Database Develop

[Q] google voice questions

so i just set up google voice today finally but i have some questions that i couldn't find the answers too easily online and i figured this was probably the best place to ask.
First off, is there anyway to choose certain people to always call using google voice?
and secondly, this one applies more to t-mobile, are calls through my phone using google voice count as minutes on my plan? because i'm hoping to use google voice so i can get on a cheaper voice plan.
thanks and sorry for the n00bish questions

neok44 said:
so i just set up google voice today finally but i have some questions that i couldn't find the answers too easily online and i figured this was probably the best place to ask.
First off, is there anyway to choose certain people to always call using google voice?
and secondly, this one applies more to t-mobile, are calls through my phone using google voice count as minutes on my plan? because i'm hoping to use google voice so i can get on a cheaper voice plan.
thanks and sorry for the n00bish questions
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Choosing which contacts to use GV for requires a 3rd party app thru the Market. GV doesnt seem to have a native selector. Voice Choice is pretty nice.
And using GV does take from the minutes, especially on T-Mobile unless you have the old MyFaves plan. Sprint, Verizon, & AT&T all have a plan where you may call unlimited to certain numbers and adding your GV number to it (usually) works. But T-Mo no longer offers MyFaves to newer subscribers.
If you want to reduce your call loads, there is another option for T-Mo, AT&T, & GSM users... Vonage over WiFi calling is a free app in the Market, and it does work fairly well. There is a CDMA version of Vonage, but thats for Verizon, Sprint, & Cricket, and it doesnt offer the WiFi calling.

NexusOneOwner said:
Choosing which contacts to use GV for requires a 3rd party app thru the Market. GV doesnt seem to have a native selector. Voice Choice is pretty nice.
And using GV does take from the minutes, especially on T-Mobile unless you have the old MyFaves plan. Sprint, Verizon, & AT&T all have a plan where you may call unlimited to certain numbers and adding your GV number to it (usually) works. But T-Mo no longer offers MyFaves to newer subscribers.
If you want to reduce your call loads, there is another option for T-Mo, AT&T, & GSM users... Vonage over WiFi calling is a free app in the Market, and it does work fairly well. There is a CDMA version of Vonage, but thats for Verizon, Sprint, & Cricket, and it doesnt offer the WiFi calling.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
very nice app there, a little expensive for a small function.
Right now i'm on myfaves but i'll be leaving it soon to go onto a family plan and i was hoping this would work like that.
With it not working like that, almost makes me wonder what the point is lol.
guess i'll give vonage a shot.

Try "Google Voice Callback" on the Market. You can set it up to set certain people to always be called via GV. You can also set it up to detect when you make a call and prompt you to use GV. When you choose to make a GV call, the app calls you and the person you're calling via GV (your phone will ring and then you answer which initiates the call). This way no minutes are used.
There's a free version and a paid version which are identical. The paid one is just there so you can make an easy donation.
If you want free incoming calls, you'll need to download and setup Sipdroid which is a little more complex since you need to find a SIP provider (I use Sipgate).

Google Voice for text?

How exactly does Google voice work? I want to set it up for text so I don't have to pay att the 20 dollars a month for unlimited text. For calls I'll stick with carrier I don't know how much data a call will eat up.
Sent from my SGH-I897 using XDA

You're going to want to Google that from your computer. You need to set it up from there
Sent from my CM9 ICS i897 Captivate

darkchyldx101 said:
How exactly does Google voice work? I want to set it up for text so I don't have to pay att the 20 dollars a month for unlimited text. For calls I'll stick with carrier I don't know how much data a call will eat up.
Sent from my SGH-I897 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
keep in mind that mms also goes over text plan, so any mms would have to be google voice as well.

I really don't text much right now I pay 5 bucks for 200 text. But when I upgrade soon it seems I'll have a choice between $20/month for unlimited text or .20 cent for every text. Just wondering if Google voice is a better alternative.
Sent from my SGH-I897 using XDA

