Adding Google Voice to Your Google Account

Google Voice provides you with a free, virtual phone number.  You can send and receive texts from voice.google.com or using the Google Voice app on iOS or Android.  Calls to your Google Voice number can be configured to ring your work number during the day, your home phone at night, and your mobile number at all times.  Using Talkatone, a free app for iOS and Android, you can place and receive voice calls using your Google Voice number on non-phone devices, such as an iPod touch or Android tablet.  Long distance calls placed through your Google Voice number are free within the United States.

1. Go to voice.google.com.
   
   
   
   Log in with your Google account.  (If you don't have one already, click Create An Account.)
2. The Getting Started screen will appear.
   
   
   
   Check the box to accept the terms and privacy policy, then click Proceed.
3. You can choose a new number for Google Voice (subject to availability) or port your mobile number.  For this example, we will choose a new number.  (If you port your mobile number, Google Voice would assume that phone number and your carrier would assign a new number to your mobile phone.)
   
   
   
   Click I Want a New Number.
4. Before you can choose your number, Google Voice will make you add a forwarding phone number.
   
   
   
   Enter the number for a phone you have available at the moment, select the appropriate phone type, then click Continue.
5. The Verifying Your Phone screen will appear.
   
   
   
   Click Call Me Now.
6. Google will call your phone.  After you answer, a recorded message will ask you to enter the two digit verification code shown on your screen.
   
   
   
   Enter the code on your phone's dial pad to complete the verification process.
7. You will now be allowed to search for a Google Voice number.
   
   
   
   To find a local number (not long distance from your home), enter your zip code, then click Search Numbers.  If Google Voice has no phone numbers for your zip code, try searching by area code.  At times, Google Voice may run out of phone numbers for an area.  Options include:
• Wait.  In a few weeks, Google may acquire new numbers or reclaim some that are unused.
• Select a phone number outside your area.  The drawback is that local callers will have to pay long distance rates.  If local numbers become available later, you can change by paying a $10 fee.
• If you frequently place or receive long-distance calls for relatives or acquaintances in a distance city, pick a Google Voice number in their area.  Using your Google Voice number, the calls would all be "local" for both you and them.
• Buy a cheap no-contract mobile phone, then return to step 3 and port your mobile number.  tracfone.com sometimes has deals on reconditioned phones with free airtime for as little as $20.  After porting your number, you can use the mobile phone until the service expires, then keep it for emergencies.  (Phones will no service can still call 911.)
8. Five numbers from your search will display, with options to search again or view the next page of results.
   
   
   
   Select a phone number and click Continue.  (Looks like I'm moving to Beaver, Utah!  They've got Google Voice numbers.)
9. You should see a Congratulations! message.
   
   
   
   Click Finish.
10. You will go to your Google Voice inbox.
    
    
    
    To send a text message, click Text.
11. A pop-up window will appear.
    
    
    
    
    1. In the To box, enter the phone number you want to send the text to.  If have phone numbers in your Google contacts, start typing a name and look for the person in the drop-down list. 
    2. In the Message box, enter your message.
    3. Click Send.
12. You still have some important items left to configure.
    
    
    
    In the top right corner of the web page, click on the gear icon.
    
    
    
    From the menu, select Settings.
13. The Phones tab of Settings will appear.
    
    
    
    Here you will find the phone numbers that Google Voice will forward your voice calls to.  To temporarily disable forwarding to a number, uncheck the box for that number.  To add additional numbers, click Add Another Phone at the bottom.  For more options, click the number's Edit button.
14. Some basic options for the forwarding number will appear.
    
    
    
    Click Show Advanced Settings.
    
    
    
    From here you can control when calls will be forwarded to the number.  Click Use Custom Schedule.
    
    
    
    Now you can set specific time ranges.
15. Along the top of the settings pane . . .
    
    
    
    Click on Voicemail & Text.
16. Various options will appear.
    
    
    
    From here you can record your name and voice mail greeting.  If you check the Transcribe Voicemails and Email the Message To boxes, Google Voice will turn your caller's message into text and send it to you by e-mail.  The transcriptions are usually quite good.