IF YOU EVER WORRY ABOUT USING UP YOUR 100 MINUTES AND DON'T WANT TO SET UP A SIP ACCOUNT, KEEP READING.
***THIS APPLIES IF YOU HAVE A GOOGLE VOICE NUMBER THAT YOU CONSIDER YOUR PRIMARY NUMBER***
So I know everybody and his/her mothers already knows about the beauty of Tmo's $30 prepaid plan, which comes with 5 GB of LTE data (2G after that), 100 minutes, and unlimited text. I just wanted to add a tip that I thought might come in handy.
My personal situation is the following:
--->Tmo subscriber with Nexus 5 and two phone numbers: Google Voice and Tmo. (I have LTE coverage virtually everywhere I live. No hit or miss.)
--->Ported my old Sprint number over to Google Voice. This is the only number I give out. I don't mind not having full MMS functionality just yet (I can receive MMS from other Tmo subscribers). My Tmo number is just linked to my Google Voice account.
--->I have Hangouts and Google Voice apps/extensions installed everywhere and anywhere: Nexus 10, Nexus 5, laptop, work PC, etc.
--->I have a yearly subscription with Skype ($30/yr) that I use to make calls over LTE. I like the integration with my phone, especially when I use Google to make calls with the "OK Google" detection. The Skype Dialer always comes up as an option, and I'm allowed to decide whether to make calls over Skype or via the phone. (This allows me to show either my Google Voice number or Tmo number).
So my personal setup usually involved answering the calls over Hangouts via my PC, since I always had access to the internet via WiFi or LAN.
But now with the Hangouts and Google Voice integration, I let Hangouts ring whenever people dial my Google Voice number, and I set Google Voice to not ring my personal Tmo number anymore. Whereas I used to debate about whether or not to set up a SIP account, now I don't need one. Hangouts will automatically ring my phone whenever people call my Google Voice number, and whenever I answer the calls, they are automatically answered over LTE. No more worrying about using up my 100 minutes.
This, of course, depends on the user having guaranteed LTE, HSPA+, or even decent 3G everywhere.
With regards to the Skype subscription, I may or may not get rid of it. I like being able to dial using my voice, and the Hangouts Dialer currently doesn't appear as an option for making calls whenever I issue the voice command.
Hope somebody found this useful. Comments welcome.
Been doing something similar since Google updated Hangouts—particularly since my home office is in the basement and I get poor T-Mobile (same prepaid plan) coverage there. Go Google!
BinkXDA said:
Been doing something similar since Google updated Hangouts—particularly since my home office is in the basement and I get poor T-Mobile (same prepaid plan) coverage there. Go Google!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like a plan! I just hope that the devs can hammer out a few of the minor issues with Hangouts, specifically the lag. All in good time though. Happy to have what I got so far!
I also disabled forwarding to my sip did and tm #. Hangouts/GV is doing just fine on its own.
Does someone knows if the Google Voice app now can be uninstalled? Will I be able to make and receive calls with my Google voice number from the Hangouts without G.Voice app?
denis_y_s said:
Does someone knows if the Google Voice app now can be uninstalled?
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Click to collapse
You shouldn't uninstall the voice app as it's still needed for other apps trying to use a dialer.
jnbanda said:
I just hope that the devs can hammer out a few of the minor issues with Hangouts, specifically the lag.
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Click to collapse
Outside of call setup, I have no lag! That said, Hangouts does seem to use FAR more of the battery for calls compared to the built-in Internet calling.
denis_y_s said:
Does someone knows if the Google Voice app now can be uninstalled? Will I be able to make and receive calls with my Google voice number from the Hangouts without G.Voice app?
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Click to collapse
I guess it depends on how you want to make and receive calls.
I uninstalled the Google Voice app because it no longer receives my SMS messages. The messages automatically get forwarded to Hangouts.
Furthermore, I don't make calls using the stock dialer app, so I don't have a need to make calls from my phone via Google Voice. (I don't need Google Voice to generate an automatic number for the person I wish to call anymore. This issue led me to saving two numbers for every contact: one labeled as their "true carrier" number, and one labeled as the Google Voice assigned number that I would see on my phone.)
If you still intend to make calls using the stock dialer, I'd say leave Google Voice installed. If you don't plan on making calls through the stock dialer anymore, but instead wish to make and receive calls via Hangouts only, then it should be OK to uninstall.
