Google Voice Instructions for those without a cell phone

Topic

Students who do not have a cell phone but need to sign up for Multi-Factor Authentication. If you do not have a cell phone, but do have a family phone or home phone, and are in the process of enabling Multi-Factor Authentication, you can sign up for a google voice number to receive the text or call authentication. Note, you will need an existing phone number (like a home phone), to sign up for Google Voice. If you do not have access to any phone, please contact the help desk.

Environment (Products involved such as e.g. hardware, software, network)

Multi-Factor Authentication, Reset, Phone

Resolution or Steps

Step 1:

From your computer, click on the following link https://voice.google.com/ (you can also copy and paste it into an internet window). You will need to log into your google account or create a google account if/when prompted to proceed.

Step 2:

Click the ‘For personal use’ button and then select ‘Web’ from the drop-down.

“Google Voice webpage with the heading ‘Google Voice’ and the tagline ‘Smart voice calling on all your devices.’ Two buttons appear: ‘For personal use’ and ‘For business.’ The ‘For personal use’ menu is expanded, showing options for Android, iOS, and Web.”

Step 3:

Search for your city or zip code and select one of the numbers. It does not have to be in the city or zip code that you reside if there is not one available.

“Google Voice page titled ‘Select a Google Voice number’ with instructions to look for available numbers by city or area code and a note stating you must have an existing US‑based mobile or landline number to qualify. A search bar shows the text ‘mapl.’ Below it is a list of phone number options, each with a phone icon and a green ‘Select’ button. A ‘Show more’ link appears at the bottom, with decorative donut and lifebuoy graphics on the right side.”

Step 4:

Click Verify

CopilotHere is concise, WCAG 2.1 Level AA–appropriate alt text including all visible words and context, with no mention of any blurred face: Alt text: “Google Voice screen displaying the message ‘You selected (123) 123‑1234’ with the instruction ‘To complete setup and start using Google Voice, you need to verify your existing phone number.’ A green ‘Verify’ button appears below the text, with a small arrow pointing to it.”

Step 5:

  • Click on the blue link that says ‘verify by phone’.

“Popup window titled ‘Enter a number to link’ showing a field labeled ‘(555) 555‑5555.’ Text explains that inbound calls to the Google Voice number will be forwarded to this number and that Google Voice will send a text message containing a 6‑digit code. A link labeled ‘Verify by phone’ appears below the text. Buttons for ‘Cancel’ and ‘Send code’ are at the bottom.”

  • Enter the phone number you have access to and click ‘Call’

Popup window titled ‘Enter a number to link’ with a field showing the placeholder ‘(555) 555‑5555.’ Text explains that inbound calls to the Google Voice number will be forwarded to this number and that Google Voice will call it and provide a 6‑digit code. A link reads ‘You can also verify by text message.’ Buttons for ‘Cancel’ and a green ‘Call’ button appear at the bottom.”

Step 6:

Google will call you on the number you entered and will provide you with a 6-digit code. Enter it in the space provided and click ‘Verify’

“Popup window displaying six code input boxes under the instruction ‘Enter the code you received.’ A link labeled ‘Resend code’ appears below the boxes. At the bottom are two buttons: ‘Cancel’ and a green ‘Verify’ button (highlighted).”

Step 7:

Click Finish on the next two windows.

Popup message titled ‘Phone number added’ stating that the phone number ending in (555) 555‑5555 has been successfully linked to the account and will ring when someone calls the Google Voice number. A blue ‘Finish’ button appears on the right.”

“Message stating ‘(123) 123‑1234 is all yours’ with the note ‘Don’t forget: You can use Google Voice on iOS, Android, and the web.’ A green ‘Finish’ button appears below the text.”

Step 8:

You will now set your forwarding settings for this number. Click on the gear icon in the upper right-hand corner of the screen.

“Google Voice interface showing the ‘Call as (123) 123‑1234’ section with a field labeled ‘Enter a name or number.’ At the top is a row of icons including headphones, clock, a highlighted gear icon for settings, a grid icon, and a circular profile icon.”

Step 9:

Scroll through all the settings and choose your desired forwarding options. We recommend forwarding texts to your personal email.

Google Voice Settings page showing the linked Google Voice number at the top with options to change, transfer, or delete. Under ‘My devices’ is a section for linked numbers, including (555) 555‑5555. In the Messages section, ‘Forward messages to linked numbers’ is shown with a toggle switch highlighted next to the linked number (123) 123‑1234. An email address is listed below for message forwarding.”

(123) 123-1234

Student.lastname@gmail.com

You have completed setting up a Google Voice number.

You can now use this number to set up Call or Text Multi-Factor Authentication. Any texts/calls to authenticate will show up here in the upper left hand corner of your Google Voice page once you are logged in:

“Google Voice interface showing the left sidebar with icons for calls, messages, and voicemail. The Messages tab is selected and shows a green circle with the number 1. At the top is a ‘Send new message’ option next to a plus sign, with the Google Voice logo and a Google search bar above.”

Please remember to maintain good security practices and do not click on any suspicious links or images if you should receive them and alert the Service Desk if you believe there has been a security breach/incident.

Hennepin Technology Service Desk will never ask for passwords.

Never give your password to anyone.

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