Are you exploring how does google voice work? In the market of cloud-based phone systems, Google Voice is among the best. It offers an excellent slate of services, affordable pricing, and the chance for you to take your home or office phone with you wherever you go.
Indeed, Google Voice may not be the best option for your mobile device, but if you’re someone who’s looking for a cheap way to get a business phone or you want an option for your home phone, Google Voice is an excellent way to go about it.
So if you find yourself asking, how does Google Voice work? Read on for our complete guide to Google’s cloud-based phone platform.
What is Google Voice?
Google Voice is a voice-over-Internet protocol (VoIP) phone service that was established in 2009. You can utilize the service to make and receive phone calls, as well as send text messages. You can also use it to forward calls from one number to another, so you can efficiently manage all of your communication from the phone.
Since Google Voice is a VoIP service, it acts solely over the Internet. But that also implies that wherever you have an Internet connection, you can access the service and make calls, send text messages, and more. Best of all, you only need a microphone and speaker to use Google Voice, so whether you choose to make and place calls on your laptop or your smartphone, it’ll work just fine.
Think of Google Voice as a phone you can bring with you anywhere you go and use on any device you want.
Pros | Cons |
Reliable Call forwarding | Advanced reporting for premier plan |
Infinite calls & texts | No built-in team messaging |
Easy Account Setup | No free trial for business plans |
Voice mail transcription | —————- |
Easy-to-use interface | ————— |
How does Google Voice work?
Google Voice is surprisingly easy in how it works and how you can set it up.
The service operates over a broadband connection, so as long as you’re connected to your home or office network, it’ll work just fine.
When you sign up for the first time, you have the option of using your phone number that you can port to the service or getting your own. If you prefer the latter, you’ll need to input your area code and pick the phone number of choice. If you care of the phone number’s digits (like if you’re a business and want to get a vanity number people can dial), you can input your desired digits and see if they’re available.
Once you have your phone number (it happens immediately), you can build your voicemail message. You can then begin making calls from your phone or your computer. You can also utilize the service to send and receive text messages.
When you get a voicemail in Google Voice, you’ll be capable to access it in the app and get a transcript (and recording) of it sent to your e-mail.
When you receive a call, particularly if you have your Google Voice forwarded to your cell phone, you’ll hear an alert that someone is calling the Google Voice number. You’ll then have the option of responding or not, and if you decide to call back, you can choose to have your Google Voice number show up on the person’s caller ID rather than your iPhone or Android device’s number.
And if you need to have your number ring to multiple devices, that’s perfectly fine. It’s convenient in corporate settings, where numerous people may want to answer the company’s line.
Is Google Voice Free to Use?
One of the big things about Google Voice is that it’s incredibly affordable. It’s a free service to sign up for, and as long as you use it to interact between your Google Voice number and other U.S. numbers or Canada numbers, it’s free to make calls and send text messages.
When you want to place calls overseas, you’ll require to add credits to your account to pay for service. In most instances, however, the fees are minimal, just a couple of cents per minute. Further, if you want to access more
features, you have to buy the paid plan, and every plan comes with complete Google Cloud products such as Drive, Docs, Jamboard, and more.
How do I set up Google Voice?
If you need to set up Google Voice for the first time, you’ll be happy to know the process is quite simple. Here’s a rundown:
- Enter to voice.google.com, tap Get Google Voice button, and log in to your Google account.
- You can sign up on your iPhone mobile or android device, but for this walkthrough, let’s opt for the Web sign-up.
- Once you accept the terms and service, hit Continue to get to the page where you can find or choose a phone number.
- On the list of options, wish to select when you’ve found your winner and move on to verify your existing number.
- On this page, you require to verify with Google that you have an existing number. Be aware that the number you input here will be the opening line you’ll use for call forwarding from Google Voice to the number.
- Once you hit the Verify button and input your phone number, Google will text you a code you need to input into Google Voice. Get that code and input it here. Click Verify.
- Once your phone number has been verified, Google needs you to tap Claim to take control over the number officially. Do that, and you’ll be all set.
How does Google Voice work on Android?
- First, install the Google Voice app on your Android app. Once downloaded, log in to your Google account.
- Click on Search to choose a Google Voice phone number; choose the number you wish your contacts to see when you call them. You can also search by area code or by location.
- Tap select when you tap your number, then choose Next to verify your phone number.
- After that, Google Voice verifies the number you select, and if it all looks OK, then choose Accept number.
- Here you will be asked to add a number; if you haven’t added your contact number to your Google account, tap Send Code.
- The notification will ask permission for Google Voice to access your contacts, and click on “Allow.’
- Then, your contact list appears, and you can use your new Google Voice phone number.
Note: Remember that Google Voice is not present in all regions, so its features may differ depending on your location. However, maybe certain feature needs paid subscription.
How Does Google Voice Work on iPhone?
As explained, Google Voice acts just fine on Android and the Web, but you might be wondering if it’ll also work on an iPhone. Luckily, Google offers a free app in the App Store that enables you to run Google Voice on the iPhone (or iPad or iPod Touch). From the application, you can listen to voicemails, make calls, and send text messages, just as you can in the Android app or the browser.
How Does Google Voice Work for Business
Every business owner has a huge list of contact numbers, whether mobile or landline. Some people use the same number for professional or personal work, so adjusting the contact list is quite complicated. In this matter, google voice is handy for businesses, which offers centralized communication, low-cost international calling, custom greetings, voicemail, and others. These features enhance company reliability and professionalism, making it a cost-effective solution.
Google Voice lets you forward every number to one number, letting you answer calls from all your contact numbers using a single solution. Here are some motives why you should adopt google voice services:
- Get Infinite Texts for Free: the best benefit is that follow-up texts or updates can be communicated easily with faster texting solutions.
- Transcribe Voice Text: It converts your audio text into text via its high-level technology.
- Record Your Calls: it lets you easily record calls and begin & pause recording with a single tap. You may always listen to the recordings whenever you wish.
- Make Call Forwarding Rules: it lets you redirect all of your calls to a single Google voice number. You can also make your own rules for the calls to check what calls go where & when.
- Switch Phones Easily: This feature lets you switch numbers in the middle of a call.