***NOTE: Be sure to check the two boxes in the Hangouts App settings labeled "Incoming Phone Calls" and "Messages" under
Settings->"[email protected]". If you don't want your phone to ring twice for every call, you need to disable forwarding of calls to your carrier number through the Google Voice website settings, under the tab "Groups & Circles". Be aware that your phone WILL NOT RING THROUGH THE STOCK DIALER APP ANYMORE if you disable the call forwarding. It will ONLY RING THROUGH HANGOUTS, which requires an active internet connection.***
BinkXDA said:
Outside of call setup, I have no lag! That said, Hangouts does seem to use FAR more of the battery for calls compared to the built-in Internet calling.
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Click to collapse
Hmmm.. Interesting. The only lag I see is in the amount of time it takes to launch the app and allow me to open up/tap a conversation. At first I had a few crashes when I would try to open up a convo pretty fast, like immediate tapping on the screen as soon as Hangouts launched. The crash issue seems to be resolved with the update. Perhaps it is an issue with my personal setup. I'm running rooted/stock/Franco kernel/Dalvik.
Still uses minutes
I have been making calls through the hangout dialer and have confirmed that the call is going out as my Google Voice number. The problem is that it still uses minutes. I just got off the chat with a rep at T-Mobile and she confirmed that on the $30 T-Mobile plan VOIP and wifi calling still use minutes.
Is there any way around this?
seagood3 said:
I have been making calls through the hangout dialer and have confirmed that the call is going out as my Google Voice number. The problem is that it still uses minutes. I just got off the chat with a rep at T-Mobile and she confirmed that on the $30 T-Mobile plan VOIP and wifi calling still use minutes.
Is there any way around this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same plan. Hangouts does not use your plan minutes—just data. That said, T-Mobile does have a special Wi-Fi Calling option, which does use minutes, but it’s not available on the N5, at least not at this time.
BinkXDA said:
I have the same plan. Hangouts does not use your plan minutes—just data. That said, T-Mobile does have a special Wi-Fi Calling option, which does use minutes, but it’s not available on the N5, at least not at this time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you rooted or something? I have a moto x and running 4.4.4. I just put $10 dollars into my account yesterday and have using google hangout dialer exclusively and now am down to $3. I had a chat with T-Mobile just now and the rep confirmed that it does use minutes. What am I missing here? The rep even credited me $7 for the confusion that I thought it would use data not minutes. She said that on the post pay plans it does not use minutes.
seagood3 said:
Are you rooted or something? I have a moto x and running 4.4.4. I just put $10 dollars into my account yesterday and have using google hangout dialer exclusively and now am down to $3. I had a chat with T-Mobile just now and the rep confirmed that it does use minutes. What am I missing here? The rep even credited me $7 for the confusion that I thought it would use data not minutes. She said that on the post pay plans it does not use minutes.
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Click to collapse
Nope. Not sure what’s going on—unless somehow your T-Mobile number is involved. Hangouts simply uses data so I’m uncertain why your minutes are being decremented.
BinkXDA said:
Nope. Not sure what’s going on—unless somehow your T-Mobile number is involved. Hangouts simply uses data so I’m uncertain why your minutes are being decremented.
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Click to collapse
I even tried putting it in airplane mode and turning wifi on and it wouldn't connect. Can you do that and it works?
seagood3 said:
I even tried putting it in airplane mode and turning wifi on and it wouldn't connect. Can you do that and it works?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Weird. I don’t have cell service in my basement, but do have Wi-Fi there, and I have zero issues making calls from Hangouts.
Is there a way to purchase this plan before going to the US? I'm planning a trip and will need this as soon as I arrive.
Thanks in advance!
ps: I already have a gv #, everytime I travel to the us I have to go to a mall, explain that I need a short term plan, get the sim chip, wait for it to work, call t-mobile complaining that I've run out too quickly... lol
seagood3 said:
I have been making calls through the hangout dialer and have confirmed that the call is going out as my Google Voice number. The problem is that it still uses minutes. I just got off the chat with a rep at T-Mobile and she confirmed that on the $30 T-Mobile plan VOIP and wifi calling still use minutes.
Is there any way around this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only way this would be happening is if you're not really using the hangouts dialer, but using the Google voice app which integrates with the regular dialer on the phone. In that case it will use minutes, because you're using the regular dialer (ie minutes) where calls are being routed through to Google voice.... not the same as using the hangouts dialer directly.
seagood3 said:
I have been making calls through the hangout dialer and have confirmed that the call is going out as my Google Voice number. The problem is that it still uses minutes. I just got off the chat with a rep at T-Mobile and she confirmed that on the $30 T-Mobile plan VOIP and wifi calling still use minutes.
Is there any way around this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you use Hangouts to dial phone numbers, it should not use your minutes. I had this $30 T-Mo plan for a while now and been using it with the 5GB just fine.
