Why is Google Voice not working on my Android phone?

Google Voice is an app that provides phone numbers for calling, texting, and voicemail services. When Google Voice is “not working” on an Android phone, it typically means you are unable to make or receive calls and texts through the Google Voice app.

There are a few main reasons why Google Voice may stop working properly on Android devices:

Google Voice is not installed or properly updated on your device

You have a weak internet connection or limited data
Your phone’s Carrier Services need updating
Battery optimization settings are limiting Google Voice

The app lacks the proper permissions
Corrupt data or cache is causing crashes
Device software issues need troubleshooting

This article outlines the top troubleshooting tips to get Google Voice working again on your Android smartphone or tablet. Following the step-by-step guide will help identify and resolve the underlying issue.

Ensure Google Voice is Installed

The first step is to check if the Google Voice app is installed on your Android device. You can check by going to your app drawer or apps menu and looking for the Google Voice app icon. If you don’t see the Google Voice app listed, then it is likely not installed.

If the Google Voice app is not installed, you will need to download it from the Google Play Store. You can search for “Google Voice” in the Play Store app or follow this direct link to the Google Voice app listing. Tap “Install” and the app will download and install on your device.

Once installed, open the Google Voice app and ensure you can sign-in to your Google account and access your Google Voice number. If the app installs successfully but you still can’t use Google Voice, you’ll need to troubleshoot further.

Check Internet Connectivity

One of the most common reasons Google Voice may not be working is due to internet connectivity issues on your Android device. Here are some tips to troubleshoot your internet connection:

First, try toggling your WiFi on and off and connecting to a different WiFi network if available. Google Voice requires a stable internet connection to function properly, so connect to a strong WiFi network if possible.

You can also try disabling WiFi and using mobile data instead. Open your device’s Settings app, go to Network & Internet > WiFi and turn off WiFi. Then try making a call or sending a text message using Google Voice over your mobile data connection.

Check if you have any connectivity issues that could be preventing Google Voice from working properly. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Internet to see if you have an internet connection. Try running a speed test to check if your mobile data or WiFi is running slow.

If you have connectivity but Google Voice still isn’t working, the issue could be with the Google Voice app itself rather than your network connection. Continue troubleshooting by trying the next steps.

Cite:
[1] “5 Ways to Troubleshoot If Your Phone Can’t Connect to Google Voice.” Business Insider, 11 Aug. 2022, https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/google-voice-cell-phone-cant-connect. Accessed 28 Feb. 2023.

Update Carrier Services

The Carrier Services app plays an important role in enabling Google Voice to work properly on Android devices. Carrier Services is developed by Google to help manage Rich Communication Services (RCS), which allows improved messaging capabilities and phone calling through the mobile network.

Having the latest version of Carrier Services installed can help fix connection issues with Google Voice. You can check for updates and upgrade to the newest version by going to the Carrier Services app page on the Google Play Store here.

Updating Carrier Services ensures your device can utilize the full range of RCS messaging and network services needed for Google Voice. This app regularly receives improvements and bug fixes from Google, so it’s advisable to keep it fully updated on your device.

Disable Battery Optimization

Battery optimization features on Android devices can sometimes disrupt apps like Google Voice by closing them to save battery power. This means incoming calls or notifications may not come through properly. To prevent your device from optimizing or restricting Google Voice, you’ll need to whitelist the app.

Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > Special app access > Battery optimization. Here you’ll see a list of apps. Find Google Voice and tap it. Choose “Don’t optimize” to stop your phone from battery saving that closes the app. You can also tap the menu icon in the top right and select “All apps” to whitelist everything.

Turning off battery optimization for Google Voice should stop your device from force closing or limiting the app and disrupting your calls and messages. Just remember this may reduce your battery life over time. You can always turn optimization back on for other apps if needed.

Sources:

[1] https://support.google.com/assistant/answer/9795643?hl=en-gb&ref_topic=7172845

[2] https://support.google.com/voice/answer/10063441?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid

Check App Permissions

Google Voice needs certain permissions to function properly on Android devices. Make sure the app has access to key permissions like microphone, contacts, phone, storage, and location. Without the proper permissions, you may experience issues with calling, voicemail, and other features.

