Android’s new ‘Call Reason’ flags important calls before you pick up | The VergeSkip to main contentThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.The VergeThe Verge logo.TechReviewsScienceEntertainmentAIHamburger Navigation ButtonThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.Hamburger Navigation ButtonNavigation DrawerThe VergeThe Verge logo.Login / Sign UpcloseCloseSearchTechExpandAmazonAppleFacebookGoogleMicrosoftSamsungBusinessCreatorsMobilePolicySecurityTransportationReviewsExpandLaptopsPhonesHeadphonesTabletsSmart HomeSmartwatchesSpeakersDronesScienceExpandSpaceEnergyEnvironmentHealthEntertainmentExpandGamesTV ShowsMoviesAudioAIVerge ShoppingExpandBuying GuidesDealsGift GuidesSee All ShoppingCarsExpandElectric CarsAutonomous CarsRide-sharingScootersOther TransportationFeaturesVideosExpandYouTubeTikTokInstagramPodcastsExpandDecoderThe VergecastVersion HistoryNewslettersExpandThe Verge DailyInstallerVerge DealsNotepadOptimizerRegulatorThe StepbackArchivesStoreSubscribeFacebookThreadsInstagramYoutubeRSSThe VergeThe Verge logo.Android’s new ‘Call Reason’ flags important calls before you even pick upComments DrawerCommentsLoading commentsGetting the conversation ready...NewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechGoogleCloseGooglePosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All GoogleAndroid’s new ‘Call Reason’ flags important calls before you even pick upFriends in your contact list who also have an Android phone can signal when this call isn’t one to send to voicemail.Friends in your contact list who also have an Android phone can signal when this call isn’t one to send to voicemail.by Stevie BonifieldCloseStevie BonifieldNews WriterPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Stevie BonifieldDec 2, 2025, 7:01 PM UTCLinkShareImage: GoogleStevie BonifieldCloseStevie BonifieldPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Stevie Bonifield is a news writer covering all things consumer tech. Stevie started out at Laptop Mag writing news and reviews on hardware, gaming, and AI.Android users will soon have an option to add an “urgent” indicator to their calls, which shows up on the receiver’s incoming call screen and in their call history if they don’t pick up. It’s a new feature in beta testing in the Phone by Google app, Call Reason, that will only work for people who are saved in your Contacts list already, and if you both use Google’s default calling app on Android phones.If you often send calls to voicemail (or your friends don’t pick up your calls), this feature allows you to tell each other when you’re calling about something important, or need to talk right away, without sending a separate text.Right now, Call Reason is just for marking calls as “urgent,” but it would also be nice to see more options down the line, like a custom message or emoji to show why you’re calling. Since the Call Reason message also shows up in your call history, it could also be a helpful reminder to call someone back about something specific if you can’t pick up in the moment.Call Reason is rolling out as a beta feature, and availability will vary by phone manufacturer. You can check for the update on your phone by tapping your profile icon on the Google Play Store, “Manage apps & devices,” and “Check for updates.” You can also double-check that you’re using Phone by Google for your calls by going into your Settings app, then “Apps” and “Default apps.”Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.Stevie BonifieldCloseStevie BonifieldNews WriterPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Stevie BonifieldAndroidCloseAndroidPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All AndroidGoogleCloseGooglePosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All GoogleNewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechMost PopularMost PopularNetflix kills casting from phonesOpenAI declares ‘code red’ as Google catches up in AI raceMKBHD is taking down his wallpaper appSamsung’s Z TriFold is official and it looks like a tablet with a phone attachedThese last-minute Cyber Monday deals will likely be gone tomorrowThe Verge DailyA free daily digest of the news that matters most.Email (required)Sign UpBy submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. 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Google’s Phone by Google app is introducing a new feature called “Call Reason,” designed to flag important calls before they are answered. This functionality is currently in beta testing and relies on the recipient also using the Phone by Google app on an Android phone, and both individuals must be present in each other’s contact lists. The core purpose of Call Reason is to allow users to quickly signal to their contacts when a call necessitates immediate attention, effectively preventing calls from being automatically sent to voicemail. Currently, the feature operates solely as an “urgent” indicator, which is shown on the receiver’s incoming call screen and within their call history. The sender can designate a call as urgent, and this will be visually represented to the recipient. This feature will also display in the recipient’s call history, offering a convenient reminder to return an important call. While presently limited to simply marking a call as urgent, there’s an intention to expand the feature’s capabilities in future iterations, potentially including custom messages or emojis to provide context regarding the call’s urgency. The benefit of this approach is that conversations no longer need to be delayed as a result of a call being automatically sent to voicemail. The rollout of Call Reason is dependent on phone manufacturer support; users can check for the update through the Google Play Store by tapping their profile icon, navigating to “Manage apps & devices,” and selecting “Check for updates.” Additionally, users should confirm they are utilizing the Phone by Google app for their calls within the Settings app, under “Apps” and “Default apps.” The intended impact goes beyond simple voicemail avoidance, aiming to streamline communication by immediately conveying the importance of a received call.