Reality is Perception

Google Voice recently updated the settings for Caller ID, and I’ve found that I needed to turn it on to avoid confusing my other contacts that use Google Voice.

The setting is “Caller ID (out)”.  This is for the Caller ID number that your contacts see when you text them. (Currently, it’s for texting only.  As the page shows, caller ID (out) will be available for calls soon.  Currently, it shows your Google Voice number automatically if you call from one of your registered phones.)

There are two options for this setting:

1) “Don’t Change Anything”
This means don’t show your Google Voice number to other Google Voice users.

• Either show the number of the phone you’re using (if it’s not registered with your GV account), or
• show your 406 number (if the phone you’re using is registered on your GV account).

2) “Display my Google Voice number”
This means show your Google Voice number when you text another Google Voice user.

Unfortunately, the default is Option 1.  The default used to be Option 2, which was great, since you don’t need to know the 406 number of other Google Voice users.  Now since Option 1 is the default, I started receiving the 406 number from people I already had their Google Voice number for, so it was definitely confusing.

If you’re using Google Voice actively, I’d highly recommend going into your settings and switching your setting to Option 2.

Leave me a comment, email, tweet or call if you have any questions!