One way to check is using the Android Phone Dialer app (NOT Hangout dialer) and dial...
1. Check for minutes: dial #646# (#MIN#) then hit the talk button
2. Check for data usage: dial #932# (#WEB#)
You should see your data usage going up and talk minutes should remain low.
I would make sure hangouts and voice are updated and that you have hangouts dialer installed. Make sure that under settings in hangouts is showing your gvoice number and if you open voice that it let's you know that hangouts had taken over. Use the dialer to make a call that will be easy for you to see the caller ID. Your gvoice number should show up.
i dont have GV....
i do have Tmo $30... i love i can call everyone now over LTE since now calling my parents once wont kill my 100 minutes....BUT, people i call see "UNKNOWN" on their caller ID when i called via Hangouts... thats the only thing that sucks for me because most of people wont answer those types of calls, i have to text them before calling saying to expect it.
wish there was a way to set a ANI number on hangouts to show my number
Related
Hey guys,
Posted a similar question on the official google help forum but don't expect an answer to arrive from there any time soon. I got my new N1 last week, and was excited to set it up with google voice. I bought it unlocked from google (needed a prepaid plan). Set it up so all my outgoing calls are routed through GV, and it was working fine up until today.
Today, I tried to make a call from outside of my apartment. I have wifi in my apt, and the N1 is connected to the network whenever I'm at home. However, the call from outside didn't go through. Like I said, I have a prepaid plan from tmobile ($50/mo for unlimited text and talk but no data). I tried calling from various locations and with different settings, and pinpointed the problem to not having a wifi connection.
So the question is: does google voice need wifi/data to connect? I seem to remember using it last week with wifi turned off from my apartment and was able to place calls just fine. Doesn't seem to be the case any more. Doesn't really make sense though, because GV isn't a VOIP service either way..
Thanks for any help
Yes google voice need wifi/data to connect.
vadox6466 said:
Hey guys,
Posted a similar question on the official google help forum but don't expect an answer to arrive from there any time soon. I got my new N1 last week, and was excited to set it up with google voice. I bought it unlocked from google (needed a prepaid plan). Set it up so all my outgoing calls are routed through GV, and it was working fine up until today.
Today, I tried to make a call from outside of my apartment. I have wifi in my apt, and the N1 is connected to the network whenever I'm at home. However, the call from outside didn't go through. Like I said, I have a prepaid plan from tmobile ($50/mo for unlimited text and talk but no data). I tried calling from various locations and with different settings, and pinpointed the problem to not having a wifi connection.
So the question is: does google voice need wifi/data to connect? I seem to remember using it last week with wifi turned off from my apartment and was able to place calls just fine. Doesn't seem to be the case any more. Doesn't really make sense though, because GV isn't a VOIP service either way..
Thanks for any help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you must have data to get a gv connection from the application. BUT if you desperately need to use gv w/o data you can dial your number and connect to gv then place the outgoing call through that. This way you can use it while only on gsm Its a hassle but if youre desperate its a solution.
miketlo said:
Yes you must have data to get a gv connection from the application. BUT if you desperately need to use gv w/o data you can dial your number and connect to gv then place the outgoing call through that. This way you can use it while only on gsm Its a hassle but if youre desperate its a solution.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Didnt think of that one..+1 to you
now that the topic is here, a little off topic but how do u use google voice? doesnt it like put your voicemail as a text message or email n send it to u? i tried sending a voicemail to myself through a different number but i got nothing. how does this work?
Just so you know, making calls through Google Voice still uses minutes (it calls to an access number, and then connects the call to the intended party).
pakraider said:
Just so you know, making calls through Google Voice still uses minutes (it calls to an access number, and then connects the call to the intended party).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to note anyway, but miketlo's tip was to get around the fact that the GV dial-out requests are sent over data, not to get around using minutes. Similarly, you can add the 406-xxx-xxxx number that corresponds to each of your contacts and text/call that. This of course is a pain to set up, you can't use the GV app to do it, and you use texts/minutes from your plan, but it works. That's the way I did it last year when I still had a feature-phone.
anstosa said:
Good to note anyway, but miketlo's tip was to get around the fact that the GV dial-out requests are sent over data, not to get around using minutes. Similarly, you can add the 406-xxx-xxxx number that corresponds to each of your contacts and text/call that. This of course is a pain to set up, you can't use the GV app to do it, and you use texts/minutes from your plan, but it works. That's the way I did it last year when I still had a feature-phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, I hear ya. I just said it because the OP indicated that they were on a prepaid plan.. so wanted to make sure they knew that GV isn't some sort of VoIP application. (making calls will chew up their prepaid credit)
For "true" calling over wifi, you need Sipdroid/fring.
