Google Voice gives you a phone number for calling, text messaging, and voicemail. It works on smartphones and computers, and syncs across your devices so you can use the app in the office, at home, or on the go.
NOTE: Google Voice only works for personal Google Accounts in the US and Google Workspace accounts in select markets. Text messaging is not supported in all markets.
You’re in control
Get spam filtered automatically and block numbers you don’t want to hear from. Manage your time with personalized settings for forwarding calls, text messages, and voicemail.
Backed up and searchable
Calls, text messages, and voicemails are stored and backed up to make it easy for you to search your history.
Manage messages across devices
Send and receive individual and group SMS messages from all your devices.
Your voicemail, transcribed
Google Voice provides advanced voicemail transcriptions that you can read in the app and/or have sent to your email.
Save on international calling
Make international calls at competitive rates without paying extra for international minutes with your mobile carrier.
Keep in mind:
• Google Voice is currently only available in the US. Google Voice for Google Workspace users is available in select countries. Check with your administrator for access.
• Calls made using Google Voice for Android can be placed through a Google Voice access number. All access number based calls use the standard minutes from your cell phone plan and may incur costs (e.g. when traveling internationally).
Almost worth it Using this app since years now, the prices are great, calls are almost clear. The speed and reliability of the app are still the same as years ago. The reason for me to go out of my way after using this app for years is there is no improvement at all. Always giving some kinds of trouble. New thing that’s been bugging me is the bluetooth can’t be engaged when I am already in a call and switch the audio to Bluetooth.
I have been a fan of Google Voice for years now. Great for calls and to use a free phone number. Can’t beat that anywhere else. Still, I the app is lacking in many respects, especially the text messaging aspect: not all that great to attach photos and videos. Also, I find it ironic that you can’t leave voice messages in Voice. For those reasons, I tend to use either Whatsapp, Messenger or just text from my phone.
It is far from perfect, but it is an astonishing app for the price. Lately, I’ve been getting the app’s incoming call notification, alongside the phone’s interface, when I’m receiving a phone call in a marginal Verizon area. This is a great thing, because previously it usually just didn’t ring thru the app, only using the phone interface in bad areas. I like this method but it allows me to know which calls to answer and use the Google Voice screen, and which to silence and wait for voicemail.
For a phone service it’s pretty good. But as an app, it’s pretty lacking in basic capabilities 1. My fav/starred contacts are gone 2. My emergency contacts are gone. 3. I can’t scroll by alphabet when I am looking for a contact. 4. I don’t have default numbers for a contact. 5. I keep getting this annoying message at the top to give access to nearby Bluetooth devices. I have to say no everytime. Service feedback. 1. When I call someone I see the routing number and not the contacts number.
I’m not quite sure how anyone would rate a free app like this, which is so versatile, anything but five stars. It’s not perfect, but for $0 I challenge you to find a better product. I’ve been using Google Voice for over a decade at this point and I love it. Replying to messages from a PC is particularly valuable and easy to do with this app. It cannot send any reasonably sized attachment beyond a basic picture or gif. However, for $0, which one can?
I’ve used Google Voice since it was created & available. It has mostly been my favorite app. For a while I was getting very frustrated with both Android & Voice because they were becoming buggy because of constant tinkering (I called Android the Windows version of Linux). Fortunately that era seems to have passed. I can honestly say that I believe both softwares have become much more predictable and I can do what I need to do without fear of going bald in the process.
As long as you have the connection for it, you can make calls and send texts. It may not have a bunch of bells and whistles but it’s free and functional. I personally enjoy the novelty of being able to text people through my email, just make sure that you use your email account directly because things like the email manager app on windows computers might wrap your message in a bunch of extra text. Overall though, this app and service has never disappointed me.
I love how easy this app let’s me text and add emojis, etc. I really love the transcript feature on phone messages so I can see what the person wants and don’t have to listen to the long messages if I don’t want to. The biggest downside is the speaker phone doesn’t work, people can’t hear me. Video doesn’t always load on text and it doesn’t call from the voicemail transcript message screen but other than that it works well. I wish it had a block group text or a limit to group text feature.
Google voice is improving with rapid regularity. I never drop calls anymore, and this is really strange – on my pixel 2 xl, often, for some reason it doesn’t change over to data from wifi when I leave the house, yet the phone will ring and the calls will go thru even when texts and media will not work! After the call, I’ll get notification that data is not connected! Don’t know that it’s because of Google voice, but I’m giving them the credit! Thanks Google 👍
International calls are not routed through voice, even though I have set my settings accordingly. Not sure what s conflicting with this app. Is there a way to detect the app. I am sure I have good enough credits, as I can call from the app, but the expectation is that, even from dialler app, it should route international calls through voice. (It used to work before)
Used to be good for maintaining one number, but now that service isn’t really necessary. It’s missing important features like Rich Communication Services support and sometimes i miss calls and texts because of the added delay. It does have it’s pluses though, mostly free voice mail transcription and a free number (until you want to transfer it, when there’s a small fee)
Why not included? 1) Should have the ability to turn off voicemail completely. I would rather have the person that is trying to call me to keep calling me, and as a last resort to text me. Regular phone service does have this option if you check with the carrier. 2) Call forwarding does not allow forward for any calls. In poor reception areas, this is important so that you can still receive your calls. Today it only allows you to forward to whomever is in your contact list or unlisted
I use Voice when I’m at my property by Mt. Rainier for WiFi texts/calling as there is no cell service (but I have Wi-Fi on the property). A bit of a lag for voice calls, but much better than not being able to make any calls or texts! Update: Voice call quality has continued to improve, so I’ll continue to use. Also, I use Voice for texting on my PC. I LOVE typing a text message on a REAL honest to god keyboard!
