Google Voice

Google Voice is a telecommunications service by Google that provides users with a phone number, enabling them to make voice calls, send text messages, and manage voicemail. The platform offers features like call forwarding to multiple linked phones, voicemail transcription, text messaging, call screening, and integration with Google services. Users can consolidate their communication channels, screen calls, and access messages from various devices.

Google voice has had a somewhat flaky history. In 2014, for example, some Voice features were incorporated into Google Hangouts (a move that has since been undone), and then, in 2018, Google announced the release of Google Voice for existing Google Workspace customers.

Voice users can send and receives calls or texts free of charge to domestic locations using Voice. Calls can be recorded simply by pressing “4” during a call and these recordings are easily found through the left sidebar.

Features include caller ID, missed call, and SMS message.

Some websites don't accept the Google Voice number for things like registration or 2FA. There is no three way calling from Google Voice free. Google Voice can take your number away without prior warning.

Google voice is linked with the rest of your google account for better or worse. In other words if your google account gets banned/suspend then you could risk loosing your google voice number.

Google could decide to discontinue the Google Voice service at any time, especially the free version. The Google algorithms could randomly decide your use of Google Voice violates the rules and then disables your account.

Free or Paid Plans

Google Voice - Is it really free?

There is a free version and a paid version. Once you switch to the paid version you can not go back to the free version.

Signing up and using Google Voice to make calls and send texts inside the United States is free. Some calls to specific phone numbers in the US cost $0.01 per minute. Calls outside the US are charged at various rates depending on the service the receiving number uses and where it is registered.

Google Voice is available for free for anyone with a Google account. For paid plans, the pricing breaks down into three options: Starter, Standard, Premier. Even with the Premier plan the Google Voice paid services doesn’t have as many advanced capabilities as other VoIP services.

troubleshooting

call forwarding slider disabled

Under SETTINGS -> CALLS -> CUSTOM CALL FORWARDING

When the slider is disabled Google is sticking it to you by randomly disabling your call forwarding number and requiring you to "re-verify" that number. It does not matter to them that just a day ago it all worked, and has for months. They just decided to pick on you, and disable it without warning. They think that so what if you are missing important calls because you are not aware that they disabled the forwarding. They don't care about you. It's Google. The bigger they grow the more disconnected they are with their users and customers.

Resolution: Verify the number again. The number you have configured to received the calls. It is probably your cell phone or a home desk phone.

Under SETTINGS -> ACCOUNT -> LINKED NUMBERS

Suddenly you notice that all your linked numbers are no longer verified. They were verified yesterday. Google change their status to non-verified and did not warn you.

The process involves either texting or calling the number (phone) and supplying a 6 digit code. You then enter that code into the Google Voice web site. Then you cross your fingers and hope that more time goes by before they randomly decide to un-verify your linked numbers and stick it to you again without warning.

If you are doing the call verification method, make sure the receiving phone is not blocking calls from (202) 455-8888.

Google verification is still calling from the number (202) 455-8888 as of February 2024.

Google Voice Hacking

Background

GrandCentral is now known as Google Voice. It is one of several Internet Voicemail Services. Google Voice enables users to send text messages, customize voicemail, read voicemail text transcript, and more.

Google's voicemail service is available for Gmail users that have another phone number to register with the service. Google provides the service without charging money. Their revenue comes from the data they harvest out of your calls and text messages that you send and receive through the service. They use data gathered to create targeted advertising.

Google Voice is meant for United States users only, however, using a proxy many individuals overseas are using Google Voice. Google does not seem concerned about the overseas use at this time.

There are privacy concerns using Google Voice. Depending on how sensitive your communications are, you may wish to reconsider using Google Voice. If your communications are not private then the service can be very useful. It makes a great front end number for a new business.

Hacking Google Voice is about ways to customize the service to better serve your needs. This includes software that works with Google Voice for your PC, as well as your smart phone. Hacking Google Voice is _not_ about educating you on how to invade another user's privacy.

Google Voice cannot directly place calls. Some recommend using Google Voice with Skype for a complete multi number, Internet VoIP telephone service.

Web Front End

The web front end works best when used in Google Chrome web browser. The Google Voice Front End can be reached by the following URL:

• http://www.google.com/voice

You must have a Google Login (such as your gmail login) to use Google Voice. It must be associated with a land line or other phone service so you can place calls. Only one Google Voice number per gmail.

Software for the PC (Windows)

gvdialer

Desktop dialer for Google Voice. GVDialer is a Windows tray application that provides a front end to various Google Voice features. Easily place voice calls and send SMS messages. Fast access to contacts and recently used numbers. Runs independent of internet browser.

GVNotifier

GVNotifier is a full-fledged desktop Google Voice Client that can send or receive messages, listen to or read voicemail, connect calls and more. GVNotifier is a portable application. Supports Windows XP/Vista/7. GVNotifier requires .NET 3.5sp1- Microsoft .Net Framework and utilizes the Windows Presentation Foundation.

Miscellaneous Help

Incoming calls show my Google Voice number instead of the caller's

Google actually has no way to fix this in their new Google Voice version. You have to revert to the old Google Voice in order to fix this.

Do the following:

1. On your computer, open Google Voice.
2. At the top left, click Menu Menu and then Legacy Google Voice. Google Voice will look different, but you're in the right place.
3. On the right, click the gear for settings
4. Click the Calls tab
5. Caller ID (incoming) - Display caller's number.

This does not correct the change in behavior staring in 2018, prior the incoming caller's # always displayed when using voice.google.com via Chrome on a PC and the above setting only pertained to how the incoming call was displayed on a mobile phone that the call was forwarded to. Now the setting applies to both. Why in the hell would I want to see my own number for all incoming calls on the PC? It is obvious to anyone that they are logged into that particular GV account when on the PC. It is on the mobile phone the distinction should be optional. Where is the logic Google? Stupid.

It would not be necessary to install the Google Voice bloatware app on the mobile phone to compensate for the ill behavior if Google would correct the situation restoring functionality to previous conditions.

References / Sources

• SaveDelete: 5 Great Google Voice Desktop Apps For Mac And Windows (2013)
• Howard Forums, Mobile Services, Google Voice, Google Voice DESKTOP Client - I found one! (2012)