How to Disable Google Voice Call Screening

If you give out your Google Voice number to a lot of people, call screening might just annoy a lot of people. It’s easy to disable. Or if you live for it, you can tweak it.

When someone calls Google Voice it will screen the call and ask the caller to state their name before proceeding to connect. This catches a lot of people off guard, and it’s a dead giveaway you’ve given them your Google Voice number instead of your real number. I have met some people who get offended or confused by this.

not sure if real number or fake google voice number

If you’re like me, you don’t want callers to know you’re using Google Voice. For that to become a reality, you need to disable call screening. Fortunately, it’s easy to do.

Make sure you’re logged in to your Google account, then visit Google Voice’s Call Settings Page. You get there by clicking the Gear >> Settings menu from your Google Voice page or clicking the link up there.

google voice settings

From the Settings >> Calls tab just check the Off bullet next to Call Screening.

disable call screening

Scroll down to the bottom and Save Changes. All done!

save settings

Now when people call you it will ring like a normal phone. If you really want to keep the fact you use Google Voice a secret, customize your Voicemail greeting.

1 Comment

D de sha August 8, 2021 at 2:24 pm

The example page you show with tabs does not come up for me. I get a list of options, and Call includes nothing about screening, yet I have to press 1 to answer the call on my cell. I can find no way to turn call screening off … or on, for that matter. [Windows 10, and Samsung s20plus.]