[HTC EVO 3D] LiquidSolstice:
So, let's be honest here. Those of us who use Google Voice know how awesome it is, but we also know how woefully pathetic the setup is, and how easy it is to configure something you didn't mean to configure.

That's where I come in, with yet another clear-cut guide that's aimed squarely at newcomers who want to use Google Voice but have been burned by it before or have heard horror stories.

First and foremost, I'd like to mention that this guide is pretty much directed at those who ONLY want to use Google Voice for Voicemail (no Sprint integration etc). For AOSP users who are sick and tired of the phantom voicemail notification and just general problems with VVM, Google Voice is a fantastic solution that genuinely works.

Google Voice is extremely powerful and can do quite a few other things, but for the purpose of my trademark simplicity, I will only go over this.

So before we begin, let's start with a couple thing you'll be needing.

Stuff You'll Need:

~ An Android phone running any ROM

~ About 3 minutes of spare time.

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Alright! Let's begin. (Please excuse the massive screenshots! qHD is as qHD does ;) ) Also, I am doing this on MIUI. Although it may look different, it should not be any different on a Sense or AOSP/CM ROM.

1. Go ahead and grab Google Voice from the market. (Market Link)

2. Open it up, and this is what we see!

STOP.

So, for the purposes of what we want to do, we do NOT want Sprint integration. For people who just want voicemail, this has caused a lot of headaches. If you are interested to know more about GVoice/Sprint integration, please read here: Sprint w/ Google Voice Integration)

For now, be sure to click "Skip".

3. The next screen will show up, asking you what Google account your voicemail will be set up under.

Pick the account.

3a. [MIUI/AOSP Users Only!] If you are using a MIUI or another AOSP-based ROM (such as CM) this action will trigger the Access Request function.

Be sure to tap "Allow"!

4. Once you allow (if the above step applies to you), you'll then see this screen.

Tap "Next".

5. We then come to a screen that asks us how we want Google Voice to interact with our phone calls.

So, you might be asking what these options do. If you're only looking to set up voicemail, please skip on down to the bright blue line that says "I'm only looking for voicemail".

Use Google Voice to make all calls - This option enables the ability for Google Voice to intercept all outgoing calls and route them through your Google Voice number. This feature is primarily aimed at those who are on a limited plan as far as minutes go. Your Google Voice number will always be local to your area, so what happens is that the number you dial out is dialed using your Google Voice number. Confusing? Let me explain it this way. (Follow the colors, it will help.)

Your number is 555-555-5555.

Your Google Voice number is 555-333-8888.

You choose this option.

You dial your buddy's number (650-444-4444).

Google Voice intercepts this outgoing call. It makes your number dial your Google Voice number, and then when it connects, your Google Voice number dials your buddy's number.

So, on your buddy's end, the call will be coming from your Google voice number, and even though your buddy is long distance, because your Google Voice number is in your area code, you're only going to use your regular minutes to call them.

Do not use Google Voice to make any calls - Google Voice will NOT intercept your outgoing calls in any way. This is the option we want if we are only setting up our voicemail and no other features.

Only use Google Voice for international calls - This option means that Google Voice will only intercept your outgoing call if you are dialing an international number. Why would you want this? Because Google Voice offers international calling credit. For instance, my girlfriend was on holiday in France for a couple of months, and rather than dealing with calling cards, I purchased Google Voice credit at 10 cents per minute. That way, all I had to do was add her international mobile number into my Android Contacts phonebook (making sure I had the country code preceding the number) and any time I dialed it, Google Voice automatically routed my call through my Google Voice number, which meant it only cost me 10 cents per minute to call her rather than the absorbitant amount that Sprint would have asked, and it was all conveniently and seamlessly done from my smartphone.

Ask every time I make a call - This option means Google Voice will prompt you every time you make an outgoing call, asking if you'd like to complete it with Google Voice.

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"I'm only looking for voicemail".

Remember, for the sake of only setting up our voicemail, we'll only pick Do not use Google Voice to make any calls.

Continue on.

6. Once we pick the above option, we see this screen.

Tap "Next".

7. We see this screen next.

This screen tells us that we must dial this provisioning number to give Google the ability to handle our voicemail system. Instead of clicking the blue hyperlink, just click Configure. (we'll get the option to dial that next).

8. It takes us to our call settings, where we are asked to pick our Voicemail service.

Pick "Google Voice".

9. This screen pops up.

This is where we tap the blue highlighted text with out provisioning number in it. It will take us to the dialer and fill in the digits. Simply Call that number. You'll here a few beeps, and then it will hang up. This means that it was successful. Once it hangs up, hit "back".

Heads Up: It may still prompt you to dial the provisioning number. Simply hit "Ok" and make sure that the voicemail provider is Google Voice. As long as you've already successfully dialed the provisioning number, you're all set. Hit "Back" until you see Google Voice again.

10. You'll see this screen here.

This tells us that our inbox will stay sync'd through data. Click "Finish"!

11. Our voicemails/text messages will now show up as and when we recieve them. For advanced options such as setting up your greeting message, be sure to check out the online interface at https://www.google.com/voice.

And that's it!

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