Hi there,
I'm looking for some software that would automatically answer the phone, play a pre-recorded message, then give the option to be put through to me or leave a voicemail immediately (press 1 to talk directly, press 2 to leave a voicemail....etc...).
Another good feature would be to divert certain groups of contacts to voicemail / pre-recorded message at certain times - i.e. business contacts 6pm-9am, personal contacts 9am-6pm...etc...
Are there any decent 'call handling' apps you can recommend?
danfard said:
Hi there,
I'm looking for some software that would automatically answer the phone, play a pre-recorded message, then give the option to be put through to me or leave a voicemail immediately (press 1 to talk directly, press 2 to leave a voicemail....etc...).
Another good feature would be to divert certain groups of contacts to voicemail / pre-recorded message at certain times - i.e. business contacts 6pm-9am, personal contacts 9am-6pm...etc...
Are there any decent 'call handling' apps you can recommend?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah its called voicemail as you mention???
umbrellaman08 said:
Yeah its called voicemail as you mention???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Similar, but I'd like to encourage people to leave voicemails first, rather than call me directly unless absolutely necessary. i.e giving them the option of leaving a voicemail first, then holding if they really need to talk one-to-one.
I get a lot of calls and it can be difficult to answer them when you're in the middle of a piece of work. I think it'd cut down the amount of direct calls I get, and I can set some time aside for dealing with the non-urgent calls, which will mean clients get a more thorough response to their query.
I've found some software called iSecretary, which seems to be worth a look into.
AFAIK it doesnt exist. I (vaguely) remember reading somewhere that phone hardware is specifically made to not be able to do this as it would deprive the telcos their voicemail revenue. I think isecretary uses the speakerphone and records the output with the mic, meaning you get a very soft, low quality recording... plus it wouldnt be the most practical option if you are in meetings
Since I bought my Nexus 4, rather than moving my number to tmobile and running the risk of one day losing my number, I decided to use Google Voice, instead....I love the call forwarding feature that can make multiple phones ring all from one phone number!!! It's so nice to have one number to give out, rather than 3 (work, home, cell).
The problem with this, though, is text messaging. While it works great and I never miss a text (even if I've forgotten to pay my bill :laugh I can't keep the conversations sorted properly. I easily have at least 5 conversations for each contact in my list, and I can't figure out for the life of me how to merge them or stop a new conversation from starting. I like having one conversation thread per contact so that I can easily flip through and reference my old messages in the event I need to find, say, a phone number or address one of my contacts may have sent through text. On multiple occasions I've had to ask people to resend something because I can't find it in the chat log, and it's starting to get a little frustrating. Does anyone know of any way of keeping the conversation list better organized? Or is there maybe another app out there I could use for sms that will keep my conversations better organized until google fixes this?
Google probably won't fix it until after the merge with Hangouts, which does behave like what you want.
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Yeah, hangouts is really nice!! Conversations work much better, and I hope either the app merge or gv fix come soon, because it gets pretty frustrating.
rubiconjp said:
Google probably won't fix it until after the merge with Hangouts, which does behave like what you want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The way GV conversations are sorted isn't a bug though. Most people hate it but it is the way Google wants it to work. Google hasn't really done anything to the Google Voice app in years other than a few minor updates. Hopefully they will merge it with Hangouts since they are actually developing that app.
I did a search, but most things that came up were pretty old / beta type stuff...
I see that Google Voice has integration with Sprint. I was thinking about trying it out, but was wondering what those using it thought.
Pro's / Con's etc...
I've read about some problems with texting about it was installed. Is that still a problem?
I've been using it for a long time with no problems that I can think of. I still use two different phone numbers. Google and Sprint.
I've used GV for a couple of years...previously on an Evo 3D and now on the GS4.
It has lots of great features. I use my Sprint number as my GV number. This allows you to redirect calls to your Sprint number to other numbers. You can have custom voicemail greetings for different contacts (or groups of contacts). You can send some calls to voicemail automatically. It will send you a (very rough) transcript of your voicemail messages as a text message or email. GV also has a web interface where you can listen to / read voicemail messages, and send/read SMS messages. Sometimes it's nice to be able to send SMS using a computers full size physical keyboard. I travel internationally occasionally; GV lets you send/receive SMS messages via Wifi if you don't have (or want to pay for) an international plan.
