So I'm trying to figure out how to make texts I receive to my Google Voice number display my contacts actual number as opposed to the Google number they are assigned. I understand that it was meant to allow you to send a message back to that person that would still display your GV number, however, with Voice+ all my text's are sent from my GV number so it seems unnecessary and has the annoying effect of creating two conversation threads with one person. Even stranger is I will receive the same text from their actual number 10-15 minutes later (I'm assuming from the "receive text messages to this phone option in the web settings) which usually isn't that much of an issue as if I'm texting it's probably not that urgent, but makes text conversations almost impossible. However, this leads me to think that it is entirely possible to force texts sent to a GV number to seem as if they are sent from your friend directly.
If anyone has any solutions, I'm all ears.
I should note that when I do receive text messages that were sent to my GV number that eventually do come through with the senders real number, they all come at once. That is, if I had a 10 text conversation with someone, I will receive all 10 of their responses all at once (and usually two of each) from their actual number. So it seems like its syncing messages on some time interval. Maybe there's a way to decrease that time interval?
Here's a screenshot illustrating what I'm talking about in case I wasn't clear.
Related
Anyone else here using Google Voice? And I don't just mean for the voicemail part. I just set up a number online with them and I'm considering dropping my unlimited SMS with VZW and using the Google voice SMS instead.
I'm just curious to see if anyone else has tried this? The number I got is the same last four as my current one, but the prefix is different, so that's not too bad. I figure I could drop my bill almost $30 by no longer using VZW's SMS service.
This is one of the first reasons why Android interested me. I've never paid for txt messages & never will.
Limitations:
1. You can't send an email-to-txt to a GV number
2. You can't receive MMS
3. You can't send txts to short numbers (like "Text REDCROSS to 90999")
Unless those features are worth $360/year, I think it's an easy decision...
Been using GV as my primary number for over a year now. My most recent VZW bill shows 0 text usage even though any of my friends would tell you that we exchange tons of texts
The biggest shortcoming is the lack of MMS support. If your friends aren't in the habit of sending you picture messages though (my circle just uses email), then it's a non-issue.
It's also great that using the Local Google Voice Settings Plugin with Tasker allows me to tweak GV call forwarding on the fly. Call me while I'm at work and you'll hit my desk phone. Call me in the evenings and you'll hit my cell.
Ok everything sounds pretty good to me then, the lack of MMS support is kinda weak though, I do that pretty frequently. I was considering just straight porting my number to them, but then I decided it wouldn't be worth it with my ETF. I'll give it a shot though with email instead of MMS, with Androids and all the options to share media, I'm sure I could live without it.
Afterthought: next question about GV, anyone have a way to integrate the incredible's messaging app with the SMS of GV? Mostly because I like how I have my widgets set up and would like to continue to use them. And secondly because GV isn't the most aesthetically pleasing to me at the moment
Well, you can choose to have your GV# forward text messages to your cell#. That way you could still use your stock messaging app/widget. The problem with that approach is that people's numbers won't come through looking like their number. Instead, you'll see another number that GV is essentially using as a proxy.
Before I had an Android device, I had my contacts set-up to take this into acct. So Johnny Smith might have phone number 444-555-6767, but when he called or texted my GV#, my phone would show incoming from 999-111-2323. I would store both the regular number and the 'proxy' number into someone's contact.
Your life will be a lot easier if you just use the GV app/widget. I'll take functionality over aesthetics any day, but that's your call.
But the problem with forwarding the messages to my current carriers number is that it defeats the purpose of dropping the unlimited texting. I'll give it a shot, I future dated the change on my online account to start next billing cycle. Should give everyone enough time to take down my GV number. Thanks for the help guys! Anyone else that has something to add whether they're pros/cons please let me know.
Hypcrsy said:
But the problem with forwarding the messages to my current carriers number is that it defeats the purpose of dropping the unlimited texting.
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Indeed. But you asked how to use the stock messaging app with Google Voice. That's how.
No stock messaging system is going to integrate with Google Voice while also keeping your text usage at 0. Your phone doesn't 'think' it's receiving SMS. An SMS app isn't going to 'see' the GV text (unless you have it set to forward to your existing #)
I was actually thinking about this the other day....interesting responses, thanks guys
One thing great that has gone unmentioned is the browser accessibility of google voice....phone issues? Can text anywhere you can get internet via browser. I've used that a fair amount. The way the number can be routed to other phones is always a useful thing as well. I like not being attached to my physical phone numbers anymore.
I just got a google voice account the other day. I am still trying to figure out if I like it. So far it is pretty good. The voice to text is not that accurate yet but I hear that it improves over time. I have not given it out to people yet so not sure how it will work once I do that.
Thanks for the info...
SoBBie
I use GV as a business line. Complete with a business VM message. I love the fact u can screen the VM live then chime in if u wana talk. MMS is the only reason I will not use ot as a vzw replacement #.... Other wise I use it daily.
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App
byrong said:
Indeed. But you asked how to use the stock messaging app with Google Voice. That's how.
