D
Deleted User
Guest
Go into your GV settings on the website and click on phones, for your mobile phone click edit and then advanced settings....
Make sure forwarding options is set to "Go straight to voicemail"
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Google Voice: Pro's, Con's, Costs, Tips
- Thread starter Highland Ranger
- Start date
Go into your GV settings on the website and click on phones, for your mobile phone click edit and then advanced settings....
Make sure forwarding options is set to "Go straight to voicemail"
D
Deleted User
Guest
I don't believe Verizon charges for conditional forwarding, which is what you are doing if you use GV for your cell phone voicemail.
Wordslinger
Well-Known Member
There's no advanced settings for my mobile number. I'm guessing it's because I don't have a Google number.
D
Deleted User
Guest
Ah, that is probably why. Recommendation is when signing up to get a google number, you don't have to use it, but you get the same features of the GV voicemail plus much more if you ever decide to use them.
Wordslinger
Well-Known Member
Right now I only want the voicemail transcribing on my existing number. In the settings there is an option to get a Google number. Maybe I will in the future, but currently I haven't found a use for one.
D
Deleted User
Guest
Right, and if you get a google number you can still do just what you want. My point was to pick out a number now so you at least have it, you don't have to use the google number. They used to not let you get a google number once you picked the VM only option, maybe that has changed.
Wordslinger
Well-Known Member
Got it. Thanks for the help.
D
Deleted User
Guest
It is free
D
Deleted User
Guest
Some more tips:
Also, for the GV number, it can ring up to 6 numbers. You can figure to ring any or all those numbers, so it doesnt necessarily have to ring your mobile number.
One use for it is if you have family in another state, pick a number local to them. That way, they can dial a local number for them and be able to get ahold of you.
You can also use it as a "throw away" number, like for someone say on craigslist that you want to give them a number without giving out your actual cell or home numbers.
You can also configure it to ring your phone when called from certain numbers in your contacts list.
You can also use it to make free long distance calls from a land line. Call your GV number from any landline. When you hear your VM message, hit the * button and it'll ask for your pin. Chose option 2 to make a call, and then the number, and it will connect you for free and the other party will see the call as coming from your GV number.
In Android, there is a shortcut you can setup for GV on one of your home screens to toggle if placed calls are placed using GV or not.
Here is a nice reference sheet for the GV voice menu system:
http://www.coolgeex.com/google-voice-quick-reference-guide-v2-0/
If you use Chrome as your PC web browser, there is a nice GV extension you can install which allows you quick access to GV as well as make calls and send/receive SMS directly from it.
You can create a GV widget on a website to allow people to call you without actually giving out your number. Look under "call widgets" in your GV control panel from the website.
Also, for the GV number, it can ring up to 6 numbers. You can figure to ring any or all those numbers, so it doesnt necessarily have to ring your mobile number.
One use for it is if you have family in another state, pick a number local to them. That way, they can dial a local number for them and be able to get ahold of you.
You can also use it as a "throw away" number, like for someone say on craigslist that you want to give them a number without giving out your actual cell or home numbers.
You can also configure it to ring your phone when called from certain numbers in your contacts list.
You can also use it to make free long distance calls from a land line. Call your GV number from any landline. When you hear your VM message, hit the * button and it'll ask for your pin. Chose option 2 to make a call, and then the number, and it will connect you for free and the other party will see the call as coming from your GV number.
In Android, there is a shortcut you can setup for GV on one of your home screens to toggle if placed calls are placed using GV or not.
Here is a nice reference sheet for the GV voice menu system:
http://www.coolgeex.com/google-voice-quick-reference-guide-v2-0/
If you use Chrome as your PC web browser, there is a nice GV extension you can install which allows you quick access to GV as well as make calls and send/receive SMS directly from it.
You can create a GV widget on a website to allow people to call you without actually giving out your number. Look under "call widgets" in your GV control panel from the website.
Highland Ranger
Well-Known Member
.
INVITES
Those looking for an invite - I heard if you have a .edu mail address they just opened up a bunch of new invites. Google Voice for Students
Also, they can be purchased on ebay for a few bucks as recently as last week although the numbers seem to be dwindling.
For "Free" (in-plan) Calls: (restating in perhaps a clearer way)
You need a carrier that has a friends and family type option like Verizon.
You need to add TWO numbers to your friends and family list.
NUMBER 1 - Your GV number itself for "inbound" calls (calls made to you) and "outbound" calls made through the browser interface.
NUMBER 2 - GV dials another local number (you will see it pop up) when making "outbound" calls (calls you initiate) using the GV app on the handset.
I have been checking my online bill and Number 2 does not seem to change. I will continue to do so to make sure I don't get any surprises. Suggest you do the same.
