Category Archives: Mobile Devices

Welcome to the Mobile Devices category at Mobile Wise Guy! Here you will find a wide selection of wireless phones and devices including tablets, smartwatches, and connected devices to help you stay connected on-the-go.

Our mobile devices are designed to keep you connected to the world around you, whether you’re at home, at work, or on the move. With features like high-speed data connections, long battery life, and advanced software, our devices make it easy to stay connected to your friends, family, and colleagues no matter where you are.

From the latest smartphones and tablets to smartwatches and connected devices, our selection of mobile devices has something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a powerful device for work or a fun and entertainment-focused device for play, we’ve got you covered.

We carry devices from all the top manufacturers, including Apple, Samsung, LG, Google, and more. Our selection of devices includes both new and refurbished models, so you can find the perfect device to fit your needs and budget.

At Mobile Wise Guy, we pride ourselves on providing our customers with the highest quality mobile devices at affordable prices. Whether you’re looking for a new phone, tablet, smartwatch, or connected device, you’ll find what you’re looking for in our Mobile Devices category. So browse our selection today and stay connected with the world around you!

How I Use Google Voice Voicemail for Unified Voicemail on AT&T and Verizon Phones

How I Use Google Voice Voicemail on AT&T and Verizon Phones

Managing multiple phones across different carriers brought some challenges for me—especially when voicemails were scattered between devices. Google Voice offers a great way to unify voicemail, even if your devices are split between AT&T and Verizon.

My Experience

I was having issues where the native voicemail from my AT&T and Verizon phone numbers would sometimes pick up if I did not answer or rejected the call. This fragmented my voicemail and made tracking missed messages difficult. I only wanted Google Voice voicemail to pick up so I could have a centralized inbox.

Additionally, I set Google Voice to prefer Wi-Fi and mobile data for seamless calls and visual voicemail access. However, on my Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra on AT&T, the ringtone was only using notification alerts and could not be changed, which made it hard to distinguish incoming calls. I also found better cellular reception with the regular AT&T service, which improved call quality.

Setting up call forwarding from my AT&T and Verizon numbers to Google Voice resolved both the voicemail and ringtone issues, allowing me to manage Google Voice across all my devices—computers, tablets, laptops, and multiple phones—with ease and better call handling.

Why I Use Google Voice for Voicemail Unification

If you juggle two phones—one with AT&T and one with Verizon—Google Voice lets you consolidate your voicemails into one inbox. This is especially useful for professionals, consultants, and frequent travelers who manage multiple lines.

How I Set Up Conditional Call Forwarding on AT&T

To make sure all missed calls route to my Google Voice voicemail, I activated conditional call forwarding on my AT&T phone by dialing these codes (substitute GVNUMBER with your full Google Voice number):

  • Unanswered calls: *61*GVNUMBER#
  • Phone unreachable: *62*GVNUMBER#
  • Busy line: *67*GVNUMBER#

Each code needs to be dialed separately with confirmation tones following. This setup ensures only my Google Voice voicemail picks up under these conditions.

How I Set Up Single-Step Forwarding on Verizon

On my Verizon phone, setup was simpler—I dialed *71 plus my Google Voice number, which activates conditional forwarding for unanswered, busy, or unreachable calls.

After dialing, I tested forwarding by calling my Verizon number from another device to ensure voicemail routed correctly. If I ever need to disable forwarding, I can dial *73 or adjust settings on my Verizon account portal.

How I Manage Data Use and Troubleshoot

  • I make sure my Google Voice number isn’t linked in the app to avoid call routing loops or conflicts.
  • I set Google Voice to prefer Wi-Fi and mobile data for calls and visual voicemail access.
  • If calls don’t route correctly, I check my carrier app or contact support to confirm forwarding is active.

Summary Table of How I Use Forwarding

Carrier Forwarding Code(s) What It Does
AT&T *61*GVNUMBER# (Unanswered)
*62*GVNUMBER# (Unreachable)
*67*GVNUMBER# (Busy)
Forwards missed calls to Google Voice voicemail
Verizon *71GVNUMBER (All missed calls) Forwards missed calls to Google Voice voicemail

Using Google Voice with these forwarding setups means all my missed calls from both AT&T and Verizon go directly to my Google Voice voicemail, making call and message management seamless and simple.

How to Turn Off Google Voice Call Forwarding Features

Note: This describes how I turned off forwarding for my Google Voice number. The instructions below should work to turn off call forwarding for any phone number on AT&T or Verizon networks.

