Google allows you to record phone calls on the Pixel 9 series using the Call Notes feature
The Google Pixel 9 series has finally added a feature that many users have been eagerly waiting for: the ability to record phone calls. Not only can you record calls, but you can also transcribe and summarize them, making it easier than ever to keep track of important information.
Recording phone calls seems like a simple task, but due to regulatory requirements, it’s not always that easy on Android devices. Android only allows the pre-installed system dialer app to record calls, which is why many third-party call recording apps use workarounds that may not always be reliable.
While Google offers a call recording feature in its Phone by Google app, it has been blocked on Pixel phones in certain regions, including the US. This is despite the fact that the app informs call participants that the call is being recorded, which complies with the mutual consent requirement of many US states.
But with the publication of the Pixels 9 Series, Google has finally changed its stance on call recording. The new Call Notes feature lets you record, transcribe, and summarize your phone conversations using the device’s on-device AI model – Gemini Nano with Multimodality. This updated version of Google’s mobile-optimized large language model, Gemini Nano, can handle audio, voice, and image input in addition to text.
- Open the app “Phone by Google”
- Tap the menu button with the three dots
- Tap Settings
- Tap “Call notes”
- Toggle the “Enable call notes” switch
Record a telephone conversation with Call Notes Pixels 9 Series | Photo credit — PhoneArena
Once enabled, call memos can be easily activated from the overflow menu during a phone call. The first time you make or receive a call after enabling call memos, you may see a message asking you to try the feature.
When call notes are enabled during a call, the Phone app plays an audio message informing all participants that the call is being recorded. A red dot also appears next to the call duration to indicate that the call is being recorded.
After completing a call, you can access the recording, transcript, and summary by navigating to the Recents tab in the Phone by Google app. You may need to wait a while for the Call Notes feature to finish processing your call. In cases where the call was too short, you may receive a message saying it could not be summarized.
