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Google Voice goes US only

news.ycombinator.com

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Re: Google Voice goes US only

#51

Post by warp »

simtel20 wrote: post #36
jeffbee wrote: post #27

I've never used Google Voice, but I do use Google Fi, and they offer unlimited calls and sms in what looks like every country on the planet. What's the advantage of Voice for the traveling caller?

Fi has started to threaten that they will cancel your account if you are overseas for extended periods a month, maybe two or three. So far it seems to reset if you usage is low and you visit the US often enough, but if you want to take an extended trip, it may simply stop working at some point.

I don't live in the US, so far my Google Fi is fine except for international data. "Your international data roaming has been suspended".

The error message says you need to stay in the US, with "significant usage" for at least 30 days for access to international data to be restored.

I typically visit the USA a few times per year for a week at most (which is why I have the Fi plan in the first place), so this message has been on my account for over a year, and so far I have not seen any indication that Google is going to cancel my Fi plan.

Re: Google Voice goes US only

#52

Post by gst »

jeffbee wrote: post #27

I've never used Google Voice, but I do use Google Fi, and they offer unlimited calls and sms in what looks like every country on the planet. What's the advantage of Voice for the traveling caller?

With Google Voice I have a phone number not tied to a particular SIM card or to a particular phone. When I travel internationally I can use a cheap local SIM and I'm still reachable on my US number for calls and texts.

With Fi you run into issues if you use it for too long outside the US. And also I read that people had troubles re-activating a Fi eSIM from outside the US in cases where they (for example) lost their phone.

Re: Google Voice goes US only

#53

Post by bunnyfoofoo »

Hey OP, I had the same issue (also in France), and I believe it’s just a settings change that you have to do for this.

Under Settings -> Make and receive calls -> Ensure it’s set to Prefer Wi-Fi and mobile data.

If it’s set to use carrier, then you cannot make calls. Hope this work because this would scare the crap out of me!

Re: Google Voice goes US only

#54

Post by 1oooqooq »

dougmwne wrote: post #11

Been on Google Voice as my primary number for about 7 years. Mostly smooth sailing. I spend a few months a year out of the US and it makes it seamless. I also switched between cell carriers as I find deals or need different service and have never bothered with the number porting. Guess it’s time to think about a new place to get a US number that works internationally for 2-factor sms. Any suggestions?

i've been on gvoice since it was announced. And honestly, it is the only thing still holding me to my google account (and in the end I end up using everything else, from gmail to owning several pixels with stock OS).

But now it seem it will end as everything else from google is low cost to switch.

Re: Google Voice goes US only

#55

Post by hiatus »

AlchemistCamp wrote: post #49
jeffbee wrote: post #27

I've never used Google Voice, but I do use Google Fi, and they offer unlimited calls and sms in what looks like every country on the planet. What's the advantage of Voice for the traveling caller?

Does Google Fi work for 2FA? I’ve been using Google Voice for more than a decade, have lived in half a dozen countries during that time and never once lost my primary phone number. Especially if you’re a digital nomad, relying on a phone number tied to a specific country and SIM card as a verification mechanism is a problem. Even if you’re not a DN, Google Voice is a much more secure 2FA than a phone that could get s…

> Does Google Fi work for 2FA?

Yes, it does.

Re: Google Voice goes US only

#56

Post by e40 »

AlchemistCamp wrote: post #49
jeffbee wrote: post #27

I've never used Google Voice, but I do use Google Fi, and they offer unlimited calls and sms in what looks like every country on the planet. What's the advantage of Voice for the traveling caller?

Does Google Fi work for 2FA? I’ve been using Google Voice for more than a decade, have lived in half a dozen countries during that time and never once lost my primary phone number. Especially if you’re a digital nomad, relying on a phone number tied to a specific country and SIM card as a verification mechanism is a problem. Even if you’re not a DN, Google Voice is a much more secure 2FA than a phone that could get s…

Yes, the 2FA is tied to your google account.

Re: Google Voice goes US only

#57

Post by 1oooqooq »

bunnyfoofoo wrote: post #53

Hey OP, I had the same issue (also in France), and I believe it’s just a settings change that you have to do for this. Under Settings -> Make and receive calls -> Ensure it’s set to Prefer Wi-Fi and mobile data. If it’s set to use carrier, then you cannot make calls. Hope this work because this would scare the crap out of me!

[SOLVED]

indeed this is the right answer. Thanks! Is this a new feature or they just changed a default on last version, because i've been making gvoice calls from that account on this phone without a sim card for months.

well, now i don't have a US phone number associated with my account anymore, hopefully i don't get kicked out for some other reason before i'm back home.

Re: Google Voice goes US only

#59

Post by lxgr »

1oooqooq wrote: post #57
bunnyfoofoo wrote: post #53

Hey OP, I had the same issue (also in France), and I believe it’s just a settings change that you have to do for this. Under Settings -> Make and receive calls -> Ensure it’s set to Prefer Wi-Fi and mobile data. If it’s set to use carrier, then you cannot make calls. Hope this work because this would scare the crap out of me!

[SOLVED] indeed this is the right answer. Thanks! Is this a new feature or they just changed a default on last version, because i've been making gvoice calls from that account on this phone without a sim card for months. well, now i don't have a US phone number associated with my account anymore, hopefully i don't get kicked out for some other reason before i'm back home.

This has been the behavior for many years now.

Re: Google Voice goes US only

#60

Post by bunnyfoofoo »

1oooqooq wrote: post #57
bunnyfoofoo wrote: post #53

Hey OP, I had the same issue (also in France), and I believe it’s just a settings change that you have to do for this. Under Settings -> Make and receive calls -> Ensure it’s set to Prefer Wi-Fi and mobile data. If it’s set to use carrier, then you cannot make calls. Hope this work because this would scare the crap out of me!

[SOLVED] indeed this is the right answer. Thanks! Is this a new feature or they just changed a default on last version, because i've been making gvoice calls from that account on this phone without a sim card for months. well, now i don't have a US phone number associated with my account anymore, hopefully i don't get kicked out for some other reason before i'm back home.

I think an update flipped the setting, or added it.

Glad this worked for you!

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