The biggest con with GV is that it doesn't do MMS; if I remember right, there's some way to have MMS forwarded to an email address or something inconvenient like that, but no way to do it cleanly on the phone. There have been rumors that they would support MMS better for years now...but little progress.
I usually use Handcent for all of my SMS/MMS stuff, except when traveling out of the country. But, GV always handles my voicemail (in fact, be warned that you'll lose all of your Sprint voicemail messages if you start using your Sprint number as your GV number), I have a few different greetings for different people. The voicemail transcripts are nice. They are surprisingly bad considering how good Google's speech recognition usually is, but you can at least get the gist of what the person is calling about.
Hello,
I have been using Google Voice for a couple of years now. It is the best as far archiving, searching, and managing your voicemails and texts. I'm not sure if there's a storage limit, but I haven't seen anything about it. It's really great and because I'm an avid ROM flasher, I don't have to worry about backing up my texts.
As mentioned before, MMS is an issue. Lacks international texting as well.
My biggest problem with Google Voice:
I'm not sure if anyone else has this problem, but sometimes dialing is an issue. I will dial out and then it takes forever for to actually connect. The same happens when people call in--they say they've been waiting for me to pick up forever and I picked up on the first ring. After testing using other phones, I've come to the conclusion there's a huge delay at times. I'm not sure if it's the area I live in... I mean, it shouldn't be a problem. I live in DC.
I use GV for my voicemail only. Its great when I don't have good service and I get a call that doesn't ring the phone and people hangup and don't leave a message because it registers as a missed call.
I've been using the integration since the day it became available. The only con is that it doesn't support receiving MMS. So what happens when someone sends you an MMS? Well it depends on what service the sender is using and apparently on the phase of the moon and tide. Some got to my e-mail. Some get rolled over to my sprint number and come through normally. And some are never received or seen.
I used it with 2 different numbers.
MMS would only go to the phone, and if I replied, it was with my sprint number.
I eventually ported my Google Number to Sprint and now that is my only number. MMS still only goes to the phone, but now there is no confusion with any other numbers.
So, the only downside is if you are using 2 different numbers with MMS.
I've never completely ported my number because I paid for my Google voice number. I didn't want a system picked number, I wanted a custom chose number. Something easy to remember. My qualms with gv are the need for a strong and fast data connection to dial out and the occasional lag in voice when using the service and mms. When I call customers, I don't want them knowing my real cell number. Another complaint is not knowing an incoming call, which number it's dialing into. If a customer, that I called using gv, calls me back, and I don't recognize the number and am getting tired of them calling me back, it's easy to block them than with my sprint number. The delay, can sometimes be so bad and long that we talk over each other on every sentence. The lack of easily sending a mms is a pita. I like the ability to keep messages for a long time with gv. I have decided to not go the integrated route because I want more control, but it's not without it's limitations.
I'm using Google voice integration and haven't noticed any problems with mms. It just doesn't show up online. It goes directly to my phone. No record of it from the gv app. I paid for an extra number, but my main gv number is my sprint number. Can't dial out with my gv number. I use the online voice page to text all day at work. Much less conspicuous than staring at my phone.
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---------- Post added at 12:27 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:24 AM ----------
I had gv before I used full sprint integration, so after I integrated I paid to keep my gv number. Just so people can dial it and get ahold of me. I can't use it to send or call out. Just my sprint number.
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Google Voice + Sprint
I started using GV due to issue with VVM and the custom ROM I had flashed. I had a lot of problems at first. Two people I know could not get through to me. I eventually uninstalled. After awhile I went back to it and it works fine now. Not sure what happened. Spent hours online and with Sprint trying to figure it out. Anyway, I use it constantly now and love it.
I am coming from a LG G3 to the Galaxy S7 Edge. I had Google Voice working just fine on my G3. I could text/call from my Google Voice number and also my voicemails were automatically sent to Google Voice instead of Verizon.
