Want to start using Google products on your phone? Good thinking! Here's an overview of what you'll need to be freed from your desk:
From your computer:
- Go to mobile.google.com.
- Select your device type to see what products are available for your phone
- Enter your phone number in the blue box and select the Send link to my phone button. You'll receive a text message from 466453 that contains a link directly to m.google.com where you can access all the free* Google Mobile products for your phone.
From your phone:
- Go to m.google.com in your phone's mobile web browser to see all the free* Google Mobile products available for your phone.
- Select any product to get started using it. In some cases, there will also be a link to a downloadable application version of a product (generally, the app version has more features and is faster).
Want to see this in action? Just watch a video on how to get started on your phone by selecting the link for your phone type:
iPhone
Windows Mobile
Nokia smartphone
Nokia standard
Motorola
Sony Ericsson
Samsung
Products
A lot of Google products have versions made to work with your phone, but you'll also find some additional tricks you can do while you're out and about without downloading anything. Here's a quick look at some of each:
Familiar products
Search: Use Google Search as you would on your desktop.Watch a video on using Search for the iPhone
Mobile Web Search allows you to search for websites that are specifically designed for mobile devices (which is a little different than its desktop counterpart, which allows you to search all the content in the Google search index). Because a lot of the content on the web wasn't written or designed for mobile phones, Google converts these pages to a mobile-ready format.
To access Mobile Web Search, just go to http://www.google.com/m using your phone's browser. To get a feel for how it works, try out this demo from your desktop.
Enter your query in the search box, and you're on your way! You may also want to look here for advanced search tips.
If you find yourself wishing that you could search faster, we've got you covered. You can download a small search shortcut directly to some Nokia devices (N-series and E-series) and most BlackBerry and Windows Mobile 5 and 6 devices. The shortcut allows you to perform a search faster by providing a quick Google Search box without your having to first open an Internet browser and load Google.com. Once you begin your search, the shortcut will automatically open a browser and get you straight to your results. If you're on board, see our phone-specific instructions for installing this shortcut.
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Gmail: Catch up on your mail from anywhere.
Watch a video on using Gmail for mobile
Watch a video on using Gmail for the iPhone
- Check for new mail while away from your computer
- Send and reply to messages on the go
- Organize your inbox with starring, archiving
First things first, you probably know that Gmail is webmail, so if your phone has a web browser on it, all you have to do is go to http://gmail.com (on your phone). You'll get a mobile version of Gmail with familiar features like archiving, labels, and messages grouped into conversations. No setup required!
Now, maybe your phone already comes with its own shiny 'Email' or 'Mail' icon. You already know that you can get Gmail through the web, but if you're just itching to go through some sort of setup process on your phone, it's possible to set up your phone's own email program to work with Gmail.
On a BlackBerry or other Java-enabled* device? Try downloading and installing the Gmail mobile app. Just point your mobile device's browser to http://m.google.com/mail.
* Other phones may be compatible with the app, too. Just visit that same link on your phone, and we'll let you know if yours is compatible.
You can read more detailed information here.
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Maps: Find your destination from anywhere
Watch a video on using Maps for mobile
Watch a video on using Maps for the iPhone
Maps for mobile is a downloadable application that lets you view maps and satellite imagery, find local businesses, and get driving directions on your phone. Like maps.google.com on your desktop, the mobile version provides draggable maps, driving directions, local business listings and satellite imagery. But Maps for mobile is designed for users on the go, so it also provides features like click-to-call that are specific to mobile phones.
Just visit www.google.com/gmm in your mobile web browser to download Google Maps to your phone. Once downloaded, the installation process should start automatically.If you want to test it out before downloading, try our demo first.
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Calendar: Keep up with your schedule
To access Google Calendar from your mobile phone just enter http://www.google.com/calendar in your phone’s web browser.
Here are some of the key highlights:
- The interface is automatically optimized for the phone you’re using
- You can view your Daily Agenda and event details
- You can add events and send event invitations to others
To add an event in, simply use the Quick Add feature. Try typing in something like [Brunch with Mom at Java 11am Sunday] and your event information will automatically appear on your calendar. You may want to refer to the tips at What’s the Quick Add feature? to help you get started.
