Google Voice over Wifi - Captivate General

I recently jumped from a Captivate to an Epic 4g, of course that means AT&T to Sprint, but I didn't want to sell my Captivate I love it so...
I decided it was time to manufacture an @home landline. A couple hours of fiddling have resulted in my ability to use Google Voice for free inbound and outbound on a phone with no cell service, all just over wifi. I didn't know where to stick this... so here it is.
I found this method a little bit easier than using PBXes.org as honestly I didn't find an updated guide to setting up such a thing, and I wasn't following those guides very well anyways, but wanted a project that I could grind out in an evening.
Have an Android phone without current cell service? Or just have a geek gnawing on your insides? Follow along.
Step 1, Install Google Voice, Google Voice Call Back, and Sipdroid on your Android phone, reset the phone.
Step 2, Sign up at sip2sip.info for a SIP number.
Step 3 Register that sip info (found in your email now) at www.ipkall.com, also enter that same info into your Sipdroid app in the sip account settings on said phone.
Mandatory! Test call the number ipkall assigned you from another phone, your SipDroid should ring, answer it and verify. This way if the number is not valid in Google Voice, ipkall will assign you a new number the next time you signup. If you don't test call, you will get assigned the same number, over and over.
Step 4 (possible tedium) Find a number available from ipkall that isn't already sitting registered but expired in Google Voice, this may require registering and deleting your account at IPKall multiple times to get a valid number for use at Google Voice.
Note: Ipkall gives you only Washington state numbers, I recommend the (206) area codes as I tried 12 of the (425) area codes all of which failed as they had previously been registered in Google Voice. Don't worry about what state this number is in, this number is just a go-between, you will in the end be using your Google Voice number.
Step 5 Register the inbound only washington state number ipkall assigns (the one you found that works) into google voice so that it is your forwarding number.
Test call Google Voice number, your SipDroid should ring.
Step 6 Make sure Google Voice app is used for all outbound calls on your phone, I can't guarantee this is needed, but theres no point in not having this assigned as the phone is otherwise dead to the world.
Step 7 Make sure that Google Voice Call Back is intercepting all calls.
Outbound test call... call someone who cares.
The way Call Back works in this fun little project is GVCB will intercept all calls made, call you back from your google voice number... which in turn is forwarding to your ipkall number which is forwarding to your SIP number which will cause SIPdroid to ring your phone, then when you answer the "call back," it will immediately ring the number you dialed. All free, but perhaps a bit tedious for the average phone user. This circumvents the need for a mobile number associated with the phone being used.

Awesome! this is what I need! Pbxes doesn't seem to want to let me register, and I have almost zero signal at my new place. So, I got to step 3, tried calling the number and i get a recording telling me that my call can't be completed due to network error, error #101. Not sure what that means...
edit-nevermind, bad setup. Now I've got it to ring sipdroid, but I can't hear anything. Trying to verify the number with GV, but this lack of audio is troubling.

did you reboot the phone after getting sipdroid installed?
Also try playing around with the audio codecs, limiting it to a couple at a time to see which will work. I had the same problem at first but after one of these things the audio came in clear as a bell and havent had a problem since.

sevenvt said:
did you reboot the phone after getting sipdroid installed?
Also try playing around with the audio codecs, limiting it to a couple at a time to see which will work. I had the same problem at first but after one of these things the audio came in clear as a bell and havent had a problem since.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
alright, i'll try rebooting and different codecs. Only problem now is that I don't have a second phone to test it with, so i'll be waiting until Monday to use the work phone.

thanks! great thread

Yes, the 2nd phone makes this process easier, otherwise you can't complete the test calls to the ipkall phone number, and you also can't test any changes or audio. I popped half a headset each on either side of my head one plugged into each phone and tested my setup that way, muting either phone and making sure audio was getting through to the opposite ear.
Edit: I also found that if i was testing the phone side by side with the phone used to call it, I had to practically yell to get my voice to register on my sipdroid. After muting the other phone, sound worked perfectly.

I am having trouble getting my Sipdroid to dial out. I have not had any issues with receiving calls either through the IPKall issued number, or through Google Voice redirected to the IPKall number.
Whenever I try to dial out using either IPKall or Google Voice it attempts to make the call and immediately ends.

Nevermind, I now realize the need/use of Google Voice Callback. Everything seems to be working just dandy now. Thanks!

Well, tried all of the different codecs, some don't allow the call to connect, but in the end, none of them allowed me to have audio either incoming or outgoing, so I guess this isn't going to work for me....can anyone that has this working, possibly with Cognition, give me their EXACT settings?

call options i have "sipdroid only"
audio video I have all gains to medium (no audio if i increase or decrease any of these)
I have pcma pcmu and bv16 codecs enabled over wlan only, others disabled.
Wifi is set to never sleep and sipdroid itself is not allowed control over power.
All other settings are stock.
Again, I noticed that if the one of the lines was not muted, my sipdroid didn't give me audio back, but would still feed my test line audio.
So I call my googlevoice, I pickup, I talk into sipdroid and hear my voice on the test phone, I talk into testphone (without sipdroid muted) and I get no audio. I mute sipdroid and talk into test phone and sipdroid picks it up just fine. Same in reverse muting.

sevenvt said:
call options i have "sipdroid only"
audio video I have all gains to medium (no audio if i increase or decrease any of these)
I have pcma pcmu and bv16 codecs enabled over wlan only, others disabled.
Wifi is set to never sleep and sipdroid itself is not allowed control over power.
All other settings are stock.
Again, I noticed that if the one of the lines was not muted, my sipdroid didn't give me audio back, but would still feed my test line audio.
So I call my googlevoice, I pickup, I talk into sipdroid and hear my voice on the test phone, I talk into testphone (without sipdroid muted) and I get no audio. I mute sipdroid and talk into test phone and sipdroid picks it up just fine. Same in reverse muting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info! I tried your settings, still no audio. Really annoyed. Oh well.

