A Google Voice account can be used for a variety of communication and phone-related purposes. Some of the common uses and features of Google Voice include:
- Phone Number Management: Google Voice provides you with a free or paid virtual phone number, which you can use for various purposes.
- Call Forwarding: You can link your Google Voice number to one or more of your existing phone numbers (e.g., mobile or landline), allowing you to receive calls on any of these devices.
- Voicemail: Google Voice offers a voicemail service that transcribes voicemails into text, making it easy to read your messages.
- Text Messaging: You can send and receive text messages using your Google Voice number.
- Call Screening: Google Voice allows you to screen incoming calls, listen in before answering, and even block unwanted calls.
- Call Recording: You can record phone conversations with Google Voice, which can be useful for documenting important calls.
- Spam Filtering: Google Voice includes spam call filtering to help reduce unwanted calls.
- Conference Calls: You can easily set up conference calls and add participants to your conversations.
- Integration with Google Services: Google Voice integrates with other Google services, like Google Hangouts and Google Meet, for enhanced communication options.
- International Calls: Google Voice provides affordable international calling rates, making it a cost-effective choice for staying in touch with international contacts.
- Custom Greetings: You can set up personalized voicemail greetings and call routing rules.
- Number Porting: You can port an existing phone number to Google Voice, allowing you to keep your current number while enjoying Google Voice features.
- Text-to-Speech and Speech-to-Text: Google Voice can convert text messages into speech (Text-to-Speech) and voicemails into text (Speech-to-Text).
- Do Not Disturb: You can set your Google Voice account to “Do Not Disturb” to temporarily stop incoming calls and messages.
- Multi-Device Support: Google Voice works on various devices and platforms, including web browsers, mobile apps, and some third-party apps.
- Phone Number for Personal or Business Use: Google Voice can be used for personal or business communication, and you can set up separate numbers for each.
- Visual Voicemail: Google Voice provides a visual voicemail interface that makes it easy to manage and access your voicemail messages.
- Number Selection: You can choose a new phone number from a list of available options, which can be especially useful for creating a custom or memorable number.
- SMS and Voicemail Archiving: You can archive and search through your text messages and voicemails.
- Forwarding to Multiple Numbers: You can have incoming calls ring multiple phone numbers simultaneously.
Google Voice is a versatile service that can be tailored to your specific communication needs, whether it’s for personal use, business, or other purposes. It’s worth noting that the availability of certain features may vary depending on your location and the type of Google Voice account you have (free or paid).