Updates are making use more difficult
I was really happy to see GV getting some love again with actual work being done on it... But soon into the changes I noticed the first downgrade in functionality. Before, I was able to use the dial pad to search my contacts' by name using the letters associated with the numbers AND could just search by the phone number itself, but it changed. Instead, searching by number became the default and to switch to searching by alphabet I had to tap a button that brought up the keyboard. I don't understand, the first way had the best of both worlds in one... is it because we don't associate letters with dial pad numbers as much anymore?
Then this new update came out (mid-August 2018) that got rid of the alphabet search function entirely! I have to go to the contacts tab and search for my contact and go through so much more now to just call someone. I was annoyed before, but now it's very frustrating! Not having much of a problem otherwise... Please improve the dial pad contact search! Bring back the all-in-one method!
Then this new update came out (mid-August 2018) that got rid of the alphabet search function entirely! I have to go to the contacts tab and search for my contact and go through so much more now to just call someone. I was annoyed before, but now it's very frustrating! Not having much of a problem otherwise... Please improve the dial pad contact search! Bring back the all-in-one method!
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Crashes regularly, many bugs
I have been using this app for 1.5 years because I love the concept of a free way to text message and receive calls, but the app itself is the worst app on my phone. It crashes several times a week. When replying from the lock screen, it often does not actually send the message but doesn’t let you know it failed. I cannot send or receive video messages. A new message notification may pop up, but then when opening the app it may be super delayed in appearing. I regularly click on one text message and it opens a different one. 90% of the time if someone calls me, we can’t hear each other and I have to hang up and call them through a different app. I have to forward my calls instead, which works well. I have to use Google Hangouts to make free calls, because using the app either doesn’t work or uses my cell line that costs money. There are a couple of pictures I tried to send once and failed, but the app still shows them as pending months later and there is no way to delete them without deleting the whole conversation...so I have to scroll through them every time to see the latest message. Google obviously does not care to invest hardly any money or time in improving Google Voice. If I knew of a reputable and more reliable free phone and text service, I would use it instead.
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Good but could be much better
The whole purpose of using GV is so I don’t give out my personal number and avoid unwanted calls. When people call my GV #, it rings on my cell like my regular network #. It would be great if I can get (sound/vibrate) ring notification within the app that is “separate” from my regular phone. That way I can tell the call is coming in via GV # or personal #. Tried multiple work around but doesn’t seems to work correctly. An online article suggested downloading Google Hangout App and have the GV # forward to Hangout instead of my personal #. Doing that does allow a separate notification in the Hangout app when people call my GV # and regular number would ring normally. However, downloading 2 apps is a hassle and cause problems with other functions and more confusing. Why need 2 app google? when GV app can be improve to ring separately. Also, if contacts can be manage within the app would be better. Not sure why it wasn’t included with the app creation or update.
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What happened? Crashes a lot
OMG! Do you know how annoying it is to write a text and then it crashes and you have to write your text over multiple times? Infuriating. I use my app for business and it always worked perfect and I couldn’t complain at all. However, in the last 2 months, the app just randomly crashes and it happens when the app is open for longer than like 65 seconds. It’s insanity, I really hope you guys fix this! It’s such a waste of time right now but I already have this number printed everywhere so please please fix it. I would gladly pay a small fee just for it to stop crashing. I have to text my texts in another app like text or notes, then copy + paste. Or copy and paste as I am typing just in case the app crashes. I’ll change my rating if the app gets updated and the bugs fixed. If it doesn’t get fixed I’ll be rating the app even lower. Cmon google, lets get it together! This is unacceptable.
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I use this for my work line and it’s infuriating
I run an animal rescue and I meet all types of total weirdos and sketchy individuals that try to call middle of be night, try to look up my address, give out my number to total strangers that have absolutely no regard for other people’s lives. Insert google voice, to give an additional line to my phone so I can keep it on me all the time without an actual second phone BUT have at least a small amount of privacy and keep track of my work people from my home people. BUT THIS APP CRASHES ALL THE TIME. ALL. THE. TIME. Almost every day, and often multiple times in a day. I will be trying to have a convo by text with volunteers giving time-sensitive information so they can have written instructions to refer back to later when they’re at the vet and I can’t get because it won’t stop crashing. It’s absolutely maddening. Very little options in settings. The whole app is very clunky and SO. SLOW. There’s a substantial delay using Google voice. If I knew of an alternative to this I would absolutely use it.
