Google Voice Usage Guide
Some foreign services require phone number binding, and domestic Chinese phone numbers are not supported. On the other hand, for services I frequently use like Telegram, while you can register with a domestic number, there are security risks - you know the privacy situation in China. In short, to safely and conveniently use these quality foreign services, I decided to get Google Voice.
Preparation Requirements
GV account is essentially a Google account.
- Healthy network, can access the internet properly
GV Purchase
I’ve tried to register for GV myself before, but it requires a US phone card, which is a complete blocker. Even if you could buy a phone card, you’d have to maintain it every month, which is too much hassle. So I ended up buying one on Taobao for 11.8 RMB. When purchasing, they’ll ask if you want transferable. I recommend not choosing transferable - transfers carry the risk of account banning, you can look up the details separately.
Update: If you can’t find it on Taobao/Xianyu, you can purchase through Telegram - just find any store. For example, the one I bought from before: @nexterastore.
GV Number Maintenance
If there are no calls or text messages for three consecutive months, the number will be reclaimed, so number maintenance is needed.
You can keep it active by sending text messages, for example, send TRUMP to 88022, or call Apple customer service at 800–692–7753
Paid Calls
GV can normally send/receive messages and make calls. You can install the corresponding app - Voice - on your phone.
- To use it normally, you still need a proxy, and it must be a proxy from the target country. For example, if my GV number is from the US, then the GV app must use a US proxy. Testing found that there’s no such restriction on PC.
- Besides free service calls, etc., other services require payment. For example, if two people contact each other via GV, if needed, then GV needs to be bound with payment.
Final Thoughts
After getting the GV virtual phone number, many services like Azure and Telegram can directly use this number. A whole category of problems gets solved, so it’s worth the investment.
GV, like Apple US region accounts, will only become harder to apply for, so if you need it, get it done as soon as possible.