Trying calling 3333 on SipDroid. That will connect to sip2sip's audio test. If you do not hear any audio then there is something wrong with your settings to sip2sip.

Shouko said:
Trying calling 3333 on SipDroid. That will connect to sip2sip's audio test. If you do not hear any audio then there is something wrong with your settings to sip2sip.
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Click to collapse
Tried, no audio. What should I have for settings? here's what's there now-
server - proxy.sipthor.net
Domain - sip2sip.info
username or caller ID - not entered
port - 5060
protocol - udp
and then I've only checked off "Use WLAN".
I've tried TCP for the protocol, but then the program never logs in, dot just stays yellow.

These are the same settings I have except of course with my username
One thing we haven't considered is your port handling on whatever router you have going on or firewalls.

Authorization Username
<sip2sip2 phone number>
Server or Proxy
proxy.sipthor.net
Domain
sip2sip.info
Port
5060
Protocol
UDP
Use WLAN
These were the settings I used for SipDroid. If it still does not work, you can try CSipSimple.

Shouko said:
Authorization Username
<sip2sip2 phone number>
Server or Proxy
proxy.sipthor.net
Domain
sip2sip.info
Port
5060
Protocol
UDP
Use WLAN
These were the settings I used for SipDroid. If it still does not work, you can try CSipSimple.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK...so, CSsipsimple is nice, i like the interface more than Sipdroid, but it too lacks audio. Could this be a network problem? I've yet to try this on my home router, since I have no phone to test it with there. I guess I could test it over 3g?
edit- yep! 3g works...annoying. guess I can go ahead and set the rest up, and hope that I can get it to work at home. Called my GV number, Csipsimple rang, so it's routing correctly, I heard myself on both ends. Confused as to how GV call back works, and if I really need it.

ryboto said:
OK...so, CSsipsimple is nice, i like the interface more than Sipdroid, but it too lacks audio. Could this be a network problem? I've yet to try this on my home router, since I have no phone to test it with there. I guess I could test it over 3g?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are using a public or work wifi, most likely some ports will be blocked.
ryboto said:
edit- yep! 3g works...annoying. guess I can go ahead and set the rest up, and hope that I can get it to work at home. Called my GV number, Csipsimple rang, so it's routing correctly, I heard myself on both ends. Confused as to how GV call back works, and if I really need it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
IPKall only allows incoming calls. So you would need to use Google Voice Callback to make outgoing calls. GVCB uses Google Voice to call your IPKall number. Then when you pickup (free incoming), GV will connect you to the number you want to call. When you configure GVBC, you need to set your callback number to your IPKall number.

Shouko said:
If you are using a public or work wifi, most likely some ports will be blocked.
IPKall only allows incoming calls. So you would need to use Google Voice Callback to make outgoing calls. GVCB uses Google Voice to call your IPKall number. Then when you pickup (free incoming), GV will connect you to the number you want to call. When you configure GVBC, you need to set your callback number to your IPKall number.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, I figured out how it worked, made some calls. There's a HUGE delay though, possibly around 1-1.5 seconds, and apparently my audio breaks up. I made some calls over wifi at home when this happened. Also, CSipsimple has trouble registering my SIP randomly, whereas Sipdroid always connects. I just need this to be a little more reliable. There's no way I can have a conversation with that much delay.

has anyone tried this over or virgin mobile? does this work over cell internet? because an optimus or intercept with this for $25 month with unlimited internet would be awesome. even better if you can get a modded epic or fascinate on virgin mobile. maybe the speeds would suck but it beats what i am paying right now.
even better, metro pcs has lte in my area (seriously, they beat verizon and att to that wtf?) and a phone that is like a galaxy s with a crappy screen and camera on it. still should be fast and cheap, just need a way to get around paying for talk minutes.

