Do you use Android's call screening tool?

[Fez909]

When someone calls me, I get the option to "screen call". I've never noticed it until now, but just Googled it and found it what it does.

The caller gets an automated message, saying, "The person you are calling is using a screening service from Google. They will receive a transcript of this call. Go ahead and say why you are calling"

Then the person says what they want, and you decide whether to answer.



It sounds pretty useful for screening out spam, but, otherwise it feels a bit weird to just reject someone's call because you don't want to talk to them.

It's not massively different from not answering and just listening to their voicemail, I suppose.

So, do you/have you used it?

 

[girasol]

Didn't know it existed, but unlikely I'll use it. It already warns if it thinks it's spam/phishing call, that's enough for me.

 

[farmerbarleymow]

I just don't answer the phone at all unless it's a number programmed into my phone. Solves the problem.

 

[Orang Utan]

why is it weird to not answer a phone call?

 

[Throbbing Angel]

Use it all the time.

It's built into Pixel phones. Like it a lot.

Considering whether to switch it on to automatically do this for all calls.

Keep your calls private - Phone app Help

 

[newme]

I just don't answer the phone at all unless it's a number programmed into my phone. Solves the problem.

Yeh its one thing that made job hunting particularly annoying for me on top of the general shitness of it anyway. You have to answer every bloody call just in case.

 

[editor]

I use it all the time and it's bloody brilliant for sifting out spam/unwanted calls. Such a great feature.

 

[weltweit]

I've an Android Moto phone and haven't noticed it.

However I only really get called by close family and some others so I don't really have a problem to solve.

 

[PursuedByBears]

I also have a Pixel and use it all the time

 

[BassJunkie]

I too have a Pixel and use it all the time. I think it's only been one occasion when a 'legitimate' person actually left a message because it wasn't a spam call it was a 'real' call. All the others hang up almost immediately.

 

[wtfftw]

I didn't know about this and have now turned it on. ta!

 

[lazythursday]

Yep I have started using it whenever I don't recognise the number. It's pretty much always spam calls. I've been part of several big data leaks so I get a lot of spam calls, like upwards of five a day sometimes.

 

[UnderOpenSky]

By accident. If I know it's spam I'll hang up. I've felt embarrassed when I've done it to a real person and it's caused confusion.

 

[UnderOpenSky]

I too have a Pixel and use it all the time. I think it's only been one occasion when a 'legitimate' person actually left a message because it wasn't a spam call it was a 'real' call. All the others hang up almost immediately.

I mean I would hang up.

 

[Orang Utan]

What I wanna know is why family members don’t leave messages when I don’t answer. I never answer. They need to fucking learn!

 

[Orang Utan]

Yeh its one thing that made job hunting particularly annoying for me on top of the general shitness of it anyway. You have to answer every bloody call just in case.

Not if you have an answering machine!

 

[BassJunkie]

I mean I would hang up.

So would I. I have yet to have encountered one of these from the 'other end' yet.

 

[Fez909]

I've felt embarrassed when I've done it to a real person.

This is what I think. Why is it embarassing, though? I think I want to use it, but this is stopping me.

 

[UnderOpenSky]

This is what I think. Why is it embarassing, though? I think I want to use it, but this is stopping me.

People have to deal with enough of that shit in their lives without me adding to it. And it feel rude, like, well I'm screening their calls.

 

[UnderOpenSky]

This is what I think. Why is it embarassing, though? I think I want to use it, but this is stopping me.

People have to deal with enough of that shit in their lives without me adding to it. And it feel rude, like, well I'm screening their calls.

 

[UnderOpenSky]

What I wanna know is why family members don’t leave messages when I don’t answer. I never answer. They need to fucking learn!

I never leave messages as I hate having to deal with voicemail. I'll just drop them a WhatsApp or similar.

 

[newme]

Not if you have an answering machine!

Never had anyone leave a message thay wasn't silence, confusion at it turning on or giving very vague details cos of data protection or whatever in ages. Plus it's always on me anyway.

 

[danski]

I don't use it and for very good reason.

 

[Orang Utan]

Never had anyone leave a message thay wasn't silence, confusion at it turning on or giving very vague details cos of data protection or whatever in ages. Plus it's always on me anyway.

They will always leave a message to call you back, in my experience.

 

[Orang Utan]

I never leave messages as I hate having to deal with voicemail. I'll just drop them a WhatsApp or similar.

Which if fine, but they don’t even do that!
I hate being interrupted, so I never answer the phone. All I ask is that I’m given a reason to get back to whoever’s called. Otherwise I won’t.

 

[Orang Utan]

People have to deal with enough of that shit in their lives without me adding to it. And it feel rude, like, well I'm screening their calls.

‘Screening’ (is not answering) calls isn’t rude. Calling people with no warning is.

 

[UnderOpenSky]

‘Screening’ (is not answering) calls isn’t rude. Calling people with no warning is.

Just don't answer then or turn your phone on silent. Don't force them to listsn to some shit message.

I will call people without warning (depending on who they are) confident that if they are busy they just won't answer, like I wouldn't.

 

[keybored]

‘Screening’ (is not answering) calls isn’t rude. Calling people with no warning is.

How should one go about warning someone that they are about to call them?

 

[Orang Utan]

Just don't answer then or turn your phone on silent. Don't force them to listsn to some shit message.

I will call people without warning (depending on who they are) confident that if they are busy they just won't answer, like I wouldn't.

I think people should leave messages though. If they want to speak to you, they should be prepared to tell you why, otherwise why bother to reply?

 

[Orang Utan]

How should one go about warning someone that they are about to call them?

by text, and by warning, they should ask if it’s ok and then arrange a time