Google Voice

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.

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 also 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/suspened then you could risk loosing your google voice number.

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

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.