Google Voice , to replace Skype?

[sirineou]

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?  

[Harrisfan]

Just use Line or Whatsap

[sirineou]

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. 

[jas007]

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. 

[sirineou]

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

[jas007]

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. 

[Sierra Tango]

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.