Database Users

Stock Voicemail Sounds Bad

Anyone else notice that the Voicemail sounds terrible? It sounds metallic and the quality is very low. Is there a fix to this or any other visual voicemail apps that you guys recommend? I did not like Fusion Visual Voicemail.

I totally agree. It sounds terribly "tinny".
When I first got the phone, I turned it on and had a voicemail, and I thought to myself, wow this better not be how the calls sound too.

Yup, the sampling rate seems very low (and/or overly compressed), definitely worse than voice audio.
BTW, does anyone know how these visual voicemail systems work? Are the messages cached on the phone, or are they stored by the carrier on their back end?

My brother complained of this on his EVO as well. I wonder why anyone with Android wouldn't just use Google voice instead. I have and its been great.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

I agree with you guys. I just cant stand to use the stock voicemail anymore. If I am in a semi-loud room, I can barely hear any of my messages.
I am trying the Google Voice App. They have an option for voicemail only as well, so I will report back to tell you guys of the quality.

I've been using Google Voice for my voicemail since I had my Hero; I love it.

champ052005 said:
I agree with you guys. I just cant stand to use the stock voicemail anymore. If I am in a semi-loud room, I can barely hear any of my messages.
I am trying the Google Voice App. They have an option for voicemail only as well, so I will report back to tell you guys of the quality.
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Might as well get the full number. No point in doing voicemail only. This way you got a second number anyway, and plus Sprint doesn't fully support their automated voicemail setup. I think on Sprint you have to have an actual google voice number to do conditional call forwarding. Google voice gives you the code to set this up on sprint.

Question about google voice

I was wondering does google voice include free texting? And how does it work. If so i want to cancle my unlimited texting plan. Please give me some info

flameinthefire said:
I was wondering does google voice include free texting? And how does it work. If so i want to cancle my unlimited texting plan. Please give me some info
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yes, but no MMS support.
1. Download Google Voice app to Android Phone
2. Set up account/voicemail. Make sure to adjust your setting so that texts aren't forwarded to your actual phone
3. ???
4. PROFIT!!!
all the texting is done within the actual Google Voice app as opposed to using the stock messaging app or an alternative like Handcent

^ pretty much nailed it. You can also send texts from your pc with GV.

Google Voice looks good on paper, but it's really not very reliable.
Texting works fine for the most part, but I've had delayed texts at times. You cannot text internationally. And surprisingly, the integration with Android is not great.
Also, Google Voice recently took one of my friend's numbers and gave to someone else.
It created a total mess for my friend, since she had been giving the GV number to everyone.
So, yeah it's free, but you will not get a very reliable service, and if you have a problem, Google will not respond.
I used Google Voice for about a year heavily, but am moving away from it now.

so with texting i will have to get a new number from google am i right?

flameinthefire said:
so with texting i will have to get a new number from google am i right?
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yes. but if google screws up, as they seem to do more than rarely, at some point someone else may be reading the texts meant for you.

MacGuy2006 said:
yes. but if google screws up, as they seem to do more than rarely, at some point someone else may be reading the texts meant for you.
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oh thats not good

I've been using Google Voice heavily for a few weeks now. It definitely has its problems. Voice quality, delayed sms, inaccurate vvm, complicated setup. It's all a bit beta-ish. I do like the capabilities when they work. I would suggest keep using it but not exclusively. Send in surveys to Google when offered. Also mark inaccurate vvm as "not helpful" and send those in to Google too. The more people use GV, the more apt Google is to improve it. If people stop using GV altogether, it will surely be canned.

