Google Voice Is Not Receiving SMS

Application Providers
One of the known issues with Google Voice text messaging deals with SMS interoperability. This means that the problem is not necessarily with Google Voice, but it deals with the way the SMS messages are sent and translated between apps like Skype and other similar means of communication. If you experience this problem, you will need to use another means of sending your message. Google continually improves its products and may eventually come up with a solution for this issue.
Notifications
If you are using Google Voice on an Android phone or another type of smartphone, you may not be getting your notifications. The Google Voice application allows you to turn on and off the SMS notifications on your phone. If you are not getting text messages from your phone, you may accidentally have turned off your notifications in the settings of the app. To fix this problem, you simply need to go back into the settings and turn on the notifications.
Initial Setup
Some people have problems with receiving text messages immediately after they set up their Google Voice account. When this happens, allow some time and then try to receive a text message again. Sometimes, it takes some time to get the account activated on Google's end. During this phase, you may not be able to receive text messages as you normally would. After waiting 30 minutes to an hour, this problem should not be an issue any longer.
Considerations
Another potential issue could involve the settings in your Google Voice account. Log in to your Google Voice account online and go to the settings. In this area, you have the option of turning off SMS messaging or simply turning off the forwarding of the messages to your cell phone. If either one of these options is turned off, you will not receive text messages on your cell phone. The message may be stored in your online Google Voice account.

How to Make Your Number Private When Texting

1. Navigate to a free text to cell phone site on the Internet from a cell phone or computer. Free sites for sending anonymous text messages include AnonTxt.com, Textforfree.net and Txtemnow.com.
2. Enter the 10-digit cell phone number, including area code and 7-digit phone number, that will be receiving your anonymous text message. Do not enter '1' before the area code. Do not add spaces between the numbers and do not type dashes or periods.
3. Type your text message in the box provided on the website. Text messages are limited to a certain number of characters including spaces. The message will be limited to 140 to 160 characters.
4. Enter the verification code and click on 'Send Message.' Your text message will be sent to the recipient anonymously. You never enter your cell phone number and the recipient has no way to track the origin of the call. Some services will append the text message with 'anontxt' or a similar notification so the recipient is aware that the message was sent from an anonymous online service.

The Best Ways to Send Text Messages to Large Groups

Non-smartphone
Just as cell phone models vary by brand and wireless carrier, specific instructions will also be different. Refer to your cell phone manual or user guide for instructions on how to send a text message to multiple recipients.
BlackBerry
Go to your Main Menu and select your Contacts icon. Click the BlackBerry logo button to pull up the 'Contacts Menu' options. Select 'New Group' from that menu. Type in a name for your group then begin adding members into your group by selecting contacts listed in your phone book. Save your new group. Once saved, go back to your 'Home' screen and click on the 'Text Messages' icon. Click the BlackBerry logo button and select 'Compose Text Message.' A popup window will appear for you to add contacts for recipients of your text message. Type in the name of the group you just created and confirm. Type your text message and send. Everyone listed in that group will receive your text message.
iPhone
Before you can send a text message, you must first turn on the 'Group Messaging' feature on your iPhone. You can do this under the 'Settings' menu. Unlike the BlackBerry, you must manually enter the mobile number for each recipient you would like to send your text message to. If you plan on sending mass text messaging often, you can save time with future texts by first saving cell phone numbers in your Contacts.
Computer
Wireless carriers also provide customers with the service to send text messages online. Log on to your mobile carrier website and place your mouse over the 'Services' link from the main navigation menu. In the pull down menu, select the link for 'Send a Text Message' -- or similar titled link. Type in the 10-digit cell phone number or mobile phone email address for the first recipient you'd like to send a text message to in the 'Send To:' field. As you type additional phone numbers or email addresses, separate each with a comma. Type in your name or your own 10-digit cell phone number in the 'From:' field. Type your message in the 'Your Message:' field, then press the 'Send' button. You can only send SMS (text only) messages online with no media attachments, such as photos or videos.

How to Send Games to a Cell Phone

1. Open a web browser. Navigate to your service provider's cell phone game web page. Click to select the game you want for your phone.
2. Find your model of cell phone and click on it. You may be notified that the game you want is not available for your particular phone. If so, select a different game.
3. Click to add the game to your shopping cart or to buy the game immediately. The process will vary depending on your cell phone provider.
4. Enter your cell phone number when prompted. Depending on the provider, you may need to pay for the game immediately or you may have the cost of the game added to your cell phone bill. When you have made (or set up) any required payment the game will be sent from the service provider to your cell phone.
5. Set up the game on your cell phone according to the installation instructions.

