You can open Google Voice by:

1. Navigating to voice.google.com

Or  

2. Clicking on the Google Voice icon found on the right side of your Gmail tab (in Chrome, Edge, or Firefox).

If you do not see the Google Voice icon, you may need to click on the carrot at the bottom right corner (see image above).

If you do not hear your phone ringing double-check your audio settings by:

1. Navigating to voice.google.com.
2. Make sure Do Not Disturb is not turned on.
3. Click on the headphones icon.
4. Make sure the Ringing is set to the appropriate speakers. If they're set to headset speakers, you will only hear the ringing when headset is worn. We recommend having the ringing be set to your computer speakers.

Use your built-in microphone and speakers or connect external audio devices, such as headsets. See Google's documentation on how to change your microphone or speakers.

Verify which audio devices are turned on in Google Voice:

1. Click on the lock icon in the URL window.
2. Make sure your microphone and sound or in the on position.
3. Click on the Reset permissions if anything needs to be adjusted.

See Google's documentation on how to make, receive, and transfer calls using Google Voice directly from the Gmail tab in a browser on your computer.

The default setting is for you to get emails each time you have a missed call. If you would like to turn that feature off:

1. Navigate to settings.
2. Find calls.
3. Next to Get email alerts for missed calls to my direct line make sure it's set to the off position.

To place a call on hold:

1. Press the Hold button.

While the person is placed on hold, music plays.  

2. Press the Unhold button to return to the caller.

You can use the Do not disturb setting to manage calls. You can also show your call availability based on your schedule.

1. Navigate to voice.google.com.
2. Click on Settings (gear icon).

3. Click on Availability.
4. If you wish, turn on the Follow working hours. To adjust these hours, click on Calendar settings link.
5. If you wish, Follow out of office settings.

If you wish to not receive calls, especially during a meeting or when in class, you can turn do not disturb on.

1. Navigate to voice.google.com.
2. Click on Receiving calls button located at top of page.
3. Click on Do not disturb to turn the function on or off. 

You can record multiple greetings for holidays or extended absences.

1. Go to Settings. Click on Voicemail.
2. Click + Record a greeting.

3. Tap the microphone icon when you're ready to record.

4. Tap the microphone again when you're done.
5. Click the play button to hear your message.
6. Click the save button when you are happy with your recording.
7. Name the greeting; click Save.  

You can save several recordings and activate the one you want to play at any given time. 

Sometimes the keypad gets in the way or is condensed when you need to view it. Click on Hide keypad or Show keypad link as necessary.

Employee phone numbers are searchable within Google Voice. You can search by department name, employee name, or email address.

Voicemails are automatically transcribed and sent to your email. You can check your voicemails via email or through Google Voice.

To make international calls you must enter:

the plus sign, country code, phone number

The phone number needs to be proceeded by the plus sign. To get the plus sign on a mobile device, press and hold the zero.

You can stop unwanted calls and messages and block or mark them as spam. When Google Voice suspects a call might be spam, it displays a warning on the incoming call screen and in your call history. You can then confirm whether or not the call is spam.

See Google's documentation on Block calls and messages or mark as spam. To mark a voicemail call as spam, see step 6 from above.

Text messaging is only available in the US. SMS messaging looks similar to Google Chat, but it is a different App. 

See Google's documentation on send and get text messages.

See Google's documentation on how to search your Voice history.

See Google's documentation on how to archive or delete messages, calls, or voicemails.

Ring Groups have been setup with department heads as a way of handling calls that come to a department phone number.

Within ring groups you can:

• Make and receive a call as a ring group
• Show your ring group call availability

Your service address is an emergency dispatch address for 911 calling. You can edit your services address at any time after you setup Google Voice. This will be helpful if your office location moves to a different campus building.

1. Navigate to Settings.
2. Click on Account.
3. Under Service address, find the pencil icon to make edits.

See our Set up Google Voice App on mobile device for more details. This is not required.  However, but by its very nature, allows for you to be more mobile.