"MacGuy" on here bashing a google product, shocker.
GV audio playback is low quality b/c it uses less bandwith/downloads faster. A necessary evil for having your VM sent to you via text I suppose.
The GV texting has never had an issue for me... i guess to each their own.
Stock SMS via carrier is easier, no doubt... but GV brings a lot to the table for the right price.

flameinthefire said:
I was wondering does google voice include free texting? And how does it work. If so i want to cancle my unlimited texting plan. Please give me some info
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Do a Google search for Google Voice. It tells you what the features are.
Sign up and try it. If you don't like it, don't use it. I've had it since last year and use it daily.
Give it a try!

s15274n said:
"MacGuy" on here bashing a google product, shocker.
...
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What is this supposed to mean? I use mostly Macs, true, because I like them. But my main HTPC is W7, and obviously my current cell phones are Androids. Just like my old, old phones were WM6, and before that Palms.
I've used GV for quite a while, and all I am saying is that it is unfit to be your main number, if you depend on your phone.
Call quality is marginal, and international call quality is less than marginal (yes, I actually have paid to use some GV features). Skype is much better for that, and it's often cheaper.
For texting it's fine, but at times I have experienced delivery delays, so if its important, I'd use the stock client (I have unlimited texting, so what's the point). International texting is not allowed anymore by Google.
I was all excited about GV a year ago, just like I was excited about Wave, but I am actually transitioning away from it now, because it's just not reliable.
Plus, as I said they can take your number away without warning, and without you being able to do anything about it.
Nothing to do with Macs. Just the facts....

my 2c...
GV is great, yea it's a bit beta-ish but for the functionality it can't be beat.
Not to mention free calls if you have a my circle plan, an older version of the GV app and set GV to show your number as caller id for inbound calls.
Free text, the delay is minumal and we get emails so lack of mms is a downside but I can live with it.

I do love GV and give that number out to everyone, I almost never give out my cell number unless I need some form of MMS sent to me (pictures, or some services need to send more than just text). I've rarely had issue, especially not delays, although I did have an entire day where I didn't get texts and was unable to send them. Still don't know what happened to all those texts. But call quality has been excellent on both my land/voip line and my cell going through GV. The voice call and call blocking features are worth it, too, and were the original reason I got the number 3 years ago. I certainly didn't plan on getting an Android phone back then, but the transition was great as I had started using more and more Google services.
Note that except for that one day, and probably 4-5 other days (out of over 1,000 days, and over 1600 text conversations) of minor delays, I've had zip for problems. No missed calls, and no missed texts. Highly recommended. But better integration would be nice (I just use the GV app for voicemail or to send an initial text when I don't have someone's "special" GV number).

Visual Voicemail (T-Mobile)

Anyone here use it? Is it worth activating; does it drain battery significantly, etc.? (I know folks say Google Voice is better, but I'm not interested in handing out a new phone no., etc. Don't do much phoning, or need heavy features; just curious about the pre-installed VV app.) Thx.

You don't have to hand out a new number. What you do is set your phone to forward unanswered calls to your Google Voice number and then set your Google Voice number "Do Not Disturb."
That way, all unanswered call get forwarded to Google Voice which goes straight to Voice Mail. Google Voice notifies you immediately when they are done leaving their message. Cheers!

I've used T-mobiles voice mail services including visual voice mail. I have also used Google Voice. Personally I didn't like the Google voice experience.
Much happier using T-Mobile voice mail and visual voice mail through T-Mobile.

I use it, works great for me. Never tried the google voice method.

I have never really tried the visual voice mail through T-Mobile. What makes it different and don't they charge you extra for it?

kangxi said:
I have never really tried the visual voice mail through T-Mobile. What makes it different and don't they charge you extra for it?
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Visual voice mail is free with your data plan. However, if you have been a long time customer, it may not be provisioned on your account. So all you have to do is call them, tell them to please provision visual voice mail onto your account, it should be free, and then you can activate it via your phone app.
Only real difference, Google Voice will transcribe your voice mails. Besides that major difference, I found Google Voice to be unreliable and just not for me.

SamsungVibrant said:
Visual voice mail is free with your data plan. However, if you have been a long time customer, it may not be provisioned on your account. So all you have to do is call them, tell them to please provision visual voice mail onto your account, it should be free, and then you can activate it via your phone app.
Only real difference, Google Voice will transcribe your voice mails. Besides that major difference, I found Google Voice to be unreliable and just not for me.
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I see. Well have you tried any if the newer versions? They have done a lot to make it faster and big free.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

Thanks to all for the replies/info...

