How do I make Google calls from my Android phone?
What are Google calls?
Google calls allow you to utilize the internet connection on your Android device to place calls, texts, and leave voicemails. Instead of using cellular service or minutes from your mobile provider, Google calls route phone activity through the Google Voice service, which relies on your phone’s internet connectivity and the Google Voice app. The Google Voice app assigns you with a free Google Voice phone number. That number functions independently from your regular mobile service and can be used to make calls, send texts, and receive voicemails.
According to this GearBrain article, Google calls handle communication “wherever you are in the home” while connected to WiFi or a mobile data plan.
Why use Google calls?
One great benefit of using Google Voice is that it offers free calls anywhere in the U.S. and Canada (1). This is a great way to stay in touch with friends, family, and business contacts without incurring charges on your mobile phone. You can make calls using your mobile number or your Google Voice number. The person you call sees your Google Voice number in caller ID, protecting your personal mobile number if desired.
Requirements
To make Google calls on your Android phone, there are a few key requirements:
You need an Android phone. Google Voice is compatible with the current and previous two major Android releases.
You’ll need to have the latest Google Voice and Google Hangouts apps installed on your device.
You’ll need an active WiFi or mobile data connection for making voice calls over the internet using these apps.
Set Up Google Voice
Google Voice is Google’s phone and texting service that provides a phone number for calling, text messaging, and voicemail. To get started with Google Voice, you’ll need to download the Google Voice app from the Google Play Store.
Once you have installed the Google Voice app, open it and sign in with your Google Account credentials. If you don’t already have a Google Account, you’ll be prompted to create one during this step.
You’ll then need to verify a phone number, which is required to complete the setup process. Verify a number you’d like to use with Google Voice (1). You can use your Android phone’s existing cell phone number or set up forwarding to another number you already have.
Once these steps are complete, your Google Voice number will be ready to use for calling, texting, and voicemail.
Set Up Contacts for Google Calls
To make Google calls, you will need to set up your phone contacts in Google Voice. There are two ways to add contacts:
Sync your phone contacts with Google Voice: To sync your phone contacts, open the Google Voice app, tap the Contacts button and tap Add new contact. Choose the option to sync with your phone contacts. This will add all existing contacts in your phone.
Add contacts manually: To manually add contacts, open the Google Voice app, tap Contacts and tap Add new contact. Here you can manually enter a contact’s full name, phone number and other details.
Make a call
Once you have set up Google Voice, making a call is easy. Simply open the Hangouts app on your Android device, choose the contact you want to call from your contacts list or enter a phone number into the dialpad, and tap on the call button to dial the number.
For example, as per Google’s support documentation:
- Open the Voice app.
- At the top left, tap Menu and then tap on the contact you want to call.
- Tap on the call button to dial the number.
The call will now be placed using your Google Voice number over an internet connection rather than your regular cell plan minutes.
Receive a Call
To receive calls through your Google Voice number on your Android device, you need to have the Hangouts app installed. When you receive a phone call to your Google Voice number, it will route through the Hangouts app to your Android device.
According to Google support, “Incoming calls will ring through Hangouts app” (source). The Hangouts app needs permission to access your microphone in order to take incoming calls.
As long as you have an internet connection and the Hangouts app open or running in the background, you’ll receive calls to your Google Voice number directly on your Android phone.
Text messages
You can send and receive text messages using your Google Voice number through the Google Voice app for Android. The app allows you to send SMS texts to any U.S. or Canadian number for free.
To send a text message using the Google Voice app:
- Open the Google Voice app on your Android phone.
- Tap the messaging icon in the bottom right.
- Enter the recipient’s phone number or select a contact from your address book.
- Type your message and tap Send.
The message will be sent from your Google Voice number and the recipient will see your Google Voice number as the sender. You can continue conversations or send group messages just like regular text messaging.
Voicemail
You can listen to voicemails directly in the Google Voice app on your Android phone. When you have a new voicemail, you’ll see a notification badge on the Voicemail tab in the app. Here’s how to listen to your messages:
Open the Google Voice app and tap on the Voicemail tab at the bottom. Unread voicemails will be in bold.
Tap on a voicemail to play it.[1]
While listening you can pause, jump forward/back, enable captions, or delete the message. You’ll also see options to call back the number or view the transcript.
Once you’ve listened to a message it will be marked as read. You can always return to the Voicemail tab to replay messages if needed.
The Google Voice app makes it quick and easy to manage your voicemail messages on an Android device.
[1] “Check your voicemail in Google Voice – Android.” Google Support. https://support.google.com/voice/answer/168515?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid
International calls
Making international calls with Google Voice is easy. However, there are some important things to know about rates and availability when calling outside the U.S. and Canada.
According to Google Support, international calling rates can vary depending on the destination. Some calls may be free, while others incur per-minute charges. Before placing a call, you’ll receive a message from Google indicating if there is a cost and how much it will be.
You can find Google Voice international calling rates at voice.google.com/rates. This page has a breakdown of costs for calling popular international destinations like the U.K., France, Mexico and more. Rates are subject to change, so it’s a good idea to check before dialing an international number.
One limitation to note is that Google Voice may not be available for calling some countries. If you attempt to call a non-supported destination, you will receive an error message. According to Google Support, international call availability depends on the Google Voice product and country you’re calling from.
In summary, Google Voice can be a convenient and inexpensive option for international calls. Just be aware that rates may apply when dialing destinations outside of the U.S. and Canada. Checking current rates beforehand is recommended.