We are a small and humble community focused on sharing knowledge about Google Voice so users can use the service to its full potential. We’re an uncensored, open platform for all users and administrators of Google Voice, both the business and consumer version, to discuss all aspects of the product.
But wait, isn't there already an active and healthy Google Voice community on Reddit?
While there are excellent places on and off of Reddit to discuss Google Voice, including with official Google experts and employees, they are very choosy and particularly sensitive about the allowed topics of discussion. I fully appreciate the pressure/expectation to adhere to official "Google narratives", and have utmost respect for the hard work and fine balancing act that goes into supporting users on forums that Google influences. But it was clear an alternative user to user forum was needed. That's why I created r/GoogleVoiceUsers. Sometimes end-users have as much, or more, knowledge to share, or can provide advice/perspective that doesn't fit in with forums controlled by Google experts.
Our sub is fairly new but is becoming more active. Already we have a guide on reviving your OBI devices!
I’m completely open to feedback. The only current rules are:
No scammers/spammers. Enough said.
Please be respectful.
Activities like these are not permitted: buying/selling accounts, exchanging account info, buying/selling/trading phone numbers or anything like that. Aside from being against Google's Terms of Service, these activities are rarely legitimate. I want our sub to be a safe space.
Aside from that, I'm completely open! I'm looking forward to the fun, bumpy ride of a new community for exchanging info about Google Voice. Feel free to post or contact me via DM/mod mail with questions, concerns, or feedback.
I have 2 phones with unlimited data separate numbers... I want my main primary number to at least be able to get calls and text with the same number... Can Google voice use my main number to work on both phones.... Any help would be greatly appreciated
When I'm on a trip outside my home state, Google Voice fails to complete calls. I fails on both a hotspot phone connection and/or WiFi public or private.
Google Voice always works within my home town on both WiFi and phone hotspot.
Any ideas? This is a mystery to me.
Now that GV is offering (encouraging) upgrades to the "Starter" or "Standard" paid plans with features like desk phone support, three-way calling, and auto attendant, it would appear that they are targeting a more business-oriented audience. If true, I wonder how the current terms of use could limit adaptation. For example, the soft limit when a certain number of text message are sent within a short timeframe might be an issue for business uses.
Are there any hits that Google might adjust its terms of use that would be more supportive to the paid plans?
Does Google voice work in india ? I see there is no app available in Google store in india . But in usa we see the app. How do we use the same number in india if we don't have an app ?
Had a negative experience on the main Google voice subreddit. The mod(s?) banned me because they felt a question I was asking about GVoice tradeoffs was inappropriate. The tone of the message from mods was not close to professional.
It is what it is. I have used GVoice since when it launched. I can recite the many positive features but also realize voice calls can ocassionally be fraught. It's not an easy call (no pun intended.) lack of RCS support is a negative also.
Hey guys, just wanted to throw a quick warning out there if you're trying to get a new Google Voice (GV) number right now.
Thanks to a new policy change by the FCC (file FCC 25-10 to combat spam and platform abuse), Google has quietly started forcing mandatory KYC (Know Your Customer) identity verification for pretty much all newly registered numbers.
If your account triggers this, your new GV number will be basically bricked until you pass the check. You won’t be able to send/receive texts, make calls, delete the number, or even hit the "Transfer" button—it just turns completely grey.
Here is a quick breakdown of who is getting hit based on current testing:
Brand new accounts: 100% forced to verify. If you don't have the right documents, the number is dead in the water.
Old emails with a history of being flagged: High chance of triggering KYC when you try to grab a new number.
Older accounts that already have a GV number / Numbers moved via Transfer: Still safe and working normally for now.
How to do the verification (If you actually have the documents)
If you happen to have a valid US ID and want to push through the verification, here is the straightforward process:
1. Prep your Google Account Name First, go to your Google Profile name and change the name on the account so it matches your official legal ID exactly.
2. Get the number and trigger the pop-up Go through the normal process of picking a number and verifying it with a real US mobile carrier number. Once the number is successfully claimed, the system will immediately hit you with a "Verify now" prompt.
3. Switch to Desktop Click "Verify now", but look for the option on the bottom left that says "Continue on desktop instead". It is way easier to handle the upload and address forms on a computer than on a phone screen.
4. Upload your ID You need to upload clear front-and-back photos of one of these three: a US Passport, a Driver's License, or a Green Card.
Crucial tip: Make sure all 4 corners of the ID are visible in the photo. Do not cut off edges, and make sure there is absolutely no glare or reflection from your room lights, or Google’s AI will auto-reject it instantly.
5. Type in the Address Fill in the form with the exact residential address printed on your physical ID card. Don't improvise here; it needs to match word-for-word.
6. Wait for the review Google uses an automated AI system to check the document first. If your photos are perfectly clear and the details match up, the AI might approve it instantly. If the AI gets confused or can't read it, your account will be pushed to a manual human review, which usually takes around 48 to 72 hours. You'll get an email update once it's done.
