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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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Click to collapse
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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Click to collapse
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).
Hi all,
Before I got my Tab I bought a Tmo Vibrant which is still my primary phone. I am trying to figure out from everyone else how you manage having multiple android devices. Do you give people the number of your Tab and tell them that it is for texting only but no calls? Do you just use your Tab for general internet and use your other device for texting / calling?
------------------------------------
Who is Ariston?
Sent from my rooted Galaxy Tab
Two Words
Google Voice
I would be lost without it, from a communications perspective.
However, your thread caught my interest because I am struggling with a way to manage multiple devices, actually. Between Dropbox and Evernote, I am doing ok, but I am always looking for better, faster, stronger...
-Rob
I use my tab for all. I use Bluetooth handsfree for all calls and use it for internet and texts. I use it in my car for navigation. So i use only one device for all.
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App
pda_crazy said:
I use my tab for all. I use Bluetooth handsfree for all calls and use it for internet and texts. I use it in my car for navigation. So i use only one device for all.
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The challenge is, I have no desire to flash a new ROM to allow for calls. I bricked my Vibrant flashing so I'm a little gun shy! Because I'm in the US, I can't make calls using the Tab, so I'm pretty much stuck with two devices. I want to switch everything over to the Tab so I can do it all from there, but the calls issue is a drawback to that.
robroy90 said:
Google Voice
I would be lost without it, from a communications perspective.
However, your thread caught my interest because I am struggling with a way to manage multiple devices, actually. Between Dropbox and Evernote, I am doing ok, but I am always looking for better, faster, stronger...
-Rob
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rob,
So do you use Google Voice for VOIP calls from your Tab? I have a Google Voice number, but the text messaging interface in GV is pretty horrible. It's convenient, but it needs more functionality.
whoisariston said:
Rob,
So do you use Google Voice for VOIP calls from your Tab? I have a Google Voice number, but the text messaging interface in GV is pretty horrible. It's convenient, but it needs more functionality.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google Voice on Android is not a VOIP app.
I to have a Vibrant and a Tab..
See, what I do is I use the Vibrant for calls texts and all apps that would be weird to be on the Tab such as the sonic screwdriver or the lifesaber apps.
And I use my tab more for like email and whatnot...here's the breakdown:
The Vibrant is an extension of my Tab, and the Tab is an extension of my laptop.
In reading the forums here for a while now, it seems like hardly anyone uses Google Voice for anything. This surprises me, since I've always used GV and I can't imagine not using it. I mean, it lets you read/write/manage your SMS messages on your computer (ie I don't have to pull out my phone to text people if I'm at my computer), lets you make/receive calls straight to your computer (ie I don't have to pull my phone out necessarily if I want to make/receive a call and I'm at my computer), calls made/received on your computer don't count against your minutes, and if you happen to still have a MyFaves plan (and I know several of you do) you can set GV as one of your Faves and have all calls made/received with your handset free as well. The only problem I've ever had with it is that it sends/receives SMS messages over your data network, so if you're somewhere where the data connection is clogged (like I was when I was at a music festival recently), you can't send/receive texts. Even so, with all these advantages (some of them pretty huge IMO), why does it seem like no one uses it?
So, do you? If not, why not?
I use it and have regularly text/mms blocked.
Use it for texting and voice mail.
Not perfect, many things I would like improved, but definitely worth it for me.
I only use it for voicemail
beren28 said:
I use it and have regularly text/mms blocked.
Use it for texting and voice mail.
Not perfect, many things I would like improved, but definitely worth it for me.
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Click to collapse
I'm curious, what would you like to see improved? Personally, I'd like to be able to send mass texts from my phone, and to be able to send/receive MMS. I know you can send "mass" (to like five recipients, which, I mean, I've never needed to send a text to more than five people, so that's worked fine for me) texts through GV on a computer, but I can't get it to work on my phone.
I use it for international calls, international TXTing (no longer avail.), and craigslist or similar type of communication with people I don't want to share my real phone no. with.
I also use it in conjunction with Gizmo5 when I'm overseas. Sometimes I use this method when my minutes approach the limit.
MMS please! It's about time. This is the only reason why I still have to use my actual phone number.
gongonzabarfarbin said:
MMS please! It's about time. This is the only reason why I still have to use my actual phone number.
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Or you could use email. Or you could upload the picture to dropbox and SMS a dropbox link. Or you could share on any of the other numerous photoshare sites. There's a million ways around the MMS issue if you need to send some crucial media message, but I agree that it would be nice to have the functionality regardless.
We need pitcher messages, at least pitcher hosting so other people can just click the link. I use Google Voice but it's not perfect, it's not that fast.. it needs to be faster.
I just use it for the vm to text. That's pretty handy. I don’t have to talk to or even listen to people anymore!
opiomorph said:
I'm curious, what would you like to see improved?
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First I love GV. I have it routed to my home via sip, my cell with the GV app and when I'm traveling with the client built into gmail.
Improvement:
1. MMS would be great. Yes, I could use the cell or gmail but... it would be nice if it were incorporated into GV.
2. The GV organization for messaging (both the app and website) is well, basic. I don't get why all texts from one person can not stay in one convo. Makes it harder to find old text messages.
3. I would like to see more way to initiate conference calls
4. international calls could be cheaper. Yes they are cheaper than skype but that is not cheap... On my phone I use the voxofon app and at home voip with callwithus.
5. petty maybe, but I wish I could adjust the time before VM kicks in.
