# Receiving calls on my Google Voice number while on WiFi only **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 24, 2016, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/receiving-calls-on-my-google-voice-number-while-on-wifi-only/760739 "2016-07-24T02:27:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2016, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/receiving-calls-on-my-google-voice-number-while-on-wifi-only/760739/1 "2016-07-24T02:27:02Z")
I will be traveling overseas next month. I have a Google Voice number that I can set up to forward to my cell phone. However, I will not be purchasing cell network service, so I don’t want to set forwarding. I will be using hotel or other WiFi for data as needed. When I call my Google Voice number, how do I set up my phone so that it can receive that call on an app instead of over the phone network? I have a Google Voice app and Hangouts app on my phone, but neither of them ring when I call my GV number (but the GV app on my desktop computer rings). I have scoured the Google help pages and can’t figure this one question out. ---
**Author:** ![leahcim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b4bc9f/32.png) [@leahcim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leahcim)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2016, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/receiving-calls-on-my-google-voice-number-while-on-wifi-only/760739/2 "2016-07-24T14:30:32Z")
I just tried this and my phone does seem to ring when my GV number is dialed (twice – once through hangouts over wifi, and again through verizon using my regular cell service). Two things in my setup: [ol] [li]There is a flag you need to set in hangouts to have hangouts ring when you get a GV call. Details [here](https://support.google.com/hangouts/answer/6079064?co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop&hl=en).[/li][li]I use the [hangouts dialer app](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.hangoutsdialer), which may be connected.[/li][/ol] In my experience, GV is not a well-supported project. It’s kind of all over the place. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2016, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/receiving-calls-on-my-google-voice-number-while-on-wifi-only/760739/3 "2016-07-24T21:05:02Z")
It may also be that Google thinks you want calls to go to your desktop. Try logging out of Google on the desktop and make sure you’re logged in on your phone. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2016, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/receiving-calls-on-my-google-voice-number-while-on-wifi-only/760739/4 "2016-07-25T00:06:07Z")
> [@leahcim](#): > > There is a flag you need to set in hangouts to have hangouts ring when you get a GV call. Details [here](https://support.google.com/hangouts/answer/6079064?co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop&hl=en). This link is to the desktop version. I already have that setup so that it works. > [@](#): > > I use the [hangouts dialer app](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.hangoutsdialer), which may be connected. This is the missing link! I do not know why this is not just bundled in with the Hangouts app. When I installed Hangouts Dialer, incoming calls now ring into the phone on the Hangouts app. This is exactly what I was after. Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2016, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/receiving-calls-on-my-google-voice-number-while-on-wifi-only/760739/5 "2016-07-25T00:07:41Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > It may also be that Google thinks you want calls to go to your desktop. Try logging out of Google on the desktop and make sure you’re logged in on your phone. Thanks–GV routes calls to all applicable devices. After I installed Hangouts Dialer, it rings on the cell phone and desktop at the same time, with no changes to the desktop. ---
**Author:** ![leahcim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b4bc9f/32.png) [@leahcim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leahcim)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2016, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/receiving-calls-on-my-google-voice-number-while-on-wifi-only/760739/6 "2016-07-25T02:06:56Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > This link is to the desktop version. I already have that setup so that it works. There is a tab on that page for android and iphone as well. > [@](#): > > This is the missing link! I do not know why this is not just bundled in with the Hangouts app. I suspect that “dialer” apps on android need extra permissions that the normal hangouts app wouldn’t have or need to be extra small or something. One thing with the dialer app: If you call out with it, it tries to do the call over wifi if it is available, which is fine unless the wifi has poor signal. I haven’t found any option in hangouts to say, “yes there is wifi, but don’t use it because it is crap”. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2016, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/receiving-calls-on-my-google-voice-number-while-on-wifi-only/760739/7 "2016-07-25T15:16:51Z")
> [@leahcim](#): > > There is a tab on that page for android and iphone as well. Indeed. Sorry, I ran right past that.