Related

Question about replacing Voicemail with Google Voicemail

So yesterday I made the switch from using Visual Voicemail to using my Google Voice account as my Voicemail. So far, I LOVE IT (I recommend doing this if you have a GV account). My only concern is that I'm wondering if I need the app constantly running to get notifications of new voicemail? Because I have gbhil's kernel installed with the tweaked memory-killer, so I don't know if the GV app is always running. Can anyone using Google Voice for Voicemail post how they have everything setup? I want to use the least amount of battery with this, so I was thinking maybe only enabling SMS notifications of new Voicemail?
mrinehart93 said:
So yesterday I made the switch from using Visual Voicemail to using my Google Voice account as my Voicemail. So far, I LOVE IT (I recommend doing this if you have a GV account). My only concern is that I'm wondering if I need the app constantly running to get notifications of new voicemail? Because I have gbhil's kernel installed with the tweaked memory-killer, so I don't know if the GV app is always running. Can anyone using Google Voice for Voicemail post how they have everything setup? I want to use the least amount of battery with this, so I was thinking maybe only enabling SMS notifications of new Voicemail?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it is always running, and to be honest, it takes up very little battery to be noticed.
You or others might also be interested in this:
http://www.google.com/voice/sprint
Setting this up forwards voicemail from calls to your cell number (not your GV number) on to your Google Voice visual voicemail. In my case, nobody even knows my real cell number, they just call/text GV, but for folks transitioning it could be useful.
Isn't that the same as using Google Voice for your cellphone Voicemail? Anyway, what did it mean by "immediate" forwarding? I didn't quite understand what they meant by that... and I don't want to see a $0.20 charge on each minute/call I use... my dad would get very angry haha.
EDIT
I should probably say that right now, I have a Google Voice number, and I have the voicemail setup so that any call I get to my Sprint number gets picked up by the Google Voice number's voicemail... I hope that makes sense?
Yes, setting GV up in "voicemail mode" is a newer feature than when I first got my GV set up, but my roommate has his set up that way. It's pretty much the same but they take out a few of the forwarding features that you wouldn't be using if you're just using it as a voicemail service. (ring multiple phones and such). One thing you'll be glad to hear is that around the end of last year, Sprint decided to drop the charges on conditional call forwarding, as part of a "partnership with google". So, there are NO CHARGES when call forwarding to google voice.
Edit: I see what you're saying. When they say immediate call forwarding, they mean unconditional call forwarding. (forwarding all calls into your sprint number). What you probably want to do is CONDITIONAL call forwarding (forwarding calls when the line is busy, or when there is no answer).. See this link: http://support.sprint.com/support/a...ur_Sprint_phone/case-vw371511-20091020-144925
So you've got [sprint number]->[google voice]->[your phone] Which will be charged because all calls are forwarded to GV, and then GV rings your phone
I have, (and you probably want), [sprint number]->[your phone]->[if no answer, google voice] Which doesn't result in a charge.
Hope that helps
Hmm... I'm still confused about that. With the diagrams above, are you talking about someone calling me? Or me calling someone? Really I don't care about having anything transferred to my GV number... all I want is the voicemail part of it.
What have you done so far? Are you forwarding ALL your calls to google voice first, and then google voice is ringing your phone? (*72 forwarding?)
What I'm trying to get across here is that you want all your incoming calls to go to your phone first, then if you're busy or there it isn't answered, it will go to google voice, which will automatically pick up and go to voicemail when you have your phone set to "activate google voicemail on this phone" in your Google Voice settings.
If you currently have it set up to forward all your incoming calls to your google voice number, then google voice rings your cellphone afterwards, you will be charged for this type of call forwarding. You don't want to set it up this way if you're just using google voice for voicemail.
If you followed the setup that GV gives you for voicemail, they have you use *285555555555 (replace 5s with number you want to forward to. In this case, your GV number), which is what you want to use. This forwards calls to the specified number, after you either don't pick up your cellphone, or you're currently in a call. (*38 turns this off)
In contrast:
*725555555555 (again, replace 5s with the number to forward to) forwards all incoming calls to your sprint number to whatever number you specify. This charges you monies. Don't use this one. If you have done this, turn it off by dialing *720
Yes, I have the first thing you said currently. Basically if someone calls me (Sprint number), and I'm not there and they leave a voicemail, it leaves the voicemail with Google Voice. I then use the GV app to listen to my voicemail. I think I understand it now. So basically all I want to do is click "Enable Voicemail on this phone"? How would I go about setting it up so that all calls are forwarded to my Google Voice number (just so I don't accidentally do this)?
thematrixkid17 said:
If you followed the setup that GV gives you for voicemail, they have you use *285555555555 (replace 5s with number you want to forward to. In this case, your GV number), which is what you want to use. This forwards calls to the specified number, after you either don't pick up your cellphone, or you're currently in a call. (*38 turns this off)
In contrast:
*725555555555 (again, replace 5s with the number to forward to) forwards all incoming calls to your sprint number to whatever number you specify. This charges you monies. Don't use this one. If you have done this, turn it off by dialing *720
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That makes A LOT of sense! Thanks! I think this is resolved. Maybe this should be stickied or something so other people don't get confused with this.
Maybe I'll make a Google Voice for dummies writeup, since I haven't really contributed anything of substance here yet
But I went through this same thing late last year, GV can be very confusing for people that haven't used it.
Ok, so I just got done with a chat with Sprint, and I had called myself with these Google Voice settings, and according to Sprint, no $0.20 charge had been made to my bill. Looks like this is awesome! Thanks so much!
No problem. I'm working on a more substantial writeup right now, so that hopefully people won't run into these confusions again.
Quick question, what is the best way to set GV up so that I don't need to have Mobile Network (EvDO) constantly on? I only really ever have EvDO enabled when I need to use it so I can save battery life.
Well, I don't ever turn mine off, but I'd guess you'd just need internet connectivity to check and download your GV messages. If you don't mind not being updated the moment you get a new message, then there's nothing you'd have to do. (I mean you'll know when you get a missed call, if your phone is on, obviously) But if you REALLY need to know right away when you get a new message, you can turn on SMS notifications in GV settings.
Your phone still has internet connectivity in 1x only mode, it's just not as fast.
ldleblanc said:
Your phone still has internet connectivity in 1x only mode, it's just not as fast.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, he said he was turning off 'mobile network'. When I turn off 'mobile network' in my settings, I don't get ANY internet connectivity. I'm pretty sure it disables it entirely, regardless of connection type
Btw, I've got my tutorial writeup over in this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=633196

[GUIDE]: Google Voice + Sipdroid + GV Dialer = Free Calls!