I am using the visual voice mail and so far so good, it's free, so why not activating it?

I've been suing google voice for a while now. It works pretty good. Havent used vicual voiceail from t-mobile in a minute though. I think both work fine though, I'm just a google junkie

I found google voice is better.....for me. Just in case I don't feel my phone vibrate about a new voicemail. I also get email notifications, which is handy for me since I always use gmail notifications on my computers that I use.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

Sir Incognito said:
I've been suing google voice for a while now. It works pretty good. Havent used vicual voiceail from t-mobile in a minute though. I think both work fine though, I'm just a google junkie
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you might want to edit your post it says you have been suing google voice lol

I tried and use both. Visual vm has no negatives imo. Works wonderfully. GV transcripts are usually terrible-useless anyways. I only use google voice as a number on social networks and for texts when im in a bad reception area with wifi.
Plus it MAY not be free after the end of the year...
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

I use both so.....

Tmobile vvm doesn't transcribe. They mean "visual" like you can see your vm details on the screen as opposed to calling in.
Its kinda stupid.
Google voice is nice as long as you have the right combo of app and dialer app. I place a widget from each app on the screen. I can see sms as they arrive. Automatically transcribes vm, not recommended if your callers tend to be mumblers or dRunks.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk

I prefer visual voicemail over GV, if only cause there are too many hoops to make GV work well, and the transcription sucks in my opinion.
The only fail with T-Mobile Visual Voicemail is that it will not receive messages on WiFi, and where I live the 3g is non-existent at my house so I am always on WiFi, and if I get a voicemail I have to get of the wifi, download it and then I can switch back over.
Hope this helps.

ensonnosne said:
Tmobile vvm doesn't transcribe. They mean "visual" like you can see your vm details on the screen as opposed to calling in.
Its kinda stupid.
Google voice is nice as long as you have the right combo of app and dialer app. I place a widget from each app on the screen. I can see sms as they arrive. Automatically transcribes vm, not recommended if your callers tend to be mumblers or dRunks.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk
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Google voice transcriptions are terrible. The widget only shows the last SMS, and callimg people with a Google voice number only causes confusion.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

ensonnosne said:
Tmobile vvm doesn't transcribe. They mean "visual" like you can see your vm details on the screen as opposed to calling in.
Its kinda stupid.
Google voice is nice as long as you have the right combo of app and dialer app. I place a widget from each app on the screen. I can see sms as they arrive. Automatically transcribes vm, not recommended if your callers tend to be mumblers or dRunks.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk
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I like the visual because that way I can choose which message I want to listen to rather then start at message one

Ya like it too but they kinda do two different things.
And yes google voice is definitely not for you if it confuses the majority of your callers. Lol
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ensonnosne said:
Ya like it too but they kinda do two different things.
And yes google voice is definitely not for you if it confuses the majority of your callers. Lol
Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk
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Some people have beyter things to do than worry about which number to call or sms. Can also make managing you sms a pain, since voice isn't intergrated into the stock messaging app.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

Google Voice

How many people actually use this app and is it really a good thing to use? Just wondering about it because I notice it's in most roms and launcher downloads. I've personally never tried it. What are the pros and cons?
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App

ive been using google voice for quite a while, both on my PC and on my phones.. works seemlessly with the SF..
its a matter of preference.. and convenience for me...i can call out using either my cell number or my google voice number.. voicemail is SO much better, and it not only translates to text, but at the bottom of the text there is a play button to hear it..
the only con i can report is that sometimes the text translation of the voicemail is a bit off..but you can still get a good idea of what the message is without actually having to listen to it..
im a huge google voice fan..

mrjake1970 said:
ive been using google voice for quite a while, both on my PC and on my phones.. works seemlessly with the SF..
its a matter of preference.. and convenience for me...i can call out using either my cell number or my google voice number.. voicemail is SO much better, and it not only translates to text, but at the bottom of the text there is a play button to hear it..
the only con i can report is that sometimes the text translation of the voicemail is a bit off..but you can still get a good idea of what the message is without actually having to listen to it..
im a huge google voice fan..
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Does it cost extra to use it?
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App