darkchyldx101 said:
How exactly does Google voice work?
...
For calls I'll stick with carrier I don't know how much data a call will eat up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
gVoice does not work that way! A call is still a call, why go through the extra effort to make something VoIP when the current system for wireless audio transmission works very well. Google is never going to make the Android app do VoIP.
Also gVoice does not support MMS, thanks to social media sites/apps and web browers on the phone, there is no reason for gVoice to support them. Again another system exists that does a better job. The purpose to gVoice is not to bypass the services that wireless providers offer, it is to make managing multiple numbers an easier process (just as the video says). One other thing is that gVoice does not work with other text servers, only actual phone numbers. So no texting "LOL" to 12345 to vote for something on TV.
As to "how exactly" it works. Simply put gVoice is a redirection service.
They give you a what is essentially a mobile number that you hand out to whomever you wish, then you tell gVoice what numbers you want it to contact when it's number is called or gets a text. With the app it automaticaly adds your cell number to the list.
A call works like this: Person A dials the gVoice number, a computer answers and calls you, you answer and person A is forwarded to you. The exact opposite is true for the other direction. You > computer > person & forwards. If you watched the video explaining gVoice then you'll see that you can have gVoice dial multiple numbers at once on in-coming calls.
A text works like this: Person A sends a text to the gVoice number, a computer receives the text. At this point, it can either send you a text acting exactly the same as a call, or you can have it do nothing and rely on the app to let you know a text was sent to gVoice. Sending a text via the app is just like posting something via twitter or such except that instead of it going to a web site it goes to a computer that sends a text back to Person A. gVoice will figure out how to break up the message on its own for the size limit of a text, if sending to another gVoice number it sends the whole message and one piece.
If you want more exact then that you'll have to ask Google.
Now, due to the nature of the system there are a lot of neat/useful/mean things you can do. you can have gVoice block numbers instead of relying on the carrier. you can have all calls from one grouping of people get redirected to a specific number (to only your cell, or only to home,maybe even to one that is not actually yours ). you can set up some groups to be forwarded immediately, and others be given a prompt (your end) to screen their calls. you can save yourself from needing text messaging by relying on the app. you can give specific groups a different recording that they hear when they call and have to leave a message (if you use gVoice as your voicemail). Or you can do like me, and give some people the gVoice number and others only the cell number, so that if I ever have a reason to change the cell number the gVoice users are none the wiser.

I guess the best thing to do is give it a try. If its doesn't work the way I need it to I'll guess I'll have to choose the unlimited text plan. Thanks for the info.
Sent from my SGH-I897 using XDA

For what it's worth, i have the $5 / 200 text plan + Google voice. I use the AT&T mms on the 200 texts and Google voice for everything else. It works great for me because i can send text messages from my browser when i can't use my phone (plus i type faster on a full keyboard), and i don't have to worry about overages. I don't call that much, so minutes aren't an issue.
I liked that voice let he pick a number that made sense to me.
Also, if someone sends an mms to your Google voice number, you can have it set up to go to your gmail.

I use Google voice as a separate thing. I have a tmobile pay as you go plan on my captivate. As long as I have wifi. I get free texting through Google voice. Note, you get a separate number assigned by area. Porting your own number costs 20 bucks.
Sent from my SGH-I897 using XDA

I use Google voice to call people so they don't get my actual number, I also text on it, but you can't receive mms which sucks, but you can use Google Voice And Textfree for mms
Sent from my SGH-I897 using XDA

Nexus 5 Hangouts Google Voice Integration Works!

So after experimenting with My Nexus5. I have noticed something rather fascinating...... instead of explaining it, I figure its best to just give an example of what I am seeing. But first, i'll list the steps you'll need to do in order to replicate this.
1. open google voice app, goto settings, then 'sync and notifications', then click "receive text messages", and checkmark "via the messaging app"
ok, now to the examples: lets say your mobile number is 555-5555, and your gvoice number is 555-5557.
Examples
Ex #1) someone texts your gvoice 555-5557 number. when hangouts receives this text, it will appear as if it came from another number (for example 916-538-4889), but in the text preview snippet, you'll see the name of the person texting you (assuming this person is in your contacts list, otherwise it'll show their true phone number)
#1a) replying to this text, you'll be indeed texting some unknown intermediary google number, which presumably google owns, however this redirects your text to your recipient and it will send that person a text message, and the person who receives it will see that you texted them from your google voice number (555-5557)
Ex #2) someone texts your regular mobile number 555-5555, you'll receive it like normal....... and when you reply to this text message, your recipient will receive your text like as if it came from your regular mobile number 555-5555.
Ex #3) and then of course, the hangouts app also sends/receives hangout messages.
In other words........ I've manged to send/receive gvoice, regular text, and hangout messages all from the same app.
The implementation could be a little better. however, it at least exists !
P.S.
as a bonus, its nice to setup your voicemail so that you can view and play voicemails from the phone call log instead of going into google voice to play your voicemails or instead of calling a number to listen to them.

