice and tested it. From Sipdroid, I clicked on "New PBX linked to my Google Voice" and created a new a/c.

After this, I reach a screen which says Sipdroid with two text boxes - Phone number and called party address. What am I supposed to enter here? I don't get a chance to enter the google voice name or pbxes password. I have uninstalled/reinstalled a couple of times with the same result.

Any thoughts on how I can get this to work?

Thanks,
John.

lexluthor said:

Thanks for reporting that back. If you get can internet access abroad, this is a great way to communicate back with the US and save a lot of money.

Click to expand...

Yeah, this saved me the hassle of buying another phone, and $$ on international rates. I used the GV and Siproid service several times while in Germany, then again at Heathrow Airport during the layover for my connecting flight back to the US. The only downside is the latency and sporadic call drop. But, Siproid compensates for that with the onboard buffering.

Would use it again? Most definitely.

Thanks to all who pointed me in this direction!

jj2me said:

Thanks much for sticking with me. You're right, I should have done it from the web page link for "Voice Settings" (though in my defense, their Help is a bit misleading in calling this web page link the "Settings application").

My guess now is that this feature isn't available on Virgin Mobile. I tried last night and this morning, doing as it told me:
- clicking "Activate Google voicemail on this phone",
- dialing the * + number that appears in the popup.

Both times I get the call answered with this automated answer:

​

My Voice Settings page then changes the link to "Deactivate Google voicemail on this phone", as if the change took. But I get the same old ring-race behavior.

The same happens when I reverse the voicemail setting, i.e., Click on "Deactivate Google voicemail on this phone". I dial the number that appears in the popup and get the same recording, and the Voice Settings page changes to "Activate Google voicemail on this phone".

Another clue for non-support by Virgin is that the Google Voice popup for "Activate Google voicemail on this phone" defaults to Sprint, and the "Change carrier" drop-down doesn't offer Virgin Mobile as a choice.

Thanks again, I really appreciate your help on this. I'll keep on the lookout in case I've misinterpreted these clues or committed operator error (and maybe I'll try re-installing Google Voice), but it may just be that I've got a low-cost, no-frills carrier that doesn't support this "frill."

Click to expand...

I just did some digging (via Google search) and I have found out that, unfortunately, Virgin Mobile does not support Googe Voicemail because it does not support call forwarding ): When we set up Voicemail, really we are just setting up call forwarding so that, when we do not answer the phone, the call is forwarded to the number we put (in the case of Google Voicemail, our GV number). That disappoints me because I was really hoping you could get it set up. Sorry man ): I think that your best bet is to make sure you set up (using www.google.com/voice) so that your Google Voice number forwards to your cell and to Google Chat. That way, you can distribute your GV number if anyone needs to call you, they can call that and it will ring both your phone, and SIPDroid. This isn't the best solution, because you end up with two different things ringing on your phone, but it does work. Alternatively, you could just have GV forward to Google Chat (don't select your cell number for forwarding), and that way people can call your cell number and if you don't answer they can try your Google Voice number (for a VOIP call), or vice versa.

aguy007 said:

Hi,

I am trying to set up Sipdroid+pbxes.org as per the instructions here
http://androidforums.com/android-ap...s-org-googlevoice-free-n-america-calling.html (thread locked)

I have installed Google Voice app and Sipdroid. I setup google voice and tested it. From Sipdroid, I clicked on "New PBX linked to my Google Voice" and created a new a/c.

After this, I reach a screen which says Sipdroid with two text boxes - Phone number and called party address. What am I supposed to enter here? I don't get a chance to enter the google voice name or pbxes password. I have uninstalled/reinstalled a couple of times with the same result.

Any thoughts on how I can get this to work?

Thanks,
John.

Click to expand...

