Haven't connected Google Voice yet? You'll need to connect your Google Voice number to SkipCalls first before following this guide.
Why This Matters
By default, Google Voice plays a greeting and asks callers to announce themselves before connecting. This interferes with your SkipCalls AI receptionist and creates a poor caller experience.
To fix this, you need to disable call screening so calls go directly to your AI receptionist.
Important: These settings can only be configured on a computer at voice.google.com — the mobile app doesn't allow you to create or edit rules.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Access Google Voice Settings on Your Computer
Go to voice.google.com on your computer
Click the Settings icon ⚙️ in the top right
Select Calls from the left menu
2. Create a Custom Call Forwarding Rule
Find the "Custom call forwarding" section
Click "Create a rule"
In the search bar, add the contacts this rule applies to:
You can select specific contacts or groups
For all incoming calls, create a rule covering all your contacts
3. Configure the Rule Settings (Most Important Step!)
When setting up your rule:
Forward calls to your SkipCalls number:
Under "Take the following action," select Forward calls
Under "Forward to these numbers," select your SkipCalls number (the number you linked earlier)
Disable call screening (CRITICAL):
Find the "Screen the call" option
Select "Never screen"
This ensures calls go directly to SkipCalls without Google Voice intercepting them
Save your rule:
Click Save at the bottom of the dialog
4. Turn Off General Call Screening
Back on the main Calls settings page:
Find the "Screen calls" toggle
Turn it OFF
5. Verify Your Settings
Double-check:
✓ "Screen calls" toggle is OFF
✓ Your custom rule shows "Never screen" under "Manage rules"
✓ Your SkipCalls number is selected in the rule
Testing Your Setup
Call your Google Voice number from another phone:
What should happen:
Call immediately forwards to your SkipCalls AI receptionist
NO Google Voice greeting or screening message
AI receptionist answers directly
If you still hear Google Voice prompts:
Check that "Never screen" is selected in your custom rule
Verify the "Screen calls" toggle is OFF
Make sure your rule applies to the caller's contact
Troubleshooting
Calls still being screened?
Verify you created the rule on voice.google.com (not mobile app)
Confirm "Never screen" is selected in your rule
Check that the rule applies to incoming callers
Calls not forwarding?
Confirm your SkipCalls number is linked in "Call forwarding" section
Check that the toggle next to your number is ON (green)
Verify the rule is set to "Forward calls" to your linked number
Need to edit a rule?
Go to Settings → Calls → Manage rules
Click the Edit icon next to the rule
Make changes and click Save
All incoming calls show the same phone number (your Google Voice number)?
Go to voice.google.com → Settings → Calls
Find "Show my Google Voice number when forwarding calls"
Turn this OFF
When this is ON, Google Voice replaces the real caller's number with your Google Voice number — so every call appears to come from the same number and your AI can't identify different callers
Additional Tips
Managing multiple rules: If you have existing rules, they apply in order — the first matching rule takes priority. Use "Move up in the list" to reorder if needed.
Incoming call options: Turn OFF "Incoming call options" to prevent recording announcements that might interfere with your AI.
Need Help?
If you're still experiencing issues, contact SkipCalls support with:
A screenshot of your Google Voice Calls settings
What happens when someone calls your Google Voice number
Whether you can see your custom rule in "Manage rules"
We're here to help! 😊