So as we all know  Skype is shutting down mid May. I was putting it off , but it is time to look for an alternative, I have heard  many that say they use Google voice. So I down loaded the residential app on my I phone, and when I tried to open the app I got the message " Sorry but Google voice is not available in the country you are" I even tried to open the app with a VPN signed into the US with no success, What am I doing wrong?  

Just use Line or Whatsap

2 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

Just use Line or Whatsap

I need a service where I can make and receive calls , and perhaps text codes. Though I know that not all banks  sent text codes over internet based calling. 

I think you have to originally open it up in the USA with a phone assigned to a USA carrier. Once you do that, you're good to go. 

41 minutes ago, jas007 said:

I think you have to originally open it up in the USA with a phone assigned to a USA carrier. Once you do that, you're good to go. 

If that's the case then Google voice would not be an option and it's back to the drawing board LOL

1 minute ago, sirineou said:

If that's the case then Google voice would not be an option and it's back to the drawing board LOL

I think I've seen reports on here somewhere about a service that some company has. Something maybe you can purchase on EBay?  Anyway, they have a way to facilitate the acquiring of a US phone number that will work of Google Voice.  I forget the particulars. 

1 hour ago, sirineou said:

I need a service where I can make and receive calls , and perhaps text codes. Though I know that not all banks  sent text codes over internet based calling. 

For banks sending codes or one time PIN's etc, 2 banks I use send them by sms / text which doesn't cost me anything. The 3rd bank I use has it's own app, which I have on my phone, for logging on and / or sending codes. Line and Whatsapp are reasonably good for call quality and have the video call option as well. 

12 hours ago, sirineou said:

If that's the case then Google voice would not be an option and it's back to the drawing board LOL

you may be able to purchase a Google voice account that has been activated already.  I have only heard rumors that such can be accomplished so I don't know where to find any sellers.

You could ask a family member/friend (in the U.S.A. with a mobile number) to create a new GMail account and register for Google Voice for you.

 

 

7 minutes ago, bamnutsak said:

You could ask a family member/friend (in the U.S.A. with a mobile number) to create a new GMail account and register for Google Voice for you.

 

 

I have my daughter there, could she do that, How would that work? with me here ? I could l give that  a try. 

3 minutes ago, sirineou said:

I have my daughter there, could she do that, How would that work? with me here ? I could l give that  a try. 

 

She would create a new GMail account, you could specify the username and password. Then she would register for GoogleVoice with her mobile number.

 

Then you could use it here.

 

 

13 minutes ago, sirineou said:

I have my daughter there, could she do that, How would that work? with me here ? I could l give that  a try. 

 

Daughter would create a Google Account, providing her mobile phone during the registration. She would further create a Google Voice number. Finally, she would give you access by providing the login credentials. 

 

Then you could log in here and use Google Voice (and all other Google services). No different from someone creating the Google Account in their home country and then using it (and its services) while travelling to a different country. 

 

An important thing to point out - there is nothing illegal or even fishy about this. (I haven't read the small print in Google End User Agreement but, unless this is done for a nefarious purpose, there should be no issues.) 

On 4/20/2025 at 4:51 AM, jas007 said:

I think you have to originally open it up in the USA with a phone assigned to a USA carrier. Once you do that, you're good to go. 

 

I would think a decent VPN would circumvent this problem. Once the account is setup and you have a Google number than using it outside of the USA works great. I've used my Google numbers and made free calls back to the USA for years using Google Voice. Used it here in LOS for 12 years. Was able to call USA free since the numbers are USA numbers.

Just now, StandardIssue said:

I would think a decent VPN would circumvent this problem.

 

You need a US mobile number to complete the original registration.

27 minutes ago, bamnutsak said:

 

You need a US mobile number to complete the original registration.

 

Well, things have changed. I got my numbers free 10 years ago. I just tried to setup a number on one of my gmail accounts and it now it looks like it's a paid service. So I do not know what it takes.

1 hour ago, StandardIssue said:

it now it looks like it's a paid service.

 

Can you expand on your statement/experience?

 

Still free for me, I have two GV numbers.

 

The "Business" version is a paid service. 

 

For international calls, from the U.S., you need to pay/buy credits.

 

 

 

No need to start a new thread. 

 

Viber is the new Skype. 

 

https://www.viber.com/en/

 

Thank you all for your kind advice! I appreciate it. 

Follow up:  I took the advice of a member here and looked into Dtac  long distance, who also happens to be my cellphone provider, As it turns out , Dtac long distance to the US is between 1-2.5 baht per minute.  so sor less than what I paid for Skype I get more minutes than I could ever use, for the few times I call to the US. to communicate with friends and family I use FB messenger. I realize that I will not be able to get text codes from banks and gov. but the workaround to that is that I have my daughter's tell # on file with them and when a text code is nessacery, they send it to my daughter, and she texts it to me. 

On 4/24/2025 at 2:09 AM, sirineou said:

Thank you all for your kind advice! I appreciate it. 

Follow up:  I took the advice of a member here and looked into Dtac  long distance, who also happens to be my cellphone provider, As it turns out , Dtac long distance to the US is between 1-2.5 baht per minute.  so sor less than what I paid for Skype I get more minutes than I could ever use, for the few times I call to the US. to communicate with friends and family I use FB messenger. I realize that I will not be able to get text codes from banks and gov. but the workaround to that is that I have my daughter's tell # on file with them and when a text code is nessacery, they send it to my daughter, and she texts it to me. 

Why make you living in Thailand your daughter's problem?

 

Chose a company that offers a local number and cheap credit / minutes.  You've been given some options. 

 

They are not expensive.