SykesAT said:
First I love GV. I have it routed to my home via sip, my cell with the GV app and when I'm traveling with the client built into gmail.
Improvement:
1. MMS would be great. Yes, I could use the cell or gmail but... it would be nice if it were incorporated into GV.
2. The GV organization for messaging (both the app and website) is well, basic. I don't get why all texts from one person can not stay in one convo. Makes it harder to find old text messages.
3. I would like to see more way to initiate conference calls
4. international calls could be cheaper. Yes they are cheaper than skype but that is not cheap... On my phone I use the voxofon app and at home voip with callwithus.
5. petty maybe, but I wish I could adjust the time before VM kicks in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would also *love* to have all my texts from a single person organized into per-person threads, and wonder why there's not a simple way to do this.
This is kind of interesting...
http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/19/google-voice-now-lets-you-port-your-own-phone-number/
Need MMS and also we REALLY need an alternative GV app.
Maybe one day Go SMS, Chomp or Handcent will support GV. That would be nice.
I love it and use it for my voicemail.
I have a Seattle number that most of my friends know, but upon moving to Arizona, being able to have an AZ local number was a big plus. Now I can have 2 numbers on one cell and not have to update any of my long-term contacts of a number change or any of that nonsense.
I use it, but I don't really love it.
I do not like their voicemail service AT ALL, however I like the convenience of giving people my google voice number, people whom I don't necessarily like
I use it for all my vmails, and for texting. I may even lower my texting package from tmo soon to save a few bucks. I can block people easily, can set custom greetings for different groups of people, and I can even use my bluetooth to make phone calls via my PC bypassing the need for a big voice package.
I use it for voicemail primarily and its the number I give out to businesses and people I don't really care to talk to so I can screen the calls. I also use it more when I don't have my phone on me or im on the computer
Sexy Vibrant featuring Nero V3 w/Voodoo, and FFC installed
I use it all the time. I like how I can screen my calls with it
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
I used to use it but I found it redundant and some people didn't appreciate having to keep up with so many phone numbers (GV, Business, Real Vibrant number). It doesn't support MMS so that made it hard to use exclusively.
Plus, I could do without those services running in the background.
It's nice for when you're selling stuff on CraigsList and don't want to give your real number, though.
I do hate Google for making it impossible for us to take our numbers off without giving another real number, or removing Google Voice from our Google Account.
But a quick phone number change took care of that.
I use it for texting some people that i dont want to have my real tmo number.I still have the unlimited texts....i've been thinking of dropping unlimited texting from my plan. I wish I had myfaves so I could have unlimited free calling with it...gotta find a way to get myfaves...hope tmo brings it back.
Its also great for using online,for example, Craigslist etc. Overall I think its great and I can't wait for more innovative features to be added.
*** Sent from my Samsing Vibrant (Axura 2.2.5.7) using xda app
I've been experimenting with the built-in SIP functionality in Gingerbread. Here's what I have so far:
I have three different Google Voice numbers. My main GV number is linked to the official GV app on my phone, and I use it for most calls.
My other two numbers forward to SipGate accounts. I configured the Gingerbread internet call menu with my SipGate accounts. My use of those lines is specific and limited enough that I enable SIP calling only when I need it.
I use the Google Voice mobile site when I need to originate calls for my secondary numbers. I know some people prefer third-party callback apps, but sometimes those stop working when Google changes their API. Those numbers are mostly incoming anyway, so that's a minor issue.
Because my phone is rooted, I can make VoIP calls on both wifi and cellular data, although quality suffers on 3G.
If anyone is interested in how to set this up, I posted complete configuration instructions on my blog.
Also, if anyone has ideas for a better setup, I'd love to hear them.
I am just now starting voip class at my college and this seems like a fun little experiment to help me learn a bit and see what it can do. Thanks.
Good guide. I could have used this a few months ago. I've tried exactly the same steps on my Shift, even to the point of installing iDialer and Fring on my HTC Touch Pro 2 (same as the Tilt 2). In both cases I was never happy with the performance though (and I couldn't get iDialer to integrate with GV to make it work as a VOIP only WiFi phone). There's always a lag, which throws off my wife whenever we try to use it.
I just tried Talkatone Preview for Android as well, and it's slightly better, but there's still a lag.
Have you looked at grooveip? the app and a voice number is all you need. Roommates cells got turned off so I went with groove and it seems to work great.
Keep up the great work.
I would probably use this if I needed to make international calls.
I get good enough Sprint service here that I'm never out of coverage, but international calls can run that bill up.
Aestivalis said:
Good guide. I could have used this a few months ago. I've tried exactly the same steps on my Shift, even to the point of installing iDialer and Fring on my HTC Touch Pro 2 (same as the Tilt 2). In both cases I was never happy with the performance though (and I couldn't get iDialer to integrate with GV to make it work as a VOIP only WiFi phone). There's always a lag, which throws off my wife whenever we try to use it.
I just tried Talkatone Preview for Android as well, and it's slightly better, but there's still a lag.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the major pitfall of VOIP in general, but I did find a really cool app that made calls after you listened to an ad. I'll try and locate it. You need a computer and mic for it. It's like Skype, but free.
Grooveip is really nice. I was using that to make free calls back to the states while in sout east asia. Easy to get free wireless hotspots over there.
Sent from my PG06100 using Tapatalk
I use Linphone but it's configured to my home voip provider (Callcentric). It should work also to make free calls though.
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.
Click to expand...
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.
Click to expand...
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.
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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.
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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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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.
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Dial *71 followed by your google voice number and follow the prompts to set up call forwarding.