How to Get Free Cell Service

1. Familiarize yourself with participating states. As of 2010, SafeLink offers service in Ala, Ark, Conn, D.C, Del, Fla, Ga, Ill, La, Mass, Md, Ma, Mich, Miss, Mo, Nev, N.H, N.J, N.Y, N.C, Oh, Pa, R.I, S.C, Tenn, TX, VA, Wash, W.Va, Wis and Puerto Rico. Eligibility is determined by the state in which you reside, but generally, if you are currently receiving public assistance such as Food Stamps, Medicaid or Tempary Assistance Needy Families, you may qualify for the service. Contact SafeLink (WWW.SAFELINKWIRELESS.COM) to verify your eligibility.
2. Find a copy of your last tax return; SafeLink will require you to provide proof of your household income. If you don't have you last tax return you may also use last three pay check stubs.
3. Choose your calling plan. SafeLink offers three calling plans, but depending on your income, you may be limited in what plans to you may choose from. SafeLink uses that discount that the FCC used to give on a land line service to purchase minutes for your wireless service. For example; if you have an income of $1,000 per month, the FCC may have given you a $30.00 per month discount on your land line service. SafeLink will take that $30.00 and purchase minutes for your wireless phone instead. Your neighbor may have an income on $800 per month. The FCC might give him a bigger discount, maybe $70.00 per month; therefor your neighbor would be eligible for a larger wireless plan that you.

How to Make Your Own Phone Screen Saver for Free

Cell Phone Screensaver with Zedge
1. Sign up at the Zedge website by clicking 'Sign up' on the home page. Fill in all of the required information, including the type of phone you own. Click 'Tools' from the bar at the top, then scroll down and click on 'Screen Saver Maker.'
2. Select the desired animation for your screen saver. You will be guided in also selecting a background color and font type. When the 'Text color' drop-down menu appears, click on it to select the font color. Open the drop-down menu at the bottom of the page to pick the screen saver size.
3. Select 'Create Screensaver' to see your screen saver. Beneath the screen saver, click the 'PC Download' button and click 'Save.' The screen saver should now be saved to your desktop.
Create Cell Phone Screen Saver with Red Dodo
4. Visit the Red Dodo website (see References) and click on a template. Pick the type of phone you have from the drop-down menu, as well as the resolution. Type the desired screen saver text.
5. Click 'Refresh Preview' to see your finished screen saver. Right-click the image and pick 'Save image as' to save it to your desktop. Use Cable or Bluetooth to transfer it to your phone.
6. Send the link where the screen saver is stored to share it with other cell phones. Create a text message with the link. The screen saver can be downloaded to the phones by opening the text message and clicking the link.
CellMind Screen Saver Maker
7. Select 'Create' from the top toolbar on the CellMind website, then select 'Make Screensavers.' Pick your desired animation and click on it. Beneath 'Browsing Options,' pick the dimensions for your phone to find a background. Click on the desired background.
8. Click the chosen font for the screen saver, then enter the screen saver text in the two 'Animation text' fields. Click on the 'Text color' drop-down menu to select a color for your text.
9. Select 'Generate' to create your screen saver. A dialog will appear telling you that it may take a few minutes to generate the screen saver. Click 'OK.' Click 'Download this screensaver' to save the screen saver to your desktop.

How to Send International Text Messages Online

1. Register on an Internet site that offers international text messaging, such as Gecko&Fly, FreeGlobeSMS or SendSMSNow (see Resources). Create a user name and password and provide an email address. Once you register, a confirmation email will be sent to your email account. Click on the confirmation link to continue.
2. Login to the website and click on 'Create a message' to start writing your text message. In the 'To' field, enter the number of the mobile phone you want your text message to go to. Select the country and mobile provider of your recipient.
3. Write your text message. Note that SMS (which stands for 'short message service') messages only allow 130 to 140 characters per message; exceeding the limit may cause the message to be divided into two parts.
4. Click 'Send' and enter the verification code once you are done with your text message. A confirmation will appear after the message has been sent.