Free Incoming and Outgoing calls!
No Gizmo5? No SIPGate? Outside the U.S.? Still want it for free? No Problem!
So it came the day when Google decided to close once and for all the rest of the accounts for Gizmo5. On top of that, our most obvious step was to go for an account with Sipgate, but apparently, the demand for free numbers was so great that they claim to have run out of free numbers.
Unless you are ready to spend some money on a paid service, all of us who appreciate free incoming and outgoing calls with Google Voice were left with almost no alternative. “Almost”, of course.
There is another way that we can get around and avoid the VOIP apocalypse of April 3rd. (When all Gizmo5 users will no longer have service).
These next steps to take is for those who, like me, appreciate and support making and receiving free calls using Google Voice, using an internet connection and one iOS device like iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch, or if you have an Android phone. No cellular provided needed. Only Internet provider.
Assuming of course that you already have a Google Voice account, which is pretty easy to set up and are available to U.S. users. (There are ways for people outside the U.S. to open a Google Voice account. Just ask)
Also, if you have an Iphone and live inside the U.S., than chances are, you don’t need this. You can still use your Google Voice account with your local cellphone provider.
But for those who need to travel abroad or simply want to have the capability of making and receiving free calls on the Iphone, iPad, iPod Touch or any Android phone anywhere there is an Internet connection available, this is for you. In other words, those who are being affected by the shutdown of Gizmo5 or those who were simply waiting for Gizmo5 to be widely available instead of closed.
I use my Google Voice number as my ONLY number for everything and because I run a business that requires that I’m available 24/7, I need to make sure there is always a way for people to contact me (in case my cellphone battery runs out of juice). Please be an angel and leave me a comment on this post. I’m curious to know if it worked for you and your experiences or suggestions.
Here we go.
Things you will need:
- One Google Voice Account
- One iOS device or one Android device such an iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, or any Android.
- One app called: Softphone (it’s an application from Acrobits and it cost 6.99$) Yes, also available on Installous from Cydia, but you didn’t hear that from me.
- Lastly, you need an Internet connection. Preferably connected to the Internet all the time (in order to receive calls anytime).
STEP 1: Callcentric (free)
On your computer, go to http://www.callcentric.com and open the IP Freedom (free) account.
You will receive an email confirmation almost right away. Make sure you check your spam folder if you don’t see the email after a few minutes. It happened to me.
When you receive your confirmation email, click on the link to activate your account.
Fill the information requiring a City , Zip Code and Country and make sure you agree to the terms and conditions. I didn’t read the terms. No one does. Just agree like everyone else.
The next screen will basically give you the details of your brand new account with Callcentric. Notice the gray box on the left – top corner.
The gray box gives you your new Callcentric Number. But if you refresh the window or log out and then Log in again, you will see a message saying “Your phone is not Registered.”
Don’t close the page yet, but this is the part when you grab your Iphone and download the Softphone app. For the purposes of this tutorial, I’m using my iPad. But it is exactly the same.
Once you have downloaded the app, go to
SETTINGS ——→ SIP Accounts ——–→ +
(to add a new account on the right top of the screen) and from the long list of providers, select Callcentric.
Enter your username (which is your callcentric numer) and enter your password. And click on Save.
In order to receive calls regardless if the app is turned on or not (but still connected to the internet), you need to turn push notifications. To do this, you need to edit the section that says: “Incoming Calls”. By default, it is always on but that needs to change.
It needs to be “On with Push” . Again, this is not mandatory, but recommended.
Then click on SAVE and on the next screen click on
SETTINGS ——— DONE.
At this point, you should be able to see on the left top corner of your app that the Callcentric account was successfully activated (It turns green). You can refresh the screen on your internet browser of your computer and it will now say: “Your phone is registered”.
STEP 2: IPKall (free)
Now you need a U.S. number that will associate your newly created VoIp account with Google Voice. But it needs to be FREE! Right?
Go to http://phone.ipkall.com
Right on the spot you will create your account in order to request a free U.S. based number using the information from Callcentric.
Select the Area Code you wish, enter your SIP username (which is your Callcentric Number) and very important: The Host or IP Address to enter is: in.callcentric.com I found that out after many unsuccessful attempts.
Also Enter your email address (they will send you your phone number that is located in Washington to this address) and enter your desired password.
After a few second (but it could take a few minutes), you will receive an email from IPKall with your Washington area Number. Again, if not, check your spam folder.