Won't let me change it to the messaging app. Don't get a lot of texts through gvoice regardless. but thanks for the heads up.

slickromeo said:
So after experimenting with My Nexus5. I have noticed something rather fascinating...... instead of explaining it, I figure its best to just give an example of what I am seeing. But first, i'll list the steps you'll need to do in order to replicate this....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is very pertinent to my interests, however I kind of knew this is how it would all happen. I just wish they would integrate the Voice app with Hangouts. The big problem with this scenario is starting an SMS conversation with someone. If I want to text someone that hasn't already sent me a text message, there is no way to show my Voice number instead of my devices' number. I need them to text me first because then that provides a Google routing number to reply to. Unless I'm missing something, then please let me know, I'd love to use Hangouts with my Voice number.

This is nothing amazing or special. GV would let you receive your messages through your sms app. Now that Hangouts is your sms app, your messages would go there. That is not integration at all.
Intgration would be removing the GV app and everything going through hangouts.

@Johmama, it appears this isn't full integration.... because apparently you would have to use the google voice app to send the initial text. However at the very least once they reply, you can forevermore use the hangouts app, and all your texts go through SMS (not using data), and they will see your texts from your gvoice number, even though you sent it through hangouts.

@Johmama, it appears this isn't full integration.... because apparently you would have to use the google voice app to send the initial text. However at the very least once they reply, you can forevermore use the hangouts app, and all your texts go through SMS (not using data), and they will see your texts from your gvoice number, even though you sent it through hangouts.

Invi Sms has FULL Gvoice integration and it looks magnificent.
Sent from my SGNote 2!

ubigred said:
Invi Sms has FULL Gvoice integration and it looks magnificent.
Sent from my SGNote 2!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the heads up. Going to check it out.
Update...Wow, it does look really nice and classy!

ubigred said:
Invi Sms has FULL Gvoice integration and it looks magnificent.
Sent from my SGNote 2!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I'm not mistaken, Google will be preventing this sort of thing soon. See: https://plus.google.com/u/0/106636280351174936240/posts/MjyncJEbzxK

[email protected] said:
Thanks for the heads up. Going to check it out.
Update...Wow, it does look really nice and classy!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, it's THE best looking messenger bar none!
Sent from my SGNote 2!

Thanks for the heads up! I hadn't even thought of trying that! While I agree that it isn't ideal having to start the text convo from Voice, its a minor (one time) inconvenience for the people you text frequently!
slickromeo said:
So after experimenting with My Nexus5. I have noticed something rather fascinating...... instead of explaining it, I figure its best to just give an example of what I am seeing. But first, i'll list the steps you'll need to do in order to replicate this.
1. open google voice app, goto settings, then 'sync and notifications', then click "receive text messages", and checkmark "via the messaging app"
ok, now to the examples: lets say your mobile number is 555-5555, and your gvoice number is 555-5557.
Examples
Ex #1) someone texts your gvoice 555-5557 number. when hangouts receives this text, it will appear as if it came from another number (for example 916-538-4889), but in the text preview snippet, you'll see the name of the person texting you (assuming this person is in your contacts list, otherwise it'll show their true phone number)
#1a) replying to this text, you'll be indeed texting some unknown intermediary google number, which presumably google owns, however this redirects your text to your recipient and it will send that person a text message, and the person who receives it will see that you texted them from your google voice number (555-5557)
Ex #2) someone texts your regular mobile number 555-5555, you'll receive it like normal....... and when you reply to this text message, your recipient will receive your text like as if it came from your regular mobile number 555-5555.
Ex #3) and then of course, the hangouts app also sends/receives hangout messages.
In other words........ I've manged to send/receive gvoice, regular text, and hangout messages all from the same app.
The implementation could be a little better. however, it at least exists !
P.S.
as a bonus, its nice to setup your voicemail so that you can view and play voicemails from the phone call log instead of going into google voice to play your voicemails or instead of calling a number to listen to them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Thanks for posting this! I'm going to try it tonight.

