How do I add credit to Google Voice app?

What is Google Voice?

Google Voice is a telephony service developed by Google that provides users with a phone number for placing and receiving calls, text messages, and voicemail. The service launched in 2009 and is available to users in the United States and select other countries.

With Google Voice, users are given a unique phone number that can ring multiple devices – cell phones, landlines, computers etc. Calls to a Google Voice number can be set to ring all linked devices simultaneously. Users can also choose to have certain devices ring at certain times.

Key features of Google Voice include:

Free calls within the US and Canada
Voicemail transcription
Text messaging

Call screening and blocking
Conference calling
Call recording

Online account management

Google Voice integrates with Android smartphones and the Google Voice mobile app allows easy call and text management. It can also integrate with Gmail for voicemail access.

As per SimilarWeb, the Google Voice app has over 10 million downloads on Android alone, indicating the popularity of the service.

Why Add Credit to Google Voice?

The main reason to add credit to your Google Voice account is so you can make outbound calls from your Google Voice number, even when you don’t have cellular service or access to wifi. With a credit balance, you can place calls using your Google Voice number on your mobile device or landline phone.

Adding credit enables your Google Voice number to function more like a traditional phone number. You can give out your Google Voice number to family, friends, or business contacts, and they can call you on that number regardless of whether you have cellular or data connectivity. The credit allows you to place outbound calls and receive inbound calls seamlessly.

In addition, adding credit allows you to make inexpensive international calls using your Google Voice number. The rates are much lower than traditional long distance carriers. So having a credit balance enables affordable international calling.

Overall, the main benefit of adding credit to your Google Voice account is the flexibility and convenience of having a stable number to use for all your calling needs, with the ability to place calls from anywhere using any phone ^[1].

Check Your Google Voice Balance

To check your Google Voice balance at any time, follow these steps:

Open the Google Voice app on your phone and tap the menu icon in the top left corner.

Select “Billing” from the menu options.
On the billing screen, you will see your account balance listed at the top under “Account balance”.
This will show you the amount of calling credit you currently have available to use for domestic and international calls through Google Voice.

Checking your balance regularly is a good way to stay on top of your Google Voice account and ensure you have enough credit for any upcoming calls you need to make. The app makes it quick and easy to view your up-to-date credit balance.

Source: https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/software/google-voice-pricing/

Add Credit Through the Google Voice Website

You can easily add credit directly through the Google Voice website. Just follow these steps:

Go to voice.google.com and sign in to your Google Voice account.
Click on the profile icon in the top right corner.
Select Settings from the drop down menu.

Under the Billing section, click Add credit.
Enter the amount you want to add, like $10, $25, or $50.
Select your payment method and complete the transaction.

The credit will be instantly added to your Google Voice balance. You can now use it to make calls, send texts, and access other Google Voice features. Adding credit on the website is a quick and convenient way to make sure you don’t run out.

Add Credit Through the Google Voice Mobile App

One easy way to add credit to your Google Voice account is directly through the Google Voice mobile app for Android or iOS. Here are the steps:

Open the Google Voice app on your phone.

Tap on the menu icon in the top left corner.
Select “Add Credit” from the menu options.
Choose the amount of credit you want to add, such as $10 or $20.

Enter your payment information, including your credit/debit card details or PayPal account.
Confirm the purchase and wait for the credit to be added to your Google Voice balance.

Adding credit through the mobile app is the fastest way to get more calling funds into your Google Voice account. The credit is applied immediately after purchase so you can start using it for calls right away. It’s easy to monitor your credit balance and re-up as needed directly from the Google Voice app.

Add Credit with a Gift Card

One easy way to add credit to your Google Voice account is by redeeming a Google Play gift card. Google Play gift cards can be purchased at many retail stores or online retailers like Amazon and Walmart. They are available in denominations ranging from $10 to $100.

To redeem a Google Play gift card:

Go to the Google Play Redeem page.

Sign in with your Google Account.
Enter your gift card code.
Click Redeem.

Once redeemed, the gift card balance will be automatically added to your Google Account credit. This credit can then be used for any Google paid services including Google Voice calls.

The advantage of using gift cards is that the credit is added instantly without needing to enter any payment information. It’s a fast and easy way to add funds to Google Voice.

Making Calls with Google Voice Credit

Google Voice credit can be used to make outbound calls from your Google Voice number to phones in the U.S., Canada, and other international destinations. When you dial out, Google Voice will automatically use any available credit in your account before billing your linked phone carrier, debit/credit card, or other payment method on file.

Credit rates when calling within the U.S. and Canada are just 1¢ per minute, with calls to landlines and mobile phones costing the same amount. International call rates vary depending on the destination, with most calls costing between 1-5¢ per minute. Calls to Cuba specifically are higher at $2.00 per minute.

Credit will be deducted per-minute as you talk on each call. Partial minute increments are rounded up to the next full minute. For example, a 6 minute 23 second call would deduct 7 minutes from your account balance.

It doesn’t matter whether you place calls directly from the Google Voice app, website, or by forwarding your Google Voice number to a landline or mobile phone. As long as the outbound call originates from your Google Voice number, available credit will be used.

Using Credit for International Calls

One of the most useful aspects of Google Voice is the ability to make low-cost international calls by using your Google Voice credit. International calls on mobile carrier plans can be very expensive, often $1 per minute or higher, depending on the destination country. With Google Voice, international calling rates are significantly cheaper to most countries.

For example, calling Mexico and Canada are free with Google Voice. Calling the UK is just 2 cents per minute, compared to up to $2 per minute on some carrier plans. Other sample international calling rates include:

Australia: 2¢/min

China: 2¢/min
France: 2¢/min
Germany: 1¢/min

Rates do vary by specific destination, but in most cases will be around 90% less than calling directly on your cell phone plan. Using Google Voice credit instead of your carrier minutes is a great way to save on international calls. Just make sure you have sufficient Google Voice credit before dialing an international number.

Credit Expiration and Refunds

Any Google Voice credit you add to your account expires after 90 days if it goes unused. According to Google’s support page, you have 6 months from the original date of purchase to request a refund on any unused Google Voice credit. To request a refund, you can contact Google Voice support directly.

Some users on Reddit have reported difficulty getting refunds on expired Google Voice credit, as Google’s official policy states that pre-paid credit is non-refundable. However, some persistence with support may still result in a one-time courtesy refund, especially if the credit expired very recently.

In summary, be sure to use any added Google Voice credit within 90 days, and request a refund within 6 months if any credit goes unused and expires. Google does not guarantee refunds on expired credit, but it may be possible to receive a one-time refund by contacting support.

Automatic Payments with Google Voice

Google Voice allows you to set up automatic payments to add credit to your account when your balance gets low. This ensures you don’t run out of credit unexpectedly.

To set up automatic payments, go to the Payments page in your Google Voice account settings. Next to “Auto-recharge,” select what amount you want added when your balance falls below $2. Add $10, $25, or $50 automatically.

With auto-recharge enabled, Google Voice will automatically charge your selected payment method to top up your account. This saves you the hassle of having to manually add credit each time.

The auto-recharge amounts (e.g. $10, $25, $50) determine the maximum amount that can be added at one time. However, Google Voice will only add the amount of credit needed to return your balance to $10.

So if your balance drops below $2, and you have auto-recharge set to $25, Google Voice will add $8 to bring your balance back to $10. You won’t be charged the full auto-recharge amount unless needed.