While the Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 offer AI-powered Call Notes and recording features, older Pixels have lacked native call recording for years. That finally changed in September, when Google announced it was bringing call recording to older Pixel models. But in typical Google style, the feature was not widely available — until now.
Several Pixel users report seeing the call recording option in the Google Phone app. The feature reportedly requires your Pixel to run the November Feature Drop. It must also have v198 of the Google Phone app installed (via 9to5Google). Users on the beta channel with a newer build are also gaining access.
If available, you should see a Call Recording option in the Phone app’s Settings > Call Assist menu. From there, enable the toggle and follow the brief setup process that appears.
You can then set the app to record calls automatically from numbers not in your contact list. Or, you can set the Phone app to record calls for only selected numbers.
Once the Call Recording option is enabled, a dedicated record button will appear on the call screen. You can tap it whenever you want to record a call manually.
Remember, when you start a call recording, the Phone app will automatically play a warning message or beep to inform the other party that the call is being recorded. This is done for regulatory reasons, and there’s no way to bypass this.
Google is rolling out call recording on all currently supported Pixels, starting from the 2021 Pixel 6.
Call Notes gets an international release
Other Android phones that use the Google Phone app as their primary dialer have supported call recording for years. So it’s good to see Google finally bringing the option to Pixels as well.
With the November Feature Drop, Google also expanded Call Notes outside the US. It is now available for Pixel 9 or newer devices in Australia, Canada, the U.K., Ireland, and Japan.
The feature will also work with the Phone app on Android Auto, ensuring you don’t have to struggle to note down important details while driving.
