How to Use Yahoo Messenger to Make Phone Calls

You can make free computer to computer voice calls with Yahoo! Messenger. You can also make inexpensive phone to computer (or computer to phone) voice calls using Yahoo! Voice for Yahoo! Messenger. You'll need some basic equipment to get started making calls over the messenger service. Depending on your calling needs and current phone services, it is possible that these voice calls could potentially save money on long distance calling.

Get a microphone and some computer speakers. Connect both of them to your computer. You can also use computer headsets. In some cases your computer may already have built in speakers and a microphone.

Log into your Yahoo! Messenger account and send a message to the person you want to call. They must be online in order to use the PC to PC free calling service. Select the "Call" option for the person and wait for a reply. The connection will start when the person accepts the invitation and you'll be able to hear each other.

If you want to call phones from your Messenger account on your computer, you'll need the Yahoo! Voice Phone Out Service. This service can be accessed in the link for Yahoo Voice! found on this article page. Keep in mind that this service charges a per minute rate.

If you want to be able to receive incoming calls to your Yahoo! Messenger account from other phones, you'll need to sign up for the Yahoo! Voice Phone service (also available in the same link mentioned above and available on this article page). You'll be assigned a unique telephone number that people can call from any phone. If you are online and logged into Yahoo! Messenger, the call will go through to your computer. Again this service comes with a per minute charge.

Keep in mind that slower internet connections (like dial-up) may not be able to handle these voice calls. Also emergency service numbers like 911 may not be accessible through Yahoo! Voice services.