Very useful but still feels unfinished. Little things like not being able to copy more than one text “line” at a time, not being able to forward texts to email, not being able to select what the key does (on my phone it allows me to go down one line, on my computer it sends all the text already entered), not seeing all your important options when your screen size changes, not being able to see the Google Contacts labels for multiple phone numbers…
Voice is a nice unified communication app but features are quite limited. Update in response to developer comment: The Voice website freezes up after some time and tends to lock up the web browser on a computer; missed calls on the phone and computer are regular, even though the phone has a strong wifi connection and the computer is hardwired to a GigE network; it takes several taps to view and edit contact properties; texting doesn’t work well with group chats and iOS users.
Good application, at times get this message about enabling Wi-Fi Calling Turn on, presume this has to do with about inter mingling with Carrier phone this presumably. It works perfectly fine with web based interface. Makes direct application not as usable at times on the phone, presumably missing something. Besides that it was working fine, just off late I have seen this message.
The app works reasonably well, especially if you do not use Wi-Fi calls. I do find it extremely limiting that the receiving party cannot identify who is calling via caller ID. Thank you so much for caring enough to respond! Allow me to clarify my concern. I would like to control the name that shows on the caller ID of the person I’m calling. Specifically, I would like my business name to show up. I would pay for this service. Current service limited and may force me to change carriers. Thank u
Voicemail stops. Outgoing calls not working. After touching call icon the display shows a purple background and the end call icon, no controls for speaker or mute appear. The person I called can’t hear me. On received calls I cannot hear caller. This is on Android 11. I reinstalled voice. It is still showing purple background as above stated. In the notification area I can pull down an ongoing call. It then displays correctly. This is not a good work around! Thank you for helping me.
Upon opening any text message, if you wish to forward that message to a friend, and you long-press the message, you will find that you are given only three options in the upper right corner of the screen (via three icons): “delete,””properties,” and “copy.” Sadly, none of these allows you to “forward” the message. On the other hand, if you open any non-Google text-messaging app, you are given the option to forward any message that you receive. Conclusion? Google voice needs work.
Much improved since start, but always a tiny bit lacking. I have been using Voice for I think about 10 years and it has become SO much easier to use. There’s always at least one feature I am missing though and have from the start- the ability to send videos. Not a huge deal, but would still be nice. Also, the option for any caller not in phone book to not be able to ring through or be sent straight to VM would be nice.
Fabulous app if you want to add a free phone number and make Wi-Fi calls or use Wi-Fi calling features, though you can customize it and actually route calls through your carrier’s network if you want to. It’s easy to use, too. I wish it had features that Google messages has, but it still gets 5 stars easily from me. I love Google’s apps. Go ahead and give it a try. It’s basically free to use, too, so why not try it out instead of some app from an untrusted source? A+
I’ve always liked Google Voice. It has a much more professional feel to it as opposed to other services like Text Now, Me, Plus, etc. I have had the same number for a while now, which is unheard of! All of the features built in are great. It’s very easy to use. For the advanced user – you can create rules!! Like when you do or do not want to take calls, vacation responder and so much more. I can’t say much else other than if I were you, I’d give this app a try over any old text free app.
Updated review. I have been using this app since about 2012. Thanks goodness for it.. it does exactly what it needs to do.. but also it holds on to all voice and text messages until you delete them. I recently lost both my parents in the passed few years and I still have their voice-mails that I can listen to.
I’ve been using GV, with the same number, for two decades. Works with Wi-Fi or mobile data. Have calls forwarded to your mobile number, or answer them directly. Full integration with your current Android phone, no “porting” necessary, and complete voicemail with transcription. Supports SMS/MMS. Good call quality, zero issues or complaints. Not ad supported, so NO STUPID ADS. Five star app.
Works great except that half the time my phone doesn’t ring when someone calls me. It goes straight to voicemail. I checked all settings and volumes a bunch of times and it seems to happen at random. One call will go through and the next one won’t. There’s no rhyme or reason to whether my phone rings or it sends the caller directly to voicemail. This bug has been present for years.
