How to Make Google Voice the Default Android Chat Program

Assign Google Voice as your default text message application on your Android phone.

Google Voice is an application available for Android smartphones that forwards voice calls and text messages through Google's Voice service. Google Voice is an effective method for forwarding cellular calls and for routing text messages through a data connection to avoid cellular provider charges. If you want to avoid all text message charges, you can set Google Voice as your default text message program and bypass the SMS/MMS program entirely.

Instructions

1. Press your phone's "Power" button and slide the unlock tab down or to the right. Press the "Home" button.

2. Tap the "Phone" icon. Tap "Contacts." Choose a contact you wish to send a text message to, and then tap and hold the contact for one second.

3. Tap "Text contact." Tap the box next to "Use by default for this action." Tap "Google Voice."

4. Write a text message and tap "send." All your outgoing text messages will now go through Google Voice.

Tips & Warnings

• Though these settings will ensure that all your outgoing text messages use free Google Voice data, incoming text messages may still use your text message bank and cost you money. To avoid this, instruct your friends and family to send text messages to your Google Voice phone number, or call your cellular provider's service department and request that incoming texts be blocked. Google Voice's text message service will still work as long as you keep a wireless data plan.

Resources

• Google Voice: About Google Voice