Hey everyone, I've had an OG Droid since Jan 1. 2010, and just upgraded to the Thunderbolt, I love it! Anyways, my name's Wes, and I need to build up a few posts before I can write in the development threads. So here's my tidbit of advice, if you happen to be on a family plan or have limited available minutes, you can combine GV+Sipdroid+GVDialer to make free calls over wifi AND 3g/4g. This is covered on the internet all over the place, but I had to research a ton before getting it to work on my droid because I found that many guides out there were from back in the day when google hadn't made things so easy to set up. Now that a lot of us have 4g, call quality and connection will be very consistent. How it works (confusing i know!): free VoIP #'s are available but only allow free incoming calls, so google makes them all in coming. GV dialer uses the internet instead of minutes to tell google voice to dial your desired call out #, then google voice sends the call to you as an incoming call. Google then lets you reroute that incoming call to your random DID # from ipcomms.net, and BOOM, a free "outgoing" incoming call. So in a quick nutshell, here's what you do.
Get a google voice #, download google voice app to your phone
Download GV Dialer from the market (paid app, maybe 2 bucks or something i forget)
Download Sipdroid from the market (not sipdroid + Showmee)
Then visit ipcomms.net and get the "free DID" by registering. Once you get the email with your free did, open the document with your info and jot down your username and password. (i think they're both 10 digits, you can't change this password either)
Open sipdroid, and hit Menu>Settings,SIPAccount#1, then for username and password enter what you found in the step above. For "Server or Proxy" enter "sipconnect.ipcomms.net"
Scroll down and you can adjust whether you want it to connect over 3g(4g works also) and/or WIFI, Edge
if it's working, you'll see a green light in your notifications bar, meaning your DID # is ready to receive free calls, but no one knows that #, so...
IMPORTANT: navigate to google.com/voice on your computer, login with your credentials, then go to to settings (top right corner) > Phones tab, then click "add another phone" Enter you're 10 digit ipcomms #, then click call to verify(make sure green light is on). You will get a call on the sipdroid app, slide to answer, then enter the code google gave you in your web browser on your computer to activate (if no keypad is showing, hit menu button and you can get to it during the call)
Once this is done and your phone is added, make sure calls to your voice account are set to forward calls to you ipcomms number.
Finally, open Gv dialer, login, go to its settings, and click "default phone to ring," after a moment you'll be given the option to select your ipcomms #, click that. YOU'RE DONE!
To make a call with VoIP, open gizmo(make sure you've got green light), then on your phone open GV dialer, dial the number you want, click "connect with google voice", wait for the internet to tell google to call the number and call your ipcomms # back, and voila, you get an incoming call, answer it, and you'll hear the call connecting and starting to ring.
I wrote this in about 10 minutes so if you have any questions of if anything sounds wrong or I made typos lemme know, now i'm going back to this VCU Kansas game for a bit. Hopefully someone out there finds this useful.
You can do something like this with Fring as well, right ?
solidunit said:
You can do something like this with Fring as well, right ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes.
Under Sipdroid's description in market: "Being open source, Sipdroid has often been cloned appearing under names such as Guava, aDIP, Fritz!App,..."
You can actually do it without Sipdroid on phones with Gingerbread (its built into the settings you just enter your ipcomms info) but we don't have it yet, and the gingerbread version has very few adjustable settings.
there are also alternatives to GV dialer as well as sites that offer free DID numbers for inbound calls, but this setup has worked fine for me.
I'll give it a try, thanks!
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA Premium App
Yup been using it to also send and receive free text. I use ipkall tho
Free us calls, not worldwide of course
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
Any other sip providers working? Using Ekiga and ipkall for Gv calling,doesn't work so well on CSipSimple...... Would like to transition to another service easily as possible,and ipcomms is a bit confusing.
An easier method is to just download GV and GVoice callback. http://www.appbrain.com/app/google-voice-callback-free/com.xinlu.gvdial
I don't have sipdroid on my phone, and I can "dialout" using this with my google voice number. It shows up on the other phone as my GV # and I checked my bill for the calls (I used it for a whole day one time to see what would happen and didn't have calls on my bill for that day) and they weren't there. I tried to do the sip droid method one time, and I had a hard time getting it setup. So I just gave up. But this solution seems to work like a charm for me.
1454 said:
An easier method is to just download GV and GVoice callback. http://www.appbrain.com/app/google-voice-callback-free/com.xinlu.gvdial
I don't have sipdroid on my phone, and I can "dialout" using this with my google voice number. It shows up on the other phone as my GV # and I checked my bill for the calls (I used it for a whole day one time to see what would happen and didn't have calls on my bill for that day) and they weren't there. I tried to do the sip droid method one time, and I had a hard time getting it setup. So I just gave up. But this solution seems to work like a charm for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 but this only works if you have F&F and have a number to burn to put in there. Don't use it much but when calling my bud in canada or maybe a conference call i use it and it works just swell....on an incredible though, I"m still a wannabe
I got a free number from goog. Sorry, I'm bad with acronyms, what does F&F stand for?
Sipdroid thing was annoying when I tried it. I really prefer gv callback. I have it set up to ask me every time. Its pretty sweet.
so how exactly do you do this without sipdroid? I've got gv callback and its like the same as gv dialer asks which number i want to forward to, you're saying you can forward to google voice somehow? gv callback has option to start sipdroid before callback, so i would assume i still need something to handle the call received? Do I use google talk as callback number?
Do you have a google voice number? If not, go get one. It's free. Use you're regular gmail account to set it up. Then download goog voice also. There will be an option to use GV as the call back number. (also under the online GV settings you have to link you're mobile to the GV #). last, then you just set it to ask you every time to call you back, then when you go to call someone it will give you the option to use GV or not. If still need help I'll pm you my phone.
i have a google voice number, and the google voice app already. what do you mean forward to your GV number? Under google voice app there are no forwarding settings.
you mean you forward to your mobile number on google voice online settings, as in your verizon number? And it doesn't charge you any minutes? I'm pretty sure it still counts as using your minutes, you checked exactly when you called and compared it to the dates and times on your bill?
Gv callback requires friends and family to be of any benefit. Sipdroid allows you to make calls over your data connection, uses no minutes. It lags heavily though, not recommended if you have friends and family at your disposal.
edit, see my post to shaddix
I'm sorry, I've been mistaken. Somehow the actual GV app gives me the option to make voice calls. That is what i have been using. GV I downloaded but never set up. Not sure how I ended up with such a confusion. It used to just give the option to make international calls, but now you can set it up to ask everytime. I'm not yet rooted or I would take some screen shots.
I'm sorry but if you use f&f to begin with then y going thru all the hassle since f&f doesn't bill used minutes?
Sipdroid is better when you're on lte. If you are on conference calls a lot, sipdroid does help saving those minutes
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
quattr0 said:
I'm sorry but if you use f&f to begin with then y going thru all the hassle since f&f doesn't bill used minutes?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can just use 1 f&f slot for all your calls
shaddix2 said:
You can just use 1 f&f slot for all your calls
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, thank you.
Do you get free texting using only GV? I know $10/month is not a whole lot but for those that have only voice (no text plan), it will come in handy.

