5 hidden ways Google Voice can make your life easier

Thanks to the ubiquitous customization of smartphones, you no longer need to remember phone numbers. Can you recite any numbers from Smriti during the last few years? However, your own number is different. You have it forever and it follows you from phone to phone like an old friend.

Unfortunately, there are times when you may have to give up your favorite number for a new one. You may have moved or switched to a new service. Whatever the reason, your old number doesn’t just disappear into the ether. It is given to someone else. Tap or click here to see how it can compromise your privacy.

The more widespread your numbers, the more vulnerable you are to hackers and other bad actors. A secondary phone number protects your primary phone number, but that’s not the only reason to add one. We’ll show you an alternative that’s free and easy to use.

Get a new number without losing your old number
Google Voice is a free service that gives you a phone number to use however you want. It works for domestic and international phone calls, texts and voicemails. Google Voice is available for iOS, Android, and your computer. All you need is a Google Account to get started.

1. Keep your old number in case you are switching
Let’s say you have to change providers because you’re moving to a new state or country. You might have found a better deal elsewhere. You probably want to keep your old phone number, don’t you? The good news is that you can port it to Google Voice for a $20 fee.

2. Send some calls directly to voicemail
Sometimes you regret giving your number to someone. This could be an ex or a pushy car salesman. When you don’t want to block someone outright, you can send them to voicemail. You can do the same for all incoming calls with Google Voice.

3. A secure way to give out your contact information to strangers, including businesses
When a new social or business acquaintance asks for your phone number, you give it. Maybe it’s on your business card. This practice dates back long to the digital age, and is no longer needed.

When you sign up for a new account or want to sell something online, you hand over your phone number. What else do you have to do?

Just one bad actor can grab your number and make your life miserable. Spam and robocalls can come through phone calls or texts. A hacker can use your phone number to log into one of your accounts and access your information. A burner phone number reduces your risk in all these cases.

Are robocall days numbered? Tap or click here to find out!

4. A great idea for your own new business/side hustle
We can all do a little financial help these days. Entrepreneurial people are starting their own businesses providing services or selling products. Anyone can start. Have some old gadgets lying around? Tap or click here for tips on selling your technology.

Your business needs a phone number. The problem is that you will never know who is going to call. Beyond legitimate customers, you’ll find weird people asking weird questions. If you’ve ever tried to sell something online, you know exactly what we’re talking about.

5. Record Calls (As Long As It’s Legal)
Google Voice lets you record conversations. Perhaps you are giving a job interview. Maybe you are working on a book or article and need to memorize details for your research. In any case, recording a call is easier than writing notes.

Note that recording a call can lead to serious legal problems. Check your local laws before recording any conversations. In some states, you must get the consent of everyone involved before making a record.