Opening a Google Voice account will allow you to benefit from a wide variety of features. For example, you can make intercontinental phone calls, link all your contact details to a single phone number and receive transcripts of your voice messages. If you want to know how to use Google Voice, register and you will begin to familiarize yourself with its many features.
Steps
Method 1 of 8: Part 1: Introduction
Step 1. Evaluate the basic requirements
The first requirement to get Google Voice is to live in the US - it's not currently available in other countries. You will also need a touch tone phone along with these programs:
- A Windows XP or Vista, Mac or Linux operating system
- An IE 6, Firefox 3, Safari 3, or Google Chrome browser or even their most up-to-date versions
- Adobe Flash Player 8 or higher
Step 2. Go to the Google Voice website
Step 3. Choose your account type
There are different types of accounts available in Google Voice depending on what services you want and what type of phone provider you have. Read the information about the different account types carefully before choosing the one that is relevant to you. Here are the different basic types of accounts:
- Google Voice. With this option, you can get a new personalized number that anyone can use to connect to your mobile, work and home number at once.
- Google Voice Lite. For this option, you can have the same voicemail for all your mobile phones.
- Google Voice on Sprint. This feature allows you to use your Sprint phone number as your Google Voice number or to change your phone number from Sprint to Voice number.
- Number portability. With this feature, it is possible to bring your mobile number into Google Voice to use it as a Google Voice number, but you will have to pay a fee.
Step 4. Follow the instructions
The sign up method varies depending on which type of account you have chosen. Once you select the account of your choice, just follow the instructions to get a contract for Google Voice.
Method 2 of 8: Part 2: Making International Calls
Step 1. Make an international call from the website
To do this, click the "Call" button at the top left of the page. Then, enter "+ country code" or "+ country code 1" depending on where you are calling from. After this, dial the international phone number.
Once you have entered the number, press "Connect". Your cell phone will be called. When you answer the phone, the call will be initiated
Step 2. Make an international call from the Google Voice phone system
To access the phone system, call your Google number if you regularly use Google Voice and call your access number from a phone registered to your account if you use Google Lite. Once you are in the system, press 2. To dial the international number, enter 011, the country code and then the number.
Step 3. Check your available balance
Remember that you have to pay to make international calls via Google Voice, albeit often at very low rates. Check the box at the bottom left of your account to see your balance - it will be written in green. You can also use this box to add credit, check rates, and view history.
Method 3 of 8: Part 3: Block a Caller Number
Step 1. Find the unwanted caller number from the website
The site lists all the calls received and you should be able to find it there.
Step 2. Click "More"
This is the third option on the bottom left of the screen with the person number on it.
Step 3. Select "Caller Block"
This will bring up a confirmation window asking if you are sure you want to block the caller.
Step 4. Select "Block"
You have finished the caller blocking procedure. The next time the blocked person calls you, they will hear a message indicating that your number has been disconnected.
Method 4 of 8: Part 4: Selecting Calls (Screening)
Step 1. Answer the phone during the call
Screening will be enabled, so you don't have to pick up the phone even after answering the call. Instead you will be presented with a list of options: pressing 1 will answer the call and pressing 2 will start the answering machine.
Step 2. Press 2
Step 3. Listen to the answering machine
Step 4. Press * if you want to answer the phone at any time
If you hear part of the communication on the voicemail and want to answer, just press * and you will be connected to the person on the other end of the line. Make sure you listen to your phone's messages at first - some systems will ask you to press * to take the call while others will say you need to press 1 + 4.
Method 5 of 8: Part 5: Making Multiconference Calls
Step 1. Have attendees call your Google Voice number
Step 2. Answer the first call
Answer this call as you normally would answer the phone.
Step 3. Add the next caller to the call
When you call the next person, the person will appear on your phone. Just accept the call and then press 5 to add the person to the call.
Step 4. Continue adding callers until everyone is present to the conference
Repeat the process of adding the next caller by answering the phone and pressing 5 until you have added everyone to the call.
Method 6 of 8: Part 6: Personalized Greetings
Step 1. Go to "Contacts"
This option is on the left side of your Google website.
Step 2. Select the contact
Click the box next to the contact's name.
Step 3. Select "Change Google Voice Settings"
Step 4. Select a greeting phrase
Choose from the pre-recorded greetings or click on "Special Greeting" and select "Record Greeting". Your cell phone will be called and you can record a greeting until you finish the call.
Step 5. Click "Save"
This will save the personalized greeting for that contact.
Method 7 of 8: Part 7: Reading Voice Message Transcripts
Step 1. Read the transcript on your cell phone or website
If you're in a position where you can't waste time listening to a voice message, but still want to know what it says, just read the transcript on your cell phone or website. This feature will be set up automatically with your account.
Step 2. Search for the transcript
If you want to find a message with some important information, just type the word into the search box on your website and hit "Search". This will allow you to easily locate the message instead of listening to all your voice messages.
Method 8 of 8: Part 8: Forward SMS to your Email Address
Step 1. Go to "Settings"
This menu can be found on the top right of the website.
Step 2. Click “Voicemail and SMS”
Step 3. Check the box that says "Forward SMS messages to my email address"
Step 4. Reply to a text message through your email
When this feature is activated, you will be able to read text messages through your email.
Step 5. Reply to the message by email
This feature will also allow you to reply to the text message via email. Google Voice will convert the message into text form for your message to be sent as text.
Advice
- You will need to pay to make international calls via Google Voice.
- Remember that Google Voice is currently only available in the United States.