Works pretty good except from a tablet. Still has to be separated,
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4

This is pretty awesome, nice find working well here
Thanks
slickromeo said:
So after experimenting with My Nexus5. I have noticed something rather fascinating...... instead of explaining it, I figure its best to just give an example of what I am seeing. But first, i'll list the steps you'll need to do in order to replicate this.
1. open google voice app, goto settings, then 'sync and notifications', then click "receive text messages", and checkmark "via the messaging app"
ok, now to the examples: lets say your mobile number is 555-5555, and your gvoice number is 555-5557.
Examples
Ex #1) someone texts your gvoice 555-5557 number. when hangouts receives this text, it will appear as if it came from another number (for example 916-538-4889), but in the text preview snippet, you'll see the name of the person texting you (assuming this person is in your contacts list, otherwise it'll show their true phone number)
#1a) replying to this text, you'll be indeed texting some unknown intermediary google number, which presumably google owns, however this redirects your text to your recipient and it will send that person a text message, and the person who receives it will see that you texted them from your google voice number (555-5557)
Ex #2) someone texts your regular mobile number 555-5555, you'll receive it like normal....... and when you reply to this text message, your recipient will receive your text like as if it came from your regular mobile number 555-5555.
Ex #3) and then of course, the hangouts app also sends/receives hangout messages.
In other words........ I've manged to send/receive gvoice, regular text, and hangout messages all from the same app.
The implementation could be a little better. however, it at least exists !
P.S.
as a bonus, its nice to setup your voicemail so that you can view and play voicemails from the phone call log instead of going into google voice to play your voicemails or instead of calling a number to listen to them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

My Google voice sprint nexus 5 seems to have this.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

I've been doing this since the nexus one came out on sick messaging app. Nothing new. But I'm happy for the people that are just learning about it.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk 2

slickromeo said:
So after experimenting with My Nexus5. I have noticed something rather fascinating...... instead of explaining it, I figure its best to just give an example of what I am seeing. But first, i'll list the steps you'll need to do in order to replicate this.
1. open google voice app, goto settings, then 'sync and notifications', then click "receive text messages", and checkmark "via the messaging app"
ok, now to the examples: lets say your mobile number is 555-5555, and your gvoice number is 555-5557.
Examples
Ex #1) someone texts your gvoice 555-5557 number. when hangouts receives this text, it will appear as if it came from another number (for example 916-538-4889), but in the text preview snippet, you'll see the name of the person texting you (assuming this person is in your contacts list, otherwise it'll show their true phone number)
#1a) replying to this text, you'll be indeed texting some unknown intermediary google number, which presumably google owns, however this redirects your text to your recipient and it will send that person a text message, and the person who receives it will see that you texted them from your google voice number (555-5557)
Ex #2) someone texts your regular mobile number 555-5555, you'll receive it like normal....... and when you reply to this text message, your recipient will receive your text like as if it came from your regular mobile number 555-5555.
Ex #3) and then of course, the hangouts app also sends/receives hangout messages.
In other words........ I've manged to send/receive gvoice, regular text, and hangout messages all from the same app.
The implementation could be a little better. however, it at least exists !
P.S.
as a bonus, its nice to setup your voicemail so that you can view and play voicemails from the phone call log instead of going into google voice to play your voicemails or instead of calling a number to listen to them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome! Hadn't even thought of trying this. Made adjustments, and will see how it goes. Actually, might work really well as Sprint allows true GV integration

It won't let me change over. Says it has a problem
---------- Post added at 12:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:31 AM ----------
K it changed over but all it does is send texts through my t-mobile number

Spoke too soon
Not working here. I can select the "messaging app" to receive google voice texts, but it still is only sending to GV not hangouts, without any notifications in either.
Rijal said:
Thanks for the heads up! I hadn't even thought of trying that! While I agree that it isn't ideal having to start the text convo from Voice, its a minor (one time) inconvenience for the people you text frequently!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

This has been a feature of Google Voice since Google bought Grand Central and it isn't new. I can have texts forwarded to a dumb flip phone. What I hate is A) The random numbers, and B ) The "Anna Rills - Yeah I know what you mean"
The reason I like Google Voice is being able to archive texts, throwing messages in Spam, and automatic spam block thanks to Google's algorithms.

[Q] Porting phone number from AT&T to Google Voice and using Straight Talk?

