How-To: Use Textfree and Google Voice for free calls

So, first post. I just picked this because it's short(er), and I want to get to sleep.


This is a simple way to set up the GV and Textfree apps to allow you to make free calls anywhere you have internet service. This is only relevant to anyone with an iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad, who is already using the Textfree app and/or prefers it for making calls. Otherwise this functionality can be replicated using this app here.

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The Textfree app is a cool, useful app that allows you to send and receive texts for free, and receive calls for free. However, to make calls, you have to purchase minutes via in-app subscription.

Google Voice is a useful tool that allows you to have a single number you give out that, when called, rings any number of different phones. In addition it can ring these phones based on profiles such as who's calling, or what time it is. It also has other neat features such as voicemail transcription and call recording.

Google Voice, it turns out, works as a simple workaround for the issue of needing to pay for minutes to make outgoing calls using Textfree: once you add a forwarding phone to your account, it can be used to make outgoing calls by first connecting to that number, then to the number you're calling. This effectively makes any call initiated by the Google Voice app an incoming call to your Textfree number, rather than an outgoing one.

To get this set up, first go download the Textfree and Google Voice apps from the app store:
Textfree
Google Voice
Next, set up an account with Textfree, and choose a phone number. Then go and create a Google Voice account. Log into your GV account on a browser (here), and click the small gear icon in the upper right corner, and click 'Voice Settings'. Next click 'Add Another Phone', and add your Textfree number as a new forwarding phone. Follow the instructions to set up and confirm the new number. Finally, open the GV app on your phone, go to Settings, and set the 'This phone' setting to "Don't use for calls".

That's all! To use your new setup for outgoing calls, open the GV app on your device, and use the dialer to call anyone you like. When it asks which phone to use, pick your Textfree number. You'll then get a popup saying a call is coming in, and click 'Answer'. You'll be transferred to the Textfree app, where you'll then be connected with whoever you're calling for free!
Important: Make sure push notifications are enabled for both apps for everything to work properly.

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Learn how to make this more useful by switching your iPhone to a data only plan! Make and receive all your calls using the internet, and pay only $15 a month instead of upwards of $70!
Coming in my next How-To: Using an iPad sim to get data and calling for only $15 a month


I love hearing from you. If this was helpful to you in any way, please leave a quick comment letting me know!


Disclaimer: I make no claims about the functionality of this workaround. "Free" applies to US calls only, and may change at any point. Google will charge it's applicable rates for international calls.