Is Google Voice a free app?
What is Google Voice?
Google Voice is a telephone service offered by Google that provides call forwarding, voicemail transcription, SMS text messaging, and more. It essentially gives you a virtual phone number that can ring multiple phones, and brings together various communication services under one account (Google Voice Overview).
With Google Voice, you get a phone number that works with the Google Voice apps on iOS and Android. Incoming calls to this number can ring all your phones, go to voicemail, or get blocked. You can make outgoing calls using this number as well. It provides voicemail transcription, SMS text messaging, call screening, and other features under one interface (Google Voice Overview).
Overall, Google Voice gives you advanced call management and phone capabilities without requiring a costly phone plan. It works over your existing internet connection and integrates with your smartphone.
Google Voice App Availability
The Google Voice app is available for free download on both iOS and Android devices. Users can download the app from the Google Play Store on Android or the App Store on iOS. The app allows you to use Google Voice services on your smartphone, including placing calls, sending texts, and accessing voicemail.
The Google Voice app is optimized for both platforms, with iOS and Android versions available. This allows you to download and install Google Voice on most modern smartphones free of charge. As long as you have the app, you can use your Google Voice phone number to make calls, send texts, check voicemail and more regardless of whether you are on an iPhone or Android device.
Google Voice App Features
The Google Voice app comes with several useful features for calling, voicemail, and SMS messaging. According to https://typecast.ai/learn/google-voice-app/, key features include:
– Calling – Make and receive calls through your Google Voice number. Calls to your Google Voice number can ring on all your linked devices.
– Voicemail – Receive voicemails that are transcribed and emailed to you. You can also listen to voicemails directly through the app.
– SMS – Send and receive text messages through your Google Voice number. You can text from the app on your phone, tablet, or computer.
Additional features highlighted by https://speechify.com/blog/google-voice-app-pc/ include call screening, blocking spam calls, recording calls, and conference calling abilities.
Google Voice Pricing
Google Voice offers calling and messaging capabilities through a free mobile app. For US-based phone numbers, the core Google Voice service is free, including voicemail, SMS texting, and unlimited domestic calls.1
There are also paid plans available with additional features: 2
- Starter ($10 per user/month) – Voicemail transcription, call screening, blocking
- Standard ($20 per user/month) – Starter features plus multi-user voicemail, call recording
- Premier ($30 per user/month) – Standard features plus conference calling, call routing
While core Google Voice is free, there may be carrier charges for international calls and texts. Overall, Google Voice provides an affordable way to manage phone communication in the US.
Google Voice limitations
While Google Voice offers many useful features for free, there are some important limitations to be aware of:
Google Voice does not support emergency calling. You cannot call 911 or emergency services with your Google Voice number. In emergency situations, you will need to use your regular cell phone number or landline to call for help. This is an important restriction to keep in mind if you plan to use Google Voice as your primary phone number.1
In addition, Google Voice calls are limited to 3 hours maximum. After 3 hours of continuous use, the call will be disconnected. This can make Google Voice challenging to use for very long calls.2
Google Voice also does not support SMS to 911 or emergency SMS services. All emergency communications must happen over your regular cell network using your carrier-provided phone number.
While Google Voice offers many free calling and texting capabilities, these emergency calling restrictions are important to note for safety reasons. It cannot fully replace a regular mobile or landline phone’s ability to contact emergency services.
Google Voice vs. carrier number
One key difference between Google Voice and your carrier number is that Google Voice functions as an independent phone number, separate from your regular mobile device number. According to How Google Voice Works – The Complete Guide, Google Voice is a completely separate service from your real number, even if you use the same device to make and receive calls.
When making calls with Google Voice, you have the option to choose whether the call is placed over an internet connection using your Google Voice number or through your carrier’s network using your regular number. As explained on Google’s support forum, selecting “Google Voice” will route the call through data or WiFi as a Google Voice call, while choosing “Carrier” will place the standard call through your carrier from your carrier number.
A key advantage of using your Google Voice number is low-cost or free calling and texting over data, including free calls within the US and Canada. Your carrier number, on the other hand, allows you to leverage your mobile plan’s native network coverage and quality of service.
Porting your number to Google Voice
One of the most useful features of Google Voice is the ability to port an existing mobile or landline phone number to use with the service. This allows you to keep your existing phone number while taking advantage of Google Voice’s features like voicemail transcription, call screening, and more.
To port a mobile number to Google Voice, first make sure you have the account number and account PIN for your mobile account. Then in the Google Voice settings, click “Port a number” and enter your carrier details. Google will verify the information and then send a port request to your carrier. The process usually completes within 24 hours. As stated on the Google Voice support page, “Porting numbers out of Google Voice isn’t supported” (source).
For landline numbers, the process is similar. You’ll need to provide your phone number, billing address, and account number from your landline phone bill. Google Voice will verify the details and submit the port request. According to guides on porting landlines, the process can take up to 7 days to fully complete (source).
Overall, porting a number to Google Voice is straightforward. Just be sure to have your account details handy, and allow sufficient time for the port to fully process.
Using Google Voice internationally
Google Voice is primarily designed for users within the United States. However, Google Voice does have some limited international capabilities depending on where you are located.
If you are traveling outside of the US, you can use the Google Voice mobile app on Android or iOS to make and receive calls over wifi or mobile data. However, Google Voice will not forward calls to your native US phone number while abroad per this Google support thread. International rates may apply if you make calls over cellular data.
If you live outside of the US, you cannot obtain a Google Voice number. But if you already have a Google Voice number, you can install the mobile app and use it for calling over wifi while traveling abroad according to this article from OpenPhone.
Texting internationally is only available to Google Voice users based in the US. Customers outside of the US cannot text internationally with Google Voice per Google’s support article.
Google Voice call quality
Google Voice calls rely on your data connection, so call quality is dependent on your internet speed and strength. Users on slower cellular data connections like 2G or 3G may experience choppy call quality or drops. Google Voice calls use VoIP technology to transmit calls over the internet, rather than a traditional cellular network. This means call quality can be impacted by factors like network congestion, bandwidth throttling by carriers, or traveling through areas with poor signal.
Call quality is typically better when using WiFi or a strong 4G/LTE cellular connection. One way to troubleshoot is by trying Google Voice on different networks to compare quality. Overall, call quality is comparable to regular cell calls in optimal conditions, but reliability depends on your location and network strength. Users wanting carrier-grade call quality may prefer using their carrier’s number over Google Voice.
Google Voice Security
Google Voice uses encryption and other security measures to protect calls, voicemails, messages, and other data. According to Google’s support page, Google Voice encrypts all calls to outside numbers and encrypts voicemails while storing them on Google’s servers [1]. The Google Voice app also requires login authentication for access.
However, there are some potential risks to consider. The app’s dependency on an Internet connection means calls could be interrupted by network issues. There is also a small possibility of data interception if the encryption were compromised. Users on Reddit have reported odd notifications about Google Voice security codes when only their cellular Apple Watch, not phone, was connected [2]. While likely just glitches, it highlights the need for vigilance in monitoring account activity.