Summary

  • Google’s Pixel 9 introduced Call Notes for recording, transcribing, and summarizing calls in the US.
  • An upcoming update to the Google Phone app will allow users to automatically delete Call Notes after a set period (7, 14, or 30 days) or delete all immediately.
  • This new auto-deletion feature aims to help users manage their call history, especially with the potential arrival of automatic call recording.

With the release of 2024’s Pixel 9 series, Google filled a major void left by the Google Phone app’s inability to record calls in the US. The tech giant introduced a new Call Notes feature, which, as its name suggests, records calls and offers a subsequent transcript and summary of your conversation.

The feature, powered by on-device AI, was launched with others of its kind, including Pixel Studio, the Pixel Weather app, and Pixel Screenshots.

Google Phone app running on Pixel phone calling a tester

Google was recently spotted working on an upgrade for Call Notes. Currently, the feature is only available on a per-call basis, which means it needs to be manually enabled via the in-call overflow menu each and every time you want to record and transcribe/summarize a call. However, a recent setting code tweak suggests that the tech giant might soon allow the feature to automatically begin recording calls with unknown on specific contacts.

However, recording isn’t the only part Google is looking to automate — the tech giant wants to make it easier for you to manage older Call Notes too.

Auto-delete settings spotted

As pointed out by the folks over at Android Authority after digging into Google Phone app (version 176.0.760284033-publicbeta-pixel2024), the tech giant is working on a ‘Delete Call Notes’ toggle that will show up in the tool’s settings.

The toggle will let you customize the automatic deletion depending on your needs, with options to automatically delete Call Notes after 7, 14, or 30 days of creation. Alternatively, those who wish to keep a record of their conversations indefinitely have a never automatically delete option at their disposal. In contrast, the feature also brings a ‘Delete all Call Notes now’ option for those who prefer immediate bulk deletion.

For what it’s worth, the feature was manually enabled in the latest beta build, and isn’t widely available just yet. It should complement the automatic call recording feature that Google is working on, helping you keep your transcripts and recordings in check.