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Google Voice: the ultimate iPhone how-to

Summary: Google fought Apple hard for the right to distribute a Google Voice iPhone app. This guide shows you how to get the most out of Google Voice on your iPhone.

David Gewirtz

By for ZDNet Government |

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This project: The Ultimate Google Voice How-to Guide

This article is a continuation of our Google Voice series. In this article, we'll look at how you can use Google Voice from your iPhone, how you can display your Google Voice number as your Caller ID, and how you can make minutes-free Google Voice VoIP calls via WiFi.

CNET How To: Tips for your phone, tablet, computer, home theater and the Web

This article assumes you've already got a working Google Voice account and it's linked to your phone. If you don't, please read the first article in this series.

The basics: the Google Voice iPhone app

After a long struggle, the Google Voice app finally arrived on the iPhone back in November 2010. For those of you moving to Google Voice now, that battle is merely a historical backdrop for a very useful tool.

There are some very tangible benefits to using Google Voice on the iPhone. The first is that you get free text messages. You can send and receive as many text messages as you want from your Google Voice phone number, and you won't be charged a penny.

The second benefit (and the most important to me) is that you can make outgoing calls from Google Voice, and when you do, the Caller ID seen by the person you're calling is your Google Voice number, not your iPhone number. I don't like giving out my cell phone number. I'd much rather people have one number they can reach me at, regardless of what phone it's attached to.

Incoming calls have a benefit as well. I like how I can use Google Voice to sculpt which calls I get, and when. Since callers will be calling you on your Google Voice number, you can use all of those wonderful Google Voice features to determine who gets through and when.

Finally, you can use Google Voice to set your answering message. In that way, regardless of whether someone rings through to your phone or not, they'll get your Google Voice answering message.

Linking voicemail to your phone

If you want to use Google Voice's voicemail, log into your Google Voice account on the Web, go to Voice Settings, and on the Phones tab, find your phone and click "Activate Google voicemail on this phone".

You'll be asked to type in a strange sequence of digits on your Phone app's number pad. Once you do, you'll get a set of status messages that indicate successful completion of the voicemail integration process.

Make sure you have a good mobile connection. I had no end of problems when I couldn't get good AT&T connectivity in my new house.

See also: My frustrating day with Google Voice. Hint: it's AT&T's fault.

Install Google's Google Voice app

There are quite a number of Google Voice applications on the iPhone app store, but the one from Googleis the canonical choice.

Next: Outgoing calls with your GV caller ID and minutes-free VoIP calls

Topics: Google, iPhone, Mobility, Telcos

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8 comments
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  • RE: Google Voice: the ultimate iPhone how-to

    I have used the GV iPhone app since the day other was released(and black swan before that), and feel that its overly difficult for all but the most dedicated user. In addition to what you already docuy y mented, it's not possible to voice dial, or place handsfree outgoing calls from your car. There are a handful of other issues that make it a non-starter for most ppl. I struggle through the inconveniences, because I've been using my Grand Central # for years.
    dwoodeson
    Reply 1 Vote

    • RE: Google Voice: the ultimate iPhone how-to

      @dwoodeson Pouring water out of a boot with instructions on the heel is too difficult for most iPhone users, so I'm really not all that surprized.

      Oh and advanced features like voice dial or hands free calls work flawlessly on Android devices. Maybe if you want a Google service, you should think about using their operating system. It's not really as hard as most iPhone users make it out to be. I understand it has more than two functions so it may be a challenge for a while but I promise, it won't be painfully difficult to learn.
      blueskip
      Reply Vote

      • really

        @blueskip
        for most iphone users eh? you have some kind of research on that? some statistics somewhere? anything with substance? or are we supposed to believe you because you were able to type it out?
        my gawd. do you people never tire? these platform wars are childish and boring.
        at least you'll get sympathy posting in this article. as long as you're bashing apple users you're like kin to gewirtz. doesn't matter that you're doing exactly what he accuses all apple users (yes, every single one of them) of doing. he'll embrace you.
        sportmac
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Google Voice: the ultimate iPhone how-to

        @blueskip AMEN! But to take it to the next step, the iOS is a great OS as is Android. Lets be fair now, with either platform there are those who will struggle ... they usually have problems operating a light switch. Whatever the platform it is up to us to help those who struggle.
        Zzyzx.exit@...
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Google Voice: the ultimate iPhone how-to

        @blueskip You completely invalidated any argument you may have had with your first sentence So I did not bother to read any further in your post. Then again that is exactly the sort of thing I'd expect from a die hard frothing at the mouth poo flinging fandroid.
        athynz
        Reply Vote

  • btw

    gewitz - good articles.
    sportmac
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Google Voice: the ultimate iPhone how-to

    Shame it's not available in the UK :(
    pianoman1962
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Google Voice: the ultimate iPhone how-to

    For those who are Obihai users, check out the Obion app on iPhone and Android. It connects you through WiFi to your Obi device and you place your calls from there. So if you're in the south of France but your hotel has WiFi, you can make domestic calls to US numbers.
    ellett
    Reply Vote
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