Should I port my number to Google Voice?
What are the issues with having your number on Google Voice?
I will soon be switching from AT&T to an MVNO (probably straight talk). I don't totally understand the process and benefits. It seems like people recommend doing this in order to avoid hassles when changing MVNOs. I know it costs $20 but it gives you some benefits like backing up your communications and more ownership of your number.
I have an unlocked T-Mobile Moto X.

Do you MMS?
Skip Google Voice
Texting isn't as reliable over data than via cell radios in my experience.
MVNO's have high data pings, if you can stand this then you are fine saving $15 a month, otherwise just go with GoPhone, same ping as postpaid, no data speed caps, roughly same coverage map, and you keep AT&T customer support.
Sent from my XT1053 using Tapatalk

Almost 2 years ago I ported my number from Verizon to Google Voice before switching to Straight Talk, primarily because it was my published business number and I wasn't comfortable trusting Straight Talk with it. About 5 months ago I switched to GoPhone, and a few weeks ago I ported my number from Google Voice to GoPhone, and posted "Why I'm ditching Google Voice as my public number" at Android Forums:
Almost 20 months ago I ported my number from Verizon to Google Voice, bought a Galaxy Nexus, and activated it on Straight Talk (I've since switched to AT&T Go Phone). I told no one, and used my Google Voice number as my only number. Immediately I noticed the latency on voice calls, resulting in lots of me talking over the other party, or vice versa. During the 20 or so months of use, I've seen absolutely no improvement in this area. As a result, this morning I put in a port request to transfer my Google Voice number to AT&T.
There have been other issues too, like:
The crappy UI and pathetic attempt at threading GV conversations
The inability to use Google Voice for quick responses when ignoring an incoming call (the API and permissions have existed in Android since 4.3)
Lack of MMS support
Incompatibility with some services (i.e. banks) that send texts to mobile numbers
The concept of Google Voice is great - one number, forever and always. It made it very easy for me recently when I was testing out the Nexus 5 and Moto X - I could use either phone and no one knew I was changing phones on a (sometimes) daily basis.
For those who primarily use data and texting, and make/receive few voice calls, it may not be a deal breaker, but for me the frustration of the voice latency far outweighs the benefits, even if all the other issues I listed are fixed.
But... once my port is complete, I'll probably get another GV number for use as voicemail, and for exchanges with possible Craigslist buyers, or others I don't want to give my real number to. In that case, the benefit of anonymity outweighs the downside of the latency.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

pa5tabear said:
Should I port my number to Google Voice?
What are the issues with having your number on Google Voice?
I will soon be switching from AT&T to an MVNO (probably straight talk). I don't totally understand the process and benefits. It seems like people recommend doing this in order to avoid hassles when changing MVNOs. I know it costs $20 but it gives you some benefits like backing up your communications and more ownership of your number.
I have an unlocked T-Mobile Moto X.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
UncleMike said:
Almost 2 years ago I ported my number from Verizon to Google Voice before switching to Straight Talk, primarily because it was my published business number and I wasn't comfortable trusting Straight Talk with it. About 5 months ago I switched to GoPhone, and a few weeks ago I ported my number from Google Voice to GoPhone, and posted "Why I'm ditching Google Voice as my public number" at Android Forums:
Almost 20 months ago I ported my number from Verizon to Google Voice, bought a Galaxy Nexus, and activated it on Straight Talk (I've since switched to AT&T Go Phone). I told no one, and used my Google Voice number as my only number. Immediately I noticed the latency on voice calls, resulting in lots of me talking over the other party, or vice versa. During the 20 or so months of use, I've seen absolutely no improvement in this area. As a result, this morning I put in a port request to transfer my Google Voice number to AT&T.
There have been other issues too, like:
The crappy UI and pathetic attempt at threading GV conversations
The inability to use Google Voice for quick responses when ignoring an incoming call (the API and permissions have existed in Android since 4.3)
Lack of MMS support
Incompatibility with some services (i.e. banks) that send texts to mobile numbers
The concept of Google Voice is great - one number, forever and always. It made it very easy for me recently when I was testing out the Nexus 5 and Moto X - I could use either phone and no one knew I was changing phones on a (sometimes) daily basis.
For those who primarily use data and texting, and make/receive few voice calls, it may not be a deal breaker, but for me the frustration of the voice latency far outweighs the benefits, even if all the other issues I listed are fixed.
But... once my port is complete, I'll probably get another GV number for use as voicemail, and for exchanges with possible Craigslist buyers, or others I don't want to give my real number to. In that case, the benefit of anonymity outweighs the downside of the latency.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct me if I'm wrong but.... I'm under the impression that if you port your number to google voice you don't have to use the google voice app.
I'm sure you could just set up the call forwarding and avoid using the google voice app so you could still have the benefits of your own actual phone number?

