Use Google Voice as a Private Bouncer or Receptionist GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Mobile Phones > Google 171 171 people found this article helpful
Turn Google Voice Into Your Own Private Bouncer or Receptionist
Use Google Voice to screen your incoming calls
By Andy O'Donnell Andy O'Donnell Writer Auburn University Andy O'Donnell, MA, is a former freelance contributor to Lifewire and a senior security engineer who is active in internet and network security. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on April 6, 2020 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email In This Article
Expand Jump to a Section Choose a Number Choose a Different Area Code Set a Long Voicemail PIN Number Advanced Call Screening Block Unwanted Callers Turn on Time-Based Call Routing If you don't have a Google Voice phone number yet, you're missing out. Google Voice has some great features that can help protect your privacy. Plus, you can keep your Google Voice phone number for life, or for at least as long as Google is willing to host it. A Google Voice account and phone number are completely free. There are plenty of reasons for joining the service. One of the biggest is Google Voice's personal privacy and security features. You can use them as a sort of receptionist or bouncer and set up a privacy firewall to deter spammers and more. Choose a New Google Voice Number
Choose a new Google Voice number rather than porting a number you already have. When you choose a new number, it hides your real phone number by using the Google Voice one as a go-between. The Google Voice infrastructure that manages call routing, blocking, and all the other features acts as a privacy firewall between you and the people calling you. Think of your Google Voice number as a receptionist that decides how to route calls. Google Voice offers a great visual voicemail service. Choose a Different Area Code for Your Google Voice Number
When you select your Google Voice number, you can choose a completely different area code from the one where you live. Selecting a different area code can make it harder for people to locate you. Even the most novice internet detective can use a site like Melissa Data's free phone number location lookup. With this site, and others like it, someone can enter your phone number, and the site returns your actual address or provides the county of residence where the phone number is registered. Choosing a different number with a different area code preserves your anonymity and doesn't give away your physical location. Set a Long Voicemail PIN Number
Everyone knows voicemail hacking is alive and possible because many voicemail systems use only a 4-digit numeric PIN number. Google has beefed up Google Voice's voicemail security by allowing PIN numbers greater than four characters. You should take advantage of the extended length to make a stronger voicemail PIN. Use Google Voice' s Advanced Call Screening Features
If you want to screen your calls as a receptionist would, Google Voice allows for complex call screening. Newer Google phones, like the Pixel 3a, come with a call screening feature installed. Call screening is caller ID-based, which means you create custom outgoing messages for callers based on who they are. You can also decide which phone you want Google to try you on based on the caller's information. This is a great feature for making sure you get calls from loved ones in emergency situations, as you can have Google try all your lines and connect the call to whichever one you answer first. Call screening is enabled in Settings > Calls > Call Screening. Block Unwanted Callers
When you need a personal bouncer, Google Voice makes it extremely easy to block callers you don't ever want to talk to again. From your Google Voice inbox, select a call from someone you want to block. Then select the More link in the message and choose Block caller. The next time the person calls, they will hear a message saying the number "has been disconnected or is no longer in service" (at least for them). Turn on Time-Based Call Routing
With Google Voice, you can have all your calls come to one number and then be routed to either your home phone, work phone, cell phone, or your voicemail depending on the time of day. It can even send the same caller to all of your numbers at the same time and then route the call to whichever one you pick up first. This feature is hidden, but you can set up time-based routing from the Google Voice Settings screen. Select Phones > Edit (under the phone number of choice) > Show Advanced Settings > Ring Schedule > Use custom schedule. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Block Political Robocalls How to Hide Your Number With *67 How to Block Cell Phone Numbers On Android or iPhone (iOS) How to Use Your iPad or iPad Mini as a Phone How to Block No Caller ID Calls on iPhone How Google Voice Works How to Record a Call With Google Voice How to Get a Google Phone Number Make Free Phone Calls With Google Voice Best Free Internet Phone Calls Apps (October 2022) How to Know If Someone Blocked Your Number How to Block Someone on a MacBook What Is Google's Call Screen Feature and How Does It Work? How to Make Phone Calls With the Apple Watch How to Record a Phone Call on iPhone A User-Friendly Guide to Making Phone Calls in Gmail Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies