Google is giving Pixel users a small but practical upgrade in the Phone app. The Take a Message feature can now use a custom greeting recorded by the user, making unanswered calls feel more personal.
The change does not alter how the feature works at its core, but it does improve one of the most visible parts of the experience. For people who rely on Take a Message instead of standard carrier voicemail, the new greeting adds a clearer personal identity to incoming calls that are not answered.
What Take a Message does
Take a Message has been positioned as an alternative to carrier voicemail for some time. When a call is missed or sent to voicemail, the feature activates, shows a transcript on screen, and includes the voicemail audio if the caller leaves a message.
That setup makes the process simpler than many carrier voicemail systems, which can feel more cumbersome to use. On Pixel phones, the feature is handled directly through the Phone app, giving it a more integrated feel.
The new custom greeting option
The latest improvement lets users record their own greeting instead of relying only on the default message. According to 9to5Google, some users on the stable channel are already seeing the option appear, after it had been available in beta for a while.
The rollout appears tied to Phone app version 223. After updating, users may see a pop-up alerting them that a custom greeting can now be set, and the process is described as straightforward: record the greeting and make it the new default.
Where the feature is available
| Availability | Details |
|---|---|
| Countries | United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Ireland |
| Supported devices | Pixel 6 and newer |
| App version | Phone app version 223 |
Even though the update is modest, it shows Google continuing to refine the Phone app with details that affect everyday use. For a feature that already serves as a voicemail replacement, a custom greeting makes the experience feel less generic and more aligned with the user’s own style.
It can also help set expectations for callers by making the greeting sound formal, casual, or informative, depending on what the device owner wants to convey. Since the rollout is happening gradually, not every eligible user will see the option at the same time.
That is why updating the Phone app remains the first step for anyone who wants to check whether the feature has reached their device. For Pixel users who already depend on Take a Message, this is the kind of small change that can make missed calls feel more deliberate and more personal.
