Where is the Voice app on Android?
The Voice Access app by Google allows Android users to control their devices completely hands-free using only their voice (source). With Voice Access, users can navigate apps, compose texts, edit documents, and more without ever touching the screen. This makes Android devices much more accessible for people with mobility, vision, or other impairments that prevent them from using touchscreens effectively.
Voice Access uses speech recognition technology to understand natural language commands and follow the user’s voice instructions. It can open apps, click buttons, scroll webpages, type and edit text, and perform most tasks that would normally require physically interacting with the touchscreen. This allows people to use their Android devices independently using only their voice.
Overall, Voice Access is a useful accessibility tool that makes Android phones and tablets more usable for people who cannot effectively use the touchscreens. It provides freedom and independence to people who previously struggled interacting with standard mobile interfaces.
What is the Voice App?
The Google Voice app is a free calling and messaging app developed by Google. It provides users with a virtual phone number that can be used for calling, texting, and voicemail. Some key features of the Voice app include:
SMS and MMS – Send and receive text messages (SMS) or picture messages (MMS) using your Voice number. Messages can be accessed across all linked devices.
Voicemail and Transcription – Receive voicemails that are automatically transcribed and delivered via SMS or email. You can also access and manage voicemail within the app.
Free Calling – Make free unlimited calls to numbers in the US and Canada, even internationally for low rates. The app provides high-quality calling and WiFi calling capabilities.
Spam Blocking – Google Voice automatically blocks suspected spam calls for you. Users can also manually block specific numbers.
Call Screening – Screen and filter incoming calls with the option to answer, deny, or have Google Assistant ask who’s calling and why.
Voicemail Transcription – Voicemails are automatically transcribed to text so you can quickly read or skim messages.
In summary, the Google Voice app provides a full communication suite including messaging, voicemail, and affordable calling options on a user’s virtual number. Key features focus on convenience, spam blocking, affordability, and transcription capabilities.
Is Voice Pre-Installed on Android Phones?
No, the Google Voice app is not pre-installed on Android phones. Unlike some Google apps like Gmail or Maps, Voice is not part of the core set of Google apps that comes preloaded on most Android devices.
Voice is an optional app that must be downloaded separately from the Google Play Store. It does not come pre-installed on Android smartphones from manufacturers like Samsung, LG, Motorola, or Google’s own Pixel phones.
Some key reasons why Voice is not preloaded include:
- Voice is considered an optional add-on service rather than an essential Google app
- Preinstalling too many apps could clutter new devices andimpact performance
- Not all users need or want access to a VoIP/virtual phone number service
- Carriers may restrict preinstalling apps that could disrupt traditional calling/texting
So in summary, no you do not get Voice automatically on your Android phone. The app must be downloaded and set up manually regardless of your device brand or model.
Downloading the Voice App
The Google Voice app can easily be downloaded from the Google Play store on your Android device. Here are the steps to download the Voice app:
- Open the Play Store app on your Android device.
- Search for “Google Voice” in the search bar at the top.
- Tap on the first result which should be the official Google Voice app published by Google.
- On the app page, tap on the “Install” button to begin downloading the Voice app.
- Once installed, you can open the Voice app from your device’s app drawer.
The Google Voice app download is free and only takes a few minutes on most modern Android devices. Make sure your device is connected to WiFi or mobile data to complete the download. You will also need a Google account to sign in and finish the Voice setup process after installing the app [1].
Enabling Microphone Permissions
In order for the Voice app to work properly, you need to enable microphone permissions on your Android device. The Voice app relies on your phone’s microphone to pick up your voice when making calls or dictating texts. Without microphone access, Voice will not be able to transmit your voice to the recipient of your calls and texts.
To enable microphone permissions:
- Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > App permissions > Microphone
- Locate the Voice app and tap the slider to toggle permissions ON
You may be prompted to confirm that you want to allow Voice to access the microphone. Grant the permission when asked.
