For years, owners of Google Pixel phones have waited for one of the most basic features found on other smartphones: native call recording. Now, starting with the Pixel 6 and newer models running Android 14 or higher, that wait is over. The long-promised functionality is rolling out via an update to the Phone by Google app.
What’s Changing in the Pixel Phone Experience
With the new update, users will find a dedicated Call Recording option under Settings → Call Assist in the Phone app. Once enabled, a new recording button appears during calls and is clearly marked. Recordings are saved locally in the app under a microphone icon, and users can play back, share, or delete the audio files. Settings allow for automatic recording of calls from unknown numbers or specific contacts, and users can choose to auto-delete recordings after 7, 14, or 30 days, or keep them indefinitely.
Google also emphasises privacy: recordings stay on the device and are not uploaded to the cloud. In regions where local laws require consent from all parties, the feature includes a built-in audible disclosure announcing the recording. As rollout begins in regions including India and Canada, global availability will vary.
Why this Feature Matters Now
Call recording was one of the most requested features among Pixel users, especially in regions where the feature is legal and safe to use. Previously, users had to lean on third-party apps, which often worked only partly, required workarounds, or carried privacy risks. With this move, Google is closing a significant capability gap in its flagship experience. It also signals the company’s increasing willingness to deliver long-standing user demands rather than focusing strictly on headline features like cameras or AI tools.
Impacts for Users and the Smartphone Market
For Pixel users, the availability of integrated call recording means greater comfort in using the phone for calls where record-keeping matters, such as interviews, business calls, or situations where details matter. However, users still need to check regional legality and ensure their device is updated to the correct version of the Phone app and system build before seeing the toggle. For the broader smartphone market, Google’s rollout adds pressure on other OEMs to ensure their feature parity, not just in hardware, but in service usability and update support.
What to Watch From Google Going Forward
Despite the rollout, key questions remain: when will the feature reach all global markets? Will older devices beyond the Pixel 6 series (for example, Pixel 5a) get support? How will Google handle regional legal constraints or limitations (for example, in Europe, where consent rules vary)?
Also important: will Google tie future call-based features such as transcription, tagging, or summarisation as part of this recording function?
In short, the arrival of native call recording on Pixel phones is less about novelty and more about completing a foundational user need. For many, it will matter far more than the next camera upgrade.
Source: Android Central
