App for Google Voice SMS

[ifh]

Hi,

My kids love to call me when I'm not home using mom's VZW Droid. But they always delete an app or mess with things...

I have a Verizon-issued Droid Eris laying around. This phone is not activated.

So on the non-activated Eris, I set up Groove IP through a Google-Voice-issued number through wifi. Call quality is remarkably good.

My kids also love to text me. Well, Google Voice official app does texting, too. The only problem is, Google Voice app won't let me complete setup since the phone is not activated and GV app doesn't find "this phone's number," meaning provider number, in order to send a verification.

1. is there an app that does all the behind-the-scenes work and uses your google account to log in to send SMS through Google Voice account (like Groove IP does for voice)?

2. Is there a way to avoid GV app from requiring a mobile number verification?

Thank you!

 

[jerofld]

When you set up the Google Voice app, does the first page have an option to skip the setup process with Verizon? Maybe that will help.

There may even be of alternatives to Google Voice, but I don't know of any off the top of my head.

 

[lexluthor]

There may even be of alternatives to Google Voice, but I don't know of any off the top of my head.

Don't think so. Many posts about it. Don't know why no one can/will develop a 3rd party google voice app.

You can go to google voice in a web browser and text that way, but that's not too elegant and you won't get notifications.

 

[ifh]

thanks to
http://androidforums.com/3892771-post3.html
I fixed it.

Here's how you can do it, too, in case someone else gets stuck like me.

1. Go to GV in browser. Click gear icon>Settings
2. Only my GV number was showing and Forward calls to Chat was enabled.
3. Click "Add Another Phone." I entered my VZW number. Even though I had it on another GV account, it let me activate it. GV called my VZW phone, I entered the verification code.
4. Do NOT delete the mobile/home number. Just uncheck it. Leave only forward to chat checked.
5. Back GV setup on the Android: now my VZW phone number shows up, I select it and I can finish set up.
6. Calls and SMS now work through GV.

 

[ziddey]

For what it's worth, you could give Talkatone a try as well. It would replace GrooveIP and the Google Voice app in providing voip and sms.