Google dusts off Google Voice and adds three-way calling

Google has updated its Google Voice app to add a refreshed in-call interface with key call control buttons.
The new interface includes a “Transfer” button, an “Add” button that becomes “Merge” when another call is waiting, and a notification-like message on top for hold notifications.
Google Voice now supports three-way conference calls, which can be started by tapping the Add button during an existing call and selecting someone from your contact list.
The feature is currently on extended rollout and will only be available to Google Workspace customers with specific subscriptions or SIP Link plans.
The new interface will be rolled out to all Google Voice users, but it’s unclear if this includes iOS users, as the examples shown are for Android devices.

Google is giving its Google Voice app some much-needed love after leaving it practically untouched for a long time. The company is adding a refreshed in-call interface with key call control buttons lined up in a row, plus the ability to start a three-way conference call.

In a Workspace update today, Google says the call interface now has a prominent and easily accessible layout that looks more like Google Meet. It includes a “Transfer” button to the left of the Hold button, and an “Add” button to the right that changes to “Merge” when you have a second call waiting.

You start a three-way call by tapping the Add button during an existing call and selecting someone from your contact list. Voice will then start a call with the other person and let you merge the calls with a tap. The interface also gives you a notification-like message on top to let you know when someone is on hold and gives you a button to switch between calls.

This three-way calling update is currently on extended rollout that could take up to 15 days or longer; and is only coming to Google Workspace customers who have a Voice Starter, Voice Standard, or Voice Premier subscription, as well as customers with SIP Link Standard and SIP Link Premier. Google says the new looks will come to all Google Voice users; however, it does not mention whether that includes iOS (Google’s examples only show the interface for Android).

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Q. What is Google doing with its Google Voice app?

A. Google is giving its Google Voice app some much-needed love by adding a refreshed in-call interface and the ability to start a three-way conference call.

Q. Who can expect this update first?

A. The three-way calling update is currently on extended rollout, but it will be available to Google Workspace customers with specific subscriptions first.

Q. What types of subscriptions are eligible for this update?

A. Customers with Voice Starter, Voice Standard, or Voice Premier subscriptions, as well as those with SIP Link Standard and SIP Link Premier, can expect the update first.

Q. Will all Google Voice users get the new interface?

A. Google says that the new looks will come to all Google Voice users, but it does not mention whether this includes iOS users.

Q. How do you start a three-way call in Google Voice?

A. You start a three-way call by tapping the Add button during an existing call and selecting someone from your contact list.

Q. What happens when you tap the Add button?

A. When you tap the Add button, Google Voice starts a call with the other person and lets you merge the calls with a tap.

Q. How does the interface notify you of incoming calls or people on hold?

A. The interface gives you a notification-like message on top to let you know when someone is on hold, and also provides a button to switch between calls.

Q. Can you switch between calls in the new interface?

A. Yes, the interface provides a button to switch between calls.

Q. Is this update available for all Google Workspace customers?

A. No, the three-way calling update is currently only available to specific Google Workspace customers with certain subscriptions.

Q. How long will it take for the update to reach all users?

A. The rollout of the update could take up to 15 days or longer.