Google dusts off Google Voice and adds three-way calling

Google is giving its Google Voice app some much-needed love after leaving it practically untouched for a long time. The company is adding a refreshed in-call interface with key call control buttons lined up in a row, plus the ability to start a three-way conference call.

In a Workspace update today, Google says the call interface now has a prominent and easily accessible layout that looks more like Google Meet. It includes a “Transfer” button to the left of the Hold button, and an “Add” button to the right that changes to “Merge” when you have a second call waiting.

You start a three-way call by tapping the Add button during an existing call and selecting someone from your contact list. Voice will then start a call with the other person and let you merge the calls with a tap. The interface also gives you a notification-like message on top to let you know when someone is on hold and gives you a button to switch between calls.

This three-way calling update is currently on extended rollout that could take up to 15 days or longer; and is only coming to Google Workspace customers who have a Voice Starter, Voice Standard, or Voice Premier subscription, as well as customers with SIP Link Standard and SIP Link Premier. Google says the new looks will come to all Google Voice users; however, it does not mention whether that includes iOS (Google’s examples only show the interface for Android).