Add inbound and outbound numbers to friends and family plan. Minutes won't be used or billed.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
I currently have the HTC hero sprint and i use google voice to make all of my calls and sms, is there a google voice app for windows phone 7 as well?
All i want to be able to do is get a data only plan and use google voice to make my calls and texts for free
There's a few out there on the marketplace, however if you want to get device you'll need to purchase it at full MSRP or else the carrier will require you to choose a voice and data plan and get the device at the subsided price.
y2k1ltd said:
There's a few out there on the marketplace, however if you want to get device you'll need to purchase it at full MSRP or else the carrier will require you to choose a voice and data plan and get the device at the subsided price.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just checked out T-Mobile's website and it when I choose the plan for data only it sends me to the phone options which include the HD7 for $99
So is there a way to make calls with the data only plan by using Google Voice?
cnico88 said:
So is there a way to make calls with the data only plan by using Google Voice?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From my understanding, No you cannot. Google voice still uses the voice connection because you have to dial in to a number. I have an Evo that I use google voice on all the time. It is currently shut off (because my roommate refuses to pay his half) and I cannot make calls using google voice due to it needing to make a connection with the voice network, not data.
krillik08 said:
From my understanding, No you cannot. Google voice still uses the voice connection because you have to dial in to a number. I have an Evo that I use google voice on all the time. It is currently shut off (because my roommate refuses to pay his half) and I cannot make calls using google voice due to it needing to make a connection with the voice network, not data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I came from Android and I know how Google Voice works. You can make calls using SIP (something like Sipdroid coupled with Sipgate) and GVcallback and you can make wifi calls without needing a voice plan. I was wondering if there is something similar for WP7.
cnico88 said:
I came from Android and I know how Google Voice works. You can make calls using SIP (something like Sipdroid coupled with Sipgate) and GVcallback and you can make wifi calls without needing a voice plan. I was wondering if there is something similar for WP7.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no socket API available at this time. So, VoIP calls are not possible.
foxbat121 said:
There is no socket API available at this time. So, VoIP calls are not possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
like he said.
And on t-mobile, even wifi calling that is android only at the moment, uses minutes from what I've read.
Friend is wanting to get a phone but really doesn't have a lot of money. I was wondering if their was a way to setup an android phone to use google voice for incoming and outgoing calls when he is connected to wi-fi. It doesn't have to be a hero but just any kind of android.
Nope. Google Voice isn't pure VoIP as far as a cell phone is concerned. It still uses your cell phone minutes. It does implement SMS text messaging over data, though, so there is no need for a text plan.
There is a way to set up Google Voice to not use any of your cell phone minutes, but it requires a "Friends and Family"-type plan where you get free calls to certain numbers that you specify. But plans that include that feature are usually a little more expensive than a basic cell plan.
I just got back from Toronto, ON and while I was there I needed my phone but didnt want to pay the outrageous roaming charges. So what I did was
Got a Mobilicity Unlimited plan (Special ATM $25, Unlimited province calls, data and text), All you really need is a plan with atleast unlimited (or enough) incoming calls, and a good amount of data. Depending on where you are going, Mobilicity, or Wind Mobile might be a good choice,. if you are visiting a Populated Canadian city.
Next since Google Voice calling (using plan minutes, not Groove IP style) does not work in Canada directly, I got a Skype Number(must be a US number) and unlimited US and Canada calling plan
Now I set this new Skype number to forward calls to my Mobilicity number in Canada (local 647 area code Toronto Number)
I then added my U.S.A Skype number to my Google Voice account.
Next I installed this app on my phone Voice+ (Google Voice callback) , this app basically uses Google Voice, to process a call, but it first rings your number that you set, then when you answer it calls the number you wanted to call.
So what is happening here is,
You dial a number on your phone, the Voice callback app intercepts the request
Voice callback app uses Google Voice to ring your skype number
The Skype number than forwards the call to your Local number from the country you are in.
You then answer the call (will show your google voice number.
Once you answer it would dial and call the number you first requested. It takes else than 10 seconds to be on the phone ringing the number you want.
,
People can also reach you by calling your google voice or skype number (and if they are in the US it would save them long distance charged). If they call those it will forward and ring your new local country number
Than of course you can use Google Voice to text as well.
Some might say, why not just get a data plan and use Groove IP. While that could work, you need a fast and reliable data connection for that to work, this method uses your actually plans minutes not data to call. If you are going to be on wifi the majority of the time and don;t constantly need your phone Groove IP or similar might be a better idea.
