Using Google Voice for voicemail
Any Google Voice users? I have found a really cool way to utilize Google Voice. I've been playing around with it, off and on, for a long time, but wondering all along how I could really use some features that this service offers. When you setup your account, you will have a GV phone number, and along with that number comes voicemail. Not only is it like regular voicemail, but it will also make an attempt to transcribe the message so you can read it on your phone as text - pretty neat when it works accurately.
I just learned yesterday that Cellular South offers a service for "no answer call forwarding" (might not be what they call it) for $1.99 per month. It just redirects your calls when you don't answer, instead of sending it to your CS voicemail. If you're like me, you can't stand calling in to check voicemail throughout the day. Anyway, here's what I've decided to do. I added the service with Cellular South and have my 'no answer' calls forwarded to my Google Voice number, then in my GV settings, I have calls set to go directly to voicemail. Then, I receive a notification that I have GV voicemail and I can read the text (again, if it transcribes accurately) or I can just press play and listen to it immediately. No calling in, at all. Unless something unexpected arises, I doubt I'll be using CS voicemail anymore.
There are a few setting to tweak in GV to make sure you don't create a loop, and to make it work how you want it to. Let me know if any of you have more detailed questions on how to set it up, or how it's working.
Aaron
Ditto! I use this combination sometimes and love it....
Now that I've used 'visual voicemail', I don't know that I could do without it! ... and this one is free!!
I may try this soon. There is a visual voicemail App that is free by PhoneFusion. It is available in the marketplace. I've used Google Voice quite extensively, but I've never gotten an accurate transcription of the voicemail.
The problem I have when trying to get Google Voice to work as my visual voicemail, I get a text message, an on-screen notification, AND an E-mail...Is there anyway to turn that off?
Yes... from your PC, in the GV settings, go to the advanced phone settings. You'll see checkboxes for both SMS and email. I unchecked both.
More detailed instructions...
After you have the "no answer" forwarding feature added to your line...
1. dial *76+XXX-XXX-XXXX+Talk (your Google Voice number in place of
X's) This forwards your "no answer" calls to your GV number. (to
unforward, dial *77+talk)
2. when logged into you GV account, go to "settings", then click "edit"
(under your GV number), then click on "show advanced settings"
3. under "Phones", set "voicemail access" to "no" so that the person calling doesn't accidentally get into you voicemail
4. set "forwarding options" to "go straight to voicemail"
5. under "Voicemail and SMS", uncheck "email" and "SMS" under the
"Notifications", otherwise you'll get 2 or 3 notifications for 1 call.
6. you can record a greeting, or leave the default one
That should be everything. If you have more questions let me know.
That's how I have mine set up, but I'm sure you can tweak things to
your liking.
More detailed instructions...
After you have the "no answer" forwarding feature added to your line...
-asmith001
Can someone tell me how to accomplish this? I have the Smartphone Unlimited Plan with a Hero phone. Customer service reps all tell me that CS does not support conditional call forwarding.
Thanks,
Leo
I finally got this working, thanks to Cassie, a Customer Satisfaction Analyst with CS. It seems that the conditional call forwarding feature is called "No Answer Transfer" by CS and that is what needs to be activated on your phone's plan. You also have to disable CS voicemail. The No Answer Transfer costs $1.50 a month, even with Smartphone Unlimited plan.
Apparently, many of the CS reps don't know about this feature. I've had lots of people telling me that they can't add it.
Glad you got it working. Sorry my response wasn't quick enough.
Thanks so much for this. Since the only let down about having a rooted a phone and using a Sprint based ROM on the hero is the fact that you do not get voicemail notifications, this is VERY helpful!!! I called in and asked for "no answer forwarding" and the lady said "Ok, let me look at your account and add no answer transfer to it" BUT on my account it is listed as "Call Forwarding" if that helps anyone! Thanks again asmith!
Sure! No problem... glad I could help. I don't know that I could function without GV, now that I've been using it this way for a while.
Just wanted to add my props for this info... I'd been trying to figure out a way to get this work, and was told forwarding was a no-go by the first few reps I talked to... having the "No Answer Transfer" info was golden!!