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Calls no more ?? And no address book
Still not improved!!! I have been using Google voice for nearly 4 years. I needed a safer way to contact clients while Keeping a low profile as well as a way to contact guys I date and block them if need be all while having the ability to archive messages to reference later since I’m also a writer. Overall the service works great but why no address book was included in iPhone app version is beyond me. So I had to add the clients number to the iPhone which became problematic when Facebook linked my profile to these contacts and all the sudden my privacy was violated. And because you can add and update or block numbers from the app only when you log in via your email it gets super annoying. I also wish google had allowed for pictures to be sent out not just received. I recently downloaded another Google voice 3 app which I hoped included an address book along with picture sending and since downloading and using that I can no longer make calls using regular Google voice app. I also wish the messages wouldn't be separated into various conversations with the same person. Why couldn't they archive like regular text message for the same number. Google please fix!!
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Love the service, not crazy about the latest update
**Update. App version 2.8 on iOS 11.0.3 iPhone 7 on AT&T. The app constantly crashes to the point where I have to type text messages in a different app then copy & paste into the GV app and quickly hit the send button before it crashes. It is not a matter of “if” but “how fast” would it crash...
I am a total GV fan and extremely thankful for the service which I would gladly pay for. Now, considering this is a free service and a free app it seems ungrateful to criticize but my intent is to provide feedback rather than complain.
Since the last update the app (on iPhone 6, iOS 10.2.1) is SLOW! It takes forever to show new messages/voicemail and when searching for a contact, it takes a few seconds for each letter! Another aspect of the update I am not crazy about is the way the dial screen works; you can either input a number on the keypad (default) or if you would like to search by name, you have to touch a keyboard icon which then takes forever to bring it up and another forever for each letter you type. Not sure why this massive slowdown but I am at a point where I am looking for an alternate app for GV
I am a total GV fan and extremely thankful for the service which I would gladly pay for. Now, considering this is a free service and a free app it seems ungrateful to criticize but my intent is to provide feedback rather than complain.
Since the last update the app (on iPhone 6, iOS 10.2.1) is SLOW! It takes forever to show new messages/voicemail and when searching for a contact, it takes a few seconds for each letter! Another aspect of the update I am not crazy about is the way the dial screen works; you can either input a number on the keypad (default) or if you would like to search by name, you have to touch a keyboard icon which then takes forever to bring it up and another forever for each letter you type. Not sure why this massive slowdown but I am at a point where I am looking for an alternate app for GV
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Good, but DOES crash & lacks user design attention
I have been using it for couple years now. Like the integration w/my Google email, etc. BUT, latest version seems to crash w/in 15-20 seconds whenever I try to create a text to send.
I think the 'split personality' between Google Voice & Hangouts is confusing. I prefer the GV interface for communication, it's simpler; and I think the voice call quality is better (probably because it requires calling out via your cell number; Hangouts allows calls via wifi or 'data' connection.)
BUT -- the GV app really does need a comprehensive design makeover. It doesn't have an option to group messages, it's confusing & cumbersome to delete messages (and it's different from Hangouts cumbersome system), it doesn't have a way to 'mark' messages you want to come back to, etc. In other words, it's potential as an effective and desirable voice&text communication app is squandered by what seems to a design-by-techheads -- user friendliness is not in their consciousness. And boy does it show.
(Hangouts, for what it's worth, seems more bent on trying to be the 'cool' app; it's shortcoming are similar but it leans more heavily on texting side, I think.)
Wow. GV could be great. I can't figure out who's got the brain block at Google to explain why it falls so short..
I think the 'split personality' between Google Voice & Hangouts is confusing. I prefer the GV interface for communication, it's simpler; and I think the voice call quality is better (probably because it requires calling out via your cell number; Hangouts allows calls via wifi or 'data' connection.)
BUT -- the GV app really does need a comprehensive design makeover. It doesn't have an option to group messages, it's confusing & cumbersome to delete messages (and it's different from Hangouts cumbersome system), it doesn't have a way to 'mark' messages you want to come back to, etc. In other words, it's potential as an effective and desirable voice&text communication app is squandered by what seems to a design-by-techheads -- user friendliness is not in their consciousness. And boy does it show.
(Hangouts, for what it's worth, seems more bent on trying to be the 'cool' app; it's shortcoming are similar but it leans more heavily on texting side, I think.)
Wow. GV could be great. I can't figure out who's got the brain block at Google to explain why it falls so short..
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Love it. Excellent for Legally Recording too!
I have had this Google phone number attached to my regular number for quite some time. I downloaded the app to my iPhone and was exceedingly surprised at how user-friendly and convenient it is to have a second number that is really attached to my main number. And I do not have to download "sketchy" apps that want to download my contacts to their server and all the other things that are so questionable these days. The part I do really love and have used, is that when people call my Google number, I can press the number four on the keypad, and it plays a legal recording telling both parties that the call is being recorded. If they continue, that is their legal acknowledgment and then Google sends you that entire recording to keep or archive on their trusted servers for as long as needed. Overall, I really cannot say enough about the Google number feature. And the app that I am reviewing here, is just an added bonus that deserves 10 stars in my opinion.
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