What happened to Google Voice app?
Google Voice was first launched in 2009 as GrandCentral before being acquired and rebranded by Google. It provided users with a free phone number that could ring multiple phones, send and receive text messages, transcribe voicemails, and more. Key features included:
- Free phone number with voicemail transcription
- Unified inbox for texts across multiple devices
- Call screening, blocking, recording, and forwarding
- Low international calling rates
- Visual voicemail with archives
The app aimed to centralize phone communications and voicemail into one interface, providing added functionality compared to traditional phone services. It was available on iOS, Android, and the web.
Declining Updates
Google Voice app hasn’t seen major updates in recent years. Overview of last significant update. The Google Voice app for Android last saw a significant update in 2018, when features like group messaging, voice mail transcripts, and an improved call screen were added (AndroidPolice). Since then, updates have been minimal. The iOS app’s last major update was in 2020, which aligned the app with the Android version and added support for dark mode and some accessibility features (9to5Mac). Many users have complained about the lack of attention and new features for Google Voice, especially compared to other Google products.
User Concerns
Many users have been complaining about the lack of new features and updates for Google Voice. Over the past few years, Google seems to have put development of the Google Voice app on the back burner. Users cite the lack of updates and minimal effort from Google to improve the app (reference).
Some of the main complaints from users include the dated user interface, lack of MMS support, inability to port Google Voice numbers, limited call forwarding options, no video calling, and various bugs. The app has remained stagnant while competitors continue to innovate. Users are frustrated that basic features that seem standard for a voice app in 2022 are still missing from Google Voice (reference).
Many posts on Reddit and other forums show users venting their annoyance at the lack of development on the app. Some threaten to switch to other providers if updates don’t start rolling out soon. There is a clear demand for improvements to Google Voice among the loyal user base.
Google’s Focus Elsewhere
In recent years, Google has invested heavily in developing other communication apps like Allo, Duo, and Hangouts Chat, shifting focus away from Google Voice. As reported by The Verge, Google aimed to unify its various workplace messaging platforms into a single app called Google Chat in 2020. This demonstrated a priority on enterprise communications over consumer-focused Google Voice.
Additionally, Google introduced video calling app Duo in 2016 and chat app Allo in 2016, both focused on competing with apps like FaceTime and WhatsApp. As noted on Reddit, this left Google with many overlapping communication apps and no clear focus on Google Voice. The attention and resources dedicated to these new apps came at the expense of improving and updating Google Voice.
Still Functional
Despite lack of updates, core features of Google Voice still work. The app remains functional for most users on Android and iOS (source). Users are still able to make calls, send texts, listen to voicemails, and access other key features through the Google Voice app. While certain integrations with Hangouts are being shut down, the core telephony capabilities continue to operate (source). So even without major updates in recent years, Google Voice provides the basic functionality that many rely on. The app persists as a useful tool for managing a virtual phone number.
Alternatives Emerged
As Google Voice’s development stagnated, alternative apps emerged that replicated many of its core features. Popular communication apps like WhatsApp, Signal, and Skype allowed users to make voice calls, send messages, and manage contacts. While not direct replacements, these apps provided viable alternatives for core Google Voice functionality.
Other apps like RingCentral offered more direct competitors, providing cloud-based phone systems and advanced call routing features similar to Google Voice. This allowed users to port their number and manage calls/voicemails through an app. Overall, although no perfect substitute emerged, the market provided alternative options as Google Voice stagnated.
Google’s Official Stance
Google has not made any official announcements about the future of Google Voice. The app continues to be available on iOS and Android app stores. In 2020, Google announced on The Keyword blog that Google Voice would receive new features and updates including spam call blocking and screening. However, updates have remained minimal since then.
In response to user complaints about the lack of development, a community specialist on Google’s forums stated in 2021: “We realize some users may be looking for new features, but we don’t have any news to share at this time.”
While Google Voice appears to still be operational with no signs of shutting down, the company has not provided any official roadmap or commitment to future feature development.
Possible Explanations
There is much speculation on why Google has not prioritized updates and new features for the Google Voice app in recent years. Some possible explanations include:
Google may be more focused on its newer communication apps like Duo, Meet, and Chat as part of its Workspace suite of productivity apps. With limited resources, Google Voice may have taken a backseat.
As reported on NoJitter.com (1), Google may be distracted by other battles and initiatives and unable to give Google Voice the attention it needs to thrive.
Google may see more strategic value in growing its Pixel phone business and Android platform than improving Google Voice, as suggested on Quora (2).
With the rise of competing VoIP apps like WhatsApp, Signal, Skype, and FaceTime, Google may feel investing further in Google Voice has diminishing returns.
What’s Next
Many users are wondering if Google will continue to update and support Google Voice going forward, or if its relative neglect is a sign of impending abandonment. The future remains uncertain, but there are some indications that Voice may see improvements again in the future.
While Google Voice has not seen many major updates recently, Google has stated that they have no plans to shut down the service. According to a Google support thread, “Google Voice remains a viable service, there are no plans to retire the consumer version of Google Voice.”
That said, Google Voice is likely not a major priority for Google at this time. Their focus appears to be on growing their Google Workspace platform. As reported by 9to5Google, Google may see more potential in expanding Voice as an enterprise tool rather than a consumer product.
Some users speculate that Google is continuing to maintain Google Voice in its current form to avoid disruption, while slowly shifting focus to its Google Voice integrated directly into Google Workspace. This keeps the service available for existing users while dedicating more resources to Voice for business.
While few major upgrades seem imminent, it’s possible we could see smaller incremental improvements to Google Voice, focused on maintaining reliability and compatibility rather than introducing new features. But whether Google has bigger plans in store remains to be seen.
Conclusion
In summary, Google Voice was once a popular app that allowed users to make phone calls, send texts, and manage voicemails through one interface. However, over the past few years, updates and new features for the app have declined significantly. This has led to frustration and confusion among longtime Google Voice users who have come to rely on the service.
While Google has not provided an official explanation, the lack of attention on Google Voice seems to stem from the company focusing on other projects and products instead. The emergence of alternative apps that provide similar capabilities to Google Voice has also likely lessened demand for Google’s offering.
Looking ahead, the future of Google Voice remains uncertain. While the core functionality still works for now, it’s unclear if Google plans to invest in improving the app anytime soon. Unless substantial upgrades are made, Google Voice may continue to stagnate and lose relevance over time. For dedicated users of the service, it may be prudent to explore some of the alternative voice and messaging apps available.