At this point you can test your incoming calls by simply dialing this number from another phone. It should ring on your Ipad or Iphone.
STEP 3: Google Voice (free)
Now you are ready to link your new Washington number to your Google Voice account by simply going to Google Voice Settings and adding a new Phone. Notice how I named the new phone “Callcentric”. You can call it anything you want but it is important that you remember that name for when you are ready to configure Google Voice on the Softphone App.
If you are lucky, your Washington area number has never been linked to Google Voice, If so, then you are set and you don’t need the next steps, but after several attempts, and getting the same message, I got the Google Voice screen that allows you to reclaim that number as yours. (Because it is yours now). I didn’t get any link to reclaim the number, so don’t ask me how I was so lucky, but usually, if your number had linked before to Google Voice, you will receive an error message telling you that this phone number is already in use on another account. Click on the ‘Reclaim this number’ link in the error message and you will be asked to verify that phone again. Enter the verification code when your phone is called to complete the verification process and reclaim the number back in your account.
In any event, you need to verify that number with Google Voice before your calls can ring there.
Once you have verified your number, you can now go back to your iPad or iPhone and finish the settings.
Again, on you Softphone app click on
SETTINGS ——–→ SIP ACCOUNTS ——→ +
(To add a new account). And from the list, select Google Voice.
This is where you enter your Google username (Which is usually your email address) and your Google password. But it is very important that you select Callcentric (or whatever else you called your Washington number during the setup at Google Voice Settings).
Then Click on SAVE ——→ SETTINGS —–→ DONE.
Now you can see your accounts. If everything went well and you got all the settings and passwords right, then you should see the Callcentric and your Google Voice account marked in green and ready to make calls.
And that’s it. You are done. You can now receive and make calls. But In order to make calls from Google Voice, make sure your Google Voice Account is selected on your Softphone App as shown on the next image:
Great post, really. Thanks for this!
Worked great up until the point of registering the ipkall number in Google Voice at which point I received a DIFFERENT Error message: “This number is already associated with two GV accounts. Forwarding numbers cannot be shared across more than two Google Voice accounts”
Any Thoughts??
Yes, Google voice should give you an option to “reclaim” the phone number. It’s a small blue link on the lower portion of the window. You could also try to close your account with IP call and open a new one with another area code. It worked for me. But it’s easier to just reclaim the number. Let me know. if it worked for you. If not don’t worry. There is always a way.
By the way. Sipgate just started offering free numbers again. Much more recommended as the voice quality is much better. If you are in another country and cannot register, let me know. I’ll help you out.
Hi Daniel,
I live in Canada and have tried creating a Sipgate account. I’m able to use proxy servers to
get past the first few screens but I don’t know how to get around not having a U.S. cell phone
to receive the text message.
I gather that you know how to do this?
Thanks in advance!
Ian
Hi Ian, Lets see…
I can see you prefer to use Sipgate over Callcentric, which is my case too.
However, the callcentric / IPkall method doesn’t require you to be inside the U.S. Your phone will ring regardless.
If you really want to use Sipgate, then do this: Do the entire process of setting up a callcentric and IPkall accounts and that way you will have a US Number from IPKall (Based in Washington). The thing is…. You want a US Number to receive and send free text messages. For that you need Google Voice account. Were you able to open this yet? Let me know, if not, I’ll help you.
I also got the Google voice error saying that was being used already, I did’t see the link to claim it but i deleted it and opened a new one. I don’t have an iOS device anymore, I am using the Nexus S and it works great. I also noticed that the ring speed is faster than Gizmo5 and sipgate. This was very helpful, thank you very much!!
Try setting up a new number with IPKall. But select the area code 425 as they are brand new numbers that shouldn’t be used in the past with Google. Like you, I had the same problem as I didn’t see the link, but getting a different number with IPKall solved the problem. Good Luck!
Thanks For this blog.
I am grateful to get discovered this site. Preserve up the beneficial postings.
Wow, fantastic blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your website is wonderful, let alone the content!
Nice post. I was checking constantly this blog and I’m impressed! Extremely helpful info particularly the last part
I was seeking this particular information for a long time. Thank you and best of luck.
Excellent blog here! Also your website loads up fast! What web host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my web site loaded up as quickly as yours lol
I use Goddady as my host and I also recommend it to my customers in the US. It’s flexible and allows you access to many tools. Good luck!
