Google Introduces Streamlined Call Screening with New Pixel Feature

Google is modifying a beloved Pixel feature, which might not be to everyone’s liking. The search giant is currently introducing fresh controls for the Call Screening feature on Pixel smartphones. The highly detailed controls are being replaced by three simplified options in a novel Protection Level menu. As of now, the update seems to have only been made available to a select group of users.

Google has made alterations to the Call Screening feature on Pixel devices. It has now been endowed with a more uncomplicated Protection Level menu, eliminating the intricate controls that bestowed upon users the authority to regulate how their phones handled undesirable or unknown calls.

Call Screening serves to obstruct spam and robocalls on Pixel devices. As a Pixel owner, you have the ability to utilize this feature to ascertain the identity of callers and the reason behind their calls before answering. In the United States, Google’s wizardry automatically screens all calls on Pixel devices. However, in other countries where the feature is accessible, only manual Call Screening options are available.

Previously, Google granted users the capacity to tinker with the Call Screening settings. Depending on the nature of the call—be it spam, possibly faked numbers, first-time callers, or private or hidden numbers—users could customize the response of the feature. It was possible to set Call Screening to silently decline calls, allow the phone to ring, or automatically screen and reject robocalls.

The newly introduced Protection Level menu is less intricate. It removes the granular controls from the Call Screening feature and presents three straightforward alternatives: Maximum, Medium, and Basic. Your choice will depend on the level of protection desired from unknown calls. Opting for the Basic protection level will allow you to decline calls from known spam numbers. The Medium option will reject spam calls and scrutinize suspicious calls. Lastly, the Maximum protection level will screen all unidentified numbers.

While this revamped menu streamlines Call Screening on Pixel phones, it eliminates users’ ability to treat different types of calls differently. Nevertheless, opinions regarding these alterations are subjective. Some individuals may prefer the less cluttered Call Screening menu, while power users accustomed to the previous menu and its greater number of controls might not concur with Google’s changes.

According to a Redditor, It also no longer allows you to decline unknown numbers automatically (you can only screen all of them now).

The new Call Screening Protection Level menu is accessible through the Phone app v106.0.534575879. AndroidPolice reports that the rollout is currently limited, so you may have to exercise some patience before observing the changes.