If you clicked the button "New PBX linked to my Google Voice", it should have already set up your phone and entered your PBX/GV information into SIPDroid. The only step now (assuming you set it up correctly) is to receive or place a call. To test if it is set up correctly, simply call your Google Voice number (from a separate phone), and see if SIPDroid starts ringing. Answer it and make sure the phones are connected in a call. To place a call, you will have to set it up in SIPDroid. Open SIPDroid and press the options key then press Settings > Call Options > Preferred call type. Click SIPDroid only if you want ALL calls to be through SIPDroid. If you choose this, any call you make on your phone from the regular Phone app will use SIPDroid. This is probably not the option you want. SIPDroid when available option will do cell calls by default and if you have an internet connection (WiFi or 3G), it will do SIPDroid call instead. Phone option will basically disable SIPDroid calling and the Phone dialer will function as normal. Always ask will pop up and ask if you want to use a regular cell call or SIPDroid, after you dial a number. Alternatively, I recommend that you set this option to "Phone" and you can make SIPDroid calls by dialing + before the number. So, for example, if you want to make a regular cell call, you just open the Phone app and type 555 1234 and it calls as a regular cell call. If you want to make a VOIP call, you just dial +555 1234 and it will use SIPDroid instead of your carrier. Good luck!

Hey y'all. I have been trying to make outgoing calls via my SIPDroid/PBX setup but when I make a call it says "you have 5 minutes of talk time to this number" or in other cases depending on the number it only gives me one minute. Is this happening for anyone else? How can I fix this? When I get incoming calls it works find just outgoing calls do this.

EDIT: Sorry for the dbl post I am posting this from my mobile and didn't realize I'm the last post..

scotty562 said:

I just tried this out and it's working fantastic.The Sipdroid integration with pbxes is incredible. I wish there was something comparable with the iPhone..

Click to expand...

I think SIPDroid is available on iPhone

aguy007 said:

Hi,

I am trying to set up Sipdroid+pbxes.org as per the instructions here
http://androidforums.com/android-ap...s-org-googlevoice-free-n-america-calling.html (thread locked)

I have installed Google Voice app and Sipdroid. I setup google voice and tested it. From Sipdroid, I clicked on "New PBX linked to my Google Voice" and created a new a/c.

After this, I reach a screen which says Sipdroid with two text boxes - Phone number and called party address. What am I supposed to enter here? I don't get a chance to enter the google voice name or pbxes password. I have uninstalled/reinstalled a couple of times with the same result.

Any thoughts on how I can get this to work?

Thanks,
John.

Click to expand...

The "Called Party Address" is a sip address, should you desire to call directly to SIP. In the phone number, you would enter the phone number of whom you would like call, starting with +1.

riffdex said:

Hey y'all. I have been trying to make outgoing calls via my SIPDroid/PBX setup but when I make a call it says "you have 5 minutes of talk time to this number" or in other cases depending on the number it only gives me one minute. Is this happening for anyone else? How can I fix this? When I get incoming calls it works find just outgoing calls do this.

EDIT: Sorry for the dbl post I am posting this from my mobile and didn't realize I'm the last post..

Click to expand...

Are you calling internationally (Ie, Not calling a number in N. America)?

PSkeptic said:

I think SIPDroid is available on iPhone



The "Called Party Address" is a sip address, should you desire to call directly to SIP. In the phone number, you would enter the phone number of whom you would like call, starting with +1.



Are you calling internationally (Ie, Not calling a number in N. America)?

Click to expand...

Nope, I have only tried to call domestic numbers.. One of them is a GV number. Am I the only one this is happening to? ):

riffdex said:

Nope, I have only tried to call domestic numbers.. One of them is a GV number. Am I the only one this is happening to? ):

Click to expand...

Are you adding +1 in front of the number? You need to "pretend" you are dialing internationally. Example:

You want to call (385)555-5555

You need to dial +1 385 5555555.

THANKS grimlock!

This was driving me crazy!


ATTN GOOGLE APPS CUSTOMERS: You need to manually add a temporary gmail account to your android phone (This would be under settings -> "Accounts & sync", "Add account" -> "Google" -> "Next" -> "Create" -> etc...). Once that happens, you will see the button on the home screen of sipdroid to configure your PBXes account.

