Google Pixel’s Call Screening Feature May Launch in India
An APK teardown shows Google might launch Pixel’s Call Screening in India, though only in manual mode for now.
Back in 2018, Google introduced Call Screening to its Pixel phones, a smart feature that uses AI to answer calls on your behalf, saving you from picking up spam or awkward conversations.
Since then, it’s become a go-to feature for Pixel users in the U.S., who get the luxury of having the Assistant automatically screen unknown calls in real-time. But despite India being one of Google’s fastest-growing markets, the feature has remained noticeably absent from the region until now.
A recent APK teardown by Android Authority suggests that it may soon change. Hidden inside the latest Phone by Google app are files referencing “hi_in” (for Hindi and India), and a string labelled “enableIndiaManualScreeningOnlyMode.” This hints at a localised version in the works, though users may have to tap a “Screen call” button to activate it, rather than it being fully automatic like in the U.S.
Oyinebiladou Omemu
So why the delay? India’s telecom space is highly regulated, especially around features that involve real-time voice processing or call interception. Call Screening touches on sensitive areas like data privacy and lawful interception, which means Google likely needs regulatory approval before rolling it out, particularly with AI in the mix.
That said, India’s need for such a feature is clear. The country ranks among the worst globally for spam calls. Truecaller’s 2021 report found that the average Indian user receives 17 spam calls per month, with some states reporting even higher volumes. So, even a manual version of Call Screening could bring massive relief to users who are tired of robocalls and fake insurance agents.
While the feature isn’t live just yet, the presence of Hindi audio files and smart reply resources is promising. Early tests even managed to trigger the feature, though it could only process English speech for now. It’s still in development, but it seems Google is laying the groundwork for an official rollout soon, possibly timed with Android 16 or a future Pixel update.
Interestingly, while Google is expanding features like Call Screening to new regions, Apple is going in the opposite direction in some areas. The story goes Apple may soon restrict AirDrop’s functionality in the EU due to regulatory pressures.
It’s a reminder that tech features live or die by policy as much as innovation. In India’s case, it looks like patience may finally be paying off.
Ogbonda Chivumnovu
