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Google Voice for iOS

By Google Free Editors' Rating

Editors' Review

shelbybrown Jan 27, 2017

Google Voice for iOS collects all your calls, texts, and voicemails to a single location. A recent update brings a cleaner, more intuitive layout; photo sharing within messages; group chats; and conversations in easy-to-follow continuous threads.

Pros

Intuitive new layout: Google Voice for iOS now features separate tabs for text messages, calls, and voicemails, so you can get where you need to go more quickly.

See an entire conversation in one place: Conversations stay in one continuous thread, so you can easily see all your messages from each of your contacts in one place.

Upgraded messaging experience: Google Voice now supports group and photo messaging, as well as in-notification replies.

Voicemail transcription and archiving: If you'd rather read your voicemail than listen to it, Google Voice will send you transcripts over email or SMS.

SMS forwarding: Get texts sent to your email -- just check SMS forwarding under Settings on the desktop version of Google Voice.

Choose your number: Use your existing mobile number or choose a new one in any area code.

One number rings all your phones: Whether you have a landline, work phone, or mobile phone, Google Voice will ring all of them at once, so that you never miss a call. You can also set which calls ring where, depending on the caller or time of day.

Customizable messages for different callers: You can record a more casual message for friends and family, for example, and a professional message for colleagues.

Screening option: You can screen calls before answering, then press * to pick up, or wait to read a transcript of the message.

Easy blocking: From your Inbox, under the number you want to block, tap More, then Block. Going forward, your caller will get a "number not in service" message.

Cheap international calls: Hangout calls are free, but you can also ring landlines and mobile numbers outside the country for low rates. Just add credit from the left sidebar of your account on your desktop.

Cons

Certain functions must be completed over desktop: First-time users must sign up at voice.google.com on their computers rather than on their mobile device. Also, calling credits must be added over desktop, and additional customizations, such as SMS forwarding, must be set on the Web.

Bottom Line

From screening calls to call forwarding to caller blocking, Google Voice for iOS offers a lot of desirable features for a free phone app. The new layout, upgraded messaging experience, and continuous threads make it a top communications app.

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Full Specifications

What's new in version 2.5

This version:

Enable high contrast mode (no message bubble fill color) in grayscale mode

Reply to messages from notifications

Bug fixes

Previous version:

Delete an entire message conversation

Access "Do not disturb" more easily from any screen

Copy voicemail transcriptions and share images from your conversation easily

Save a tap -- the app remembers the last tab when being relaunched

General

Release October 9, 2017
Date Added October 9, 2017
Version 2.5

Operating Systems

Operating Systems iOS
Additional Requirements Compatible with: iPad2Wifi, iPad23G, iPhone4S, iPadThirdGen, iPadThirdGen4G, iPhone5, iPodTouchFifthGen, iPadFourthGen, iPadFourthGen4G, iPadMini, iPadMini4G, iPhone5c, iPhone5s, iPadAir, iPadAirCellular, iPadMiniRetina, iPadMiniRetinaCellular, iPhone6, iPhone6Plus, iPadAir2, iPadAir2Cellular, iPadMini3, iPadMini3Cellular, iPodTouchSixthGen, iPhone6s, iPhone6sPlus, iPadMini4, iPadMini4Cellular, iPadPro, iPadProCellular, iPadPro97, iPadPro97Cellular, iPhoneSE, iPhone7, iPhone7Plus, iPad611, iPad612, iPad71, iPad72, iPad73, iPad74

Popularity

Total Downloads 20,780
Downloads Last Week 19
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User Reviews

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Developer's Description

Google Voice gives you a free phone number for calling, text messaging, and voicemail. It works on smartphones and computers, and syncs across your devices so you can use the app while on the go or at home. You're in control. Forward calls, text messages, and voicemail to any of your devices, and get spam filtered automatically. Block numbers you don't want to hear from. Backed up and searchable. Calls, text messages, and voicemails are stored and backed up to make it easy for you to search your history. Chat in groups, with photos. Send group texts and share photos instantly. Your voicemail, transcribed. Google Voice provides free voicemail transcriptions that you can read in the app or have sent to your email. Cheap international calling. Make international calls at competitive rates without using your mobile data. Keep in mind: Google Voice is currently only available in the US. All calls made using Google Voice for iPhone use the standard minutes from your cell phone plan. Calls are placed through a US-based Google Voice access number, which may incur costs (e.g. when traveling internationally).
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