Go into your phone’s settings, select apps or application manager, and click on Google Voice. Check the list of permissions and make sure none are disabled. If any required permissions are turned off, grant access by toggling them on. For example, if the microphone permission is disabled, Google Voice can’t record voicemail greetings or transcribe voicemails.

According to Google support, some vital permissions for Google Voice include:[1]

– Microphone – For calling and voicemail
– Contacts – For accessing your contacts
– Phone – For full functionality with calls and voicemail
– Storage – For attachments and media in voicemails

Double check that none of these key permissions are disabled or Google Voice may not work properly. If you had to change any permissions, try using the app again to see if the issues are resolved.

Clear App Data and Cache

Clearing the app data and cache for Google Voice can often fix issues caused by corrupted data or software glitches. This erases any problematic cached files or preferences and resets the app back to its default state.

To clear the Google Voice app data and cache on an Android device:

Open the Settings app on your Android phone.

Tap Apps & notifications.
Select “See all apps.”
Find Google Voice in the apps list and tap it.

Tap Storage & cache.
Tap Clear cache to clear cached data.
Tap Clear storage to clear all app data.

Confirm by tapping Clear cache or Clear storage again.

After clearing the data and cache, open Google Voice again. This should wipe any corrupted data that may be causing problems and give the app a fresh start. If issues persist, you may need to troubleshoot further or contact Google Voice support.

Factory Reset Device

As a last resort, you may need to factory reset your Android device to get Google Voice working again. A factory reset will wipe the device back to its original software state and settings. Before resetting, be sure to backup any important data, photos, files, etc. that you want to keep.

Resetting your device to factory settings can often fix software issues that are preventing apps like Google Voice from working properly. It essentially gives your phone a fresh start by erasing all data, settings, apps, and files from the system storage and restoring it to the original factory settings.

According to this Google Support thread, factory resetting has resolved Google Assistant issues for many users when other troubleshooting steps did not work. So it may be worth trying if you still can’t get Google Voice functioning after trying other fixes.

Just keep in mind that resetting your device is a last ditch effort and should only be done if nothing else has worked. But it often does fix persistent software glitches like apps failing to work properly. Just remember to fully backup your device first.

Contact Google Voice Support

If the previous troubleshooting steps do not resolve the issue with Google Voice on your Android device, you can contact Google Voice support for further assistance. The Google Voice help center at https://support.google.com/voice/?hl=en provides several options to get help.

You can browse help topics, search for solutions, or post on the Google Voice community forum. There is also an option to contact Google Voice support directly. Clicking “Contact Us” will bring up available support channels like chat, email, and phone.

The Google Voice customer service phone number in the US is 1-866-246-6453, available Monday-Friday 9am-8pm ET. Calling this number allows you to speak to a representative who can review your issue in more depth and suggest further troubleshooting to try on your Android device.

By reaching out to Google Voice customer support, you can get personalized help diagnosing why Google Voice is not working properly. The support team has additional tools and insight beyond general troubleshooting tips. Contacting them directly is the best way to resolve any lingering Google Voice problems.

Summary

To recap, the main troubleshooting steps for fixing Google Voice issues on Android phones are:

Ensure Google Voice is properly installed and updated

Check your internet connectivity and try toggling airplane mode
Update Carrier Services through the Play Store
Disable battery optimizations for the Google Voice app

Verify Google Voice has the required permissions enabled
Clear app data and cache for Google Voice
As a last resort, try factory resetting your Android device

The key takeaways are to keep your apps and device software updated, check connectivity and permissions, and clear any cached data that may be causing conflicts. If basic troubleshooting does not resolve the issues, a factory reset often helps eliminate any deeper problems.

As a final tip, be sure to contact Google Voice support if problems persist after trying these steps. The Google Voice team may be able to further diagnose issues or escalate technical problems. With some dedicated troubleshooting, you should be able to get Google Voice functioning again on your Android.