We downloaded this for a WiFi Phone in the house. And regret it. If my husband or I try to call to the WiFi Phone, it will not ring. But after we hang up, it will silently pop up that a call was missed. Even leaving a voicemail is silent. Text messages are also spotty. We have excellent Wi-Fi in the house, so the fault lies with Google. I have tried everything and searched online, nothing fixes thing. 2 Stars for Texts only and ease of use. Otherwise, major fail. Great (not!) job. -_-
Google Voice gets the job done. If you need a new # for free it’s perfect for that. Messaging is simple and calls are pretty ok. I’ve had issues in the past with not receiving texts for hours and then they all flood in at once. But my biggest complaint is that while I can receive gifs and videos and voice files from people, I can’t send them in return. Often EVERY file I try to send it too big, even photos sometimes. Wish that would change already!
I love the option of having one lifetime phone number and how it rings multiple phones at the same time. I love the fact how it saves all your phone records and messages. The problem I have with this app, and this has been around for years, is it sometimes it will not answer your phone calls on my cell phone. Most of the time it’s a coin flip if it rings a phone or not. If they fix this this it will jump from from 3 to 10 stars out of five. Update: still using it years later. 4
This app is great I wouldn’t have a different email app. It’s text messages send quickly and there is no freezes in the voicemails. But there is one problem it’s calls freeze frecuently. One call I had froze and stopped 4 times!! Other wise it us a great app I hope Google doesn’t delete this app. Have a great rest of your day (or night) and be happy.😁
Why has voice typing/voice recognition had so many errors over the years. Even in a quite environment I still have to make corrections. We’ve always had Samsung flagship phones, including the S22 Ultra. Nothing had changed, voice typing still seems “dumb”, it needs a better AI algorithm or something. Predicting correct words is also not its strong suit. I grew up in NY and do not have a thick NY accent. Almost always, the voice recognition wants to add “is” in front of my spoken sentences. Odd?
Always reliable. Google apps are the best. Updated from five stars to three stars. This app needs to be updated. The lack of a search option is frustrating. That includes photos that were sent via this app. I wish there was an alternative with using a Google Voice phone number. I do use Google’s messaging app for my regular phone number and I love it. I think I gave enough information here. Basically, the app is outdated and is the only one that I’m aware that works with Google voice.
I’ve been a Voice user, since it was Grand Central, which was awesome! Since Google took over they have slowly eroded the functionality of many of it’s great features. This latest version is the worst yet. It’s performance is eratic at best and with every update something disappears. Most annoying about the new version is that it only allows you to text files/photos from one location on your phone. How is it that a multi billion dollar company can’t get something so simple right? 9 Mos. later 0!
Working well. Since updating my phone to Android 12, I’m not able to make calls or receive calls with my Bluetooth headset. All other phone apps are able to switch to Bluetooth. However, when trying to switch to bluetooth from the Sound drop down menu, it stays on the current setting. UPDATE: Yes , it was a device specific problem.
Google voice reallt needs an upgrade. I get that there aren’t very many features because it has to be able to carry across devices and numbers. But could you at least add a bit more functionality? Like being able to have priority convos, text bubbles, personalized right ones per contact, change backgrounds, etc. Otherwise it does what it is supposed to do, no more no less. I do use it everyday and it hasn’t failed me.
I love Google voice. I have used it multiple times for a work number from the same phone, and it’s only gotten better through the years. Still a bit slow at identifying Google voice calls vs regular cellular calls, but more features keep being added and I know it’s getting closer. And it’s so nice to be able to text for work as well. Voicemail is still in the works, but does very well. Sometimes my work voicemails end up in my personal box and I forget about them. Keep it up google team!!
An invaluable tool when I travel abroad. I have to amend my review. Google voice is no longer reliable for phone calls. Texting seems to still work Ok, but Google seems to be working hard to undo all the good things they developed in the past. Update:. Things appear to be back to normal. I can make and receive calls from the US while abroad. A great tool. Thank you Google! UPDATE: This application continues to be the best for staying in contact while traveling abroad.
Use voice for my business. Constantly have to call clients twice because they don’t hear me the first time I call. Constantly get unstable network errors. Tried to uninstall and reinstall the app and it says “something went wrong.” Honestly, my business relies on this app. Sad how much trouble I have been having. I used it for years without problem but the last 3 months have been horrible.
Voice is truly a life saver right now. It does what I need it to. I do wish that notifications were more visible. On the Pixel 3a XL the small bubble badge would help if it were numbered. Sometimes the bubble doesn’t always show even though there’s uread msgs or missed calls. That may have more to do with my phone than the app itself I think. Not sure. But what I am sure of is how useful this app has been in the past few days. Thank you Google Voice.
Seems like I have been using a Google Voice number, the app and web forever. It has been great. Certainly lacks a few things that would make it even better (quick reactions to messages, tagging messages/threads, managing groups, etc.), but it remains an app I hope Google will not cancel at some point (like Hangouts for example) unless an actually better replacement is provided (and, unfortunately, there is not a good track record on that).
Been using this app off and on again as needed since 2013 and each and everytime it does exactly what I need it to do! Simply put it works. However, I have never had to add funds or make paid calls of any kind. Both voice and text messaging works whether you have cell service or not, as long as you have a solid wifi connection you’re good to go!