It's free to use, unlike Verizon's Visual Voicemail which costs X amount of dollars per month. I was skeptical of Google Voice at first but I've really liked it for the month or so I've used it.

bskidz79 said:
It's free to use, unlike Verizon's Visual Voicemail which costs X amount of dollars per month. I was skeptical of Google Voice at first but I've really liked it for the month or so I've used it.
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Thanks, I'll give it a try.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App

I'm honestly not exaggerating when I say this: there are no cons to using Google Voice (I can't see how less-than-perfect voicemail transcription is a con since you don't get any voicemail transcription normally). Like Gmail, this is a service that's been universally lauded by the press and consumers alike for good reason.
BUT: it's not just an app on the phone that you run instead of Verizon's VVM app. It's a true telephony service, and if that sounds kind of complicated, well, in some ways it is, though Google makes it extremely easy to use (whether you just want to use it as a voicemail service, or to effectively replace your regular phone number(s) entirely).
Google has a great site that explains it all better than any of us can, so I'd suggest starting there:
http://www.google.com/googlevoice/about.html
Or here if for whatever reason you can't watch the videos:
http://www.google.com/support/voice/bin/static.py?page=guide.cs&guide=22635

I love my Google Voice. Best vm I've ever used
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App

The other part of the setup i have that i love is the seemless integration of computer and phone with bluetooth.
I spent about $80 on a blueant earpiece that allows multiple connections, and a $16 dongle from best buy for the computer.
When the phone rings, i can answer via the computer or the phone. I have had exactly 1 dropped call since i started using GV in July.
I was afraid of Google for the longest time because of privacy. Then i realized they know everything about me anyway from using search. Once i started trying more of their products i was hooked. Now i have everything Google on computer and obviously phone too.
My life is easier with the integration and they just plain have cool stuff Lol.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App

I have used google voice since for 6 months. I started on my BB and now use it on my Fascinate. I have friends with regular phones that use it as well, all of which love it. I haven't heard of anyone complaining or going back.

Just so folks know, you can choose to only use the Voicemail portion of Google Voice. You do not have to use it to make or receive calls...

the problem I had with google voice is it wanted to take over my entire phone. their forums you're pretty much worthless. Is there a link with good setup instructions?

There is only one downside I see to Google Voice and that's the fact that it can't send or receive MMS. Is it a big deal? Not unless you exclusively use your Google voice number to call and text people.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App

gv is a great product
i have my voicemails sent to my gmail account as txt
when at work my phone is on silent but I get all my personal messages

Google Voice, the entire service, is unfortnent as you must use a different number than your cell number (which if youve had for 5 years is... bad).
You CAN however use GV for voicemail with your current number, which lets you have the free visual voice mail/speech to text translations without needing a new number.

Adding your Google Voice number as one of your Friends & Family numbers equals free calls.

I love using GV for free texting. I've had my number for a few years. Worked great on AT&T/Blackberry Bold.
But with Verizon/FV I've noticed when receiving call or placing call with my GV#, there seems to be a 1/2 second delay when talking. Really started to annoy me, felt like a overseas call, so I stopped using my GV# as my everyday phone #.

Crashspeeder said:
There is only one downside I see to Google Voice and that's the fact that it can't send or receive MMS. Is it a big deal? Not unless you exclusively use your Google voice number to call and text people.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App
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yeah, if they get mms working, I'm dumping my texting plan.
spotmark said:
Adding your Google Voice number as one of your Friends & Family numbers equals free calls.
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Only if you actually dial your gv number and then enter the number you want to call. If you use the app, it dials another number that changes periodically. And you only get free incoming if you disable caller id pass-through.

Just jumped on the GV bandwagon after reading this thread. I've made a few calls with my sweet new Beverly Hills number. I'm sure i'll think of creative ways to use it. VVM will likely be its primary function, though. It's my understanding that GV uses your data connection for calls, correct?