I installed Google Voice on the Edge and it gave me the normal your carrier doesn't support automatic configuration. On my G3, I just clicked through the configure screens and selected Google Voice and everything worked fine. If I do that on my Edge it doesn't work. When I call my number, it says voicemail hasn't been set up for the phone number instead of forwarding to google voice.
I did the manual process of forwarding calls to Google Voice, *71{phonenumbertotransferto}, *90{phonenumbertotransferto} and *92{phonenumbertotransferto} and it works but it rings 15 times first. This isn't ideal.
Also when I try to use Google Voice to call a number, it looks like it is working but it is calling from my verizon number instead of my Google Voice number.
Anyone have ideas on how to get this to work correctly?
**Update**
I was able to get the time until Google Voicemail picks up shortened by turning on Do Not Disturb in Google Voice settings. This is a work around for me since I don't have people calling me on my Google Voice number. If I did, this wouldn't be an option. Still not able to make calls with Google Voice from my phone though.
May I ask first, why are you still using the defunct Google Voice app? Why haven't you simply switched over to Hangouts?
I ask because Hangouts has everything you have asked for in this post. I use Hangouts and actually 2 Google numbers attached to my phone thru 2 separate Google accounts. This phone has the call forward feature built into the phone settings so you don't even need to dial *71,etc. Just go into phone settings and tell it which number you want to forward your calls to when they are unanswered.
To stop it from ringing 15 times before your call transfers finally to your Google voice mail, you have to stop the call from "bouncing" around I call it. In your google voice settings (easiest to see on your computer)... You probably have both "Forward calls to Google Chat" AND "Work" (or Home or whatever you call your phone you forward your calls to).
You need to uncheck forward calls to Google chat. That will stop the crazy number of rings before it transfers to voicemail. The only other way I know is how you suggested and use Do Not Disturb.
Lastly, again if you use Hangouts, it actually has a dialer app that goes along with it that you can use to dial out just as normal whenever you want to use your google number to dial out. I use it often. It works great.
I hope this wasn't too jumbled. Best of luck!
EDIT: Actually I think the ring problem is fixed with changing the call screening feature in your voice settings (again easiest seen by visiting Google voice settings via your computer). I'm pretty sure I turned on call screening to correct that issue. Been so long since I've messed with the setting LOL. But if you research call screening it actually changes how the system works somewhat, including answering calls, etc. I'm pretty sure that's how I did it. Again sorry for the long winded post.
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Can you explain what you mean by "defunct Google Voice app"?
I use GV to access my mobile voicemail messages, have done so for years...are you saying I should uninstall it and I can use Hangouts to view/listen to my voicemails?
When I go into GV I can see a list of current/previous voicemail messages. In Hangouts I don't see the list of voicemails that I see in the GV app...can you explain a little more how Hangouts can replace GV, and where/how I can get to my voicemails from Hangouts?
Thanks!
Yeah I mean Hangouts has completely replaced Google Voice.
In fact, I haven't used GV since Hangouts came out. I still see the same voicemails I always have. Only now you can see everything that comes into Hangouts all in one place. You still can set up notifications in hangouts when someone leaves you a voicemail, just like in the old GV app. And you can see the transcribed message right there in Hangouts. You can either read it, or hit the play button and hear out loud. I prefer mostly to play them out loud, because a lot of the time Google's auto transcription service is pretty bad, especially with foreign accents.
In Hangouts, you have 3 screens to swipe thru to the left or right. The furthest left is the contacts/settings/etc. The middle is the screen where you would see any voicemail/ text messages. And the furthest right screen is the Hangouts Dialer (you do need to download the dialer app separate in the play store).
Try this. Delete your GV app. Go to the play store and download Hangouts and Hangouts Dialer. Then setup Hangouts. Hangouts dialers will automatically setup when you setup Hangouts. Add your Google account when you set up, and you should be all set. Then of course change your settings how you like. See if it works for you. I personally don't know anyone who uses GV app anymore. Even Google on the play store says its no longer supported.
But yes, when Hangouts came out, it was a COMPLETE replacement for Google Voice app. It's really awesome if you take advantage of all its features.