Sr. I have a problem in setting up my google voice. every time im going add my no that i get in ipkall. i receave an error msg “There was an error with your request. Please try again.” can you help me.
thannks
Denz, Sounds to me like the problem could be a temporary issue. Try doing it from a different browser ?
If you are using Safari, then try this: Go to SAFARI —-> EMPTY CACHE and restart safari again. Looks like a lot of users had problems similar to yours because of this.
DIDs from IPKall are in Washington state instead of Washington D.C., keep up the good work!
Wohh precisely what I was looking for, regards for posting .
You can forward your ipkall number to any voip provider, no need for call centric.
Also You can use it also on Nokia Symbian Phones, I receive gv calls on my nokia
and the ipkall number is forwardet to iptel.org. But you can use any other free
voip provider. And it works great.
Hi, thanks for the tutorial Sr. Is there any voip / sip to make a call in hongkong
thanks
Hi Wimax. Thank you for visiting my site. Unfortunately, I do not know any free voip service in Hong Kong. There must be several for sure. Perhaps more than we can think of, but I haven’t really dedicated much time into investigating other services. Sorry I couldn’t help much. However, the instructions on this tutorial should work in any country. If you use Google Voice with Callcentric and the other party you wish to reach does the same, then you will have no problem communicating for free. Good luck!
very nice, good article and i like this blog because this design is beautyfull
very good, excellent. and well I could easily create an account with voice, I just came because I have a years gmail account, the question is I can do all this free call and all I mentioned in my BLACKBERRY. thanks.
Hello Mariano. Unfortunately I do not know any VoIP application for Blackberry that allows you to Callcentric or Sipgate configuration or any other VoIP system. I do know that there is for Apple devices and telephones with Android. I could even make calls from an iPod Touch, but that's the trouble with Blackberry…. People fell behind RIM and the operating system is becoming obsolete Blackberries. That's why the developers prefer to develop applications for Android IOS and in contrast to Windows, RIM. Sorry I can not help with the Blackberry.
At last! Something clear I can unerdsntad. Thanks!
Hi,
Thanks for this detailed post, I have been looking for something like this for days! you done a great job and easy to follow. The first time I tried it, when I got to getting the free phone number from ipkall 2xs they were used by someone else, tried to claim it but it would not let me. Deleted everything and started from scratch, followed the post step-by-step and it worked like a charm. Finally got a number that worked in gv. The only question I have is in gv to I check forward calls to google chat? or leave it blank? and what number do I give people to call me for free and do I make calls using gv and will I receive calls from callcentrc. I am all new to this and haven’t a clue how to operate it. Thank you for this.
Hi Sandy. I’m glad it worked. I always give people my GV number for many reasons, but the two most important reasons: 1) I keep my real number private, and 2) It is much easier to block undesired callers (like spams, collectors, ex-girlfriends and IRS) and GV is a number that will always stay with you, even if you switch phones. Also. checking or not checking Google chat forwarding doesn’t really matter. I have mine checked, but I don’t really use Google chat. Good Luck!
ha ah ha ha, your funny! but that’s good reasons.
Hi Daniel, its me again. I noticed you said if you live inside the US you could operate this another way? I can make calls but when I do, they are choppy and breaks up. I live inside the US could you give me step-by-step instructions on how to make and receive calls free without using my cell mins living inside the US because that maybe the reason for voice beak ups in the line. Thanks for your help.
Hi Sandy. The instructions above are for making and receiving free phone calls with Google Voice. Unfortunately, the reason why the conversation breaks up and perhaps with some delays is because of poor internet connection. But there are a few things that can solve the break up problem. For that, I would need to know something… What kind of Internet are you using. (DSL, Cable, 3G or 4G)? Also, are you using a router with your Internet Connection? Send me an email (you can see the address on my contact page) and I will explain you a few tricks that I use with my dad when I talk to him.
Hi Daniel’
The set up is working fine know, but when people dial my cell phone number, it goes straight
t to voicemail? Is there a way I can set it up when my contacts call me it will ring incoming without using my cell minutes so that I don’t have to give out a new number to everyone again? thanks
Hi Sandy, go to the settings page of google voice and make sure that your calls are being forwarded to your phone. Also, it could be that you have the call screen feature turned on. You can play around with the settings.
Lastly, try calling the callcentric number yourself and double check the settings for IPKall and Callcentric. Other than that, I don’t know what else could be the culprit.