Note that changes made in Google for mobile will be reflected when you access Google Calendar from your computer, and vice-versa. For example, if you create a new event from your mobile device, the event will appear in Google Calendar the next time you log in from your computer.
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Just for your phone
Use Google SMS to get text message results
Watch a video on using Google SMS
SMS (short messaging service) is a way of sending specialized queries to Google over your phone. You can use this to get movie showtimes, weather information, sports scores, stock market information, and more, all by sending a text message. Here's how:
- Send a text message from your phone to 466453 (if it helps jog your memory, those numbers spell out GOOGLE).
- In your message, use these guidelines to get the information you're looking for:
- You'll receive a text message back from us with your answers.
Enter the movie title followed by the zip code or sity and state you're looking for. We'll return results by theater location and movie details like running time, MPA rating (G, PG-13, R), movie genre and critics' rating.
For what's playing in nearby theaters
If you're just looking for a list of movie theaters near you but don't have a specific movie in mind, enter 'm' followed by your location (zip code or city and state). You'll get a list of movies and showtimes.
Enter the school or team name, or a city and league name. For example: you can send 'dukie,' 'chicago bulls' or 'detroit nhl.' We provide scores for MLB, MLS, NBA, NFL, NHL, NCAA basketball and football, and WNBA games.
Enter a ticker symbol. We'll return recent stock-quote data for the company you specify, including current price from the stock exchange and ECN, volume, average volume, opening price,m day's range, and market capitalization. To ensure that your query is recognized as stock-related, you can always enter the word "stock" before the ticker symbol in your message.
If you'd like translations of words and simple phrases, we support translation to or from English for French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish. To indicate that you'd like a translation, just enter the word 'translate,' followed by the language you want to tralslate to, and the word or phrase you want translated. For example, you can enter [ translate to german directions ] to get the German word for 'directions.'
To get weather information, just enter the word 'weather' followed by a zip code or city and state.
For business listings, enter a zip code or city and state, along with your search terms. For example, try [ Pottery Barn 02116 ], [ Pottery Barn Boston, MA ] or [ pizza 10012 ].
Enter your desired conversion. For example, enter [ 1 eur in gbp ].
We also provide answers on a broad assortment of topics, including authors, inventors, populations, and so on. Since we search the web to find the most relevant sources, we can also retrieve facts that are more obscure or based on current pop culture, like celebrity birthdays. Try it out: send us a query like [ population of Monaco ] and see if you get your answer.
Note that these SMS queries don't return links to websites like regular search results. Instead, you'll get your answers in the text message response.
To get a feel for how this works, you may want to play around with this demo (no actual phone required!).
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Watch a video on using GOOG-411
GOOG-411 is Google's new 411 service, available in the US and Canada. With GOOG-411, you can find local business information completely free, directly from your phone. You can access 1-800-GOOG-411 from any phone, anywhere, at anytime.
Using it is pretty simple: just call the number 1-800-GOOG-411 and when prompted, say the name of the business you're looking for. We'll take it from there.
If you choose to connect to a business through the GOOG-411 service, your caller ID information will become visible to that business. We do not share your information with anyone except in the limited circumstances as outlined in our privacy policy.
To avoid having any information associated with your phone number in the future, just block your caller ID before you call. With many phone services, you can do this by dialing *67 before the phone number. In most cases, you can also block your number through the menus on your mobile phone. For specific details on how to block your caller ID, contact your service provider.
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So there you have a basic introduction on how to start using Google on your mobile phone. If you'd like to read more before diving in, there's plenty more information available in our Help Center. You can also learn from other users in our Help Forum.
*While Google won't charge you for using any of our mobile services, your mobile service provider's SMS and data rates still apply (so, if you pay a fee for each text message you send and receive, you'll still have to pay that to send and receive text messages related to these services). Please contact your service provider for more information.