drago10029 said:
Correct me if I'm wrong but.... I'm under the impression that if you port your number to google voice you don't have to use the google voice app.
I'm sure you could just set up the call forwarding and avoid using the google voice app so you could still have the benefits of your own actual phone number?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are two things to consider with Google Voice: calls and texting.
Porting your number to Google Voice does not necessarily require you to use the Google Voice app. You can setup the forwarding so that all calls to your GV number get forwarded to your real number. If you subsequently change your real number, you can easily change the GV forwarding to that new number and callers won't know the difference. For outgoing calls, you can choose to use Google Voice for no calls, all calls, international calls only, or to ask each time you make a call. If you don't use GV for a call, your real number will appear to the called party - ruining the transparency of Google Voice (that I enjoyed while testing phones). This may not be a problem for you.
For texting you have several options:
use the GV app to read and send "texts" - this maintains the transparency of Google Voice, and others send texts to your GV number and receive texts from your GV number
Skip GV and use another messaging app (including the stock app) - this totally eliminates the transparency since all texts are sent to/from your real number
Use GV's "mapping" feature - others send texts to your GV number, but the GV redirects them to your real number, making them appear in your default messaging app. The caveat here is that the messages you receive this way will appear to be from a number that's different than the number of the person that sent the text, but the message body will be prefixed with the senders name (taken from your contacts). If you send/reply to this other number, the recipient will see the text as coming from your GV number. To really make this method useable, you have to add these alternate numbers to each contact that you text. Also, until you receive a text from someone, you have no way of knowing what their "other" number is.

If you are rooted, you can use xvoiceplus which allows you to use other messaging app instead of Google voice to send or receive text message. You can even make google voice voicemail appear on the phone call log, so you never really have to use the Google voice app directly. But then voice mail thing is kinda buggy; old voicemails sometimes reappear as notification when you restart the phone.
If you can live with sms only then google voice can save you a few bucks every month. Since texting will be done through data instead of cellular signal, it won't be as good when you are in a bad signal area.

Free GV incoming/outgoing calls using Vonage Mobile App

Vonage Mobile app has allowed android users to make free phone calls using GV number as CID. However, it didn't allow us to receive regular phone calls, which was a big drawback of this app.
But now, it's possible to receive free phone calls with "ReachMe Roaming."
1. Go to Vonage Mobile app>settings and choose "ReachMe Roaming"
2. Do NOT check "Inbound calls to xxx-xxx-xxxx will be received on Vonage Mobile."
3. Click "More ways to ..."
4. Write down the Vonage assigned new incoming 10-digit DID number.
5. Add this number as one of your GV forwarding numbers. It may take a while for GV to verify this number. It took me several tries.
Now you can make free WIFI GV incoming/outgoing calls.
Notes:
1. This is irrelevant to gtalk XMPP shutdown.
2. Vonage app uses GCM so very little battery drain.
3. Vonage app uses a better audio codec than other VOIP apps so the call is crystal clear especially over WIFI. The only issue I have on 3G is while driving on highway (cell tower switching).
4. ReachMe Roaming is not permanent. Once activated, it lasts for 14 days. After 14 days, you get a notification to renew (keep the same #).
5. If GV forwards incoming calls to both Tmo and Vonage numbers, then Vonage app will ring first and Tmo phone will ring 1 second later. Unfortunately, you can't decline Tmo phone to answer in Vonage. In my case, I only set GV forwarding to Vonage.
6. This free calling will expire in 9/4/2014. I hope Hangouts will be able to do regular phone calling before then.

This works perfectly. And if I don't pick up in time, callers are greeted to my Google voice greeting. Same for not accepting a call. I did not need to set anything up in Google voice, other than to forward my incoming calls to the number in the Vonage app.

