Google Voice for non-us Citizens.

Google Voice for non-us Citizens.

With the new free Google Voice service you are now able to send text messages and make calls from your own home or office computer or your mobile phone.

Since Google Voice is not an invitation only service any longer, you’ll need to be in the United States (with a US based I.P. address) and you should also have a local US phone number to activate your Google Voice number.

How to use Google Voice if you are a Non-US national living outside the US? 

I am now going to give you a workaround that will enable you to enable Google Voice anywhere outside the USA. I use Google Voice in India but it’s the same procedure for other countries as well.

Step 1: Get a US Phone Number. This easy process will not take more than five minutes to complete.

Step 2: Please download and install Hotspot Shield (make sure you do not accept the toolbar option). This is necessary since you cannot sign-in to your Google Voice account from a non-US I.P. address.

Step 3: Start Hotspot Shield and then go to IP₂Location to confirm that it says your location is in the “United States”.  If it does not then disconnect your Hotspot Shield session and reconnect to get a new I.P. address.

Step 4: Launch “Express Talk” software (you would have downloaded this software in Step 1 Get a US Phone Number).

Step 5: Open voice.google.com in your preferred web browser and sign in using your Google credentials. You may get an error message that states- “Google Voice is not available in your country”- Clear your preferred browser cookies and try again.

5a: Its time to choose a Google Voice phone number for yourself. Please enter a US area code and any one word to get a phone number you can remember or pick one from the numerous available choices.

5b: Think of a four digit voicemail pin you can remember, accept the Terms and continue.

5c: In the next screen enter your previously selected local US number that will ring when somebody dials your Google Voice number.

5d: Click “call me now”. Once Google Voice calls this number your Express Talk Software should automatically ring. Enter the confirmation code by using the dial pad of the Express Talk software installed and when it is verified you are ready to use your Google Voice phone number.

So what do you think about this article, I await your comments below!