How to screen calls with Google Assistant

Are you tired of random spam calls, telemarketers, scammers, robocalls, or overall unwanted calls? Sometimes it’s hard to differentiate legit calls from undesired ones. This is why Google has included a feature for screening calls before you answer them. When enabled, Call Screen will allow Google Assistant to pick up your calls, then ask who’s calling and why. Users can then listen to the answers and decide whether to pick up or not.

Setting up Call Screen can be a bit confusing, so we’re doing our part by creating a comprehensive guide for you. Let’s get right to it.

Editor’s note: We’ve put together instructions in this guide using a Google Pixel 7 running Android 13. Steps may differ depending on your specific device and software version.

Does my Pixel phone support screen calling?

Call Screen works on all Pixel devices, starting from the first one all the way up to the Pixel 7 series and the Pixel 7a. Not every Pixel user will be able to enjoy the feature, though. Automatic call screening only works in the US. You can also manually screen calls with Google Assistant only in supported countries.

Countries where manual Call Screen is supported:

How to set up screen calling on your Google Pixel

If you’re using a Pixel phone and live in a supported region, it’s time to set up Call Screen. You’ll first have to decide how you want to use Call Screen. You can either activate it manually or have it answer calls automatically.

How to automatically screen calls on a Google Pixel:

If you want all unknown calls to be screened, you’ll have to set up automatic Call Screen. Remember that the feature will only activate call screening for unknown numbers or private calls. People in your contacts won’t be sent to Call Screen.

1. Make sure the Phone app is updated to the latest version.
2. Launch the Phone app.
3. Hit the three-dot menu button.
4. Go into Settings.
5. Select Spam and Call Screen.
6. Make sure to turn on See caller and spam ID.
7. Hit Call Screen.
8. Go to the Unknown call settings and pick which callers you want to screen.
9. Pick Automatically screen. Decline robocalls under each type of caller.
10. You can also choose to Save Call Screen audio.

After this, you’ll be notified when Google Assistant screens a call. It will read, “Screening an unknown call.” You can also choose to Answer or Decline.

How to manually use Call Screen

If you’d like to take control of call screening, you can opt to screen calls manually.

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Hit the three-dot menu button.
3. Go into Settings.
4. Select Call Screen.
5. Follow the steps to set it up.
6. Next time you get a call from an unknown number, you should see an option that says Screen call.
7. Google Assistant will answer and start asking questions. You’ll get a live transcript of the answers.
8. You can pick up the call, hang up, or ask additional suggested questions. These suggested questions include: “Is it urgent?,” “Report as spam,” “I’ll call you back,” and “I can’t understand.”

How to access transcripts or save recordings from your screened calls

When you screen calls with Google Assistant, transcripts will be automatically saved. You can also opt to save these recordings, though. Here’s how!

1. Launch the Phone app.
2. Hit the three-dot menu button.
3. Go into Settings.
4. Select Spam and Call Screen.
5. Hit Call Screen.
6. During the setup, choose to Save Call Screen audio.
7. Go back to the Phone app’s main page.
8. Go into the Recents tab.
9. Hit the screened call. It will have a Google Assistant logo next to it.
10. Tap Transcript or Transcript and audio.
11. You can also select History and go to See transcript.

How to change the assistant voice for screened calls

There aren’t many options, but you can change the Google Assistant Voice callers hear, if you prefer. Currently, you can pick between the female voice (which we all know and love), or the male voice.

1. Launch the Phone app.
2. Hit the three-dot menu button.
3. Go into Settings.
4. Select Spam and Call Screen.
5. Hit Call Screen.
6. Select Voice.
7. Pick between Voice 1 or Voice 2.

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