A Google Voice number allows you to forward calls and messages from one number to all of your other phones, something of a godsend if you have multiple devices. However, Google has announced that the “messaging” part of that equation is about to disappear. The Google Voice app now informs users that “forwarding messages to linked numbers will be stopped soon because mobile operators have started blocking these messages,” according to Android Police.
Call forwarding is not affected, so you can still use your Google Voice number to call all other phones. However, you will only be able to see your Google Voice messages in the Google Voice application located on your phone or on the web. This can cause problems for notifications, as some wearables and other devices do not support notifications directly from Google Voice, such as Android Police noticed. However, you will still be able to receive voice messages at your email address.
Google Voice is one of the oldest Google services, having started in 2009. However, it has only received sporadic updates and users live in fear that one day it could be discontinued like many other Google products. The search giant did not say when SMS forwarding would end, but you will probably want to make sure you have Voice installed on your Android smartphone (s) so you can receive notifications on the go.