Lower your bill w/ Llama, location based voip over wifi, + googlevoice, automatically

Hi All! This is my first guide/thread so be kind. I was looking for a way to conserve money... I am on boost prepaid and it gets quite expensive when talking, or sending a few txt messages. I found there is a way to activate unconditional call forwarding which, now unfortunately does use up minutes, once activated (*72XXXXXXXXXX for boost) calls are automatically forwarded to a google voice number, and can be deactivated (*720 on boost). There maybe many ways to call forward depending on your carrier; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Call_forwarding... EDIT: now boost is charging me for forwarded calls, so I just call back with groove... the automation is still helpful though:
I think I have finally found the easiest most reliable method; you will need to enter your forwarding codes if you aren't on boost:
Needed items:
Android phone on carrier of your choice. Or you can use a tablet for wifi only calls, if your tablet doesn't have a mic, then try using a bluetooth headset.. maybe even a usb dongle if there is no bluetooth, but usb is available
Google voice (from market), and a google voice account (to send free SMS messages)
Groove IP ($4.99 one time in market to make/receive free voip calls)
LLama app (free, but we need this test version: http://www.mediafire.com/?qp5dfbqsc8ci88g) This version of LLama includes permission to dial #s, this is needed for forwarding #s, so don't use the one from the market.
In theory, groove IP can work over 3g, but in reality it doesn't for me. A short call to someone on the same cell network works at times, but calling anywhere else results in a choppy frustrating mess... therefore this guide assumes groove only works for you over wifi.
1) Get your apps installed.
2) Open Google voice, login, choose never use google voice to make calls, I had to skip the part where it asks you to setup voicemail because this requires conditional call forwarding (rings phone first then forwards to voicemail) which my carrier doesn't support. Your miles may vary here, but I recommend skipping this for now. When responding to, or sending text messages check the box 'always perform this action' and choose voice. Ask the people who txt you to now txt your google voice number. They will figure this out if you always respond to their messages via the google voice app.
3) Connect to wifi, run Groove IP, and login. Groove can be tricky to get working perfectly, but with some tweaks it works great for me. Here's my grooveIP settings:
uncheck 3g/4g calling, check accept calls on answer, under native dialer options-built in dialer preference- choose wifi only, under native dialer-exclusion numbers, enter your forwarding and 'disable' forwarding codes (dependent on carrier) separated by commas. Under audio/echo settings lower your mic gain, mine is set at -8, but yours may be different. Under miscellaneous check autostart and enter your default area code for easier dialing. Now verify calls are working by dialing the google voice test number: 9093900003. This will echo back everything you say so listen for echos/distortion, then make adjustments necessary. Use the 'troubleshooting' section under settings as a last resort, as you *should* be able to get everything working better if it is working at all at this point... tested on an evo 3d and an evo shift.
4) Run the LLama app. This will take the longest to configure of the three, click through the app and read the little one time dialogue boxes. This is a great free app, so if you find it useful, please donate some money to the developer. The configuration here may take some tweaking depending on your personal lifestyle, but I will share my current configuration(s):
a) Under Areas, I have Home, work, etc, anyplace there is a reliable wifi connection. Locations are based on cell towers and will need to be 'learned'
b) Under events: I deleted all the defaults and created:
* 'Near Hotspot': At 'locations' home, work, friends, family, school, etc (fill these in with your wifi enabled locations), delay for 4 minutes cancelling delayed if false, then turn on wifi.
* 'Wifi connected' When wifi is connected to <Any Wifi network> run Groove IP, run shortcut 'Forward' (direct dial to contact 'Forward' - *72XXXXXXXXXX), queue another event; wait one minute, disable mobile data (optional)
* 'Wifi Disconnected' When the phone is disconnected from <Any Wifi network> delay for one minute and enable mobile data
(disabling/enabling mobile data are optional but help conserve battery)
* 'Away from hotspot': When the phone disconnects from <Any Wifi network> delay for 2 minutes cancelling delayed if false, then disable Wifi, run a direct dial shortcut 'unforward' (*720), then run an android intent com.gvoip.STOP_GROOVE_IP. For this intent, choose custom, broadcast for the intent send mode, the package name is 'com.gvoip', and the action is 'com.gvoip.STOP_GROOVE_IP', leave everything else blank. This is needed because simply killing groove IP will result in it restarting automatically.
c) leave profile tab alone for now
d) troubleshoot to work out glitches... you can use the little clock icon in LLama to see history and what triggered last events
This does take some initial configuration/tweaking, but once everything works, it's just awesome. Now whenever I'm nearby a wifi hotspot I don't have to pay for minutes when making calls, and SMS through google voice is free always. Best of all, everything happens automatically so you don't forget about connecting wifi, forwarding/unforwarding, or starting/stopping groove IP. Remember to hit thanks if this helps you lower your phone bill.
**Edit**
This guide may still be helpful for a quite a few people, but unfortunately Boost is now using minutes on forwarded inbound connections... which sucks, because they weren't for about 2 months, and nothing changed. What you can do though, is leave out the forwarding aspect of this automation sequence. When people call, just don't answer and call them back right away via groove, or sms from google voice, this way you will still be able to conserve your minutes while on wifi. You still must use minutes both calling and receiving a call while driving or in motion, and google voice is always free for sms.
Terrific guide. Very detailed, thanks button pressed. Quickie question: If I begin a call on WiFi, but wander away from the hotspot coverage, it will drop correct?
Happy Thanksgiving!
Hey KidFromBigD, like your logo, I am a fellow boilermaker
To answer your question: you would drop the call if you were to disconnect from wifi or leave the area. This is why it's important to stay in range of the wifi hotspot, make sure there is no interference by doing a scan initially and setting your router to a channel not occupied. Also make sure transmission or your other torrent client isn't running full throttle, otherwise voice will sound all garbled. In terms of QoS voip should be prioritized, but I don't think all home routers treat groove with priority.
q-killer said:
Hey KidFromBigD, like your logo, I am a fellow boilermaker
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, since I installed llama, I've been obsessed with making it work for me. Truly haven't even scratched the surface of what this thing can do. Of course your original post described how to make VoIP calls with Groove, but running out of minutes hasn't been a problem for me. This is why I like the forums: You never know what you'll see and how you can improve your smartphone experience with a simple app.
PS: Earned my BSEE from Purdue in 1992.
You could port your number to google voice to get around forwarding
I am using GrooveIP and Llama as well, I ported my number to google voice and i have all calls go to 'chat'. when I am on Wifi, I will receive calls, but when I have data turned off (when I am not on wifi I usually do) it goes to voice mail. The fact that Google Voice is involved is transparent to people calling me. I don't think you have anything to lose if you port your number to google voice, because then it can follow you across any carrier, sim card or phone.
If I am expecting an important call I will forward to both my mobile number (sim card number) and to chat. So I can pick up if I need to.
This is not perfect but it saves a ton of minutes.
I would like to have llama change my GV to forward calls only to chat during wifi connections, and then forward to my mobile number when not on wifi. anyone know how to do this?
Thanks for the tutorial