ReachMe seems to deactivate automatically after 2 weeks at which time I assume you get a different Vonage DID if you re-activate it? I doubt they assign you a permanent number and still it would be a pain to remember to re-activate every 2 weeks.

sirxdroid said:
ReachMe seems to deactivate automatically after 2 weeks at which time I assume you get a different Vonage DID if you re-activate it? I doubt they assign you a permanent number and still it would be a pain to remember to re-activate every 2 weeks.
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I think you are right. This is not the perfect solution. But with gtalk xmpp shutdown, unfortunately the choices to use GV number to make free incoming/outgoing WiFi calls are very limited.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

I'm still able to make and receive calls via groove ip
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

For Wi-Fi only!? How about on mobile data? Do you miss incoming calls and/or have poor voice quality and/or drop calls when driving on highway and using Vonage Mobile app?

hoktrillian said:
For Wi-Fi only!? How about on mobile data? Do you miss incoming calls and/or have poor voice quality and/or drop calls when driving on highway and using Vonage Mobile app?
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I don't think mobile data works well for VOIP when in motion, no matter the app. If you stay still then it can be usable depending on the signal and the connection type (3G, LTE).

Thanks for the tip. Just a reminder that incoming calls only work when connected to wifi. I received the confirmation call from Google Voice to activate the #, but the system did not register the confirmation code I typed into the dialer initially. When tried again via a WiFi connection, everything was resolved
Edit: Also, one other reminder (that in retrospect is obvious but is easy to overlook) is that you need to deactivate the call forwarding to your T-Mo # when you add your ReachMe roaming #... If not, the ReachMe Roaming fights with the Native App to answer the call and glitches ensue

macallik said:
Thanks for the tip. Just a reminder that incoming calls only work when connected to wifi. I received the confirmation call from Google Voice to activate the #, but the system did not register the confirmation code I typed into the dialer initially. When tried again via a WiFi connection, everything was resolved
Edit: Also, one other reminder (that in retrospect is obvious but is easy to overlook) is that you need to deactivate the call forwarding to your T-Mo # when you add your ReachMe roaming #... If not, the ReachMe Roaming fights with the Native App to answer the call and glitches ensue
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Click to collapse
I receive incoming calls via the app, even on mobile data. I'm not sure if there is a rule about connection (must be on LTE/hspa/3g, but not edge). WiFi is not required, at least not in my experience.

tokuzumi said:
I receive incoming calls via the app, even on mobile data. I'm not sure if there is a rule about connection (must be on LTE/hspa/3g, but not edge). WiFi is not required, at least not in my experience.
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It will work, but unless you have a really strong 3G signal or better the call may drop, break up, or have a lot of echoing.

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Extending the roaming is really easy. I get a notification to renew and one click will do. Same number.
update: sorry for the huge picture size. Didn't know how big it was when I posted from Nexus 4.
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acegolfer said:
Extending the roaming is really easy. I get a notification to renew and one click will do. Same number.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
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I haven't seen that notification yet. My service has the same end date, too. Did you see the notification in the notification shade, or only in the Vonage app?

tokuzumi said:
I haven't seen that notification yet. My service has the same end date, too. Did you see the notification in the notification shade, or only in the Vonage app?
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From the notification shade.

acegolfer said:
From the notification shade.
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I just received the notification. I went to renew, and it said the service couldn't be reached. My end date shows Dec 31, 1969. Next time I see it, I'll make a call first, to make sure everything is OK.
---------- Post added at 11:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:52 PM ----------
Went back into the Vonage app later, for something unrelated, and I saw where my service was reactivated, and I had a new service end date. I looked at the reachme mobile number, and it was blank. I saw a notification that said the service had been deactivated. I clicked it, and it shut the service off. I had to get a new number. It was a 10 second process to set up the new number, so I'm not worried about it, but I'll see what happens in the future.

acegolfer said:
Extending the roaming is really easy. I get a notification to renew and one click will do. Same number.
update: sorry for the huge picture size. Didn't know how big it was when I posted from Nexus 4.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
Hmmmm...Initially I left everything on the GV side of things as is, only adding the Vonage # to the forwarding page. When I had incoming calls, the Vonage app would pop up for a split second but then my T-mobile # would override the Vonage app and so if I answered the call, I used my plan minutes.
What I did after that was deselect the checkboxes under the Google Voice Forwarding section so that only Vonage was selected. That worked the day I tried calling myself using my backup FreedomPop phone, but it has stopped working since then. Initially when it stopped working, I would have to answer via my regular phone, but I would get a missed call notification from Vonage. Now, there isn't even a missed call notification from Vonage... I only see a missed call via my stock calling app.... it is as if the call is not even attempting to go through the Vonage app.
TL;DR:
What forwarding boxes do you have checked under google voice
Under ReachMe Roaming, I don't have the 'inbound calls to (gv #) selected... should I?
Do you have/use Google Hangouts? I don't think that is the culprit but it is the only thing I have recently added really that interacts inbound calls.

