How To Make Phone Calls Using Gmail?

Google recently integrated its Google Voice and Gmail to let Gmail users make any phone calls right from the Gmail inbox. One of the nice features of the phone calls in Gmail is that it is free of charge in US and Canada (at least till the end of the year). The international calls are moderately priced, when compared to other VoIP options available.

Google’s phone calls in Gmail is a direct competitor the most used Skype and Google’s plans are even cheaper to attract people from Skype to Google. As of now this new feature is available only to Gmail users in US.

How To Call Phones from Gmail?

It is straightforward to get started and give a try making calls from your Gmail inbox. Here are simple step by step instructions to make calls from your Gmail.

1. Sign in to your Gmail chat  (This is in addition to signing into Gmail account.)
2. If you have never used Gmail chat for Voice calls or video calls between computers, you need to install Google Voice and Video chat plug-in.
3. Google is rolling out the Calls to Phone feature gradually to US Gmail users. If your account has the Gmail calling feature, you will see “Call Phone” in your top of the chat contact list.
4. To get started, Click the Call phone link  to open up the Call window with dial pad. When you click for the first time, you will be asked to accept the term of service. You are all set to make calls after accepting the terms of service. Google automatically gives you a credit of .$10 to make international calls.

Now you are all set to make phone calls to US and Canada for free from Gmail. If you want to receive phone calls to your Gmail, you need to have a Google Voice account.

How to Disable “Call Phone” in Gmail?

If you don’t want to see the Call phone option in your Gmail, you can disable it by using the following steps.

1. Go to Gmail Settings. (located at the top right corner)
2. Click on Chat tab.
3. Go to the Google Voice section and choose to Disable outbound voice calling.

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