[Q] Reliable VoIP over 4G/LTE

Hello all. I created this thread to get ideas and solutions to a big problem that I am having.
I need to have RELIABLE VoIP over 4G/LTE. By reliable, I mean I will ALWAYS receive my call, and I don't have any difficulties MAKING my calls (like the registration dropping without notice). As I also need SMS across the same number that I am using, the only solution I have found is Google Voice, so that has to be integrated as well.
I think I have tried just about every solution out there to utilize SIP with GV. Either my settings suck on every app I've tried, the app drains power like no tomorrow, or the connection says it's there, but I don't receive my calls. There are only two methods I have found that work great with GV.
1) GrooveIP works great, but only when I first turn it on and sign in, and don't turn off the screen. Once the phone tries to sleep once, my reliability goes way down. In addition, GroovIP doesn't work so well when on the move. Says it is logged in, but doesn't actually work until logged out and back in again.
2) The GV app. This work perfectly, every time, and probably because by its nature it doesn't use SIP at all. The CAVEAT here is, it only intercepts an outgoing "mobile" call. If all you have is a data plan, it won't work.
I want (2) from above to work. I can get a reliable SIP connection from my paid SIP provider, Anveo. What I need is a way to get Android to think my SIP connection IS my mobile connection, so that the GV app will intercept it and call my incoming SIP trunk so that I can make the call.
Any solutions to this that anyone knows of?
bump!
You can use CSipSimple + PBXes.org as a 3rd option. Read this thread for some good information!
The reason for the poorer performance when the screen is off is because Android lowers the wifi power level when in sleep mode to prolong battery, which makes for worse SIP performance. This is also discussed in the thread I linked.
I would like to note here, I do not use WiFi. My setup is strictly high-speed 4G+LTE on AT&T. My ping times are typically very low and data is at least 3 Mbps. That should be plenty to get WiFi like quality, and the phone does not power down the cellular radio (at least, I've never heard of it).
Unfortunately, as far as I can make it work, CSIPsimple can not substitute as a "mobile' network, and therefore make use of the GVoice bridging.
Same situation here with GrooveIP. I am on Prism phone with T-Mobile (don't actually ever get 4G (even though both, the phone and the plan are advertized as 4G, and people right next to me do get 4G from T-mobile), but get stable 3G.
I also noticed it has something to do with Wi-Fi. I think GrooveIP actually prefers Wifi over data connection, because it would be happily green, until I walk into a wifi area and then it goes red and back to green. I didn't know that WiFi gets powered down during sleep. Since it does, then there is no reason keeping in on. Thank you for the tip!
I will have it strictly on data tomorrow (WiFi off), and see if GrooveIP ever disconnects.
Another weird thing about GrooveIP is that when you use it to call you t-mobile message box, the t-mobile system is not able to read your numerical commands, as if it was missing a random number. Say your pin is 1234, then it will "hear" 123, or 234, or 134 and so on.
But, as far as my own search, this is the only app that allows both incoming and outgoing calls and doesn't trigger minutes count as GV does.
OK, today, I changed some more options in GrooveIP, those having to do with GrooveIP staying on, including having my wifi off all day.
Results are negative, still goes red from time to time, but much less often.
Further options include activating the auto renew option (timed resign-on every hour or so).
I believe this should be possible to do.
bluespire said:
What I need is a way to get Android to think my SIP connection IS my mobile connection, so that the GV app will intercept it and call my incoming SIP trunk so that I can make the call.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not 100% sure what you meant by GV app intercepting SIP connection.
acegolfer said:
Not 100% sure what you meant by GV app intercepting SIP connection.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The GV app can intercept a call, and then alters the call log DB and some other things. It sends, via data, a request to GV to have GV bridge the call, thereby using the celluar network to make the call. As I understand, GV calls the number I want using my GV #, then GV calls my cell, bridging the call. Unfortunately, GV will ONLY intercept a call made using the "mobile" connection, and won't intercept my SIP (or "internet") calls.
bluespire said:
As I understand, GV calls the number I want using my GV #, then GV calls my cell, bridging the call.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand bridging is how Google voice website works. Google will call you and then connect to the recipient. But I doubt that's how the android gv app works.
Even with GV app, the phone is initiating the call. All android gv app does is to spoof the caller id (CID) as gv number. So the recipient sees your GV number not the mobile number.
I'm still confused what you are trying to do. Because in the OP, you wrote
"I need to have RELIABLE VoIP over 4G/LTE"
"I can get a reliable SIP connection from my paid SIP provider, Anveo." These 2 are contradictory.
Are you trying to display your GV number as CID when making internet calls? If so, you have 3 options.
1. Ask whether Anveo (whoever your VSP) can spoof your CID. Some allow this.
2. Use pbxes and spoof CID as GV number.
3. Use pbxes with gtalk trunk.
Hope this helps.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
acegolfer said:
