How to Receive Phone Calls in Gmail

Talk on your phone through Gmail with Google Voice

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by Heinz Tschabitscher
A former freelance contributor who has reviewed hundreds of email programs and services since 1997.
Updated July 04, 2019

If you have a Google Voice number, you can make and receive phone calls from Gmail chat. Learn how to talk to anyone for free through your computer.

Instructions in this article apply to the web version of Gmail. All steps are the same for every browser.

How to Receive Phone Calls in Gmail

To receive phone calls through Google Voice in Gmail:

  1. Download and install the Google Hangouts plugin.

    Download and install the Google Hangouts plugin.

  2. Make at least one phone call from Gmail. To do so, open Gmail in your browser and select the phone icon in the bottom-left corner, then select Make a call.

    Make at least one phone call from Gmail. To do so, open Gmail in your browser and select the phone icon in the bottom right corner, then select Make a call.

  3. Open Google Voice in your browser and select the gear in the top-right corner to open the Settings.

    Open Google Voice in your browser and select the gear in the top-right corner to open the Settings.

  4. Select Calls on the left side, then make sure the Web option is enabled under My devices.

    Select Calls on the left side, then make sure the Web option is enabled under My devices.

  5. The next time somebody calls your Google Voice number, Gmail will ring and present an Incoming call alert. Select the green phone to answer.

    The next time somebody calls your Google Voice number, Gmail will ring and present an Incoming call alert. Select the green phone to answer.