What is the free calling app on Google?

ByJael Lawler

Google’s free calling app is known as Google Voice. It provides users with a free phone number for making calls, sending texts, and accessing voicemail. The key features of Google Voice include:

  • Free phone number
  • Call and text any number in the US and Canada
  • Voicemail
  • Call screening
  • Sync between devices

Google Voice allows users to make phone calls, send texts, and check voicemail all through one app that works across devices. It provides a central phone number that can be used for calling and messaging even without a cellular plan.

Name and History

The free calling app from Google is called Google Voice. It was originally launched on March 11, 2009 as GrandCentral before being rebranded as Google Voice later that year after Google acquired the service. Google Voice was based on GrandCentral but included new features like voicemail transcriptions and SMS management (https://google.fandom.com/wiki/Google_Voice).

Over the years, Google has added more features to Google Voice, like call screening, voicemail greetings, and group texting. The service has expanded from only being available in the United States to now being available in select other countries as well. Google Voice continues to be a popular free calling and messaging app from Google.

Features

Google Voice offers several useful features, including:

  • Voicemail – Google Voice provides free voicemail and transcriptions so you can read voicemails instead of listening to them. You can access voicemails on any device.
  • Call screening – The call screening feature allows you to see who’s calling and decline or answer accordingly. It helps filter out unwanted calls.
  • Call recording – Google Voice can record inbound and outbound calls for free, which can be useful for remembering conversations.
  • Texting – You can send and receive texts using your Google Voice number. Texts are synced across devices.
  • International calling – Google Voice offers low-cost international calling rates to other countries, starting at $0.01 per minute.
  • Call forwarding – You can forward calls to any linked number so you don’t miss important calls.
  • Conference calling – Google Voice supports conference calling for up to 10 participants.
  • Voicemail transcription – Voicemails are automatically transcribed so you can read messages.

With its suite of calling and messaging features, Google Voice aims to be a unified communication hub across devices.

Setup and Activation

Setting up Google Voice is straightforward whether you’re using a mobile device or computer. To get started, go to the Google Voice website (source) and sign into your Google account. If you don’t already have a Google account, you’ll need to create one first.

Once logged in, you’ll be prompted to choose a Google Voice phone number. You can select a number from the list of available numbers, or enter a city/area code to narrow down the options. After choosing a number, read through the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy before accepting.

To complete the activation process, you’ll need to verify ownership of your existing phone number. Google will send a verification code via phone call or text that you’ll enter on the setup screen. This links your phone number with your new Google Voice number.

On mobile devices like Android smartphones or iPhones, simply download the Google Voice app and sign in to your Google account (source). The setup process is identical – choose a number, accept policies, and verify your number. Once activated on either mobile or desktop, you can start making calls, sending texts, and using voicemail through your Google Voice number.

Making Calls

One of the primary features of Google Voice is the ability to make free domestic calls and low-cost international calls directly from the app. To make a call through Google Voice on Android, open the app and tap on the “Calls” tab at the bottom. Next, select the contact you wish to call or tap the dialpad icon to manually enter a phone number. Once the number is entered, tap the green call button to connect the call through your Google Voice number.[1]

On desktop, open the Google Voice website and click on the “Calls” tab on the left side. Hover over a recent call or contact name and click the “Call” button next to their number. You can also click the dialpad icon to enter a number manually. After entering the full phone number, click the green “Call” button to connect the call.[2] With Google Voice, calls to any number in the US and Canada are completely free. International calls are billed at low per-minute rates which can result in significant savings compared to conventional long distance calling.

Texting

Google Voice provides text messaging capabilities through the Google Voice mobile app for iOS and Android devices. Users can send and receive SMS text messages to any US or Canadian phone number for free using their Google Voice number 1. This allows you to keep your personal cell number private if desired.

Text messages sent through Google Voice will appear to come from your Google Voice number. You can send individual or group messages. There is also a conversation view that keeps threaded messages with the same contact together for easy reading. Some additional texting features include 2:

  • Receive SMS messages to your Google Voice number.
  • Set custom notifications and ringtones for contacts.
  • Block unwanted senders.
  • View emojis in texts.
  • Forward texts to another number.

The Google Voice app makes texting fast and convenient without requiring a separate texting plan. Users can easily manage all their communication needs in one place.

Voicemail

One of the key features of Google Voice is its intelligent voicemail transcription and management system. When someone leaves a voicemail for your Google Voice number, Google uses voice recognition technology to automatically transcribe the message to text so you can easily read it (Source: Google Support). This makes it much faster and easier to manage voicemails compared to listening to audio recordings.

Google Voice can also intelligently transcribe voicemail messages in Spanish. The transcription along with the audio recording will be available in your voicemail inbox. This makes Google Voice voicemail extremely useful for anyone needing Spanish voicemail support.

Other useful voicemail features include the ability to have voicemails emailed to you as an attachment, customize greetings for individual contacts, and configure voicemail settings like when to receive SMS alerts for new messages (Source: Google Voicemail Settings). Overall, Google Voice excels at making voicemail easier to manage and more accessible through transcription and customization options.

Compatibility

Google Voice is compatible with most popular smartphones, tablets, computers, and desk phones. According to Google’s support page, Google Voice works on the current and previous two major releases of the following operating systems:

  • Android
  • iOS
  • Chrome OS
  • Windows
  • MacOS

Google Voice can be used through the mobile app, web browser, or by linking your Google Voice number to a supported desk phone. For desk phones, Google recommends Poly brand phones with OBi Edition firmware, according to Google’s desk phone compatibility page. Google Voice is designed to work across devices so you can place and receive calls from your Google Voice number on any supported device.

Limitations

While Google Voice offers many useful features, it also has some limitations to be aware of (source):

  • Google Voice blocks calling to premium rate numbers that charge fees higher than normal domestic rates.
  • There is no shared number access available on the free version of Google Voice. The paid versions have limits on the number of users that can be added.
  • The free version caps users – even the paid Google Voice for Workspace Starter plan only allows up to 10 users. To get unlimited users, you’d need to upgrade to a higher paid tier.
  • Voicemail transcriptions are not always 100% accurate.
  • Some users report getting spam calls even with spam blocking enabled.
  • Google Voice works over data so you need an internet connection to use it. It can’t make normal cellular calls.

While excellent for personal use, Google Voice may present some challenges for business use cases depending on the needs. Companies should evaluate whether the limitations would pose significant obstacles before adopting Google Voice.

Conclusion

Google Voice provides a free, valuable communication application for consumers. It allows users to get a free phone number to make and receive calls and texts, transcribe voicemails, avoid unwanted spam calls, and route calls between devices. The app integrates seamlessly with Android smartphones and the desktop Gmail website. While the free version has some limitations like only U.S. and Canadian numbers, no MMS, and call forwarding to one number at a time, it still offers a robust feature set at no cost. For most everyday personal communication needs, Google Voice provides a reliable, convenient, and hassle-free solution. Its simple setup, clear interface, advanced call features, and tight integration with Google services make it a top choice among free VOIP and virtual phone number applications.

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