If that second number stays constant, then you should never have an out of plan minute charged ever again.
For SMS
I don't believe Friends and Family works for SMS messages which is an issue. If I have this correctly:
You can send SMS messages for free to anyone using the GV browser interface.
You can receive SMS messages for free PROVIDED you notify by email only. IF you have GV relay to the cell, that counts as a text.
The problem is, when you respond, you need to respond from the browser interface in order for the other caller to see the GV number as the number that sent the text. If you respond from the handset, it counts as a text and it is confusing because your cell number will show as the sender, defeating the purpose of GV.
I hope I am missing something with that but from what I see, that is how texting works.
INVITES
Those looking for an invite - I heard if you have a .edu mail address they just opened up a bunch of new invites. Google Voice for Students
Also, they can be purchased on ebay for a few bucks as recently as last week although the numbers seem to be dwindling.
For "Free" (in-plan) Calls: (restating in perhaps a clearer way)
You need a carrier that has a friends and family type option like Verizon.
You need to add TWO numbers to your friends and family list.
NUMBER 1 - Your GV number itself for "inbound" calls (calls made to you) and "outbound" calls made through the browser interface.
NUMBER 2 - GV dials another local number (you will see it pop up) when making "outbound" calls (calls you initiate) using the GV app on the handset.
I have been checking my online bill and Number 2 does not seem to change. I will continue to do so to make sure I don't get any surprises. Suggest you do the same.
If that second number stays constant, then you should never have an out of plan minute charged ever again.
For SMS
I don't believe Friends and Family works for SMS messages which is an issue. If I have this correctly:
You can send SMS messages for free to anyone using the GV browser interface.
You can receive SMS messages for free PROVIDED you notify by email only. IF you have GV relay to the cell, that counts as a text.
The problem is, when you respond, you need to respond from the browser interface in order for the other caller to see the GV number as the number that sent the text. If you respond from the handset, it counts as a text and it is confusing because your cell number will show as the sender, defeating the purpose of GV.
I hope I am missing something with that but from what I see, that is how texting works.
D
Deleted User
Guest
Have you tried using the android GV app? You can send and receive txt directly through that and it uses data to send/receive, giving you unlimited SMS even on a limited carrier text plan.
Only on a non-android phone what you describe is kind of how it works, but on an android phone with the GV app, it integrates it and makes it very easy and then you don't have to use the browser interface which is more clunky. So you should update the above as that is not how it works with android.
With the GV app installed, it disables the setting to foward SMS to your cell number and the GV app intercepts the text messages.
Highland Ranger
Well-Known Member
Yes - someone just corrected me in another thread - apparently if you text through the GV app you can send and receive texts using the GV number for free.
Problem for me there is all the people receiving who are on Verizon will get charged, so doesn't work . . . . I'd get free texts but would be running up everyone else's bill.
Problem for me there is all the people receiving who are on Verizon will get charged, so doesn't work . . . . I'd get free texts but would be running up everyone else's bill.
Sucks to be them! J/K
I don't worry (or care) about other people's texting plans, I'm just not willing to pay Verizon more money so others don't have to. I am saving money each month and unless all my friends chip in to buy my texts they can just deal with it on their end
Highland Ranger
Well-Known Member
Update: I have noticed an occasional and annoying delay in some GV calls - reminds me of making overseas satellite calls in the 80s. Not always there but when it is turns conversation from full duplex to walkie talkie style.
VeryJoyful
Lurker
One advantage that Highland Ranger didn't mention is that you can connect more than one number to your GV number, meaning that if someone calls your GV number it will ring at your home, work, and/or cell phone (depending on what you set up).
The way I use GV is that I give it only to family and close friends. This is my way of giving them a phone number that will never change.
The way I use GV is that I give it only to family and close friends. This is my way of giving them a phone number that will never change.
frankbonatelli
Well-Known Member
Just to put a Canadian take
GV is a tease that wont give it up to those with desire enough to use it. I have a GV account paid for extra mins and have never once been able to use it from the phone. Sent many emails and got no joy from their end. I can how ever make calls out to any number from GT and my gmail account but every time I try to set up the GV account on my android phone I am told that I have not yet set this up and to log into my account from the PC.
Basically I just gave up on it all and continue with Skype.
Not as ideal I know but beggars cant be choosers.
GV is a tease that wont give it up to those with desire enough to use it. I have a GV account paid for extra mins and have never once been able to use it from the phone. Sent many emails and got no joy from their end. I can how ever make calls out to any number from GT and my gmail account but every time I try to set up the GV account on my android phone I am told that I have not yet set this up and to log into my account from the PC.
Basically I just gave up on it all and continue with Skype.
Not as ideal I know but beggars cant be choosers.