I just thought I would share this for all those who might be interested. This was very handy while I was visiting. And could theoretically work in any country that you get a plan with atleast unlimited(or enough) incoming calls (i have seen plans with limited outgoing, but unlimited incoming calls, and a good amount of data (for texting via google voice, etc).
Thanks for the tip.. Would save lot of money while calling my people..
Nice to see u here bpear (hi from HTC one X thread )
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Thought I'd share a find with you guys. This site offers a free SIP gateway to Google Voice accounts.
Once you enter your info and click ADD it will not work. You need to check your gmail account and following the instructions on the email from Google to authorize access to your account.
Afterwards go back and reenter your info and then it will work. After it logs in , the site will pop up with some server info.
On your phone go to settings>call. Under internet calling tap accounts>add account. Enter the server info from the site and your all set.
To receive calls make sure you forward calls to Google Chat in Google Voice settings.
Call clarity is great. 10x better than Groove IP.
.
This actually works well once setup. A couple things though. I had to toggle the receive calls option to start sending calls and the speakerphone doesn't seem to work for me. Besides that it's all good.
Sent from my One using Tapatalk
david279 said:
This actually works well once setup. A couple things though. I had to toggle the receive calls option to start sending calls and the speakerphone doesn't seem to work for me. Besides that it's all good.
Sent from my One using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad it worked. Another thing that I noticed- If you have the phone set up to ask how you want to make calls and choose cell, the call quality is choppy. Turning internet calling off fixes it.
I can't believe Sprint hasn't incorporated WIFI calling into their service like TMo. It would eliminate the need for the Airave
Hmm I'm using that option and my calls are clear. You sure it's not the Internet connection. BTW I'm running cm 10.2.
Sent from my One using Tapatalk
david279 said:
Hmm I'm using that option and my calls are clear. You sure it's not the Internet connection. BTW I'm running cm 10.2.
Sent from my One using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Strange- mine are clear now too. Maybe just a fluke. I'm going to turn my airave off, and use this for a few days to see how reliable it is. We are on a share plan with a set number of minutes. This could be awesome.
Airave doesn't cover the whole house anyway, I have three wireless ap's set up. Full WIFI everywhere.
How do I get around the "Suspicious sign in" via Google Voice?
EDIT: Nevermind, I'll RTFM more thoroughly next time.
FANTASTIC. I can finally make and receive phone calls in my house again! ALL IS GREAT!
Yeah- I've been using this to make and receive calls in my home for a solid month. This **** works.
If I port my number to Google and remove Sprint, can I still make and receive calls? What about texts?
Thanks
Sent from my HTCONE using Tapatalk
ajent said:
If I port my number to Google and remove Sprint, can I still make and receive calls? What about texts?
Thanks
Sent from my HTCONE using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't really port your number. When you go through the integration your Sprint number becomes your Google number. When you make a internet call it shows up on caller id the same way a cell call would. Texts and cell calls work just like they did before the integration.
chas123 said:
You don't really port your number. When you go through the integration your Sprint number becomes your Google number. When you make a internet call it shows up on caller id the same way a cell call would. Texts and cell calls work just like they did before the integration.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My number is already integrated through sprint. I've seen some threads where people port their number to google for $30 one time fee.
What I want to do, after my Sprint contract is over, is keep that number, but use it on google voice directly. I already have a line on VZW, I don't think they'll let me port that number to replace the line, maybe they will. I want to be using VZW service, but my original sprint number to make calls and texts through, using google voice.
ajent said:
My number is already integrated through sprint. I've seen some threads where people port their number to google for $30 one time fee.
What I want to do, after my Sprint contract is over, is keep that number, but use it on google voice directly. I already have a line on VZW, I don't think they'll let me port that number to replace the line, maybe they will. I want to be using VZW service, but my original sprint number to make calls and texts through, using google voice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think they might be talking about the one time fee to make your google number permanent. If you use the number they provide, it expires after a year (I think- might be more or less). There is an option when you integrate to use your google number as your sprint number. If you want to do that you can remove the integration and re-add it. Be warned though- I had to remove integration to get voicemail working on renovate-twice. Reintegrating was a PITA.
I did test this today. Put Sprint HTCONE in airplane mode, then enabled wifi. Followed the instructions in this thread for internet calling, and I was able to make & receive calls, send and receive texts all over wifi using google voice. This is excellent if I leave my razr hd maxx on wifi tether in my pocket, the htc one will have really fast verizon LTE, while also being a complete phone with my original number, while no longer being on Sprint. :good: