AI Call Screening and Spam Call Detection

Call screening answers or mediates an incoming call before the user decides whether to take it. Google’s Phone app help describes manual screening, where a user taps Screen call and sees a real-time transcript, and automatic Call Screen for eligible Pixel devices in supported conditions. Google says automatic screening can ask why a caller is calling; contacts are not screened, and the phone can show a response before the user picks up or declines. Feature availability depends on device, language, and region.

This is distinct from caller-ID and spam warnings, which may label a number based on a spam database or other phone-app signals. Call Screen’s transcript is only the caller’s response during the screening phase; a convincing answer does not independently verify a person or business. Google says transcripts and recordings remain on the phone by default, while users may choose to share screening data with Google to improve the service. If the user picks up, screening and transcription end.

Choose between manual and automatic screening based on the calls you expect, and maintain a route for important callers who are not in contacts. Review the greeting, recording settings, and data-sharing choices. Do not assume every unknown caller is spam or that the assistant can verify an emergency, bank, or government identity. Call a known official number independently before sharing sensitive information.