Help Using my ported number with Google Voice on the Nexus 4?

[dabomb224]

Hey all! Like many, I am eagerly anticipating the arrival of this phone, and look forward to dumping Verizon for a prepaid plan. In order to protect my current phone number (that I have used for 10 years now), I'm planning on having it ported to Google Voice.

My question is this: once I've ported my number, am I forced to use the Google Voice app for all outgoing calls and texts if I want them to be sent from my current number? Based on my research, it seems that there are a few (imperfect) options for using the stock SMS app with my current number (ported to Google Voice), but none for using the stock dialer.

All thoughts are welcome. Thanks!

 

[alfick3]

Thanks. I'm going to lurk on this thread cause I want to find out about using Google Voice as well.

 

[enigmadroid]

Groove IP has numerous stock dialer integration options. Also depending on which pp you choose you may be able to port your number to them.

 

[dabomb224]

Groove IP has numerous stock dialer integration options. Also depending on which pp you choose you may be able to port your number to them.

Yeah, I've been considering porting it to the MNVO of my choosing. I'm just concerned that Straight Talk, which is the only MNVO that I've found that offers AT&T service, will randomly cancel my plan (for whatever ambiguous violation that comes up), at which point my number will be lost. Many of the other T-mobile only MNVO's offer 60-90 day periods after cessation before your number is forfeited (Simple Mobile being the one I've got my eye on), so that's an option if T-Mobile service in my area proves adequate.

 

[yfan]

My question is this: once I've ported my number, am I forced to use the Google Voice app for all outgoing calls and texts if I want them to be sent from my current number? Based on my research, it seems that there are a few (imperfect) options for using the stock SMS app with my current number (ported to Google Voice), but none for using the stock dialer.

It depends on what you're trying to do. The Google Voice app may be your best and least intrusive option, an require the least amount of work. There are, however, other options:

First, texting. You can have Google Voice forward text messages to your new number. When a contact texts you, Google will assign that contact a new Google-Voice related number. Let's say your friend is texting you, and his number is abc-def-ghij. Google Voice is forwarding the text to your new number. At this point, Google Voice assigns a new number to correlate your phone to your friend's number. Say GV assigns the following number to correlate: xyz-uvw-klmn. The SMS on your phone will appear "from" xyz-uvw-klmn and it will quote abc-def-ghij (or whatever contact you have abc-def-ghij assigned to in your Gmail contacts associated with the GV account). You reply back, and Google automatically delivers your message to abc-def-ghij.

Second, calling. If you simply set your calls to go through the Google Voice app (always), it will take care of itself, and you can use your phone normally. If, however, you want to place calls over your phone's data connection, you will have to enable forward to Google Chat in Google voice settings and download one of the apps that allows you to do this - Groove IP or Talkatone, for example.