Use your temporary gmail account username and password. You will ALSO need to select a username for PBXes.org.

Once this process completes, you will now be able to use outbound calling ONLY since your temp account will NOT have a Google voice number, but who cares, keep reading...

Log into PBXes.org with your username you selected on registration an the password from your temp gmail account, re-read that twice.

Once you are in, select "trunks" from the left menu and click on "GTALK/tempgamail@gmail.com. From there, change your username and password from the temp gmail account to your Google apps account. Click "Submit Changes".

From there you may have to reload Sipdroid, but outgoing and incoming calls should work fine. Be certain that Google Chat (your google apps mail address) is selected/enabled as a forwarded phone (inside Google Voice web portal) in order for inbound calling to work on Sipdroid.

Feel free to delete your temporary gmail account from Google's site AND remove the account from your android phone as a sync account. This would be under settings -> "Accounts & sync", select the temp gmail account, and touch "Remove account". Cheers.

Info from here:
Instructions for PBXes.org, Google Voice, and Sipdroid with a Google Apps Account Thanks grimlock
and
Issue 753 - sipdroid - No menu option appears for google voice/pbxes setup after a clean install - Free SIP/VoIP client for Android - Google Project Hosting

grimloch said:

I installed sipdroid a million times and the button never showed up. I have google voice through my google apps email account (not @gmail.com).

I added a gmail account to Android (Evo 4G running CM6.1.2) and then and only then did the PBX account button show up after installing sipdroid. Hope this helps anyone who may be having the same frustrations.

After I set up the new PBXes account through siproid I then logged into pbxes.org and changed the gtalk trunk info to my google apps info. I also changed my email contact info under the Personal section.

Click to expand...

riffdex said:

Hey y'all. I have been trying to make outgoing calls via my SIPDroid/PBX setup but when I make a call it says "you have 5 minutes of talk time to this number" or in other cases depending on the number it only gives me one minute. Is this happening for anyone else? How can I fix this? When I get incoming calls it works find just outgoing calls do this.

Click to expand...

I only found this post that says: "But there could be a per call time limit. Calls to skype are limited to 3 minutes, so it's possible. "

If it's not who you're calling, then you could ask again in that thread on DroidXForums. Snow02 may just know the answer. He's been very generous in giving help. (P.S. No need to read the thread, I just did that, no posts reporting your problem.)

wilberfan1 said:

So far I'm not very impressed with sipdroid+google voice. Yesterday the calls to my friend were static-y and jittery.

Today everything sounded better--but the call would spontaneously disconnect. Sometimes after a couple of minutes--sometimes within seconds. I tried several times--but never ended a call when I wanted to--they all disconnected on their own.

I have JuiceDefender set to kill WiFi when the screen goes blank--but that wouldn't explain calls dropped within 5 seconds of being placed... Unless there's some kind of proximity sensor turning off the screen? I checked the "Screen On" option in SipDroid hoping that would, well, keep the screen on...

Any other thoughts on what the problem could be?

Click to expand...

For the sake of anyone having a similar 'dropped call' experience, I just changed a setting under Audio Codecs: I changed "G722 HD Voice (64kbit)" to "never". And then had a 25 minute conversation with no disconnects!

So, I've set this all up, Sipdroid gives me the green dot, I try to make a call, and after 4 seconds the call ends. I hear no ringing. As far as I can tell the trunk and account info is all correct. Would really like to figure this out. Just moved to a place where I get almost zero signal so being able to make/receive calls over wifi would be awesome.

Kimi012,

It looks like you used some translation service that translated from another language. The translation was bad. I can't understand your problem. Maybe you could try again and write simpler words in your native language?

PSkeptic said:

Are you adding +1 in front of the number? You need to "pretend" you are dialing internationally. Example:

You want to call (385)555-5555

You need to dial +1 385 5555555.

Click to expand...

Oh ok! Thanks it is now working perfect.