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---------- Post added at 03:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:30 PM ----------
I should also say this. Hangouts will ask you if you want to make it your default SMS texting app and have all your texts go thru Hangouts. I personally don't do that, but you can. I don't do it only because I don't like the look of hangouts enough to use it all the time for texting. That's just a personal thing. I like to use the stock messaging app that I can keep themed like the rest of the phone from the Samsung theme store. But you can indeed use hangouts as your entire texting/messaging/voicemail platform and it will perform beautifully.
IF you only want to use a separate texting app, just make sure you keep that in mind.
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I do Google voice for my number and use hangouts which I personally don't much like. Is there a messaging app that can accept my GV number other than the stock GV and hangouts apps? I looked a few phones ago and nothing existed at the time to handle GV/hangouts messages.
Don't hold me to this because I haven't used them personally, but I believe you can use something like Groove IP. And I think there's an app on the play store called "Phone for Google Voice". But again I've never used them so I can't say for sure. Hangouts has always filled the void that I needed it to. It's not at all perfect, but Google hardly ever makes a perfect app lol.
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You still need the Google Voice app to place calls over cellular and use your Google Voice number. Without the Google Voice app, the phone dialer either uses your carrier number, or you need to use Hangouts. Hangouts for calls has a very poor echo that everyone I talk to complains about, it heats the phone up extremely fast and kills battery, and if you are in a weak coverage area calls get dropped.
I'm using the Google Voice app fine on my S7 Edge to make and receive calls. Of course I use Hangouts for texting and receiving voicemails though.
I've done that for years. Was just hoping for an alternative messaging app. I've had the same GV number since the first galaxy S lol.
geoff5093 said:
You still need the Google Voice app to place calls over cellular and use your Google Voice number. Without the Google Voice app, the phone dialer either uses your carrier number, or you need to use Hangouts. Hangouts for calls has a very poor echo that everyone I talk to complains about, it heats the phone up extremely fast and kills battery, and if you are in a weak coverage area calls get dropped.
I'm using the Google Voice app fine on my S7 Edge to make and receive calls. Of course I use Hangouts for texting and receiving voicemails though.
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Click to collapse
I don't call out much on my GV number, so i use hangouts when I do.
That being said, you indeed can get other apps... Or at least used to be able to, that would let you dial out with your GV number. Phone+ comes to mind, Groove IP like I mentioned before, and others. Some are just app setups that will allow you to pick contacts that auto dial out on your GV number. I think it's Phone+ that does something like that. I just saw a thread over in the regular S7 forums where people were having some of the same issues. Apparently when HD calling was enabled a while ago, it maybe helped to make it harder for all who used Google Voice. I see it looks like it started back on the S6 or S5. This is my first new phone since my Note 3 so go figure lol....
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GV still exists and still works, and does a few things that Hangouts doesn't seem to do.
As far as the OP goes, I am working through the same issues with voicemail.
*edit, based on what I'm seeing, the only way to reduce the rings on Verizon's end is to call customer support and request it. I'll try it when I have time and update. Also, call forwarding can be configured from the Verizon website as well https://wbillpay.verizonwireless.com/vzw/secure/services/CallForward.action
Verizon customer service was able to shorten the ring time (I asked for 15 seconds from 30). Everything is working fine for me, including calling out from the GV number using the stock Samsung dialer, so I'm not sure what your issue is there. In GV, did you set the "make calls as" setting to use the GV number? Alternatively using the Hangouts dialer from the Hangouts app should work also.
turbosrrgood said:
GV still exists and still works, and does a few things that Hangouts doesn't seem to do.
As far as the OP goes, I am working through the same issues with voicemail.
*edit, based on what I'm seeing, the only way to reduce the rings on Verizon's end is to call customer support and request it. I'll try it when I have time and update. Also, call forwarding can be configured from the Verizon website as well https://wbillpay.verizonwireless.com/vzw/secure/services/CallForward.action
Verizon customer service was able to shorten the ring time (I asked for 15 seconds from 30). Everything is working fine for me, including calling out from the GV number using the stock Samsung dialer, so I'm not sure what your issue is there. In GV, did you set the "make calls as" setting to use the GV number? Alternatively using the Hangouts dialer from the Hangouts app should work also.
