Just when you think that the Phone app on Pixels can’t get any better, Google thinks of something new to throw into the mix to keep things fresh. In fact, there’s so much new stuff, we sometimes overlook it. Take a Message is a feature that’s been around for a little while, and essentially acts as a replacement for your carrier’s voicemail service.
While it isn’t revolutionary, it makes things more convenient. Folks call in, Take a Message activates if you don’t pick up the call or send it to voicemail, and you get a transcribed message on your screen, along with an audio voicemail if the caller leaves a message. Sure, your carrier already does this, but it can be a bit clunky.
Not a huge change, but we’ll take it
The Take a Message experience is already pretty seamless, so it doesn’t really require much more to make it better. However, Google has now added the ability to record a custom greeting message, allowing users to give it a more personal touch. 9to5Google looks to have the first details on this news, sharing that some folks with the stable app are now seeing the option available.
Those in the beta have had access to this feature for quite some time, but for others, this is going to be the first chance to experience this new feature. If you haven’t seen it, you’ll want to update your Phone app to the latest version. 9to5Google reports that this feature is popping up in version 223 of the app.
Once you’ve updated, look out for a message that pops up letting you know that you can now set a custom greeting. From here, it’s pretty straightforward; you just record a greeting and then set it as your new default. So, if you don’t have it yet, you’ll want to update to access this feature.
Of course, there are some regional limitations to be aware of, though. For now, folks in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and Ireland will have access to Take a Message. And it is available on any Pixel 6 and newer model. If you’re looking to give it a try, be sure to download the update to see if it’s available.
Again, it’s not a major feature, but some folks will love the option of being able to go with something different.
