Google Voice Invite: The 2009 Military Offer and How to Sign Up Now

Back in 2009 a Google Voice invite was hard to get, and Google gave US military personnel a fast lane to one. This article explains how that military invite worked, why invites are no longer needed, and how to get a Google Voice number today.

Quick answer: You no longer need a Google Voice invite. Google opened Google Voice to everyone in the US in June 2010. Today anyone in the US with a personal Google account can claim a free Google Voice number at voice.google.com, as long as they can verify an existing phone number.

The 2009 Google Voice invite for US military personnel

When Google Voice launched in 2009, it was invite only and invites were hard to get. In August 2009 Google started an initiative to help US service members stay in touch with family and friends: US military personnel could get priority Google Voice invites.

There were two main requirements:

• A .mil email address, as proof of being in the US military.
• Being in the US with a US phone, which was needed to sign up for Google Voice.

Service members requested an invite on a special military page, and Google promised to send the invite within 1-2 days. Everyone else had to use the regular invite request form and wait, which could take weeks.

Why you no longer need a Google Voice invite

The invite system did not last long. In June 2010 Google dropped invites and opened Google Voice to everyone in the US. The military invite page and the public invite request form both disappeared after that, so there is nothing to request any more.

Google Voice itself is still running. It gives you one phone number that can ring your phones, lets you call and text from the app or the web, and turns voicemail into something you can read like email. This short video from Google explains the original idea:

How to get a Google Voice number today

Getting a personal number takes a few minutes:

1. Go to Google Voice on the web, or install the Google Voice app on your phone.
2. Sign in with your personal Google account.
3. Search for an available number by city or area code and pick one.
4. Verify an existing phone number you own. Google uses it to confirm your account and to forward calls.

Once set up, you can call, text and check voicemail from the app or any browser. If you like having your number on paper, Google once handed out free Google Voice number business cards too.

Who can use Google Voice

• US users: the free personal plan and Google Voice numbers are only available in the US.
• Businesses: paid Google Voice plans are sold with Google Workspace, for teams that need managed numbers.
• Outside the US: you can’t get a personal Google Voice number, so a messaging app with calling is the practical choice.

Service members and families today

Military families no longer need special access. Google Voice works for anyone in the US, and when a service member is overseas, the usual choices are internet calling apps that work on Wi-Fi, such as WhatsApp or Signal. Always follow your unit’s rules on which apps and devices you may use.

On an iPhone, Google Voice works through its own app; we covered the Google Voice iPhone app when it first arrived. Calling phones from Gmail on a computer, which we wrote about in free phone calls from Gmail, has since moved to the Google Voice web app.

FAQ

Do I still need a Google Voice invite?

No. Google stopped requiring invites in June 2010. Anyone in the US with a personal Google account can sign up directly.

Is Google Voice free?

The personal plan is free for US users. Google also sells paid Google Voice plans for businesses through Google Workspace.

Can I get a Google Voice number outside the US?

No. Personal Google Voice numbers are only offered in the US, and you need a phone number Google can verify.

What was the Google Voice military invite?

In August 2009 Google gave US military personnel with a .mil email address priority Google Voice invites, sent within 1-2 days, to help them keep in touch with family and friends.