How to Use Google Voice to Disable Android’s Voicemail Notifications
If navigating your Android phone’s voicemail system feels archaic, bring it into the 21st century via Google Voice and Android’s Phone app. Together, both apps add new features to your phone’s voicemail, such as automatically transcribing new messages, delivering voicemails via email, and blocking future voicemails altogether.
Here’s how to use Google Voice to replace your built-in voicemail on Android.
Step 1: Get a Free Google Voice Number
Let’s start by getting a free number from Google Voice. If you’re unfamiliar with the service, sneak a peek at our guide to learnhow Google Voice works.
You can only get a number if you already have a valid US-based phone number.
To get your number, installGoogle Voice. Open the app, choose your Google account, then selectContinue. Now selectSearchand type the location or area code number for where you want your Google Voice number in thesearch by location or numbersfield.
You don’t have to choose a Google Voice number based on your current geographical location. You can claim a number using any area code in the US. Once you’ve found the number you want to claim:
Step 2: Set Up Voicemail on Google Voice
Now, you need to set up the voicemail service on your new Google Voice account. Open Google Voice, select the hamburger menu (the three lines in the top left), and tapSettings.
You’ll want to get familiar with two options:Devices and numbersandDo not disturb.
Under the former, you can add new devices and even link up to six phone numbers to Google Voice. TheGoogle Voice Helpsite will show you how to do this. It’s a handy feature if you want to use Google Voice as your sole voicemail service across multiple United States phone numbers.
Meanwhile, turn onDo not disturbsince we’re not using Google Voice to send or receive calls or texts—just for voicemail. Now, if anyone tries to contact you directly via your Google Voice number, they will be redirected to your Google Voice voicemail. You can evenset custom rules and greetings for certain callers in Google Voice, though this is only accessible via the web version of Google Voice.
Next, let’s forward all future voicemails from your carrier’s voicemail to your Google Voice voicemail.
Step 3: Set Up Call Forwarding via the Phone App
To forward future voicemails from your carrier’s voicemail to Google Voice’s voicemail, you must firstset up call forwarding. Traditionally, this has been a pain in the neck. For example, if you wish to forward your AT&T number to a secondary phone or voicemail when busy, you must dial90, followed by the forwarding number, then thehash symbol (#). To deactivate, dial91#.
Fortunately, your Android phone’s Phone app simplifies call forwarding. Open the app and tap thethree-doticon in the top-right corner of the screen. Now go toSettings > Calls > Call forwardingto access the Phone app’sCall forwarding settingsscreen.
You will see four call-forwarding options:
Since we only want calls to be forwarded from your main number to Google Voice when the caller leaves a voicemail, ensure theAlways forwardfield is set toOff.
One by one, tap theWhen busy,When unanswered, andWhen unreachablefields. Paste your Google Voice number into each of them and selectUpdate.
When someone calls your main number your phone will ring as normal. If your phone is busy, turned off, or you don’t answer, their call will be redirected to your Google Voice’s voicemail.
Step 4: Set Up a Custom Greeting
The next step is to set up Google Voice’s voicemail greeting, so callers will know they are calling you. Unlike your carrier’s voicemail, you can create a custom greeting within the Google Voice app. To do this:
Repeat the process to add more greetings if you need them. To set another greeting as Active, select thethree-dotsicon and tapSet as active. TapDeleteon any greetings you no longer wish to use.
Step 5: Get Your Voicemails via Email
Google Voice makes accessing and listening to your voicemails as easy as using your carrier’s visual voicemail app—and it’s free! Open Google Voice, and you can listen to your voicemails directly in the app.
If you’d prefer to have your voicemail messages delivered to your email, this is easy. SelectSettings, then tap the toggle next toVoicemail transcriptsand the toggle next toGet voicemail via email. Going forward, every new voicemail message will be automatically transcribed and emailed to you.
How to Stop Using Google Voice for Your Voicemail
it’s possible to use Google Voice as a proverbial voicemail black hole simply by uninstalling the app. Voicemails will still be redirected to Google Voice, but you’ll never be notified of new messages.
If you wish to revert to using your carrier’s voicemail, return to theCall forwarding settings, tap every call forwarding rule you activated in Step 3, then selectTURN OFF. Now when you are unavailable, callers will be forwarded to your carrier’s voicemail rather than your Google Voice voicemail.
Google Voice Is Voicemail, Modernized
Voicemail is in a kind of purgatory. It feels outdated and clunky, but in some situations, it’s still necessary. Google Voice changes that by incorporating new, quality-of-life features that your current voicemail desperately needs. Messages are displayed visually, so you never have to navigate a phone menu to listen to a message or change a greeting.
Whether you want to ignore future voicemails altogether or prefer to receive new messages via email, Google Voice makes it happen.
What is Google Voice? Here are the basics of Google Voice and seven of its coolest features that you need to start using.
You’re conveying the wrong meaning when you send these emojis.
Love fades, even for the best open-source darling.
I gripped my chair the entire time—and then kept thinking about it when the screen turned off.
Unlock a world of entertainment possibilities with this clever TV hack.
Obsidian finally feels complete.
