Google's Gemini Now Makes Calls for You on Pixel Phones

Google has revived its decade-long push to let AI call businesses for you. After the earlier Duplex service shut down, the company is now rolling out Call for Me, a fresh take powered by modern language models.

What Call for Me Does#

The experimental beta feature is rolling out this week to Pixel 11 owners in the US who sign up through the Phone by Google app and hold an active Gemini subscription. When activated, Gemini can place calls to local businesses—asking a hardware store about tool availability, scheduling a haircut at a salon, or similar tasks.

The process is straightforward: tell Gemini what you need, answer any follow-up questions, and the AI takes over the call. It introduces itself, navigates automated phone menus, holds if needed, and handles back-and-forth conversation. You see a live transcript on your Pixel and can jump in anytime to take control.

How It Handles Edge Cases#

Gemini avoids calling emergency services but will attempt to reach specific numbers you provide, such as a tattoo artist's direct line if they lack a strong web presence. During calls, the AI uses the same voice as Gemini Live conversations, regardless of your usual Gemini voice settings.

Google acknowledges the feature still has rough edges. The company notes that accents, noisy backgrounds, and unpredictable caller behavior remain testing priorities. Early questions include whether Gemini can gracefully handle refusals or misunderstandings—and whether the person answering might simply hang up, mistaking the AI for spam.

Broader AI Phone Ecosystem#

This feature builds on Google's growing suite of calling tools already available on Pixel and Android devices:

• Call screening blocks robocalls and unwanted callers
• Hold for Me alerts you when the hold music stops and a live person picks up
• Direct My Call shows menu options on-screen before they're announced
• Real-time Scam Detection warns when calls may be fraudulent

The broader shift reflects growing comfort with AI handling calls. Voice assistants now routinely screen incoming calls across , , and Pixel devices.