No stock messaging system is going to integrate with Google Voice while also keeping your text usage at 0. Your phone doesn't 'think' it's receiving SMS. An SMS app isn't going to 'see' the GV text (unless you have it set to forward to your existing #)
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So if I have fowared on, will the phone company still charge for the txt message from my GV?
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App
that's correct, you will be charged if you have texts forwarded to your carrier phone #. Think of the google voice app on phone as a chat interface that is linked to a phone #. I have also thought as mentioned it's not the prettiest app...but there are some themed versions out there to be sure.
2faroffroad said:
So if I have fowared on, will the phone company still charge for the txt message from my GV?
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Yes. If you have forwarding on, your phone treats it the same as receiving a regular text, since Google is forwarding a regular text to your Verizon phone #
I just use it to see how transcribing works. It is funny on many people but it usually gets the numbers right, which is awesome
I am with you 100% on the transcription - it is hilarious. It has no idea in the world what my wife is saying - 1 in 10 words right, I would guess! I only keep it on for the entertainment value.
So far I'm pretty happy with it. It does have those neat screening features for incoming calls. One weird thing I got was a voicemail recording of the phone ringing and my mom picking up and going "hello? hello?" Hopefully bugs like that don't happen too often. The one thing I will miss is the MMS ability, but hey, I have a Droid Incredible, there are many ways around that.
As for the themed versions of GV, can you point me in the right direction? I'd like like to see what I can find. Thanks again for all the responses, definitely made the decision a lot easier for me.
The best part of GV thus far is that I dropped my bill almost $30 a month. Sprint can suck it with there $69 simply everything plan....mine is Simply Unlimited Everything for $55 a month.
EDIT: Nevermind I found some solid looking themed GV inboxes. Thanks again everyone for responding!
I ported my phone number into Google Voice. And it seems any text message sent to that number do not reach my phone. But I do get phone calls to that number.
I also get text message if it's sent to my phone's real number.
Not sure why texts aren't working with Google Voice. Is it because I'm on T-Mobile's Monthly 4G plan?
You're checking the Google Voice app, right? And you have the settings in the Google Voice app to have background sync, and notify you of new messages?
if you want the GV messages to show up in your regular Messaging app, then you have to configure that in the Google Voice app. Weird thing being it'll apply a seemingly random number for each contact when it "forwards" from Google Voice app to the Messaging app. If I were you I'd just use the GV App to save yourself some troubles.
Another level of troubleshooting is to simply go to www.voice.google.com and make sure your settings are correct, and you can check the messages in there to see if your GV# is receiving them.
Looks like the problem is on Microsoft's end...
I was trying to unlock my MSN Live account (to play with Skydrive) and it was asking me to send a verification code to a cell number (guess email isn't good enough anymore). But never got the code, tried several times. Then tried my phone's cell number instead and that worked.
Google Voice seemed to be setup just fine. So I tried a test message from voice.google.com to my Google voice number, that was successful. Then I realized I did get some texts a couple days ago from a friend on my Google Voice number.
So text is working on my Google Voice. But for some reason Microsoft appears to not be sending or accepting Google Voice numbers when sending it's verification emails. Weird.
This would be something on Microsoft's end. I use Google Voice for all my texts (because I used to have multiple phones and this made it a lot easier). But Facebook's verification texts also don't support Google Voice numbers.
lightninman said:
This would be something on Microsoft's end. I use Google Voice for all my texts (because I used to have multiple phones and this made it a lot easier). But Facebook's verification texts also don't support Google Voice numbers.
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I believe this is because Google voice can not accept short codes. At least I know this is the case for sending SMS from GV
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
Ravynmagi said:
I ported my phone number into Google Voice. And it seems any text message sent to that number do not reach my phone. But I do get phone calls to that number.
I also get text message if it's sent to my phone's real number.
Not sure why texts aren't working with Google Voice. Is it because I'm on T-Mobile's Monthly 4G plan?
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Did you port your phone only a couple days ago? You need to wait 3 days minimum before texts start working. That's what happened to me - I freaked out for a while. Although if you want to see if _something_ works, you can ask another google voice member to text you. Intra-google voice texts will work. It's just when it comes from outside networks, it'll get lost. Sending texts out should work though.
I looked around and found similar-ish issues but not quite the same... I have a VZ GN and normally it works well, I get texts with just "Contact Name (number of texts)" but ever so often I will get a text with "Contact Name (xxx) xxx-xxxx" where the phone number is nothing even close to correct - weird area codes especially. then I'll have two threads from the same contact - one correct but one bizarre.
I've added the phone number to the contact in the past and it doesn't come back, but now I'm really starting to wonder WHY this is happening in the first place.
Thoughts?
chjade84 said:
I looked around and found similar-ish issues but not quite the same... I have a VZ GN and normally it works well, I get texts with just "Contact Name (number of texts)" but ever so often I will get a text with "Contact Name (xxx) xxx-xxxx" where the phone number is nothing even close to correct - weird area codes especially. then I'll have two threads from the same contact - one correct but one bizarre.