PJnc284 said:
Only if you actually dial your gv number and then enter the number you want to call. If you use the app, it dials another number that changes periodically. And you only get free incoming if you disable caller id pass-through.
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Correct. The way I do it is, I access GV using my phone's browser, then I dial a number through that. It will ring my cell phone using my GV number, and then connect me to the person I'm calling.

can i use google voice on wifi.. ive tried but it just says dialing??? and how do i geta google voice number.. i have the app.. but it asks for my goolge voice number so i just type in my vzw number and i cant call

VZW - Anyone figure out Visual Voicemail?

Anyone figure this out yet? I tried to download the Visual Voicemail from the Play Store and it shows as non-compatible. I tried the older Visual Voice Mail for Nexus by Verizon and it doesn't set up, it just hangs. I've been getting these weird text messages every time I get a voicemail (900080006202 //VZWVVM:SYNC:ev....). I have to dial *86 to retrieve messages.

I set up Google Voice on mine and I'm on VZW. I haven't fully tested it yet, but I have the history of previous voicemail all downloaded again in the app, so it looks like it's working.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

caifan said:
Anyone figure this out yet? I tried to download the Visual Voicemail from the Play Store and it shows as non-compatible. I tried the older Visual Voice Mail for Nexus by Verizon and it doesn't set up, it just hangs. I've been getting these weird text messages every time I get a voicemail (900080006202 //VZWVVM:SYNC:ev....). I have to dial *86 to retrieve messages.
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visual voicemail is a problem. i had it turned off and basic turned on now i get the normal voicemail notification.. i was getting the same cryptic sms messages.

I called CS and told them to turn off VVM and just leave basic. I'm still getting the cryptic text messages and there is no way for me to know if I have a voice mail waiting. I'll try again and report back.

I was on the phone with tier 2 tech support this morning. We downloaded a couple apps. Couldn't get any of them to work. He didn't have any idea how long it will take to get it. He said continue to check for updates. Eventually, something will be released. I remember it took awhile for the N6 app to be released from Motorola.
I use phone fusion now. The transcription service is much better than youmail or Google voice. The app isn't so great, but it does the trick.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

caifan said:
I called CS and told them to turn off VVM and just leave basic. I'm still getting the cryptic text messages and there is no way for me to know if I have a voice mail waiting. I'll try again and report back.
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I talked to another CS rep and he successfully removed VVM. With basic voice mail, I no longer get the cryptic text messages and now I get prompted when there is voice mail waiting. I then successfully configured Google Voice to handle my voicemails and now my voice mails appear in the native dialer's voice mail tab after I selected the "Voicemail display" option in the Google Voice app. All is well and will await VZW's support for the 6P.

I've been using youmail for a couple of years now. I've never used VVM from verizon. They take enough of my money.... Not giving them another dime over what I have to. Youmail is free. I've liked it. Not for everyone but worth a try

For my Nexus 6p on Verizon I had to get google voicemail, change to GV for default VM in Call settings, and dial *71XXXXXXX (GV number). The text should not appear now that GV will pick up the notification. This means voicemail will be saved in your GV and not on Verizon. Until Verizon includes 6p as a compatible device for its visual voicemail app, this would be the solution. FYI, there is a visual voicemail Nexus that we can download. That doesn't work either.

caifan said:
I talked to another CS rep and he successfully removed VVM. With basic voice mail, I no longer get the cryptic text messages and now I get prompted when there is voice mail waiting. I then successfully configured Google Voice to handle my voicemails and now my voice mails appear in the native dialer's voice mail tab after I selected the "Voicemail display" option in the Google Voice app. All is well and will await VZW's support for the 6P.
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Yeah, I just chatted with CS and asked them to remove Visual Voice Mail from my line. Once She did that i stopped getting the odd texts and started getting the regular notifications again.

