Google has finally brought voice calling into the Hangouts app for Android.
Calls to US and Canadian numbers are free from anywhere in the world. You can make calls over WiFi or data networks. To call the US from another country just dial +1 before the number.
Additionally Google has lowered the rates for international calls from Google Voice and Hangout to as low as 1 cent per minute for many countries.
The functionality will roll out in Hangouts v2.3.75, but if you’re impatient like myself you can click here from your Android and download that version of hangouts now.
You also need to download this Hangouts dialer to enable calling within the Hangouts app.
When you make a call your Google Voice number will show up on the caller ID.
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31 Comments On "Google Brings Voice Calls To Android"
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Not just android. iOS too
@Lubaby:
Didn’t iOS already have free calls from Google?
Ha! The hangouts app in the apple App Store got that functionally ages ago!! Guess that even google knows that the iphone rocks!!!
@Dan:
Ahh yes indeed 🙂
Vonage Mobile has had this for years. It is diff than regular vonage phone service. It’s an app where you can call for free (to US and Canada) on your smart phone over WiFi and/or 3G/4G. I’ve used it in Israel to call back to the US for free. Works great as long as the WiFi connection is decent.
They also offer super low int’l rates.
Is there any way to have incoming calls come here too? I have a Nexus 7 tablet with unlimited data on VZW, which I could then use as a phone.
I’m not sure you guys understand the full features included in this long awaited updates (we’ve been waiting 2 years from when Google has last updated this app) one feature for example is that you can have 2 Google voice number ring on your phone (I’m signed into few Google accounts which have Google voice accounts). In short I’m very happy!
I believe you can even make an outbound call from your regular number. As long as you log out of hangouts
@Jeff: There are two separate dialers one for Google voice and your native carrier.
Seems this APK is buggy, slows the whole phone down…
Looks like they are still working out some of the kinks: http://www.phonearena.com/news/Google-Voice-finally-starts-integrating-with-Hangouts-but-its-a-rocky-start_id60566
Should be noted that if hangouts is your stock sums app (on nexus 5) it may get tricky. The stock app will not open but you will be able to send sms via your carrier on new app but app will open to phone, not sms
Thanks IZ, I’ll see if there’s a way to revert
Can this be used abroad to call US?
@Eli:
Read the bold print…
Can you also send texts to someone for free using this app?
@Yosef_S: Yes, just enable it in the settings.
@Steven: Yes, but you have to wait for that feature to be enabled for your account.
Can I get inbound calls?
I’ve been using a google voice app made by MoPlus+ to make calls with my US/google voice number over data or wifi from anywhere in the world.. Basically google is too slow that someone else published the app already 3 yrs ago.
I Have on my android the Google voice app, when i dial out from my phone it gives me 2 option, call out with Google voice or without
My Google Voice still works with my OBI….I thought that was supposed to end in May? Anyone know if thats still gonna work or are they cracking down on that?
I’ve been using the Google Voice app as well for some time already. its a very simple app and works great!
@Shmuel: @Levi: That app is not VoIP. It just calls through a gateway so the other party can see your GV phone number. If your in the subbasement of your office building with WiFi and no phone service, that app won’t help you make phone calls.
It seems as if calls from Israel to the US are not free.
@Izzy:
DDF’ers have already tried it and said it was free.
@Yosef_S: yeah in order to receive calls you need to setup a google voice account. Go to google.com/voice to set up an account.
I have been waiting for this for a very long time, too long in fact.
@Efraim Bart: Settings on the phone or in the Google Voice account?
@ben: I have one.
@Anonymous: In the Hangouts app.
I’m still using BB of course we are left in the outhouse !!
But I remeber I used to have a google voice app until some update deleted it and now I can’t seem to get it installed anyone have any input here It was so useful to me (giving up my BB is not an option )