Google Phone App Brings Urgent Call Alerts To Android: Google is rolling out a new calling experience in the Phone by Google app that makes it easier for people to understand why a call is coming in. The update allows callers to signal the reason for their call, including whether it is urgent. This is the first time Android has offered a feature like this, and it is already available to some beta testers.
Until now, Android users mainly relied on tools like Starred Contacts or repeat caller settings to manage important calls. While helpful, these options were often too basic and did not always give enough context. Google is now changing that with a new feature called Expressive Calling, which is currently part of the Google Phone app beta, as reported by 9to5Google.
Adding Context Before You Answer
With Expressive Calling, contacts can share the reason for their call before you pick up. This feature was first spotted back in November and was officially confirmed by Google earlier this month.
The idea is simple but useful. When placing a call, the app can ask if the call is urgent. If the caller selects urgent, the person receiving the call will see an “It’s urgent!” message along with an animated siren emoji. If the call is missed, the urgent label remains in the call log, making it clear that the call mattered.
Helpful Even When Do Not Disturb Is On
This update connects with a wider feature Google has been testing called Call Reason. Instead of calls feeling like random interruptions, Android can now give them more meaning. This is especially helpful when Do Not Disturb is enabled.
Depending on the settings chosen by the person receiving the call, an urgent call can either break through Do Not Disturb or appear quietly while still being clearly marked as important.
More Control Without Permanent Exceptions
One of the biggest benefits of Expressive Calling is flexibility. Users no longer have to permanently allow certain contacts just in case of an emergency. Instead, callers can mark a call as urgent when it truly matters, giving the receiver more information to decide how to respond.
Still in Testing, With Limits in Place
For now, Expressive Calling is not available to everyone. The feature only works when both the caller and the receiver are using the Phone app beta, which limits its reach. At the same time, this shows that Google is still carefully testing the feature before making it widely available.
There is also the risk of people overusing the urgent label. If every call is marked urgent, the feature could lose its value. Google appears to be aware of this concern, which is likely why Expressive Calling is being rolled out slowly and with user controls in place.
Overall, the feature feels like a small but meaningful upgrade that could make phone calls less disruptive and a lot more useful.
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