5 settings I all the time change within the Android Telephone app

It is a common joke within the tech biz today, nevertheless it’s true — usually, we neglect that our smartphones are presupposed to make cellphone calls. It is simpler to shoot somebody an e mail or a textual content message, and telephones serve 1,000,000 different functions, from video games and fitness tracking to social media and recording rides. The best way Apple’s advertising and marketing goes, you’d assume most Hollywood films have been shot utilizing iPhones.

When you truly do need to use your Android cellphone for its nominal function, there are a variety of settings you’ll be able to change to get essentially the most out of it. Notice that these are simply the tweaks I want once I get to day by day an Android system. It might be value exploring settings by yourself, merely utilizing the ideas beneath as a place to begin. I will add that not each Android cellphone goes to share the identical menu labels, and even the identical choices in some instances, so I am not going to delve (too) deep into directions.

Enabling Name Display

The most effective is reserved for the Google devoted

One in all finest options of iOS 26 is non-compulsory call screening, however as with a variety of iPhone options, it appeared on Android units first. This allows you to immediate a caller to clarify who they’re and why they’re calling earlier than you reply — when you reply in any respect. Alternately, you’ll be able to reply with canned or AI-generated responses, the latter tailor-made to what the caller truly stated in the course of the screening course of.

There are just a few limitations. Non-Google Android units solely assist handbook screening at most, triggered by tapping Display name when your cellphone rings. And even then, handbook management is just obtainable in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Eire, Italy, Japan, Spain, the UK, and the US. When you do not see the choice seem in any respect, strive opening the Telephone app and going to Extra > Settings > Spam and Name Display/Name Display.

When you personal a Pixel system and dwell within the US, you’ll be able to activate computerized screening by going to the identical menu. One benefit of this (assuming you’ve gotten a Pixel 7 or later) is you could select various levels of safety. All ranges will block identified spam — however you’ll be able to restrict screening to “suspicious” (doubtlessly faked) numbers when you do not need to interrogate each quantity that is not in your contact listing. I might advocate full screening when you’re repeatedly bombarded by spam. The partial possibility could also be helpful when you’re anticipating calls from new numbers, like shoppers or job recruiters.

Turning on Caller ID bulletins

Train warning

If there’s something on this listing that is certain to upset you, it is most likely this one, and I perceive why. It may be annoying sufficient when a cellphone rings in public, not to mention the thought of an artificial voice proclaiming the identify or quantity. And when you’re the one who owns the system, you might not need your personal life revealed out loud, or blasted in your ear.

I take advantage of my cellphone below very specific circumstances, nonetheless. If I am not alone in my house workplace, I am most probably in my automotive, on the fitness center, or driving my EUC. Having calls introduced will not be solely fantastic, however generally important — I can not precisely verify my display once I’m below a loaded barbell or carving down a motorbike path.

You’ll be able to alter this function within the Telephone app by going to Extra > Settings > Caller ID announcement > Announce caller ID. Most individuals ought to most likely select Solely when utilizing a headset, which may prevent bother whenever you’re preoccupied the best way I’m, however with out telling everybody your private enterprise. The opposite choices are All the time and By no means.

Disabling Name Bubbles

Helpful however distracting

When Android first gained messaging bubbles a few years in the past, I used to be completely happy, largely as a result of it promised simpler multitasking at a time when that was missing within the OS. However the extra I used it, the extra irritated I grew to become, as a result of these bubbles have been getting in the best way of interface components in different apps. I did not want a reminder that I had an ongoing dialog, and Android’s present multitasking interface makes it easy sufficient to change apps.

With regards to the official Telephone app, bubbles are on by default. They do have their worth — other than making it simpler to renew a name, you’ll be able to mute it, put it on speakerphone, or grasp up with out having to go anyplace. However when you’re experiencing the identical frustrations as me, observe these steps:

1. Faucet and maintain the Telephone app icon.
2. Faucet Information (i).
3. Choose Superior > Show over different apps.
4. Lastly, toggle Permit show over different apps.

Activating Flip to Slience/Flip to Shhh

One other edge for Pixel house owners

This setting is one I am hardly ever ready to make use of, since my cellphone is usually in my pocket or sitting on a stand, nevertheless it’s good to have the choice. As its identify suggests, this allows you to flip your cellphone over to mute an incoming name. {Hardware} and software program buttons can accomplish the identical factor, however flipping is often simpler, say if a name wakes you up at 6AM and also you need nothing greater than to return to sleep.

On Pixel units from the Pixel 2 onwards, Flip to Shhh is on by default. All it’s a must to do is make it possible for your cellphone is screen-up on a flat floor, then flip it upside-down when the time comes. That “flat” half is vital — the choice depends in your cellphone’s movement sensors, so it won’t work correctly in case your cellphone is resting on one thing uneven like a sofa cushion.

And not using a Pixel in hand, you should still have entry to Flip to Silence. It is functionally related — you will simply need to navigate to Settings > Superior > Flip to silence within the Telephone app. If you cannot discover the choice, it is perhaps value exploring different menus, however there’s the likelihood that your cellphone is not suitable.

Slightly counter-intuitive

Okay, you’ve got received me on a technicality — you’ll be able to’t truly set customized ringtones through the Telephone app. However that is one of the crucial vital issues for me on any system, since if I hear my spouse’s tone, I do know to select up instantly. If it is a generic ringtone, I ought to most likely verify the incoming quantity first, since many of the calls I get are spam.

So how do you set a ringtone for particular person contacts? Sometimes, that is the method:

1. Obtain or copy the audio file you need to use to the Information app.
2. Open the Google Contacts app.
3. Choose the Repair & Handle tab on the backside.
4. Underneath Different instruments, select Contact ringtones.
5. Faucet Add contact ringtone.
6. Decide a contact, then the ringtone you need to use.
7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 for as many customized tones as you need to use.

The large catch to that is that whereas contacts sync between units utilizing the identical Google Account, ringtones do not. You’ll be able to put your favourite information in Google Drive, however you will need to reassign them to every contact when you arrange a brand new cellphone.