macallik said:
Hmmmm...Initially I left everything on the GV side of things as is, only adding the Vonage # to the forwarding page. When I had incoming calls, the Vonage app would pop up for a split second but then my T-mobile # would override the Vonage app and so if I answered the call, I used my plan minutes.
What I did after that was deselect the checkboxes under the Google Voice Forwarding section so that only Vonage was selected. That worked the day I tried calling myself using my backup FreedomPop phone, but it has stopped working since then. Initially when it stopped working, I would have to answer via my regular phone, but I would get a missed call notification from Vonage. Now, there isn't even a missed call notification from Vonage... I only see a missed call via my stock calling app.... it is as if the call is not even attempting to go through the Vonage app.
TL;DR:
What forwarding boxes do you have checked under google voice
Under ReachMe Roaming, I don't have the 'inbound calls to (gv #) selected... should I?
Do you have/use Google Hangouts? I don't think that is the culprit but it is the only thing I have recently added really that interacts inbound calls.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All I did was ensure ReachMe Roaming was enabled, and the check box with your number was not checked. Then I forwarded my incoming calls in Google voice to the ReachMe number. Now incoming/outgoing calls are handled by my Google voice number.

macallik said:
TL;DR:
What forwarding boxes do you have checked under google voice
Under ReachMe Roaming, I don't have the 'inbound calls to (gv #) selected... should I?
Do you have/use Google Hangouts? I don't think that is the culprit but it is the only thing I have recently added really that interacts inbound calls.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Only "Vonage" number
2. No.
3. My hangouts in N4 has never interacted with inbound calls. How does yours interact with inbound calls?

Tried the set up on my Nexus 4. Pretty cool.
Sent from my LG-E980 using xda app-developers app

After using this method for 2+ weeks, I consider this to be the most reliable VOIP solution for me ($30 Tmo prepaid + Nexus 4). This will no longer be free on 9/4/2014 but I hope Google Hangouts will be able to make free VOIP calls soon.

acegolfer said:
1. Only "Vonage" number
2. No.
3. My hangouts in N4 has never interacted with inbound calls. How does yours interact with inbound calls?
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Took forever but I figured it out. This issue was two-fold
1.) Google Forwarding: I disabled Call Forwarding in the main area of GV a few weeks ago:
However, for customization, GV also allows you to set group-specific forwarding rules that will override the default Call Forwarding settings. As you can see below, it is currently set to only forward to my Vonage #:
However, prior to today, my Group settings had all three boxes selected. Since the Group Setting in question were for 'All Contacts' the group-specific setting was overriding my default settings for every call I received:
2.) Google Hangouts: Acegolfer, this is what I was mentioning before. To clarify, it is not Hangout on my N4 that was creating an issue, it was the Hangout extension on my Chromebook. The extension is helpful because it is essentially Google Voice's ability to message people via your computer + WhatsApp ability to have Group conversations internationally + Skype's ability to have free video calls. One cool thing I learned about the Hangout extension is that if someone calls my Google confirmed # (in this case, my GV #), I can answer the call via my computer which will not use any of my T-Mobile minutes.
The drawback with regards to the Vonage app is that the Hangout extension is forwarding the call to the computer, not additionally routing calls to the computer...so if my computer is available, it takes cuts the line ahead of the Vonage app, and the Vonage app never rings.
A resulting issue with this is that the Hangouts extension only keeps track of Hangout conversations that originated from the app/extension, not phone calls (or text messages) that were routed to the Hangout App/Extension. What this means is if someone calls tries to set up a Hangout Call via the Hangout App and I miss it, I get a notification, but if someone attempts a regular phone call that rings on my computer and I miss it, the app/extension does not notify me or keep a history log of the attempted call. Additionally, since the call was never routed to my phone, there will be no record of a missed call there either. To get around this, I sign out of the Hangout extension on my computer if I don't plan on using it.
I have found that there is one exception where the phone can ring as well as my computer, and this is if I have check the 'Call forwarding' box next to my T-Mobile #, the phone will ring on my Computer via Hangouts, and ring on my Phone (as a call that uses Plan minutes).