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Click to collapse
I was completely unaware that calling and asking for shortening of the unanswered ring time still worked. Thanks for that info, good to know. I thought that option was long gone.
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WiFi Calling Was my Culprit
So despite everyone telling the OP that Google Voice sucks, I still think it's functionality if FAR preferable to Hangouts. Not only is the interface much cleaner, but the Chrome extension on desktop is much more conducive to texting and voicemail management. In addition, it is totally integrated with Google Contact management, which is a plus.
I switched to a Galaxy S7 Edge yesterday and had setup issues with Voice. Finally after a conference call with Sprint and Google support (Google was just kind enough to help, since Google offers no live support for free apps), we found out that it is indeed WiFi Calling that is the culprit in Voice setup. However, it's not enough to simply uninstall the native app and turn off WiFi Calling, you have to go into the WiFi Calling settings and disable the service completely. For me that was at the bottom of the 9-1-1 location settings page. After disabling WiFi Calling, my profile automatically updated, I uninstalled Google Voice and reinstalled, and setup was a total breeze, everything was right with the world, and I can continue using Hangouts as it should be, to share GIFs with my friends and talk trash about Fantasy Football.
I hope this helps anyone with this issue, the Sprint Technical Support guy said he'd run across it yesterday and had no idea what to do with the issue until now.
KBP83 said:
So despite everyone telling the OP that Google Voice sucks, I still think it's functionality if FAR preferable to Hangouts. Not only is the interface much cleaner, but the Chrome extension on desktop is much more conducive to texting and voicemail management. In addition, it is totally integrated with Google Contact management, which is a plus.
I switched to a Galaxy S7 Edge yesterday and had setup issues with Voice. Finally after a conference call with Sprint and Google support (Google was just kind enough to help, since Google offers no live support for free apps), we found out that it is indeed WiFi Calling that is the culprit in Voice setup. However, it's not enough to simply uninstall the native app and turn off WiFi Calling, you have to go into the WiFi Calling settings and disable the service completely. For me that was at the bottom of the 9-1-1 location settings page. After disabling WiFi Calling, my profile automatically updated, I uninstalled Google Voice and reinstalled, and setup was a total breeze, everything was right with the world, and I can continue using Hangouts as it should be, to share GIFs with my friends and talk trash about Fantasy Football.
I hope this helps anyone with this issue, the Sprint Technical Support guy said he'd run across it yesterday and had no idea what to do with the issue until now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think anyone told him the GV app sucked. Originally I was asking him why he was still using the GV app, just to get an idea of his issues and how to better help the situation. In particular, I just said it was defunct, aka antiquated....and it is. It still has its uses as a legacy app, or as a stand alone app in circumstances, but for the most part, it's still around for legacy support. Up until recently, Google even listed it this way on the play store.
The GV app still does one thing Hangouts won't do. Hangouts will only make wifi or voip calls. The GV app WILL call out from your GV number, but it will use cellular service and use your phone minutes. That's about the only reason I see to actually have the GV app still. Hangouts has every one of my contacts integrated just like any other app I have on my phone that does the same thing. Admittedly, Hangouts contacts view is really ugly lol.
As far as the PC side, I have Hangouts installed on my windows 10 laptop, and it rings beautifully every time I get a call or text, I can check voicemails, etc. All my contacts are integrated for both Gmail accounts that i can keep running simultaneously. It works quite well. I also have Google Voice chrome extensions. Everything works fine together.
The rest is just preference and style choice. I've never had issues with Hangouts. And I never really had issues with the Voice app before that. I've also not had the unfortunate bad luck of dealing with the setup problems everyone seems to be having. I have NOT however, set up wifi calling yet on my S7Edge, so my guess it that's why I'm not experiencing all the issues people are having with setup.
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KBP83 said:
So despite everyone telling the OP that Google Voice sucks, I still think it's functionality if FAR preferable to Hangouts. Not only is the interface much cleaner, but the Chrome extension on desktop is much more conducive to texting and voicemail management. In addition, it is totally integrated with Google Contact management, which is a plus.