With microphone access enabled, you can now use Voice for hands-free calling, voice dictation for messaging, and any other Voice features that rely on your microphone input.
Setting Up Your Voice Number
To set up a Google Voice number on your Android device, you first need to sign up for a Google Voice account if you don’t already have one. This can be done by downloading the Google Voice app from the Play Store and following the prompts to create an account (source).
Once you have created your Google Voice account, you can link your Voice number to your Android device. Here are the steps to do this (source):
- Open the Google Voice app on your Android phone.
- Tap the menu icon in the top left corner and go to Settings.
- Under “Account”, tap on “Devices and numbers”.
- Tap on “New linked number”.
- Enter your Android phone number that you want to link.
- Google will verify the number belongs to your device through a text or call.
- Once verified, your Android device and Voice number will be linked.
Once your Voice number is linked, you can make calls, send texts, and use other Voice features directly from your Android device using your Voice number.
Linking Your Voice Number to Your Device
After downloading the Voice app and signing into your Google account, you will need to link your Voice number to your Android device in order to make and receive calls. Here are the steps to link your number:
1. Open the Google Voice app on your device.
2. Tap on the menu icon in the top left corner.
3. Select “Settings” from the menu.
4. Tap on “Devices and numbers”.
5. Tap on “Add another number” if you don’t already see your Voice number listed.
6. Select your Voice number from the list.
7. Toggle the slider to enable calling for that number.
Once you have linked your number, you will be able to place and receive calls through the Voice app using your Voice number. You can also enable texting by toggling the slider in the settings for your linked number.
Source: https://support.google.com/voice/answer/165221?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid
Using Voice for Calling & Texting
The Voice app allows you to make and receive calls as well as send and receive text messages using your Google Voice number. To use calling and messaging features, you first need to set up your device with your Google Voice number.
Once set up, you can open the Voice app and tap on the phone or message icons at the bottom to initiate calls or texts. When making calls, you have the option to dial directly or select a contact. For texting, you can choose a contact or type in a phone number to start a new message thread.
Your Google Voice number will display as the caller ID when you make outbound calls or send texts. Incoming calls and messages to your Voice number will also appear in the Voice app, allowing you to handle all your communication through Voice.
Overall, the Voice app provides a full calling and messaging experience using your Google Voice number on your Android device once properly set up.
Advanced Voice Features
One of the most useful advanced features of Google Voice is voicemail transcription. When someone leaves a voicemail, Google Voice will automatically transcribe it to text so you can read it instead of having to listen to the audio. This makes it much easier and faster to go through voicemails.
To enable voicemail transcription, open the Google Voice app and go to Settings > Voicemail. Make sure “Transcribe voicemail” is turned on. Now whenever you receive a new voicemail, you’ll see the written transcription in the app.
Another handy advanced feature is call screening. This allows Google Voice to screen your incoming calls and provide you with a real-time transcription of the caller’s message. You can then choose to pick up, reject the call, or respond with a text while the caller is still leaving their message.
To use call screening, go to Settings > Calls and turn on “Screen calls”. When someone calls you, Google Voice will answer and transcribe their message for you to read. You can then tap options like “Answer”, “Reject”, or “Respond” to handle the screened call.
Google Voice also offers advanced calling features like call forwarding, caller ID, call blocking, and more. It integrates tightly with Android to provide a full communication suite right on your device.
Sources:
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Conclusion
The Voice app provides a convenient way for Android users to make calls and send texts over data or Wi-Fi using their Google Voice number. While Voice is not pre-installed on Android devices, it can easily be downloaded for free from the Play Store. After enabling microphone permissions and linking your Voice number to your device, you’ll be able to seamlessly use Voice for calling and messaging.
Key things to remember are that you’ll need a Google Voice number to use the app, and that Voice offers useful features beyond just calling and texting, like voicemail transcripts, call screening, and do not disturb modes. With Voice installed on your Android phone, you can enjoy affordable and reliable phone service through your Google account.