  • AT&T: Dial ##21# and press Call. You should hear a confirmation tone indicating all call forwarding is disabled.
  • Verizon: Dial *73 and press Call. Wait for the confirmation tone to know that forwarding is turned off.

These codes deactivate all conditional and unconditional call forwarding, stopping calls from being forwarded to Google Voice or any other number.

How to Properly Activate a Phone on AT&T (New Lines, Upgrades & Ports)

How to Activate an AT&T Phone: New Lines, Upgrades & Number Transfers

Activating a new AT&T phone is different from transferring your photos, contacts, apps, or other information. Whether you are activating a new line, upgrading an existing phone, or bringing a number from another carrier, the important step is making sure AT&T has activated the correct device and SIM or eSIM on the wireless line.

This guide covers standard AT&T Wireless activation. If the phone is on an AT&T Business account, use the more detailed AT&T Business Device Activation Guide.

Before You Activate an Upgrade

If you are replacing an existing phone, transfer your important information before activating the new device whenever possible. Activating the new phone can move cellular service away from the old phone.

  • Transfer contacts, photos, messages, apps, and other important data.
  • Make sure you know your Apple or Google account password.
  • Move or prepare any authenticator apps used for two-factor authentication.
  • Keep the old phone until the new phone is completely working.

How to Activate an AT&T Phone

  1. Turn on the new phone and connect it to Wi-Fi if possible.
  2. If the phone uses a physical SIM, make sure the correct AT&T SIM is installed. If it uses eSIM, follow the setup instructions provided on the phone or with your AT&T order.
  3. Go to the official AT&T wireless activation page: att.com/activations/activatewireless.
  4. Enter the wireless number and billing or shipping ZIP Code requested by AT&T.
  5. Follow the activation and eSIM or SIM instructions shown for your device.
  6. Restart the phone after activation if prompted or if service does not appear immediately.
  7. Test a phone call, text message, and cellular data connection.

If you have a brand-new line with a new phone number, AT&T says the device may already be activated. Try making a call first. If service is not working, use the activation page above.

Transferring Your Number From Another Carrier

If you are bringing a phone number to AT&T, do not cancel service with your old carrier first. Your existing number generally needs to remain active until the transfer is completed.

Make sure AT&T has the correct information from your old carrier, including your account number and transfer PIN or passcode when required. Incorrect information can delay the transfer.

You can check the status of a transfer using AT&T’s Number Transfer Status page.

During a number transfer, there may be a short period when service behaves differently between the old and new phones. AT&T says mixed service can sometimes occur for several hours, and SMS/MMS messaging may take additional time to fully update. Depending on the previous carrier and type of transfer, the complete transfer process can range from a few minutes to several business days.

What About eSIM?

An eSIM is simply the digital version of a physical SIM. The exact setup process can vary by phone and by how the device was ordered. Follow the prompts shown on your phone and any instructions supplied with your AT&T order.

Do not assume that copying an eSIM or transferring information from your old phone means the AT&T line itself has been activated. After setup, always test calling, texting, and cellular data.

Content Transfer and Activation Are Different

Moving your photos, contacts, applications, messages, and settings does not by itself activate AT&T wireless service. Likewise, cellular activation does not guarantee that all of your personal information has transferred.

For an upgrade, the safest sequence is:

  1. Transfer important information from the old phone.
  2. Activate the new AT&T phone.
  3. Complete any SIM or eSIM setup.
  4. Test calling, texting, and cellular data.
  5. Verify your apps, photos, contacts, and authentication tools.
  6. Only then erase, reset, trade in, or ship the old phone.

Before You Erase or Trade In Your Old Phone

Do not erase the old phone just because the new phone turns on. Confirm that everything important is working first.

  • Place and receive a call.
  • Send and receive a text message.
  • Turn off Wi-Fi and make sure cellular data works.
  • Check your contacts, photos, messages, and important apps.
  • Confirm any authentication apps or business login tools are working.
  • Turn off Find My or other activation-lock features before a trade-in when required.

Having Trouble Activating?

If activation is not completing, first confirm that you are using the correct wireless number, device, SIM or eSIM, and account ZIP Code. Restart the phone after AT&T confirms activation and test it again.

For AT&T Wireless support, call 800-331-0500 or dial 611 from an AT&T phone.


Using an AT&T Business account?
Business activations can involve company ordering, ports, device enrollment, MDM, watches, tablets, hotspots, and other business-specific requirements. See the complete AT&T Business Activation Guide on WirelessConsultant.net.