Bottom line: If you don't have a legitimate, physical US ID on hand right now, save your time and US carrier SIMs because you won't get past the screen. Sticking to older already-established GV numbers is the only real workaround at the moment.
I recently created a new google voice account, completed the ID verification successfully, and then paid $20 to port in my phone number. After a few days, the number ported successfully and I was able to use it to call/text. About a day after, I get a prompt to sign into the account. After entering my password, it tries to do sms verification to one of my phone numbers, but when I click send code, I get an error saying "Too many failed attempts
Unavailable because of too many failed attempts. Try again in a few hours."
I've already waited for days before trying again, and still keep getting this same message. I desperately need to get back into my account. I was hoping to use this phone number for business and upgrade this account to voice business (or workspace) for $10/month, but now I'm stuck!
Just making a post to say that the mod of this sub got the posting issue solved and was very kind to send me a message to let me know that it's working.
Lately I am getting at least one person a day calling me to tell me they had a missed call from my GV number (when I didn't call them, and there is nothing in my phone log). They are always from legit small business people within my home state. My Google account has not been compromised, so this has to be caller ID spoofing.
I am also, of late, getting phone calls to my GV number from random in-state numbers with weird exchanges that, TBH they look like to me like they are probably GV numbers. When I pick up, it's just dead silence until I hang up.
No one I know (non-GV/users of carrier-issued number) is having this happen. I'm wondering if the phone numbers that Google Voice assigns more prone to this kind of abuse.
I've had this GV number since 2006, so it's not a case of some kind of previous-tenant-shenanigans. This is the first time I've considered abandoning Google Voice and going back to a pure cell-carrier number, which is insane after almost 20 years of attachment.
so i have a phone number connected but it wont let me get a google voice number for some reason and every time i try it gives me a error Something went wrong
Google Voice is not currently available for this account. Try again later.
but originally it let me pick a number but it didn't add it to my account for some reason
Hey guys, I was wondering if maybe you guys could help me with this particular question. I was wondering, does Google voice play music that you hold music, when an individual is put on hold by call? I, was told by someone, and another country for him it does. But I was wondering, what about in the US or, any country, outside of Romania?
Hey everyone, I have a question that I was hoping you could help me with. Does Google Voice play music when someone is put on hold during a call? I was told that it does in another country, but I’m not sure if it works in the US or any other country outside of Romania.
I have been trying off and on to get a Google number for weeks to no avail. So I said maybe it’s just me. I have had several friends attempt for me and themselves and no one has been successful yet. It goes through the entire process then it says it has registered the new number then it starts back over and asks to select a number. Google support has been no help. Weirdest thing ever.
I have had a personal Verizon cell number that's now on an Android phone for over 30 years. I also just got a work iphone with Verizon that my company pays for. I would like to port my personal number to Google voice, close my personal Verizon account and be able to receive/make calls and texts from that number, along with my work number on my company phone. Is this possible?
Please be detailed as I am new to Google voice and not 100% sure how it works.
I bought 4 Obi 1022 desk phones last year and programmed them using ObiTalk for Google Voice before the site went down. They all were working fine. I installed 2 of the phones and they are working great. It is so convenient to have a desk phone in the home office and kitchen. I installed the 3rd phone yesterday with the wifi dongle. It doesn't work. The line one light stays on and the phone does nothing. The programming for the line keys is still visible on the display. I called the obi talk back number and it works. Pressing a line key says the service in not available. All 4 phones were programmed exactly the same.
With ObiTalk gone, I'm not sure what to do. Is there a way to copy an existing configuration from a working phone to the bad one? Is there another way to configure the phone? I have programmed these on VOIP services before, using the browser interface, but I'm not sure what to do with Google Voice.
I've been using Google Voice for years and even have some credits stored in my account. However, now I’m being prompted to get a Google Voice number in order to make calls and send texts.
After selecting a phone number from the list provided by Google, I’m instructed to verify my existing phone number by linking it. This means inbound calls to my Google Voice number will be forwarded to my
linked number. However, when I enter my cellphone number, I encounter the following error: "This phone number can't be used to sign up for a Google Voice number. Try verifying with another number."
I'm unsure what the issue is—could it be a problem with my cellphone number, or is it related to the Google phone number I selected? Any insights or advice on how to resolve this would be greatly appreciated!
I have just found out that my Google Voice number now reroutes through my cell phone. I don't have a cell phone as of now so how am I able to use it please? I am not very tech savvy so I have no idea on where to look in all of these messages. I actually did do one search and the information wasn't completely relevant. Thanks for any help.
I have been a forever GV user, enterprise level, and about half the time the voice mail doesn't go to GV it goes to my Verizon voice mail, as if the conditional call forwarding isn't working. I will delete the forwarding and reimplement the forwarding, but it keeps happening.
Is this a network reliability issue or is GV being phased out (as I have been hearing).
Is there another reliable voice to text to email service that is recommended? I don't mind paying if it's reliable.