How to Get a Google Phone Number

What is Google Voice?

Created by Chris Walker in 2009, Google Voice is an excellent lightweight VoIP telephony solution that allows users to use one phone number across multiple phones. Google Voice is a free internet phone service that lets you make and receive calls, block numbers, and send text messages. Although availability is currently limited to the United States, people living in other countries can access Google Voice using a reliable VPN service or a United States telephone. Google Voice is currently available as a web application, and as apps on the iOS and Android operating systems.

How Do I Get a Google Phone Number?

To get a Google phone number, you need a functioning US or Canadian phone number. You must then set up Google Voice using details of a valid Google account, or create a Google account if you don’t already have one. Creating an account only takes a few minutes and requires users to provide basic information. After signing in, you can follow the steps below:

• Download the Google Voice app or visit the website - voice.google.com.
• Sign in with a Google account
• Google will prompt you to enter an area code on the screen. You can browse available area codes or select one of a few suggested codes if your location is on.
• Pick a Google Voice number and click “Select.”
• Finally, verify your Google Voice account with your actual phone number.

How Does a Google Phone Number Work?

Google Voice helps to convert a user's voice to a digital signal that travels over the internet. With the help of a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) like Google Voice, users can make calls through their computers. The service offers an outstanding telephony service at an affordable price. 

Google Voice requires an internet broadband connection to initiate or receive calls. First-time users may decide to use their existing mobile phone numbers or may opt for new phone numbers. People who prefer new numbers must input their current area code and choose a suitable phone number. Google also lets users input their desired digits if unsatisfied with the provided one. This feature is mostly advantageous to businesses that want to circulate easy numbers to current and potential customers.

Once you have a Google Voice phone number, you can make calls or send and receive text messages using a phone or a computer. You can also create a voicemail message after the setup is complete. Users receiving voicemails via Google Voice can access it in the app and get a transcript or recording sent to their email.

For incoming calls, you receive a notification that someone is calling your Google Voice number, especially if your settings forward calls to your cell phone. When calls are made from a Google Voice number, you can decide which number (Personal or Google Voice number) you want shown as your caller ID on the receiver’s device.

What Are the Benefits of Google Phone Numbers?

There are numerous benefits of a Google phone number. Some of these benefits include:

• Free unlimited texts - This a major benefit for individuals who prefer to communicate with quick text messages.
• Free voicemail transcription - Google Voice leverages Google’s advanced speech recognition software to transcribe all voicemail messages.
• Forward all calls to a single number - Users can redirect calls to different numbers. This is helpful when it's time to switch cell phone providers or get a new phone. All you need to do is forward your Google Voice number to an existing or new number. Google also allows you to port a current phone number to Google Voice.
• Users may initiate and respond to calls from Gmail - Gmail accounts allow users to make and receive calls from authorized locations through their inbox. However, users should note that they get a new assigned number whenever they use this option.
• Transcribing Voicemails - Google Voice uses advanced speech recognition technology to transcribe voicemails into texts. This feature is beneficial to users who do not find listening to voicemails interesting. This feature also allows you to easily scan tons of voicemails for important information, like searching your regular mailbox for specific words, phrases, or messages.
• Set up call forwarding rules - This service gives the user the liberty to set up specific rules for the forwarded calls, to determine where the calls go and when it goes.

How Much Does a Google Phone Number Cost?

Using Google Voice is free for calls to and from US and Canadian numbers. However, overseas calls come at an extra cost.

How Can I Get a Google Phone Number Without a Forwarding Phone?

The first step is to set up a Google Voice account via a web browser. Verification on this number may be done via other VOIP services such as Ringcentral or Aircall.

How Do I Make Calls on Google Chat?

Google Chat is Google's chat communication service available on desktop and mobile and designed to enable short messages over broadband internet. The service is available for iOS and Android users. 

Google Chat enables teams to work easily and effectively from anywhere. It also guarantees safe connections with friends and colleagues. Individuals or organizations with Google Voice for Workspace accounts, may initiate calls using Google Chat. 

To make calls using Google Chat, users should take the following steps:

• Open a direct message on Google Chat via your desktop or mobile app
• Click on the call button at the top
• Choose the desired phone number from the list of available numbers. Displayed phone numbers are a combination of numbers from your contacts, the recipient's Google profile, and your business directory. Google Voice launches when you choose the phone number and place the call.
• Click End Call when done.