I understand bridging is how Google voice website works. Google will call you and then connect to the recipient. But I doubt that's how the android gv app works.
Even with GV app, the phone is initiating the call. All android gv app does is to spoof the caller id (CID) as gv number. So the recipient sees your GV number not the mobile number.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you are correct in that my phone makes the call. However, when I look at my bill, I am calling a few specific numbers. Which means GV is still bridging the call. What the APP does is tell GV to expect my call, and then route me to my actual caller. The GV app then spoofs/alters my call log.
I'm still confused what you are trying to do. Because in the OP, you wrote
"I need to have RELIABLE VoIP over 4G/LTE"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I meant this is my goal.
"I can get a reliable SIP connection from my paid SIP provider, Anveo." These 2 are contradictory.
Are you trying to display your GV number as CID when making internet calls? If so, you have 3 options.
1. Ask whether Anveo (whoever your VSP) can spoof your CID. Some allow this.
2. Use pbxes and spoof CID as GV number.
3. Use pbxes with gtalk trunk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For 1) I'll have to check into this.
For 2) Am I using pbxes for only this purpose? Or am I routing my call via them? So far, I have ONLY been able to get reliable SIP via Anveo. I've tried a number of carriers.
For 3) I tried this. I used SIP Sorcery to bridge IPKall with GVoice. Strangely, the only time I got it to work was in India. Since I got back to the states it hasn't worked, and nothing I do seems to get it to work right. I consider myself very capable at troubleshooting these problems. Therefore, I consider it unreliable. Also, GVoice only allows 1 codec, which from my reading is NOT the best for 4G use.
bluespire said:
For 2) Am I using pbxes for only this purpose? Or am I routing my call via them? So far, I have ONLY been able to get reliable SIP via Anveo. I've tried a number of carriers.
For 3) I tried this. I used SIP Sorcery to bridge IPKall with GVoice. Strangely, the only time I got it to work was in India. Since I got back to the states it hasn't worked, and nothing I do seems to get it to work right. I consider myself very capable at troubleshooting these problems. Therefore, I consider it unreliable. Also, GVoice only allows 1 codec, which from my reading is NOT the best for 4G use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
2. Pbxes is not a VoIP provider. It's a system to manage your VoIP accounts. You can link your reliable anveo within pbxes and have pbxes initiate the call with your gv number showing as cid. You don't need to route the incoming calls.
3. I have used sipsorcery in the past, which is known for its flaky behavior. I agree its completely unreliable. But pbxes with gtalk trunk has been rock solid for me.
If you go to nexus 4 forum, I posted a method to make free VoIP calls using ilbc codec, which is the best codec for mobile data connection. My call quality is often better than tmobile's gsm calls.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
acegolfer said:
2. Pbxes is not a VoIP provider. It's a system to manage your VoIP accounts. You can link your reliable anveo within pbxes and have pbxes initiate the call with your gv number showing as cid. You don't need to route the incoming calls.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought PBXes has a 1000 minute limit or something like that. Would I have all the same features as Sip Sorcery?
3. I have used sipsorcery in the past, which is known for its flaky behavior. I agree its completely unreliable. But pbxes with gtalk trunk has been rock solid for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to know I am not the only one.
If you go to nexus 4 forum, I posted a method to make free VoIP calls using ilbc codec, which is the best codec for mobile data connection. My call quality is often better than tmobile's gsm calls.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you post the link, please?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=35701104
Not easy to do while on the phone.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
acegolfer said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=35701104
Not easy to do while on the phone.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now, when you say "reliable", what caveats are there to that? For instance, have you noticed problems with the phone picking up the call? Ever bad audio, or one-way audio, etc. See here's the thing, I can cope with many problems, but I have to pass the WAD (wife acceptance factor). On top of that, I WANT it to be reliable enough to set up her phone with it. Since both will be on a well-covered AT&T LTE network with low population, the network should not be an issue. I get 4G at my house, but it's good signal. I get up the hill and I'm golden.
bluespire said:
Now, when you say "reliable", what caveats are there to that? For instance, have you noticed problems with the phone picking up the call? Ever bad audio, or one-way audio, etc. See here's the thing, I can cope with many problems, but I have to pass the WAD (wife acceptance factor). On top of that, I WANT it to be reliable enough to set up her phone with it. Since both will be on a well-covered AT&T LTE network with low population, the network should not be an issue. I get 4G at my house, but it's good signal. I get up the hill and I'm golden.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I passed WAF. Good luck!
Most of your issues are answered on that thread.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

SIP Trunk anyone?