I managed to get the visual voicemail that I backed up from my 6. it shows in my apps but when you try to open This app is not supported on this device. I hope verizon can update it or someone hack the apk to make it work.

supertoast92 said:
I set up Google Voice on mine and I'm on VZW. I haven't fully tested it yet, but I have the history of previous voicemail all downloaded again in the app, so it looks like it's working.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
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So, I spoke a little too soon on this one lol.
I spent all day yesterday trying to get it to work. What finally worked for me was going on my desktop to the Google Voice website, and from there, disabling voicemail for my line and then re-enabling. For some reason, the number the site had me punch in for *71XXXXXXXXXX, where the X's represent your Google number, was different than what both my app and what the Google Voice homepage on my desktop showed. Works great now. (Except I'd like to figure out how to sync the voicemail screen in the Phone app with the GV app.)
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

What a pain. I was also receiving the cryptic text messages. I spent about 30 minutes in chat with Verizon. They actually told me the phone was not supported on their network. They claimed "The imei number should begin with 35 or 99". "It does not work in our system. That device imei number is registered to a Huawei" I explained who Huawei was and that the phone worked fine except for voice mail. I got Google Voice setup while I was in chat. They never would acknowledge that this phone should work fine. They did finally say "If it recognized the device, I am sure the visual voicemail problems would disappear!" and "check back with us within a few days just to see if there is an update!"

318sugarhill said:
I've been using youmail for a couple of years now. I've never used VVM from verizon. They take enough of my money.... Not giving them another dime over what I have to. Youmail is free. I've liked it. Not for everyone but worth a try
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You do know this service is included (free) right?

jtorress said:
You do know this service is included (free) right?
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The product known as Verizon Visual Voicemail is not free in my experience. They charge $2.99 per month to use it. The new Android Visual Voicemail built into Marshmallow is free, once Verizon supports it. This maybe obvious to you, but just throwing it out there for anyone else that comes across this.

mkitchin said:
The product known as Verizon Visual Voicemail is not free in my experience. They charge $2.99 per month to use it. The new Android Visual Voicemail built into Marshmallow is free, once Verizon supports it. This maybe obvious to you, but just throwing it out there for anyone else that comes across this.
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Gotcha. I had to double check I did find out that there's a Premium version for $2.99. I have Basic which is Free for me. Obviously as we established currently not working on my 6P and I'm using YouMail. LOL

supertoast92 said:
So, I spoke a little too soon on this one lol.
I spent all day yesterday trying to get it to work. What finally worked for me was going on my desktop to the Google Voice website, and from there, disabling voicemail for my line and then re-enabling. For some reason, the number the site had me punch in for *71XXXXXXXXXX, where the X's represent your Google number, was different than what both my app and what the Google Voice homepage on my desktop showed. Works great now. (Except I'd like to figure out how to sync the voicemail screen in the Phone app with the GV app.)
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
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To sync the phone dialer voicemail screen with GV, you have to open up GV and in settings tick the box for Voicemail display.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

Yeah now that I've figured out Google voice. It's great having it right in the dialer and also having the ability to get transcripts (although often poorly) in the app and my email is awesome. It just seems so natural with the nexus. Doubt I'll go back. It's free, just a pain to set up initially. Seamless now. Key is logging into Google voice on the desktop to get it set up properly.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

caifan said:
To sync the phone dialer voicemail screen with GV, you have to open up GV and in settings tick the box for Voicemail display.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
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Thanks for the reply. I actually did already have this checked, and the phone log does receive voicemails, but deleting from the log doesn't seem to delete from the Voice app itself, or move it to the trash folder...does it for you?
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

I hope they update the app sometime soon I miss the visual voicemail and won't use another service. I mean myverizon app works. Hell I'd be happy if someone hacked the apk to work if thats even possible.

Get Google Voice texts & voicemails in Hangouts
I use Google Voice instead of Verizon for my voicemail. You can get Google Voice texts & voicemails in Hangouts on the web and app: link for help
On my Nexus 6p, I get my voicemail in the Hangouts apps, no need to install Google Voice. Voicemail audio/transcription appear in Hangouts. I have a Pebble watch, I can read my voicemail messages on my wrist.
Hope this helps!