I switched to a Galaxy S7 Edge yesterday and had setup issues with Voice. Finally after a conference call with Sprint and Google support (Google was just kind enough to help, since Google offers no live support for free apps), we found out that it is indeed WiFi Calling that is the culprit in Voice setup. However, it's not enough to simply uninstall the native app and turn off WiFi Calling, you have to go into the WiFi Calling settings and disable the service completely. For me that was at the bottom of the 9-1-1 location settings page. After disabling WiFi Calling, my profile automatically updated, I uninstalled Google Voice and reinstalled, and setup was a total breeze, everything was right with the world, and I can continue using Hangouts as it should be, to share GIFs with my friends and talk trash about Fantasy Football.
I hope this helps anyone with this issue, the Sprint Technical Support guy said he'd run across it yesterday and had no idea what to do with the issue until now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on Sprint, but had the exact same experience. Been dealing with it for a few weeks. And this was the only solution.
As far as using Hangouts instead of the GV app- I can't get what you guys are describing to work. I have Hangouts installed, I installed the dialer, but nothing I do shows my voicemails. I only see the text messages and a call log. I'd be interested in another option to the GV app, which I think is adequate, but not great.
mwshows said:
May I ask first, why are you still using the defunct Google Voice app? Why haven't you simply switched over to Hangouts?
I ask because Hangouts has everything you have asked for in this post. I use Hangouts and actually 2 Google numbers attached to my phone thru 2 separate Google accounts. This phone has the call forward feature built into the phone settings so you don't even need to dial *71,etc. Just go into phone settings and tell it which number you want to forward your calls to when they are unanswered.
To stop it from ringing 15 times before your call transfers finally to your Google voice mail, you have to stop the call from "bouncing" around I call it. In your google voice settings (easiest to see on your computer)... You probably have both "Forward calls to Google Chat" AND "Work" (or Home or whatever you call your phone you forward your calls to).
You need to uncheck forward calls to Google chat. That will stop the crazy number of rings before it transfers to voicemail. The only other way I know is how you suggested and use Do Not Disturb.
Lastly, again if you use Hangouts, it actually has a dialer app that goes along with it that you can use to dial out just as normal whenever you want to use your google number to dial out. I use it often. It works great.
I hope this wasn't too jumbled. Best of luck!
EDIT: Actually I think the ring problem is fixed with changing the call screening feature in your voice settings (again easiest seen by visiting Google voice settings via your computer). I'm pretty sure I turned on call screening to correct that issue. Been so long since I've messed with the setting LOL. But if you research call screening it actually changes how the system works somewhat, including answering calls, etc. I'm pretty sure that's how I did it. Again sorry for the long winded post.
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was using the GV app and I tried this setup but my calls and VM's don't show up in Hangouts. I can't seem to get them to show up.
I figured it out. You have to select this option in Hangouts.
As a follow up:
Working with a few Sprint techs got me this info. GV won't work if WiFi calling is set up or enabled. It doesn't matter if you turn it off. It has to be completely deactivated.
I've been using GV for many years, and never had a problem on other phones, even using WiFi Calling. This is obviously a s/w issue. Hopefully it can be remedied in a future update.
I just upgraded from an S4 to S7. I too have been using GV since it came out. Hangouts option to be used as a default messaging app is giving me reason to try it, as it's been horrid for quite some time. To make calls from your GV number, install the GV app and use it's settings for which number. To get GV vm in Hangouts, again use GV option to have them available for Hangouts (there is a setting in GV).
My question for the group, how do you get Verizons VM to Hangouts? The old way through GV appears to not work. Having my Verizon number forwarded to GV results in my phone not ringing for either number, but it does ring on desktop.
brohan said:
I just upgraded from an S4 to S7. I too have been using GV since it came out. Hangouts option to be used as a default messaging app is giving me reason to try it, as it's been horrid for quite some time. To make calls from your GV number, install the GV app and use it's settings for which number. To get GV vm in Hangouts, again use GV option to have them available for Hangouts (there is a setting in GV).
My question for the group, how do you get Verizons VM to Hangouts? The old way through GV appears to not work. Having my Verizon number forwarded to GV results in my phone not ringing for either number, but it does ring on desktop.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dial *71 followed by your google voice number and follow the prompts to set up call forwarding.