Anyone else seen this yet... simonics.com/gvgw
You need a Google voice number... (free)
NO im not spamming this.. i found it ON MY OWN and found it to be really useful since it works. Don't be haters... try it or not... its free and up to you.
I use this with my phone. There are places at my work where the only connection i have is WiFi... this solves the problem and i don't need stupid software to use it... just go to the site, set it up, and put the settings into your phone settings for internet calling.
Ive been using this for a few months now... and no, my Google account has not been hijacked and is a secure encrypted connection through a asterisk server and secure ports.
Read the FAQ on the site... its really simple and works.
our certyles
I've been testing it out a bit, it seems to work pretty well. I plan to drop my phone plan soon actually and just use a Verizon LTE hotspot.
I want to make sure I've got a method fairly reliable in place to make calls/texts with GV, and so far I've had success with the callback method, grooveIP (though the audio still sounds a bit funky), and using simonics and csip simple.
simonics + csip seemed to be the most reliable, though I've hit a snag: It's not allowing me to register my simonics account when I'm connected to my LTE hotspot. Works fine on any other wifi though.
silverwater25 said:
I've been testing it out a bit, it seems to work pretty well. I plan to drop my phone plan soon actually and just use a Verizon LTE hotspot.
I want to make sure I've got a method fairly reliable in place to make calls/texts with GV, and so far I've had success with the callback method, grooveIP (though the audio still sounds a bit funky), and using simonics and csip simple.
simonics + csip seemed to be the most reliable, though I've hit a snag: It's not allowing me to register my simonics account when I'm connected to my LTE hotspot. Works fine on any other wifi though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How does this work? Doesn't a Google Voice number have to forward to a real number and be attached to one? Do you have another number that the GV is attached to?
I don't use a single app for this.
*Setup a Google voice (free)
- set your ringback as Google chat.
*Setup a pbxes.org account (free)
- set a trunk that points to your gchat
If you're on an AOSP ROM, open dialer, go to settings, scroll to bottom, internet call settings, accounts, point to your pbxes account.
Done!
Now you have free incoming + outgoing calls over WiFi or 4G. Even 3G as well.
If you use the sipdroid app (by pbxes.org ppl) instead of the built-in AOSP SIP stack you get more audio encoding options and the ability to pass your calls thru a VPN. Pretty sweet
kennyglass123 said:
How does this work? Doesn't a Google Voice number have to forward to a real number and be attached to one? Do you have another number that the GV is attached to?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm still learning about all this, it's been pretty confusing as it's all new stuff for me. I'll try to explain what I know (or what I think I know)
Internet calls (VOIP) are typically free when connecting to another internet connection (ex. Skype, Kakao, Seed, etc). PSTN (regular phone numbers) cost money to connnect. Google Talk, which is VOIP,. lets you call a PTSN for free from your desktop. This seems pretty unique and likely will not last forever I'm guessing.
Install a softphone on your device, and you're bypassing your carrier's calling network.
Calls coming in:
Now, it's possible to setup a free VOIP account and attach a "real" number to it as a way to connect to the outside world. This service called IPkall can give you a recycled Wash. state number and let you get calls on iit for free. I attached one of these to a Callcentric VOIP account..When someone rings my google voice number, it will ring my IDKall/Callcentric number, which oh yeah doesn't cost me anything.
Calling out:
Callback method: Using apps like the Google Voice Callback, you can do the same thing as you can from your desktop, which is have Google Voice ring one of your numbers while simultaneously calling the number you want to call. Google Voice is acting like the bridge between your phone and the one you're calling. Like you said you need a "real" number to make calls like this with google voice, but if your VOIP account is attached to a "real" number then it doesn't know the difference.Typically your carrier would charge you money/minutes to call your google voice number, but since you're connecting for free with a softphone/VOIP then you're only be charged for whatever data you use.
GrooveIP/Simonics Google Voice Gateway: I really don't know how these work, but my best guess is they're just simplifying the process for you, setting up the second VOIP account automatically.
So I'm annoyed that Csip Simple/simonics isn't working for me when I connect to my verizon sch-lc11 jetpack I picked up a few days ago (the verizon guys were pretty confused when I turned down a free iphone 4s, heh). Groove IP seems to be working all right now, if that fails then I can go back to the callback method, or maybe try setting up a pbx.
Setting the phone up so that it can receive SIP calls tends to chew through battery a little quicker.
Having said that...if you want to do your own thing and have an old pc (or even Raspberry Pi) laying around, check out PBX in a Flash (sorry I can't post links, just Google it). I've been running this setup for about two years to replace my land line with a google voice number and it works great. I've expanded my setup to have a home office number as well. All free. You can also set up your cell as a SIP or IAX extension and have the satisfaction of doing it yourself.
You can also purchase an obi100, and use the ObiTalk app.

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