I recently bought the Locale Google Voice plugin so that I could set up a Tasker profile so that GV would only ring where I needed it as I had a problem with a personal call going into my work VM on a holiday.

Anyway, I was able to use the plugin to easily set my GV's Google Talk to forward without having to go to the web. That was pure luck.

I wanted to have Sipdroid to make/receive calls over wifi at home, but was disappointed in the call quality. For some reason, I thought VOIP would be as good or better than 3g, but I was mistaken.

But the quality is great if I were to use it internationally since it would be "free"

Consider getting the Locale plugin and GV Callback if you already own Tasker or Locale to further customize how you use Sipdroid/GV.

ryboto said:

So, I've set this all up, Sipdroid gives me the green dot, I try to make a call, and after 4 seconds the call ends. I hear no ringing. As far as I can tell the trunk and account info is all correct. Would really like to figure this out. Just moved to a place where I get almost zero signal so being able to make/receive calls over wifi would be awesome.

Click to expand...

Anyone have any suggestions on how to fix this?

ryboto said:

Anyone have any suggestions on how to fix this?

Click to expand...

I guess not...

Try the same thing over 3G/4G or another WiFi connection... might be your router settings... they can be finicky with VOIP.

You also may want to try installing csipsimple-- if you do then use UDP rather than TCP because pbxes.org only works over TCP with the app they built (sipdroid).

Edit: I understand you get poor cell reception where you recently moved, but trying other hotspots, 3G or SIP programs will help to determine whether it's a problem with your router or software or settings.

ryboto said:

So, I've set this all up, Sipdroid gives me the green dot, I try to make a call, and after 4 seconds the call ends. I hear no ringing. As far as I can tell the trunk and account info is all correct. Would really like to figure this out. Just moved to a place where I get almost zero signal so being able to make/receive calls over wifi would be awesome.

Click to expand...

Are you dialing international-style? With the +1 in front of the number?

grimloch said:

Try the same thing over 3G/4G or another WiFi connection... might be your router settings... they can be finicky with VOIP.

You also may want to try installing csipsimple-- if you do then use UDP rather than TCP because pbxes.org only works over TCP with the app they built (sipdroid).

Edit: I understand you get poor cell reception where you recently moved, but trying other hotspots, 3G or SIP programs will help to determine whether it's a problem with your router or software or settings.

Click to expand...

Well, I wanted to try it here at work, but before I did I was silly and deleted the trunk to my voice account so that I could start fresh with pbxes. Well, now their website wont let me create a trunk, and it wont let me do it through sipdroid either. My router has never had an issue with VOIP, I'd hope not for how much the thing cost. Also, I did try the 3g/edge switches in addition to the wifi, no dice.

PSkeptic said:

Are you dialing international-style? With the +1 in front of the number?

Click to expand...

Yep, every time.

ryboto said:

Well, I wanted to try it here at work, but before I did I was silly and deleted the trunk to my voice account so that I could start fresh with pbxes. Well, now their website wont let me create a trunk, and it wont let me do it through sipdroid either. My router has never had an issue with VOIP, I'd hope not for how much the thing cost. Also, I did try the 3g/edge switches in addition to the wifi, no dice.



Yep, every time.

Click to expand...

Once you delete the gchat trunk on a free account you will not be able to recreate it. You'll need to delete your PBXes.org account and create a new one by reinstalling sipdroid on your phone (first uninstall).

Google Voice peering is actually a paid-account feature on pbxes, but for whatever reason we're able to get around that with a free account by creating through their sipdroid app.

grimloch said:

Once you delete the gchat trunk on a free account you will not be able to recreate it. You'll need to delete your PBXes.org account and create a new one by reinstalling sipdroid on your phone (first uninstall).

Google Voice peering is actually a paid-account feature on pbxes, but for whatever reason we're able to get around that with a free account by creating through their sipdroid app.

Click to expand...

I've tried creating new accounts, it's not letting me.

Did you first delete your existing account through the pbxes.org website, I believe under Personal Data?