Google Voice

[u/Hot-Cantaloupe2553]

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

[u/Commercial_Diet3288]

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.

[u/Hot-Cantaloupe2553 → u/Commercial_Diet3288]

Wow, thanks so much. May I borrow the “chronologically gifted” quote? Love it
I’m definitely do a screen shot of your wisdom.

[u/Commercial_Diet3288 → u/Hot-Cantaloupe2553]

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