I've added the phone number to the contact in the past and it doesn't come back, but now I'm really starting to wonder WHY this is happening in the first place.
Thoughts?
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Texting through Google Voice (them, not you) will change the displayed and received phone number.
adrynalyne said:
Texting through Google Voice (them, not you) will change the displayed and received phone number.
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Excellent thought, however only I and one friend use GV - the rest do not even know what it is lol.
chjade84 said:
Excellent thought, however only I and one friend use GV - the rest do not even know what it is lol.
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If you're using the stock SMS app (rather than the Google Voice app) to send/receive text messages (using your Google Voice number), you'll see exactly what you're describing. The number you see will basically be a forwarding number used by Google to get your message to the right person.
From what I've seen, the number will be unique to each contact, but won't have anything to do with their actual number. Everything will be correct on their end though, and your messages will be exchanged with the correct recipient.
codesplice said:
If you're using the stock SMS app (rather than the Google Voice app) to send/receive text messages (using your Google Voice number), you'll see exactly what you're describing. The number you see will basically be a forwarding number used by Google to get your message to the right person.
From what I've seen, the number will be unique to each contact, but won't have anything to do with their actual number. Everything will be correct on their end though, and your messages will be exchanged with the correct recipient.
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Right, and I am using the stock SMS app - but I don't think I'm using GV. The only thing I use it for is visual voicemail (forward all calls to GV which then get routed back to my phone) but I have it set so all my calls use my regular number. People don't text me on my GV number... I don't think...
Hmmm...
chjade84 said:
Right, and I am using the stock SMS app - but I don't think I'm using GV. The only thing I use it for is visual voicemail (forward all calls to GV which then get routed back to my phone) but I have it set so all my calls use my regular number. People don't text me on my GV number... I don't think...
Hmmm...
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You can check at http://voice.google.com. If you see the messages there, they were sending them to your GV number.
codesplice said:
You can check at http://voice.google.com. If you see the messages there, they were sending them to your GV number.
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Ah-ha!
Indeed they were... Not too sure how someone who sends me texts every couple days all of a sudden uses my GV number that's been stored in their phone for months, but at least I know what's going on.
Thanks!
chjade84 said:
Ah-ha!
Indeed they were... Not too sure how someone who sends me texts every couple days all of a sudden uses my GV number that's been stored in their phone for months, but at least I know what's going on.
Thanks!
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If I ever delete all messages and then when I go to send a message to someone who has multiple numbers saved I have no idea which # to send a message to. That is prob what happened.
Friends,
I use google voice for text and forwarding to my SGIV phone.
When I forward a text from GV to SGIV phone, the recipients number does not match
my contact list. It displays that the person as a obscure number in no relation to my
phone contacts.
Has anyone experienced this? I did read up with google that this is a problem in their faqs.
Would there be a way around this so my texts match my contact list?
Please advise and Thank You,
tvos
That's normal. Depending on your sms app you may see the contacts name in parentheses. If you call from the sms it'll call the right number.
Sent from my HTCONE using Tapatalk 2
It's the bridge number that Google voice uses... Annoying but at least with the S4 if you're using GV to make outbound calls the called number appears correctly in the call logs. On the S3 the call logs also showed the bridge number.
Someday maybe they'll fix that as well.
Since replacing my S7 with an S9, I can no longer tell what number of a contact I am text messaging with. I have several family members and friends/coworkers where I have them as a contact but with both work and home cell phone numbers. There are times when I need to text them on their work phone and times when I need to only text them on their personal cell number. On my S7 I used to be able to see the phone number (or even email address if I was texting an email address for a reminder or something) underneath the contact's name at the top while in that text messaging exchange, but when moving to the S9, it only displays their name at the top. Tapping on the contact name does no good as it just takes me to the contact card for that person and shows me all of their available contact numbers/addresses. Any idea how to clearly/quickly tell which number that text exchange is with (other than by guessing based on the context of the past messages in that exchange?)
This comes in handy for reminders for myself as well. I have several different text strings going with myself to send reminders to my work email, home email, etc. There is no way to easily tell which number or email I am sending a text to unless I'm missing something.
Thanks for any help!
I had to load up Samsung messages to look at that since i used it 2 minutes before i decided i didn't like it. The only way i can see is when you click on the contact's name their number shows with a > besides it. Click on their number and select the number to text. Inside a text i see no way of identifying the number. I see your problem though. My son works in a high security area where he might text me from his business phone but never from his personal phone while there. If he texts me I alway just reply to wherever the txt comes from. So far it's worked but I can see where it may not if he moves from one area to another.
You can tap the phone icon in a text message and it will pull up the dialer and show you which number it is. Like I have my wife's work cell and her personal numbers and I have them designated as mobile and work. Hope that helps.
Probably easier to create a new contact for each number tbh
*Detection* said:
Probably easier to create a new contact for each number tbh
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If I have contacts with multiple numbers, I just designate what each number is like I did with my wife. On the S9, if she texts me from her work phone, it doesn't add to the currently ongoing text conversation I have, it is a new text thread.