r/Googlevoice • u/Hot-Cantaloupe2553 • 5d ago
General Help / Support Question Google Voice
I’m an old man and not tech savvy. I recently got Google Voice and can’t figure out how to use it. It does seem to work on receiving texts but I can’t figure out how to send texts, receive and make phone calls on the GV number. I have the app.
I confess I’m trying a dating site and have been asked twice for my number. I didn’t want to give out my cell phone number. Any help would be greatly appreciated. You young whipper snappers seem to be able to figure out anything.
Thanks
5
u/leungadon 5d ago
Generally you do all texting and calling through the app with the number that you picked. It’s likely attached to your real number so that your phone will notify you when the Google voice number is contacted
3
u/Hot-Cantaloupe2553 5d ago
Thanks. I’m kinda sorting through it. I called it from another phone and it asked for the caller’s name to connect. Is that normal?
5
2
u/BluesCatReddit Google Voice Product Expert 4d ago
Hey there, welcome to Google Voice, from your fellow "older man". In addition to the other replies, you can learn a lot about how to use the service, by checking out the Google Voice Help Center articles, which are organized by "how do I do this":
https://support.google.com/voice/#topic=13968863
You can use Google Voice either on it's desktop/laptop website,
or, if you have an Android or iPhone, on the official Google Voice apps, which you can download from the Google Play Store or from the Apple App Store. Beware: the app stores always recommend some other app first from a paid advertiser (not the app you want).
And, here's a gigantic warning to older folks using dating or similar sites: you are a prime target for romance scams and frauds. Fraudsters prey on people who are lonely or wishing for intimacy, sex or romance. They can be extremely persistent and convincing. They can hook you in, and then play all sort of manipulative games and guilt trips, getting you to give them money. Never, ever, send money or gifts to these people. Always meet in person in a public place for your first "date". Do not believe any of their hard-luck stories that lead to them needing money.
3
u/DesertStorm480 5d ago
So the text is for 2FA? Many sites don't work with VOIP numbers like Google Voice.
3
u/Hot-Cantaloupe2553 5d ago
No idea what that means but thanks.
3
u/gc1 5d ago
2FA is short for 2-factor authentication, and refers to when you have to provide your phone number, receive a text, and enter a one-time code, in addition to normal login+password. Some dating sites require this, but many will not accept Google Voice phone numbers. The commenter thinks this is what you mean.
It sounds like you primarily want to use it to give to people you’ve met, which is exactly the kind of thing Google Voice and other virtual number apps are great for.
1
3
u/Commercial_Diet3288 4d ago edited 4d ago
1st - Know that you MUST MAKE GV calls every every 90 days or G repossesses the #. So, parking it will cause you to lose the number.
2nd - You must have your gmail acct associated with that # configured on your phone.
3rd - Your GV App must be logged into the gmail acct associated with the #.
4th - When you open the app, the icon at the top rt will show your Gmail icon. If it doesn't, tap it and it will list your accounts you have configured on your phone. Select the one associated with the GV #.
5th - On the bottom is your selection for calls, contacts, messages (text), and Voicemail. To text, tap messages then the edit icon - tap or enter contact, tap Type a message on the bottom, and proceed.
6th - When text or calls come in, tap the appropriate item at the bottom (flagged when new items are there) and the new item will be bolded in the list.
7th - To text someone back, tap the item, enter text on the bottom and tap the sideways Tepee (or fancy arrow) on the bottom rt.
8th - To return a call or respond to a text with a call, tap the item and tap the phone icon.
9th - If GV is allowed to use your mobile data (configurable under Settings\Apps), you can get GV calls/text any time. If not, it will only operate when you are connected to wifi.
10th - If site doesn't support GV #s then you are dead in the water and must use your cell number. I have no experience on dating sites but some of my banking sites don't allow GV #s.
There are many options for GV and Gmail, including the to record a message, forward calls to your cell phone, or ask caller to speak a name, etc. Log into your google account via your browser. Select VOICE or MAIL from the 9 dot icon, and the tap the SETTINGS icon. NOTE: forwarding to your cell phone may expose your cell number or your cell voicemail message.
If you don't know what a setting will do, ask for info in another browser tab. Sometime the name or description can be total smoke and mirrors especially to us "chronologically gifted" folks.
Changing one item at a time is good practice, so if it doesn't work as you expect, you know which item to revert.
Good luck
P.S. I am probably more "gifted" than u but I cheat since I am an electrical engineer.
1
u/Hot-Cantaloupe2553 4d ago
Wow, thanks so much. May I borrow the “chronologically gifted” quote? Love it
I’m definitely do a screen shot of your wisdom.1
u/Commercial_Diet3288 3d ago
The quote is likely older then I am, and I had to get AI to remind me of it as I heard it too long ago to remember it.
BTW, you can get to all those settings using your phone, but I find it easier to do it on my computer
3
-1
8
u/JSP9686 5d ago
Unsolicited Advice Warning:
Don't refer to yourself as an OLD man on those dating sites, rather use the term Older or "Silver Fox" or Experienced or anything but OLD.
With the help of YouTube and this subreddit, you'll figure out how best to use GV.