Your Guide to Learning How Google Hangouts Works

Google Hangouts is a communication app that most likely came preinstalled on your device. It is still the most popular Google communication app. Google Voice is another communication app, but it has proven less popular due to infrequent updates. However, after nearly five years, Google Voice has received some much-needed updates that will allow it to better match, and integrate with, Google Hangouts. You might want to test both apps out and see which one you like better, but you can use them together. Nonetheless, consider this your guide to Google Hangouts.

The Basics of Google Hangouts

Google Hangouts features a minimal design that resembles Google’s general aesthetic. As mentioned, it’s a communication app, which means that you use it to communicate with friends via text messages, voice calls, video calls, photos, emojis, animated GIFs, and etc. When you message or call someone, you are essentially starting a “hangout” session with them. You can create group chats with up to 150 people, and video calls with up to 10 people.

Read More: Here Are the New Updates Coming to Google Voice

How to Get Started

Before you can use Google Hangouts, you’ll need to have a Google account to connect to the app. You can access Hangouts on your Android smartphone, tablet, PC, or even various Apple products. You can access Hangouts on your computer through your Gmail account, a Chrome extension, the official website, or an app. In order to get the full use out of Hangouts, you’ll want to verify your mobile phone number. That way, you can easily contact others from all of your devices, and they can easily contact you.

How to Make Phone Calls and Send Texts

Phone calls can be made using Wi-Fi or your phone’s data. Almost all calls made in the US and Canada are free. International calling rates vary from country to country; you can find out the rates on the Hangouts website. Calls to France, for example, are 6 cents per minute, while calls to Mexico are 2 cents per minute. In order to make calls that require a fee, you’ll click the “+” button in the Hangouts Dialer app. That will take you to another page that’s connected to your Google account, where you can add credit for making international (etc.) calls.

In order to send texts to others through Hangouts, you’ll need a mobile phone plan. That way, you can send and receive texts through your phone number. This is an element of the innovative idea that you are connected to a specific phone number, not a device, meaning that you should be able to access that number on whichever device you’re currently using.