u/BluesCatReddit

I've seen a couple of reports of folks having this problem. It is usually described with some curse words about the new UI. We thought at first that people didn't like the new "gradient" icons, but this is unrelated.

If your iOS Google Voice app is displaying texts in a chat as black and white, with black outlines, instead of the usual color-shaded bubbles, this is a bug. To fix it, see my answer in this post:

https://support.google.com/s/community/forum/589387/thread/439673305/message/440197533

I assume this will eventually get properly fixed by Google, but this is an interim solution.

Updated 6/4/2026:

Google Voice now has two standalone offerings that don’t require a Google Workspace domain – Google Voice Starter and Google Voice Standard are now available for purchase by single-user Gmail accounts. Previously, these subscriptions were only available to Google Workspace customers as add-on subscriptions. 

No features are being removed from the free consumer version of Google Voice. You can simply continue to use it if you wish.

These subscriptions are intended for US-resident users with single-user Gmail accounts who want premium Voice features but don’t need or want everything else that comes with Google Workspace. The features are essentially the same as those available in the Google Voice Starter or Standard add-on subscriptions for Workspace, at the same monthly prices, plus varying federal, state and local regulatory fees and taxes. For example, this may appeal to sole proprietor businesses, or independent consultants, or anyone who wants the extra features and benefits.  

Disclaimer: whereas some Google Voice team members have helped fact-check this FAQ, r/googlevoice is an unofficial discussion group, not controlled by Google. More details are available in the official Google Voice Help Center:

For more information, see:

Learn about the new Google Voice Starter plans

Compare Google Voice subscription types

Google Voice Starter Additional Terms of Service

Voice Acceptable Use Policy

Sign up for Voice

Here are some highlights:

1. Google Voice Standalone Standard includes all the features of Starter, plus support for Auto Attendants (learn more).
2. New: A Google Workspace registered domain name is not required.  Standalone service is only for US-resident @gmail.com account holders.
3. New:  Direct customer support from Google is included. You’re still welcome to post on the official Google Voice help community or on Reddit r/googlevoice, but Google’s direct support is the primary place to go for help. Contact Google Workspace Support. 
4. New:  There is no requirement to link a personal phone number.  Since you’ll be paying for the service, there’s no need to use the “claim ticket” tracking method for granting numbers. As always, you can link US-based mobile or land line/VoIP numbers.
5. New: Google Voice Standalone includes call transfer and three-way calling, in addition to the existing hold function, on the in-call interface on the mobile app screen or the desktop website. An in-call button to control call recording is also added. Inbound and outbound call recording are both supported; you are still responsible for compliance with relevant recording laws.
6. New:  Poly Edge E deskphone and ATA 400 support is included.  See our Reddit FAQ on desk phones and ATAs for the eligible Poly products:  Using VoIP devices with Google Voice.  If you already have old, legacy OBiTALK devices on your consumer account, those should still be able to be used on your Google Voice Starter account, although, as before, you cannot add OBiTALK devices not already on your consumer account.  There is no cloud-based UI for any of the old OBi VoIP hardware.
7. New:  E911 service is included, and you will be required to submit a US service address (a physical street address, not a PO Box).
8. New: Since it uses the same phone number provisioning and porting system as Workspace, it can directly port in most land line or mobile numbers, or transfer them in from consumer Google Voice. There’s no charge for porting in or out, aside from the monthly service charges.
9. Google Voice Standalone uses portions of the Google Workspace Administrator Console to perform some number-assignment and related tasks, including porting and location (service address).  Porting-out PINs are available in the Administrator Console.
10. If you cancel your Google Voice Standalone subscription, it will automatically downgrade to consumer Google Voice.  However, you must take manual action to restore your Google Voice number, within 90 days.  See:  Cancel your Voice subscription
11. Existing consumer (personal) Google Voice users will be able to migrate their service to Google Voice Standalone.  Users still on legacy (grandfathered) G-Suite/Workspace accounts will not be able to migrate, as the new service is only available to consumer @gmail.com users. Users with Google Workspace Individual must cancel and downgrade from that service.
12. When existing consumer accounts have two Google Voice numbers, the secondary number will be unassigned during the conversion process but will be available in your number pool and can be ported out to another account.
13. The service is limited to one Google Voice number per @gmail.com user account.  You can change your number at any time. The Standard tier includes a separate number you can use for its auto-attendant feature.
14. There is no inbound or outbound Caller ID Name (CNAM) support, which is also the case with the other Google Voice offerings. Outbound calls only display your telephone number to the called party.
15. Ring groups are not supported in the standalone version of Google Voice Standard. This is because it is a single user subscription. Users that are interested in creating and managing ring groups with multiple users can do so on the Workspace add-on version of Google Voice Standard.
16. Since you’ll be paying invoices monthly, you do not need to worry about your Google Voice number being reclaimed for lack of use.  As long as you pay your bills, you keep the number.
17. Google Voice Standalone has the same Acceptable Use Policy with regard to SMS/MMS text messaging as the existing consumer and Workspace tiers; bulk messaging is not supported, and messages may be blocked if prohibited activity is detected. Prohibited uses include violations of the AUP, including, but not limited to, sales, marketing or customer service messages, automated message sending or automated replies, even if recipients have signed up for notifications.  See this link for more information on prohibited content.
18. There is no update on RCS messaging availability as part of these changes; RCS messaging is not available.
19. These settings, available in consumer Google Voice, are removed:

• Outgoing calls:  Web – Always use my phone to place calls, aka “click-to-call” – not available
• Incoming call options – press 4 to record calls, because this is implemented as a button in the in-call interface
• Payments:  auto-recharge – international calling (from your US Google Voice number to non-US or non-Canadian numbers) is billed with your monthly invoices; no need to pre-pay calling credits
• Voicemail transcripts – transcripts are always enabled
• Call into Voice to listen to voicemail – not available; use the web or mobile UIs or emailed transcript

Articles in the Google Voice Help Center (the official source of information and answers) have been updated to reflect these changes. Please check out the Help Center for lots of how-to information: Google Voice Help Center

To get started: Sign up for Voice

If you see the green "Upgrade" button on your Settings page, you can also tap that to enroll.  If your attempt to enroll encounters an error, check these potential issues:

• Since this service is only available to users located in the USA, confirm that Google knows your location is correctly listed.  This page should show a US state.  If incorrect, submit the form to change it:  https://policies.google.com/country-association-form
• Accounts currently using Google Workspace Individual must cancel that subscription and downgrade to a consumer Google account.  If those features are important to you, you may want to upgrade to a full Workspace domain plan, and add the optional Google Voice for Workspace subscription.
• Google Workspace has a setting to enable you to try out their experimental or "Labs" features.  Make sure you are not enrolled:  To leave Labs, see the bottom section of this article:  https://support.google.com/meet/answer/13447104
• The upgrade procedure might get confused and fail if your browser is signed into multiple Gmail accounts.  Close your browser, and then open an "Incognito" or "Private" browsing window.
• Some landline phone numbers cannot be upgraded to Google Voice Standalone. These were primarily consumer Google Voice numbers added many years ago, and they don't support the text messaging infrastructure of this new service.